Welcome to my blog. I’ve created and developed it for two closely-connected purposes:-
- to challenge the UK development charity Christian Aid over what, in my view, is its biased campaigning on the issue of Israel and Palestine.
- to monitor and challenge similar biases in the wider Church.
Christian Aid is 'the official relief and development agency of 39 church denominations in the United Kingdom and Ireland' - these incude all the major denominations in Britain with the exception of the Roman Catholics. I believe Christian Aid does a lot of good work, and indeed it was through receiving and reading the magazine Christian Aid News as a supporter of the charity that I began to be concerned – a concern which has developed over the past three years or so into a conviction that this is not a side issue, nor one which is going to go away. Reading the magazine, campaigning material and the Christian Aid website, I have been consistently disturbed by three main aspects:
Firstly, the one-sided portrayal of the conflict. The Israelis are always the bad guys, the Palestinians the innocent victims. The reality is just far more complex than this.
Secondly, so much coverage is given to this one issue as to give the impression that it is by far the most serious human rights abuse in the world today. That’s just plain wrong.
Thirdly: the first two points are criticisms that could be levelled against a great deal of secular left-wing and liberal comment (and, indeed, Muslim comment) on the conflict. But I find it especially worrying that a Christian organization campaigns in this way, because it suggests a fundamental lack of awareness of what is perhaps the darkest side of the Christian faith. Historically, Christianity has a shameful record of scapegoating and persecuting the Jews. There can be no doubt whatsoever that this helped pave the way for the Nazi Holocaust. As Christians today, we are called on to be ever mindful of this legacy; to treat our relations with the Jewish people in a spirit of sensitivity, of penitence and of thankfulness towards the people as one of whom our Lord was pleased to dwell (the "brothers and sisters of Jesus", in Dietrich Bonhoeffer's words); and to seek every opportunity of making amends for the sins of the past. It is because I want to recall Christians to an awareness of this question that I have adopted the provocative title 'Christian Hate?'.
Since I set up the blog, what started as a a specific concern with Christian Aid has grown into an awareness of similar attitudes becoming increasingly influential in the wider Church. Of particular concern to me as an Anglican has been the Anglican Communion's adoption of a policy of encouraging its member churches to consider financial divestment from Israel.
Let me be clear: I am not saying Israel should be given a moral blank cheque. I have no problem with Christian Aid drawing attention to the plight of the Palestinian people and taking a critical view of Israel’s policies towards them. I believe that the maintenance and expansion of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories is indefensible, and that a just peace settlement must grant the Palestinians full sovereignty over the whole of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. But there can be no excuse for making such criticisms in a way which suggests that the Jewish state is uniquely blameworthy and can be held responsible for the ills of the whole Middle East. Israel has, from Day One of its short history, faced violent hostility from forces denying its right to exist, and its actions need to be understood in that context just as Palestinian actions need to be understood in their context.
In the words of the International Council of Christians and Jews, “Voicing opposition to Israeli Government policy is not of itself anti-Semitic. But criticism which demonises and de-legitimises the Jewish state alone, often by applying double standards, acts as a contributory factor to antisemitism” (statement on Association of University Teachers boycott of Israeli universities, 24 May 2005).
Action
If you agree with me, what can you do?
- Leave a comment
- Write to Christian Aid
- If you are an Anglican, write to the Archbishop of Canterbury too
- Tell your Christian friends about this blog
- If your church is one that supports Christian Aid corporately, raise your concerns with your priest and PCC members
- Last but not least, and whether you agree with me or not, pray “for the peace of Jerusalem”
Disclaimer
I don't necessarily agree with all the contents of websites linked to this one, nor with all the views expressed in comments on this site. I don't censor comments I disagree with (unless abusive, racist etc., and not necessarily even then!) and I don't have time to respond to every point I disagree with.
