The truth is that when it comes to pandering to powerful religious/ethnic "blocs" in the US the biggest game in town is the across the board bowing to the white Evangelical "base" of the Republican Party. That's the bloc of voters that adds up to real numbers, as high as a third of the American voting population.
When it comes to the State of Israel,it's the Christian Zionists who have driven American foreign policy over a cliff. Christian Zionists continuously jeopardize our future by putting the promotion of harebrained interpretations of biblical "prophecy" ahead of the well being of both Israel and the US.
To the Christian Zionists "defending Israel" is just a handy pretext for indulging their obsession: egging on, even "helping" the fulfillment of "biblical prophecies" about the "return of Christ." But their worst sin isn't just embracing dumb "theology" but that they have enabled a nefarious group of losers to irreparably harm America and contribute to the needless killing of our men and women in uniform worldwide: the neoconservatives.
To the neoconservatives "defending Israel" is just a handy pretext for upholding the myth of "American exceptionalism" for profit and nationalistic "glory," of the kind that was supposed to have gone out of fashion when hubris and stupidity got half the young male population of Europe killed in World War One.
America needlessly went to war in Iraq because neoconservative war mongers -- who laugh at the "those rubes" as they think of earnest Evangelical Christian Zionists, and whose own sons and daughters seem notably absent from our armed services -- used the religious passion and dedication of conservative Evangelicals to provide political means and cover for the neoconservatives' commitment to America's military dominance of the world. In other words the Evangelicals provided the votes to put foolish war mongers like George W Bush in power.
With "friends" like the Christian Zionists and the neoconservatives Israel, America, our men and women in uniform, the Palestinians and the rest of humanity need no enemies. This is made poignantly clear by a new film, With God On Our Side.
With God On Our Side is the most powerful, humane and compassionate documentary exposé of the Christian Zionist movement, and the impact of their ideology on the lives they have touched (and ruined), ever made. It is well crafted, subtle and fair. And -- notable in the "when hell freezes over" department -- it was directed and produced by... an American Evangelical.
Porter Speakman Jr.(director and producer) was raised by an Evangelical minister. Speakman grew up in a Charlotte, North Carolina in an evangelical (Pentecostal) home. These days he attends a small conservative Anglican church where he lives in Colorado Springs, "the Evangelical capitol of the world," as some wags call the blighted town where James Dobson runs his Evangelical "Focus On The Family" empire.
The film traces Speakman's change of heart from Christian Zionist to moderate peace maker. Speakman's fictional alter ego -- the young actor who narrates the movie -- recreates Speakman's ethical, spiritual and political journey. His dramatized journey links the interviews and historical material that provide the facts which correct the absurd lies told by the Christian Zionists not to mention their apocalyptic fantasies.
I understand where Speakman is coming from. I too look at these issues from an inside perspective. My late father, Francis Schaeffer, was a key Evangelical founder and leader of the American Religious Right. I grew up in a home where the "return of the Jews to Israel" was seen as "proof" of "God fulfilling prophecy" in order to expedite the return of Christ. I changed my mind and I changed my politics. I explain why I quit the evangelical movement in my book CRAZY FOR GOD--How I Grew Up As One Of The Elect, Helped Found The Religious Right, And Lived To Take All (Or Almost All) Of It Back. I no longer believe that any "prophecy" is being fulfilled in Israel or anywhere else. I don't believe anyone is "chosen." If there is a God then God either loves all people or none.
With God On Our Side is a pointed contradiction of most American Evangelicals who still believe that to "be a Christian" means that you must give your full support to the extremist elements in the State of Israel. They believe that God loves some people lots more than others. In fact the logic of their actions points to their hatred of the Palestinians, even hatred of Christian Palestinians, let alone of "those Muslims."
For instance John Hagee, mega church pastor and founder of Christians United for Israel has said: "For twenty five almost twenty six years now, I have been pounding the Evangelical community over television. The Bible is a very pro-Israel book. If a Christian admits 'I believe the Bible', I can make him a pro-Israel supporter or they will have to denounce their faith. So I have Christians over a barrel you might say."
Few within the Christian Evangelical community have dared to publicly question Haggee's type of approach. Speakman's film presents an authentically Christian and Evangelical alternative perspective to the warmonger Far Right's views. As such this film is literally the most important document of its kind -- because it was made by an insider. It is the key to understanding why Evangelicals have become the permanent party of war in the name of "helping Israel."
Note: If we go to war with Iran you'll know why after watching this film. Hint: it won't be to protect American interests.
With God On Our Side does more than just present another Evangelical perspective -- it presents an opportunity for Christians of all denominations as well as Jews, Muslims, atheists and agnostics -- whomever -- to engage for peace as vigorously as the Christian Zionists root for war.
