A Message For Israel And Evangelicals: Genesis Isn’t A Policy Guide
With a dogmatic loyalty to Israel born out of a literal interpretation of the Bible, is the American Christian Right the new Jewish lobby in US politics? Mixing religion and statecraft isn’t just dangerous and unwise. It’s sacrilegious.
I recently passed a local evangelical church here in rural New England with a sign that read: “We Love You Israel. Hold God’s Land.”
The sign is part of a wider phenomenon: the American Christian right’s dogmatic support for Israel and the Jewish state’s claim to the “Holy Land.” It’s a loyalty born out of a literal interpretation of the Bible and its apocalyptic narrative and a view that ascribes divinity to a physical place. And this reflexive support for Israel has spread to the broader conservative base and American political scene in general. Look no further than Glenn Beck’s “Restore Courage” trip to Jerusalem planned for this August, which at least one GOP presidential contender has noted he will attend.
Such religious attachment isn’t an isolated theological agenda. It’s at the heart and history of the conflict in the Middle East.
Pro Tip: Don't post in all caps... it reads as if you are yelling.
That said... there is a slice of land in the middle east that is contested for ownership... directly because a deity promised it to a certain "peoples". What's ironic, is that it was also promised to another "peoples" by another deity.
This is the reason there will never be peace in that region of the world. Because neither one of these deities could not make good on it's promise... neither has the ability or power to make it happen, but relies on the ability of it's followers to make it happen, and each of these faiths will fight to the death for their "promised land"... wow, doesn't that sound ridiculous? Each side claiming an all powerful deity, that could easily on a whim make it's promise come to fruition.... but yet, it doesn't... and relies on its followers to violently force it's promises come true..., and people have the GALL to question my reasons for being an atheist.
How many have died? How many have sacrificed? Terrifying, it is, the very concept. When people have the gall to ask me what it is that I find fault with religious perspectives... there is no other more obvious than this.
We *could* have a discussion on the validity/historical accuracy of the resurrection... but it would be completely irrelevant to the conversation...
Just as you make the claims for your deity... Muslims can make the same claims for theirs... and to be poignant.... the Christian resurrection is irrelevant to their perspective... or to the Jewish perspective I will add...
So, I wonder... what exactly was the point you were trying to make regarding this particular conversation?
I have also missed your point , of course we know it is the top of your head. Since you have a vast knowledge of these countries and religions , please try to impress us with more of your BS. Take another drink , butthead.
I am curious as to what exactly it was you missed in my responses... as you did not articulate them.
I am curious as to your assertion, as well, of my "vast" knowledge of these countries and religions. What *EXACTLY* did I misrepresent... or misspeak about the point's I made relevant?
Oh, and, thank you... I will take another drink.. I hope you will toast with me in the spirit of open conversation... supporting understanding and dialogue...in a civil fashion.. where folks present ideas without resorting to ad hominem attacks... like calling someone else a "butthead".
The difference is one is a relgion the other is a cult. Look through the new testament and tell me where God says to kill someone. Now pick up a quran and find the same thing. The quran tells them to kill the nonbeliever in several places. If you need help I will give you instances of them. If the muslims would but down there weapons and walk away there would be peace in the middle east. If Israel would put down their weapons and walk away there would be no more Israel.
I understand that you are trying to validate your religious perspectives... and invalidate all others.. but to call another perspective a cult is, well lying. Every religion, when viewed through the eyes of a dissenting perspective... is a cult. So your initial assertion bears no merit. It's like accusing something that is blue of being blue.
I have issue with your qualifier of the "new testament"... unless you throw out the old testament and find it irrelevant in ALL concepts, or you make comment on your opinion of its validity/relevance.. until you do I can't possibly begin to comment or make retort on your second sentence.
As far as finding brutality in the Quran... yes it is there... but no more so than Muslim Apologists can find in the bible or the Torah.
oh.. and tell me what your old or new testaments preach about slavery or rape? I can help you with that if you need it...
"If the muslims would but down there weapons and walk away there would be peace in the middle east. If Israel would put down their weapons and walk away there would be no more Israel."
...umm... obvious statements are obvious.... but i have NO idea at what point you are trying to communicate. What specifically are you trying to articulate?
I'm not trying to invalidate anyone's religion. You can not call it a religion if its intent is to kill everyone else that doesn't believe what they believe.
Let's talk about slavery and rape.....since it's in the quran. I often wonder why anyone that is black would even have anything to do with the quran since Mohammed referred to blacks are raisin heads and it was Muslim that still today have slaves.
The point in the last statement is to show you that Muslim do not want to exist with others they want world domination and they want everyone to either convert to islam or to die. I can't make it anymore simple than that.
"I'm not trying to invalidate anyone's religion. You can not call it a religion if its intent is to kill everyone else that doesn't believe what they believe."
Am I to believe, that THIS is what you think Islam is? Before we go further, about ANYTHING ELSE.... I need you to tell me that THIS is what you think all of Islam is...
and I need you to tell me about what the Spanish Inquisition means regarding your assertion. .
Regarding rape and slavery, I DID NOT ask about what the quran says about it... but asked what the bible says about it... please to stay on point and not deflect the question. That is what is known as "being disingenuous"... and I might add.. dishonest.