In view of the nature of quite a few of the comments that are being left, I'd like to make it clear that my personal reason for upholding the existence of modern Israel is not that it is a fulfilment of Biblical prophecy. I simply believe that a people which has suffered history's worst genocide within living memory is as much entitled as any other people to want a state of its own. I have no objection to others believing in a Biblical basis for Israel so long as this does not lead them to endorse genuinely imperialistic policies which deny justice to the Palestinians.
46 comments:
Congratulations on some excellent commentary.
There is one area I'd like to address: your criticism of Israel being in the "Occupied Territories." This, by the way, is standard stuff and I used to say much the same until I became enlightened and questioned what I'd read in the 80s.
The entire "Palestinian" problem was caused by the actions of Arab countries (Egypt, Jordan, Syria) yet they are not being asked to do anything about the solution. After Israel gained land in 1967, the U.N. and others spoke of "land for peace." Simply put, there has been no peace. To demand Israel give back all captured land is to say there is no penalty for bad behaviour.
Another point is the issue of SECURE borders. The land initially ceded to Israel did not have secure borders and neither were the 1967 borders secure. A return to the 1967 borders is not an option.
There's lots more. E.g. the demand that East Jerulsalem go to the Palestinians. It's incredible that Christians demand this. Under Jewish control, ALL religions have consistently had access to holy sites. Under Muslim rule the opposite has been true. (Look at the Al Aqsa Mosque today.)
In short, there must be compensation to Israel, in the form of land, for the aggression of its neighbours. Compensation to Palestinans (land, money) should come from the aggressor nations. What they effectively did was to wash their hands of the problem, leaving it to fester. The West is guilty for accepting this.
Thank God someone has had the courage to raise this issue – well done.
About 12 months ago our local CofE Church was subjected to a talk on the Israel-Palestine problem by a spokeswoman from Christian Aid.
What followed was a racist diatribe that wouldn’t have been out of place at a BNP rally. She blamed all the problems in the Middle East on the “the Jews” – she never once used the word Israelis.
What was really revolting is that the great and good of our little town sat in the pews and nodded their agreement.
Just one person in the congregation – a 16-year-old girl – challenged the spokeswoman, asking her views on the tactic by Palestinian terrorists groups of targeting blameless civilians.
The Christian aid woman was outraged that anyone could raise such an issue.
The trouble is that it is not just Christian Aid – the vile racism that has become so fashionable among the Liberal-Left has made big inroads in mainstream Anglican opinion. Please read my take on the Anglican sanctions against Israel here http://www.20six.co.uk/BillCarmichael
Best of luck
Bill Carmichael
Well done - I'll link to you.
It's about time Christians were made aware of the agenda which sone of the people in charge of the NGOs espouse.
regarding the 'occupied territories':
March 2002,
"Secretary General Kofi Annan of
the United Nations called Israel's occupation of lands acquired in the 1967 Six Day War "illegal."
George P. Fletcher is a professor at Columbia University School of Law and author of the forthcoming
"Romantics at War: Glory and Guilt in the Age of Terrorism." responded:
It is unfortunate that the dubious policy of building settlements and the military
actions of the Israeli Army are getting confused, in the public's mind, with the legality of Israel's holding
unannexed lands until a peace agreement is signed.
It is not illegal for victorious powers to occupy hostile territory seized in the course of war until they are
able to negotiate a successful peace treaty with their former enemies. The Palestinians have failed to
recognize this fact.
in response to Professor Fletchers NYT op-ed,
In using the word "illegal" in his address to the United Nations Security Council on March 12,
Secretary General Kofi Annan had no intention of entering the debate about the legality of Israel's
original action in occupying territory during the war of 1967, as implied by George P. Fletcher (Op-Ed,
March 21).
The secretary general referred, rather, to Israel's failure, in the 35 years that have since elapsed, to
accept the legal obligations that the status of an occupying power carries with it, and its actions —
several of which are referred to by Professor Fletcher — that run contrary to those obligations and have
therefore been declared illegal by the Security Council and the General Assembly.
