[Peace-discuss] AWARE discussion on the perceived threat of the religious right

[Karen Medina]

Peace Discuss,

RE: AWARE discussion on the perceived threat of the religious right

A few weeks ago, there was a discussion as to whether Christian extremists were a real threat deserving focused attention, or if it wasn't the real problem.

I just got a note from a Christian group actively interested in Peace and Justice issues, so I forward it (see below) to you all for 2 reasons. 1) So that people see that not all Christians are the same, and 2) because the note seems to be convinced that the Christian religious extremists have some power with Secretary of State Rice and that churches should let her know that not all Christians believe the same.

-karen medina


>   As President Bush prepares to travel to the Middle
>   East for the first time this week, he's been hearing
>   a lot from Christians on the extreme right who
>   oppose a just peace between Israel and the
>   Palestinian people.
>
>   They'd like our political leaders to believe that
>   their misguided fundamentalist theology and reckless
>   militarism represent the views of all U.S.
>   Christians - but we know that's not the case.
>
>   Tell Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that the
>   religious right doesn't speak for you - and that
>   Christians want a Middle East peace agreement.
>
>   Don't underestimate how extreme these groups are -
>   the leader of "Christians United for Israel" has
>   gone as far as to suggest that Hurricane Katrina was
>   a punishment from God for U.S. support of Israel's
>   withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. He's also urged a
>   pre-emptive military strike against Iran.
>
>   Fortunately, dozens of evangelical leaders,
>   including our own Jim Wallis, have recently come
>   together to present an alternative point of view. In
>   a public statement, they wrote:
>
>     In the context of our ongoing support for the
>     security of Israel, we believe that unless the
>     situation between Israel and Palestine improves
>     quickly, the consequences will be devastating. ...
>     As evangelical Christians, we believe our faith
>     compels us to speak a word together at this
>     crucial moment.
>
>     The Bible clearly teaches that God longs for
>     justice and peace for all people. We believe that
>     the principles about justice taught so powerfully
>     by the Hebrew prophets apply to all nations,
>     including the United States, Israel, and the
>     Palestinians.
>
>   Will you answer their call for "all Christians, and
>   everyone of good will to join us to work and pray
>   faithfully in the coming months for a just, lasting
>   two-state solution in the Holy Land"?
>
>   Of course, Christians of every theological and
>   political stripe care for the well-being and
>   security of the Israeli people. But the extreme
>   right goes too far by opposing diplomatic efforts to
>   negotiate a peaceful settlement between the Israeli
>   government and the Palestinian leadership. And
>   there's reason to believe they have the ear of
>   President Bush - who sent a personal greeting to be
>   read at one of their recent gatherings.
>
>   Before President Bush goes to Israel, sign our
>   petition to Secretary of State Rice, letting her
>   know that Christians support a just peace between
>   Israel and Palestine.
>
>   Thank you for all that you do.
>
>   Blessings,
>
>   Ryan, Michael, Elizabeth, and the rest of the team
>   at Sojourners
>
>   P.S. We want to send a message loud and clear that
>   the extreme right doesn't speak for us - can you
>   forward this message to five of your friends,
>   family, or congregation members?
>
>   Sources:
>
>   "Christians United for Israel." Bill Moyers Journal,
>   10/7/2007.
>   "An Evangelical Statement on Israel/Palestine."
>   Evangelicals for Social Action, 11/28/2007.