Speakman allows everyone he interviews to express themselves, share what they believe and then he responds with story, facts and context. With God On Our Side contains interviews with the leading Christian Zionists including John Hagee and Malcolm Hedding (of the so-called International Christian Embassy Jerusalem).
The film shows that one of the problems with the Christian Zionist rhetoric is it is never put into context. Hagee and his warmongering ilk say whatever they want and get an "Amen" -- and a check -- from those who believe the same. But when you show the implications of their beliefs and actions, it becomes clear that this is not the way of Jesus.
Those like Hagee and Hedding are deeply disconnected from the pain and suffering amongst the Palestinian people and they abuse the Bible to justify such an approach with blatant disregard for the Bible's core teaching for both Jews and Christians -- love of neighbor.
The Christian Zionists are also deeply disconnected from the American military family that, for generations now, has been the spear point not of American foreign policy but of Evangelical fantasies about making the world "safe" for the return of Christ by "helping" along "biblical prophecy" by "standing up for Israel." This so-called standing up has mired America in perpetual war. And as if that's not enough their very raison d'être is an insult to any actual God (if there is such a thing). I mean how could God be stupider than his frail human creatures? And what could be stupider than tying land acquisition to spirituality, as if the God Of The Universe is addicted to enforcing borders established by British colonialists and/or some rather nasty genocidal warring Bronze Age tribes?!
With God On Our Side soberly and quietly challenges the thought that God is only "with" one ethnic or religious group. When I interviewed Speakman for this article he said, "When you think God is on your side everything is justified. Radical Muslims justify suicide bombings, Radical Jews justify ethnic cleansing and radical Christians justify modern-day crusades."
Speakman has toured the US (mostly in churches) twice with the movie -- quite incredibly mostly ignored by the mainstream media so far -- and is now in the UK and Ireland to answer his (often insanely hostile Evangelical) critics. "What we are seeing is that there are many people who are disturbed that they have not heard this side of the story before," says Speakman. "What is encouraging is that many people who watch our movie then want to learn more and get involved to make a positive change, for both Palestinians and Jews."
After watching With God On Our Side I have a renewed hope that peace in Palestine and Israel is possible. This film can help that happen by signaling the beginning of the end of the largely unchallenged influence of Christian Zionism.
Order the DVD at a big discount HERE
Frank Schaeffer is a writer and author of Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back
Follow Frank Schaeffer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/frank_schaeffer
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I won't comment much on this particular post, I'm a new member here and just beginning to follow up o your posts (as far as time permits). I know where you come from. I have many of your father's books, almost all of your mom's books too (it's quite a lot). I still appreciate a lot of what they did, I think they gave the best of themselves, given the time and common insights of their own time frame. We have been evolving of course, we now see how a "left behind" mentality could grow out of this, a Christianity that would want to "watch Armaghedon from a ringside seat" (as N.T.Wright put it). But seeing that was not so obvious in your parent's time frame. Just as Cliff Richard could sing "Yes it is His land" in a Billy Graham movie decades ago, could not predict how things would evolve.
I think I agree with almost anything you write (just got your book Patience With God too). I think you may be a little too rude sometimes. I also think you give someone like Dennett too much credit - in my opinion teaming up with the new atheists is teaming up with a fundamentalist pocket within an otherwise reasonable atheism, and this is a responsibility he carries. But in general: yes to fighting christian fundamentalism. Yes to both science/evolution AND spirituality. Yes to doing REAL GOOD for Israel. No Christian insanity. Thumbs up!
Isn't it massively dishonest that Israel accepts Evangelical money despite the fact that Israel finds their doctrine to be laughable? I can certainly scoff at the Chritian-Zionist idiocy, but believe in the sincerity of their flock's belief. Thus, Zionists of the right wing ilk, can't possible believe in the Evangelical hastening, but have no qualms with taking in the cash. It's a marriage between a sincere but severely misguided group of Christians and a group of cynical right-wing Zionists.
Thank you for writing this review and bringing my attention to this film. I plan on watching it soon, as it looks as though it covers many of the complex religious underpinnings of the current situation in the Middle East.
I'm sure that this Mr. Speakman, provided Mr. Schaeffer's description of him is accurate, is a sincere Christian believer. I would have no reason to believe that he came to his conclusions in any way other than in a spirit of good faith. I certainly would not be adverse to hearing and seeing what he has to say before I would be interested in passing any judgment on the wisdom, or lack thereof, of the thesis of his video production.