The secretary general's objective in making this statement in the midst of such an agonizing crisis was
to persuade both Israeli and Palestinian leaders to halt the violence and return to dialogue with each
other. He remains firmly committed to the search for a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement of
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, negotiated between the parties on the basis of Security Council
Resolutions 242 and 338 and the principle of "land for peace," and fulfilling the vision affirmed by the
council last week in Resolution 1397 of "a region where two states, Israel and Palestine, live side by
side within secure and recognized borders."
FREDERIC ECKHARD
Spokesman for the Secy. General
United Nations
New York, March 21, 2002
http://www.soci.niu.edu/~phildept/Kapitan/IPC40.html
the 'occupation is NOT illegal
the land is disputed
Had the Arab world been successful in defeating Israel ,in any one of it's many wars -can anyone imagine there would be any jews left alive to negotiate anything ,let alone a return to the status quo?
May G-d bless the work of your hands. It is hard these days being a jew (or is that zionist?), it seems that all the worlds problems are yet again our doing. "sort out the jews and you sort out all the worlds ills" seems to be the common philosophy. With all this in mind it is wonderfull to find someone like you who has the strength not only to think for yourself but also to proclaim your opinions.
Firstly, thankyou for an excellent blog.
"The Israeli Intelligence and Terrorism Information Centre published today its summary for the month of June. According to its findings, the number of attacks was the highest since February, with 124 shooting incidents and 120 rocket launches from the Gaza Strip. During the last month, 4 Israelis were killed and 39 were injured by Palestinians attacks...Since the February ceasefire, there have been 800 terror attacks."(Via Melanie Phillips 1/7/05)
Yet all the world sees is that Israel has built an 'apartheid' wall. Nothing infuriates people more that seeing the Jews trying to defend themselves from extermination.
I also agree with the above comment that the territories are disputed and not illegal by international law.
Cyrus,
A good call setting up the site and focus. As a Brit and Christian (though in my case conservative) who is also a Lay Reader in the Anglican Church I have had concerns with Christian Aid in the past.
I have had cause to deal with the liberal media myself in my own work and a couple of weeks ago wrote up a similar criticism of the liberal Anglican hierarchy and its anti-Israel approach. Melanie Phillips also quoted me extensively at that time.
I therefore share your concerns and wil be linking to you tomorrow (Monday).
God bless - truth, not ideology, is what matters.
Blessigns
Peter Glover
The divestment moves by the Anglicans and othe Christian organisations has played hugely into the hands of those that want to delegitmise Israel's existence. Anyone that does not know facts would make the assuption that Israel is equivalent to Appartheid South Africa. Almost the whole world is against Israel. Apart from the US, Australia, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, no other countries stand up for Israel's right to defend its citizens in UN resolutions. The divestment is just one more stab in the back of a world that knows exactly what they are doing - destroying the Jews.
My father, an Auschwitz survivor lost most of his family to the Nazis. My mother, had to flee Egypt along with almost the entire Jewish Community when Nasser was in power. Israel has been a refuge to persecuted Jews worldwide and took on the responsibility without being a burden to the world and didn't ask for handouts. Jews moved on and tried to rebuild their lives but now all these diverse groups that have nothing in common but their hatred of Israel are joining forces to see their utimate goals realised.
None of these groups ever talk about the genocide being preached against the Jews by Imans in various mosques or the indocrination of children to martyr themselves.
I am really thankful that you have put together this web site and can see from the comments other wonderful people are also making a big effort to make a difference. I have been searching the web for reassurance that this is a popular sentiment but haven't been able to find it. Rather, over the past year I've seen the momentum to vilify Israel intensify. Due to my family history I feel very afraid.
Discover the truth about the conflict in the Middle East.
www.faithfreedom.org
What a good idea - I have been concerned about Christian Aid's bias against Israel and against Jews for a long time now. I've written to the Bishop of Exeter (no reply). Also the Archbishop of Canterbury (again no reply). To the Christian Aid staff - here I did get a reply but one which repeated its bias and showed no concern at all about truth and fairness. Why they single out Israel and the Jewish people for stigmatization is beyond understanding. I've raised the matter with members of my own church, but again have run into massive misunderstanding and lack of insight - the reaction seems to be, if it's Christian Aid it must be OK, they're such a huge organization, so well respected, etc. Your site fills a long-felt need. If everyone who feels strongly about CA speaks up and attempts to correct its stance, we may finally have an impact!
