The curious support for a country by those who believe its founders are bound for Hell

           

                   I remember as a young man meeting an aspiring writer, a man down on his luck who served as something of a reverse mentor to me. He had a tendency to use the word "facultative" in his colloquial speech, thus leading me, a twenty-two-year-old student, ignorant of the word, to my dictionary. What I discovered is that the writer was using it in a sense that might not please the more orthodox compilers of the O.E.D. You see, my friend had a tendency to utilize the word as a means of describing a type of person who adapts himself to the needs of others for mercenary purposes. This interpretation of facultative could be used to describe a political stance taken in modern-day America. This stance, of course, is the alliance between the Christian Right and the Zionist movement.

              Israel is a beleaguered nation. Even with peace accords signed by neighboring states such as Jordan and Egypt, it remains vulnerable to attack by hostile governments within the region, most notably Iran, Lebanon, Syria and several others. Despite generous U.S. aid to its military, a full-out assault by a coalition of Islamic states could spell its demise. Adding to this factor is the fact that Israel has seen itself the focus of much criticism throughout the nations of the West owing to recent actions by its government and military. Any logical observer can understand that with these issues to confront, Israel understandably looks for sources of support where it can find them.

              One such source of support is the Christian Right in America. Listening to John Hagee or viewing Trinity Broadcasting for only a few minutes, a viewer is struck by the impassioned pleas to support the Jewish State. In many ways this is a symbol of progress.  Throughout the centuries, it was often those who held to the tenets of Christianity who inaugurated pogroms and expulsions. So, to see Christians unified in supporting Israelis, one does feel a sense of reassurance when comparing the situation to times past. However, such support does need to be placed under more stringent observation. When put under scrutiny, a paradox becomes immediately apparent.

             The paradox in question involves the stance of the Christian Right towards those who do not share their belief in Christ as the Messiah. Frequently, if one peruses chat rooms and message boards, one can see a truly malignant attitude directed towards non believers, particularly Muslims, who accept Christ as prophet, but not as divine. On more than one occasion I have had the chance to witness denunciations of those affiliated with other Christian sects, particularly Roman Catholics and Mormons. Several in the Evangelical movement do not see adherents of those faiths as true Christians, and thus their souls are in jeopardy. Having seen firsthand the dismissal of Muslims, Hindus, Catholics, Buddhists and Mormons as "hell bound" by so many of this movement, one must turn our questioning towards Israel and how the Evangelical Right see it.

             Having established their point of view towards those who do not accept Christ as the son of God, as well as those who interpret Christianity in a manner different from theirs, one is not unreasonable to ponder the Evangelical attitude towards Jews. Now, to be fair, variations exist within all groups. Generalizations are the enemy of the intellect, but it must be remembered that Evangelicals are a group united by common belief with only slight variations among individual members. For the most part, it cannot be denied that Evangelicals believe in a sorry fate for those who do not accept Christ as savior. This is what brings us to the curious situation of Christian Zionism.

             Christian Zionism is an ideology that has come to prominence with the rise of the Evangelicals in the United States. It puts forth that Christians are obligated to support the Jewish state. The Jewish state will be, if one is to believe the followers of Tim La Haye and several others, the site where the Rapture will transpire. The Rapture, the return of Christ, where the righteous will ascend to Heaven and the wicked will receive their just deserts is predicted to happen at any time. More than once I have had the unique experience of driving behind a car with a bumper sticker explaining that if the car is found empty alongside the road, it is because the driver has been "raptured." How confident the driver is of his own moral rectitude and desirability by God himself!

             Now, for those credulous souls who believe that the existence of Israel is part of the criteria for the return of Christ, Christian Zionism is entirely logical. What could make more sense than endeavoring to preserve the land you believe is  necessary in order to usher in the return of your savior? Thus, the appeals to support Israel on behalf of the Evangelicals are quite understandable. Understandable, yes, but cynical and politically expedient as well. One has to return to just what the overwhelming majority of Evangelicals believe will happen to the souls of those outside of their sect. A horrid fate it is indeed. Although some renegades within the Evangelical movement have posited a "dual-covenant theory," that is hardly the standard among members of the movement. No, Jews, along with Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Hindus and atheists are bound for the eternal torment, sayeth the Evangelicals. In the case of Israelis, they do not say it as clearly as they do when it comes to those other religious groups. Nonetheless, Israel does receive moral and financial support from America's Christian Right. However, it must be understood that the support comes solely from a need to satisfy the ultimate aims of the Evangelicals. This aim is, of course, a land for the anticipated event they so eagerly await. Despite the aid to Israel and the positive press given it by the Evangelicals, it cannot be denied that they view the overwhelming majority of its citizens as destined for perdition.

             Because of this, one should always take into careful consideration where one gets his support. Those with such self-serving motives are hardly genuine friends to the Jews. Aiding a nation while immersing yourself in an ideology that preaches that the inhabitants of the land you support are bound for Satan is hardly symptomatic of virtue. It shows a canny and utterly cynical stance designed to further one's own interests.

             Is a Christian alliance of sorts with Jews better than outright opposition and cruelty? Absolutely. However, one must consider that this outreach is not based on genuine love and acceptance of another faith, but an opportunity to serve one's own needs, a need that those outside of the Evangelical Movement have trouble understanding. Full acceptance and love of another group does not exist when in the not-so-dark recesses of your brain you see them as deserving of eternal torment. The Jews are a people who have been subject to unimaginable suffering for centuries, thus one would hope that they deserve better than to see themselves manipulated by those who view them as a theologically deficient other worthy of eternal punishment.