What you are saying here is the "God is on our side" argument. You are saying your version of history is divinely inspired and therefore superior to others, and to you that justifies oppression of the Palestinians. You need to change this point of view before you start another war.
That said, you haven't really made clear what "God's timetable" is. If you're going to give premises in support of a conclusion, you need to make your conclusion clear and precise. At the moment I can't really tell what your argument is.
You said it was immaterial whether we support or detest Israel, and you said it was immaterial because "God's timetable is all that matters." So...what did you conclude, exactly? Does that mean we're supposed to support Israel, or not support Israel? You cite "God's timetable," but what IS that, exactly?
What is your conclusion? I can't tell. Sir, will you please be a little more precise?
I believe it to be more than a mere coincidence that God has preserved the physical and religious identity and cohesion of the Jewish people over the course of the past four millennia. I also believe that it is an irrefutable miracle and demonstrates God's intent to preserve His own good name among mankind thru keeping His promises to that which the author dismisses as a mere "nasty genocidal warring Bronze Age tribe" (really cute phrase, Frank!). It is also more than a coincidence that this people was restored into the homeland that they first were promised as an eternal possession in Gen. 17:8.
Churchiantiy (Nicene Creed) is not Christianity. In fact i was first defined 325 B.C.E . Although it is adopted by most Christian Churches today with the last councils in 1973 and next in 2011. Who said I cannot learn something, thanks for the THINKING stuff, but did not change my consciousness?
I never heard of it before except through religious church preachings long ago and on TV I had to turn off. Hence what I call Churchianity because it did not teach Christ's WORD (red letters and Romans) or what I call Christianity.
So many have been turned of or worse by churches as the article says. So sad because finding the SPIRIT within is so shocking for us Christian Yogi's who got turned off, dropped out of the Churchianity. Not going back, thank you Yogananda
Why I speak Christianity to shock my fellow Christians to see the truth. What this article is all about, as is my discussion to Churcianists, real Christians, Yogi's, Buddhist, etc.
Evolving the ego consciousness of the material world to Cosmic Consciousness is the Teaching of Christ and Romans. Others who do not see that fine. You are missing the message all the paths leed to One. Each path of course is Self not Church Realization. Sharing fellowship can be GREAT but it is not Self Realization be it Buddha, Krishna, Mohammad or Christ
What an uphill battle both you and the filmmaker face.
Sigh...
Christian Churches do not teach the words of Christ or the WORD. They teach the CHURCHIANITY you speak of here.
Obviously their members have never read the New Testament "red letters" or Paul's ROMANS.
Otherwise they would have no following. Christ told of the 3 little pigs and over and over he said "SOME WILL SEE, BUT NOT SEE" he also said "JUDGE THE TREE BY THE FRUIT IT BARES"
Call it Churchianity-Zionism, PLEASE. Otherwise you are taking the Lord's name in vain.
Anyway, I quickly realized it was NOT OF GOD. Not any of it, period. God never went anywhere. Jesus promised to help us in our pilgrimage. He said that when 2 or 3 were together praying, He was right there with them...and so on. Jews talk to God with enviable familiarity...Where is God NOT?
Our life here can be imprisoning, our emotions bottled and our behavior dishonest...we sometimes long passionately for liberation from all this and fixate on a future time when God will do it for us. Unfortunately, this also includes mass genocide and the torture of millions for this blessed relief from the problems of this world. People who rub their hands with glee over all this need to look in a mirror, a long hard look. The God they are presenting to the world is a mass murdering hater of His own children? I think this kind of "religion" is a form of mass hypnosis, a heresy.
This whole "Christian Zionist" movement gives me the creeps--anyone who has read the Book of Revelation (I did in a comparative religion class in college) can see for themselves that the reason the Christian Zionists "love" Israel is that once all Jews are in the Holy Land, then the Rapture will happen. Then, all non-believers (including Jews) will be sent to hell! And these are the people that right-wing Jews "pal around" with. Have at it folks, and remember that those who sleep with dogs very often wake up with fleas!
'12- but for PRESIDENT!!! Not Vice!
By the time I reached Jr. High, I was in full rebellion from any and all of it, and at the same time frightened by nightmares and overwhelmed by guilt. Thank you for sharing your story so articulately and honestly.
And, other Xians ... enable, and provide cover for the evangelicals!
Only if a religion is doing charitable work (without proselytizing or interfering in government), and are transparent in accounting for that charity work, should they receive the same tax status (and, only for that portion of their funds) as any other charitable organization.
That might apply to 10% of some churches funds, 30% of some ... and some would receive tax breaks for 0% of their funds.
The part of their funds that go toward running their houses of worship ... 100% taxable.
Sound fair?