Can someone please tell me how Israel can make peace with an area STILL pledged to destroy that State? Not only Hamas, Islamic Jihad,Hesbollah, Al asqua Brigade, but Fatah (Abbass's own party) have the same committment to destroy Israel, eradicate all jewish prescence from the area and have an Islamic State to the sea. To all those who say the new Palestinian authority has changed, I suggest they get into the Fatah website and read their (unchanged)constitution Ironically, last weekend (Jule 3rd) I saw the excellent German film 'Downfall' about the last days of Hitler. Chritian Aid officials should be made to see it, then hang their heads in shame.
Well done for speaking out.
I do find it amazing that so called bible believers do anything other than support our ancient brothers and sisters of Israel. GOD is very passionate about Israel and her people after all He calls them the apple of His eye...so why can't we?
And let us not forget that the land belongs to HIM and HE chose to give it to the Hebrew people...end of story!
Zechariah chapters 12-14 are just a few of the consequences of choosing to ignore it!
For a long time the Anglican Communion has been loosing its moral compass, forgetting what the scriptures say about the Jews and Israel, forgetting that Jesus was a Jew living in what was then a Jewish land (as it always has been)under Roman occupation. I once heard the Archbishop of Canterbury describe himself as a 'bearded Lefty' and that sums up the problem in my opinion...left wing politics (which is what Christian Aid is involved in) have no place in the Church or any Christian body any more than right wing politics have but a wider issue is the accountability of NGO's who have enormous power without responsibility they are constantly diversifying and going well beyond their original mandate....unless and until they are regulated and confined to charitable endeavours they will continue to pursue their own (often perverse) agenda's with relative impunity and will act as a cover for their activists prejudices...
Solid commentary. God bless in this.
For pities sake - ISRAEL DID NOT EXIST UNTIL THE BRITISH CREATED IT AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR!
JEWS DO NOT HAVE A "HOMELAND" OTHER THAN THAT THEY DEMANDED WAS CREATED AFTER THE WAR (CITING THE HOLOCAUST).
PALESTINIANS HAVE HAD THEIR LAND TAKEN FROM THEM - NO COMPENSATION, NOT EXPLANATION.
ISRAEL IS SO WORRIED IT WILL DISAPPEAR IT PAYS PEOPLE TO MOVE THERE.
IT'S TIME TO GIVE PALESTINE BACK TO THE PALESTINIANS - IF JEWS WANT TO STAY, FINE - IF THEY DON'T WELL THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER COUNTRIES THEY CAN LIVE IN.
JUDAISM IS A RELIGION - NOT A RACE.
GET A GRIP AND STOP BEING SO FACIST IN YOUR UNBLINKING SUPPORT OF ZIONIST NEO CONSERVATIVE SENTIMENT
Thank you for being able to see 'the emporor's new clothes' for what they are.
Obviously there will be those that don't have a lower case key on their keyboard (!) who may not agree with you, but don't be put off by the abuse - it stems from a lack of knowledge.
Frankly the Christmas 'baby Jessica' stunt by CA shows how low they are willing to go to distort all the Christianity stands for.
Keep up your great work!
This Anglican who has lived amongst both the Jewish and Palestinian Arab people is very happy that the Christian Aid attitude is being challenged. No, Israel does not get everything right all the time, but between 1948 and 1967 Egypt had Gaza and Jordan had the West Bank, annexing it in 1950. And they both left the Palestinian Arabs stateless. And Christian Aid blames Israel.
Thank you for this web-site I have long been concerned over Christian Aid's attitude to Israel and its demonisation of the Jewish people. Some years back I had to repent of my personal predudices and attitudes. I can't tell you the joy and release that brought me. I now do beleive that God still has a purpose and plan for his ancient people.
God bless you in your ministry.
David Winter
ongratulations on your interesting & supportive site.
A committed Jewesss
ongratulations on your interesting & supportive site.
A committed Jewesss
ongratulations on your interesting & supportive site.
A committed Jewesss
The recreation and existence of the state of Israel today I believe is an act of Almight God in fulfilment of scripture. He is watching over His Word to perform it and Israel is a present day example of this. The Lord has promised to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse(esteem lightly!!!)Israel. I humbly urge believers to examine their bibles before they make comments against Israel. This is not to say Israel never does anything wrong. Far from it, they are human beings like all of us, but God's mercy is great and his faithfullness unending. Otherwise I would not be here to write this. Bless you for creating this web-site.
Bless you for starting this website - May those who call themselves Christians start trying to Biblically correct as opposed to politiaclly correct and search the Scriptures till they can see that we are living in days of prophecy being fulfilled. Seek and ye shall find.
Our Saviour is a Jewish man,who has promised His People that they will return to the land of Israel.
Salvation is of the Jews which means that the Gentile Nations should serve the Jewish people especially if they profess to know the Messiah. I have visited the land of Israel and I plan to return. God has blessed the fertility of the land since the return of the Jewish people, the ecology and the Hebrew tongue has been reborn. Many wonderful things
are being fulfilled in this generation. I stand in awe at the faithfulness of God to His word.
The Landlord (Owner) of the Land wrongly known as Palestine (as named by the Roman Empire) is the Lord God Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. As He has given it through covenant right to His people then all those who disagree come against Him, which is not a wise thing to do! The history is quite simple, Israel was scattered by God because of disobedience but He also promised that He would bring them back before the return of their Messiah. So we have seen them restored to their Land, Language and ultimately their Lord.
All who try to dislodge them will fail because of His promise and His mighty hand! To any who disbelieve - just watch this space!
The time is near when, as commented by symf, that the Messiah will return to restore that which belongs to Israel, back to Israel. God's Covenant has never and will never be abrogated - the land given to Abraham and his descendants will always belong to Jacob/Israel, his grandson. Let's not forget Gen. 12:2-3
It's 2005, the world's on fire, warriors - on both sides - are killing the innocent in the name of god. Are you serious? Fight over land and water by all means, and if the overwhelmingly string wish to crush the pathetically weak, so be it. But don't, for the love of god (joke) pretend that you're doing so because some 5,000-year-old ghost story mumbo jumbo nonsense told you to. Wake up, all of you. The Bible is not a justification for anything and until you stop pretending it is, there is no hope of trying to find a better way of ending this appalling situation. I'd love to see an end to conflict but before that there has to be an end to using god as a reason for fighting.
To the last poster: I don't like calling people names, but this is pure anti-religious bigotry. The arguments have been rehearsed a trillion times, but briefly:
1. I believe in God on the basis of years of reflection. 5,000 year old ghost stories don't come into it.
2. My God isn't telling me to kill anyone. My Bible is a justification for trying to love my neighbour as myself. I think that's as valid as it was 3,000 years ago. Don't you?
3. You don't need God as a reason for killing. Saddam Hussein didn't. Pol Pot didn't. Stalin didn't. Hitler didn't. Need I go on?
I see many of your supporters question as I do your point of giving back " Occupied Territories". Please don't forget that this is God's Land given to the Jews forefathers Abraham, and Moses took the Israelites into it. It is not to be barganed over for peace. We don't have an easy answer accept perhaps bring God into the situation.
Good site will visit again
Fascinating to read.
I'm a teacher. Christian aid are a massive producer of free resources given to help schools teach citizenship. I worry about what brainwashing kids are receiving from this information.
If there were more people like yourself there would be a more open debate and Jews would be able to be more critical of Israel. Unfortunately there are so many who see Israel as the root of the worlds problems that those who support the right of the Jews to a state have no room for compromise.
Hey Cyrus. Where's the love, brother? If your god is telling you to love your neighbour, why are you ignoring that god? If you really do believe in it I mean. I don't see a lot of love in a publication that exists in order to accuse others of hate. Surely if you really did want to love your neighbour you wouldn't be using this kind of incendiary language, but would be working for peace and the promotion of an end to conflict in the middle east. Of course you don't need god to justify killing people. But, in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, because of a dispute based on 'the word of god', as written thousands years ago, that is exactly what is happening. People on both sides are claiming a right to something, and killing for it, because their gods are telling them to. Your god tells you to love your neighbour? Excellent, so does mine. Why not join me in working for peace for all the people in this troubled region, instead of taking sides with one neighbour against another and provoking further anger and bloodshed by accusing people of hate? Love, Cyrus, it's all about love. Not hate. Take care now.
Having now learned the name of the proposer of the motion to divest in Caterpillar is Keith Malcouronne, I believe God has a singularly black sense of humour. Keith Malcouronne, for goodness sakes! Not Keith Evilcrown or Keith Evil Crowns, is it?
All this sound terrible, rocket attacks against settles, trowing stones againt israli tanks, unmaned planes destrying bomb factories, suicides bombing in cafes and mall, air strikes against leaders of islamis jidads.
But all of you people ever think in ordinary peoples isralis and palestinians alike.
The leaderes are doing all the talks the ordinary people is the one suffering.
What the world did, back in WWII, they all look the other way when jews were in need of countries to take them. Now the people is suffering this endless conflict.
Israel from one part is anexing more territory in the name of secutity, the Palestinian from the other side are doing nothing to aliviete the growing unrest.
Is time the the world leaders sit in the peace table in start making real compromises.
Reality is that settlers came to Palestine-Israel with the understanding of a free land the most of the exodus was created under Sharon Dominium, he said in one of his addresses, jews run to the hills and take them, we are going to make a pastrami sandwich out of the palestinians.
All these jews, have double nationality, the palestinian have one only.
Nobody can't deny the reality that this exodus created, is too late to send them back to their original countries, they have done it under religious pretenses "the holy land" "the promise land", why the world didn't work out a solution viable to all those jews, before creating this messi conlfict.
Now let's faced got out of hand.
But the upper hand lays in the Israli part,they have the money and the military power.
When you send send money to charity organizations you are feeding the people: israli and palestinians alike. and period.
Thank you, Cyrus, for this blog. Reading expressions of goodwill towards Israel from Christians lightens my heart...
...On the issue of 'Occupied territories': Why couldn't the Jews continue living in their little settlements as dual citizens of both Palestine and Israel? The land that these settlements occupy is generally non-productive so the Arabs aren't suffering any kind of economic loss - as a matter of fact, the Zionists were always careful to purchase at a mutually agreed price any land they used for development (Modeled perhaps on Abraham's purchase of the cave at Machpelah for Sara's tomb - ? My memory is so bad...)- until they were attacked in 1948...The presence of the settlements in the economic life of Palestine could contribute mightily to everyone's prosperity. Arabs dwell in Israel as citizens - why cant Jews do the same in Palestine?
If there was any good will floating around such an arrangement could have been established long ago. But Arab hatred of Jews is so intransigeant that common-sense solutions are impossible.
u absolute twat. the New York Times and every other pro-Israeli paper give coverage to the terrorist activities of Israel on a daily basis. Someone needs to address the humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinians-it's not about hating Israel but about helping Palestinians. Israel need to stop their terrorism against the Palestinians first. what's all this crap about financially trying to strangle the DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED Hamas government? what we only like Democracy when it returns right wings dickheads like George Bush? and what exactly is Islamism? why are you making up ur own words to further negatively stereotype Islam? I believe you are actually an Israeli and not Christian at all. Why are you so ashamed of being Israeli u have to pretend to be Christian? You think we wont take you seriously otherwise? well we dont anyway u ignorant fool.
Christianity Some basic questions:
1. Do you really believe that Jesus existed? I mean hey, guy born of Virgin Girl?
2. If he was born of Virgin Mary, Who was a Jew, Then even Jesus was Jew? What is this religion Christianity about when even Jesus was Jew.
3. Do you expect a man to die if crucified with nails? Anatomically bleeding in palm or toes will not kill anyone. In Fact I have heard christian cult who get crucified to share the pain Jesus bear. And If he did not die, what is this resurrection myth about?
4. Hype being built in/around Jesus as the son of god. Well are we (human, animal, plants) not children of god?
5. It is ok some one want to pray the god in a particular way, follow cult , religon etc. but what on earth push christianity as a whole to work for planned conversions? If Jesus's way is true way for you follow him. Why are you so worried to increase the numbers.....after all mankind is vibrant and not herd of cattle. Or does christianity teach you that all man are animals?
Your views are wrong.
I think the fundamental error is spiritual.
This is easy to spot because it is in the banner of your blog.
"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us." (Ephesians 2:14)
This does not refer to Jews today.
Instead it is a reference to the early church where Jews and Gentiles were united in Christ, i.e. they were Christians.
Jews, like all other people who have rejected Jesus Christ, will suffer the final judgement of God and be sent to the lake of fire for eternity.
Being Jewish, I greatly appreciate the time and trouble you have put into this blog.
Please know that your efforts are appreciated :)
Just one point I would like to comment on: Gaza and the West Bank are legally Israel's. In fact, according to the only legally binding agreements, Israel is entitled to much of what was Palestine - but of course Jordan now takes up 82% of what was the region of Palestine...!
If you have the time, please feel welcome to visit my blog; I post regularly on Israel and also various religious issues.
Shalom and best wishes :)
Jew With A View
http://ajewwithaview.wordpress.com
Hi there,
I'm glad to read this blog.
I'm also glad that there are people out there who aren't into prophecy fulfilment who support Israel, because some of those who don't want Israel to exist spend their time caricaturing what they call Christiann Zionist views of Israel in order to discredit any and all Christian support for Israel's existence.
Christian Aid never impressed me as an organisation. When I've heard its spokespersons, they've not been theologically literate, but been disappointed that they weren't able to guilt-trip young adults into giving them support. They didn't have any theological or political arguments, didn't try to analyse crisis situations carefully, were just into getting money from people. It's amazing that they think they can just waltz around relying on their name. I never support them now that I know of their bias against Israel.
I am delighted that someone is standing up aginst Christian Aid. Christian Aid are simply not Christian anymore. They renounce the fundamental idea that the answer to the world's problems is Christianity. As well as being anti Israel, they believe the answer is environmentalism. I watched a Christian Aid video in the local Parish Church. The final message was not one of Christianity but of "stop global warming, or people (living on a delta, in the example used) will suffer".
Thank you for your blog.
Alex
Thank you for this blog. I am a born-again Christian of more than 30 years standing and believe I have discernment. Christian Aid? To my mind it's a con; an essentially Marxist-humanist organisation posturing under a religious banner, fleecing gullible Christians in the process.
CAs political advocacy has its roots in humanism, not orthodox Christianity. Salvation through a classless social order, environmentalism, materialism etc.
Like the leaven Jesus warned about, CA borrows fragments of biblical truth, but presents "another gospel".
A quick message to fellow Christians in the Church of England. Please remember that you are allowed to ring fence your offerings to the church - you can specify exactly how you wish the money spent.
If you want to support a good Christian cause, remember there are hundreds of thousands of Christians being persecuted worldwide. It's outrageous that so much aid bypasses suffering fellow believers. Judgement has already been passed by Jesus - "I do not know you, depart from me" - on those who claim his name and fail to care about suffering Christians ("my brethren").
My advice dear Christian friend - partner only with true disciples who you trust and know personally; people with a demonstrable track record; a testimony of loving Christ and his flock and who are in complete submission to the full, inerrant word of God.
To the Jew I say, true Christians are NOT against you. We are obligated to speak the truth in love and to judge and act righteously. This means no-one is above scripture-based CONSTRUCTIVE criticism and rebuke - Christian, Jew, heathen, everyone. But as every truly forgiven sinner like myself knows, we are nothing without God's wisdom, mercy, truth, redeeming power and love. Even if we do criticise, it is NOT from a position of superiority, but of humility, the fear of God and an awareness that only through unmerited favour to us do we have the privilege to speak in his name.
True Christians know that Yeshua had to be rejected for gentiles to be given a chance to come into a covenant with him; fulfilling the ancient promise to Abraham that though his seed (singular) all nations would be blessed. We also know though, that the gospel is to the Jew first, and then to the Greek. So we know that God has never rejected the Jew, there is a grand rescue plan at the second coming to earth of Yeshua.
True Christians know our fight is not against "flesh and blood". We can never be against any one people or individual for whom Christ died, but sadly, Christians are not immune from the deception Christ warned about in the "last days". "Worldly wisdom" and vain philosophy has come into the church just as Christ predicted - too many wolves ravaging the flock and making shipwreck of their faith.
Remember Jewish friend, there is now the "true Christian church" (the one wiling to be persecuted for the name of Christ) and the imposter "worldly church". Not every organisation, grouping or individual that claims the Christian label is truly that.
A quick message to fellow Christians in the Church of England. Please remember that you are allowed to ring fence your offerings to the church - you can specify exactly how you wish the money spent.
If you want to support a good Christian cause, remember there are hundreds of thousands of Christians being persecuted worldwide. It's outrageous that so much aid bypasses suffering fellow believers. Judgement has already been passed by Jesus - "I do not know you, depart from me" - on those who claim his name and fail to care about suffering Christians ("my brethren").
My advice dear Christian friend - partner only with true disciples who you trust and know personally; people with a demonstrable track record; a testimony of loving Christ and his flock and who are in complete submission to the full, inerrant word of God.
To the Jew I say, true Christians are NOT against you. We are obligated to speak the truth in love and to judge and act righteously. This means no-one is above scripture-based CONSTRUCTIVE criticism and rebuke - Christian, Jew, heathen, everyone. But as every truly forgiven sinner like myself knows, we are nothing without God's wisdom, mercy, truth, redeeming power and love. Even if we do criticise, it is NOT from a position of superiority, but of humility, the fear of God and an awareness that only through unmerited favour to us do we have the privilege to speak in his name.
True Christians know that Yeshua had to be rejected for gentiles to be given a chance to come into a covenant with him; fulfilling the ancient promise to Abraham that though his seed (singular) all nations would be blessed. We also know though, that the gospel is to the Jew first, and then to the Greek. So we know that God has never rejected the Jew, there is a grand rescue plan at the second coming to earth of Yeshua.
True Christians know our fight is not against "flesh and blood". We can never be against any one people or individual for whom Christ died, but sadly, Christians are not immune from the deception Christ warned about in the "last days". "Worldly wisdom" and vain philosophy has come into the church just as Christ predicted - too many wolves ravaging the flock and making shipwreck of their faith.
Remember Jewish friend, there is now the "true Christian church" (the one wiling to be persecuted for the name of Christ) and the imposter "worldly church". Not every organisation, grouping or individual that claims the Christian label is truly that.
I have had a heart for the truth of this conflict for sometime and am glad I finally found some others who can coherently express how I feel about what I perceive is a massive injustice.
Christian Aid and the others of the same camp should apologise to Israel and hang their heads in shame.
AS we British do for the failure to uphold the mandate given us in the area historically.
Yes they make mistakes, its what being human is and they have been and will be again called to account for this, but the massive bias shown against the only democracy that ensures human rights to all peoples Jews, Arabs, Christian gay or whatever is just disgusting and degrading and to do so in the name of Christianity is beneath reprehensible.
These people do not speak on behalf of True believers but largely the misguided nominal sheeple that form their financially fleeced flocks.
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