I have NO respect nor reverence for the quoran or the Islamic religion, so anything you ask about my support or respect of their perspectives is a moot point.
I don't think I disagree with your last statement at all.... but I am not sure as to how it applies to your initial assertion that I questioned. It really does not answer my question or substantiate your initial assertion AT ALL.
I would HATE to think that my last reply was censored, since it did not violate any terms... it could have been a user error on my part... so forgive me if this is a double post:
@6:18
"I'm not trying to invalidate anyone's religion. You can not call it a religion if its intent is to kill everyone else that doesn't believe what they believe."
Am I to believe, that THIS is what you think Islam is? Before we go further, about ANYTHING ELSE.... I need you to tell me that THIS is what you think all of Islam is...
and I need you to tell me about what the Spanish Inquisition means regarding your assertion. .
Regarding rape and slavery, I DID NOT ask about what the quran says about it... but asked what the bible says about it... please to stay on point and not deflect the question. That is what is known as "being disingenuous"... and I might add.. dishonest.
I have NO respect nor reverence for the quoran or the Islamic religion, so anything you ask about my support or respect of their perspectives is a moot point.
I don't think I disagree with your last statement at all.... but I am not sure as to how it applies to your initial assertion that I questioned. It really does not answer my question or substantiate your initial assertion AT ALL.
Yes that is exactly what I think of Islam. The bible gives people free will to do things. If people do things that are wrong that means they are wrong. The bible does not teach you to murder people. That is the difference. I'm not here to teach you about the Spanish inquisition. You are on a computer google it. No matter what I tell you about it you will twist what I have said like you have done so far. BTW there are more people killed each YEAR but Islamist than the entire 350 years of the Spanish Inquisition. You try to make a point then want me to answer the way you want. It's not going to happen. I could go on with this for hours but frankly what is the point. You are set in your ways and mainly the reason the country is in the shape it's it. Enjoy your night I have a lot better things to do than sit here and debate over things you think you know.
to conservative atheist, God calls a man a "fool" if he doesn't believe. scripture also says many times there is NO wisdom without God. i'm sure you're very nice as a person, but since you truly don't have the wisdom God wants you to have, i could never hang my hat on your thoughts and ideas. everyone has a "god". everyone believes in something, even if it's themselves. then you are your own god. God through moses granted this land to the jews by covenant. no man can change this. God will have His way and truly that's the end of this long standing battle.
504-Read the Old Testament. And instead of listening to loons, pick up the Koran and read it yourself. You'll find a whole lotta stories about Jesus in it. Obviously, you've never even as so much glanced at the Muslim Holy book. Anyone knowledgable on religious texts knows how closely the Koran/Bible are, many of the same stories are within both. The Koran says Jesus was a Prophet, are you saying the Koran was wrong because you're too ignorant to open a book?
1118-Why are you ducking the question about rape & murder within the Bible? Did you forget the Bible was written by mere mortals? You, nor anyone can "Grant" land to anyone or anything. You're a "fool" if you believe a document that has been edited thousands of times over the years, as if the same words that were written two thousand years ago are the same ones you read today. The Koran/Bible are very closely linked. If you don't know that, it is because you are ignorant on the subject(in other terms, speaking out of your @$$). Go to ANY theologian, and ask them. And why are you ducking the questions about the brutality mentioned within the Old Testament? Afraid of the truth? lol you guys are funny. No international panel of judges has the right to "deem"/"Grant" land to ANYONE. Nutbags.
for those who have not been enlighhted by the Spirit of the Living God; you will never understand. you don't have to live in this "state". you can seek God with your whole heart and you will find Him. That's His promise to us. of course brutality is in the bible. in God's unfailing wisdom, He shows us we are "fallen", and we are in great need of a savior. this is why He sent His ONLY BEGOTTEN Son; Jesus Christ to die on the cross for us. Jesus blood was shed for all. now all man must do is recognize he is a fallen man in need of redemption. man cannot save himself. oh, he thinks he can and therefore won't humble himself and cry out for the very thing he needs to be whole. pride is an awful thing we have to deal with daily but we must, at some point realize we are not god and we can't save ourselves. it is sad that some will never come to this place in their lives. there is an afterlife and it will be eternal heaven or hell. God sends NO ONE to hell. it is a choice we make. i challenge you to read the entire bible for yourself. study its words and you will see the truth. Jesus - Don't leave earth without Him.
The Koran does not mention Jesus. It mentions Issa. They are NOT the same person. The Koran stole some verses from the bible. Jesus was a peaceful man. The person that revealed the quran Mohammed was NOT. He was a theif, murderer and a pedophile. Sorry God would not reveal anything to such a vial person as mohammed. Anytime mohammed lusted for something...... all of a sudden he had a revelation.
Pro Tip: Don't post in all caps... it reads as if you are yelling.
ReplyDeleteThat said... there is a slice of land in the middle east that is contested for ownership... directly because a deity promised it to a certain "peoples". What's ironic, is that it was also promised to another "peoples" by another deity.
This is the reason there will never be peace in that region of the world. Because neither one of these deities could not make good on it's promise... neither has the ability or power to make it happen, but relies on the ability of it's followers to make it happen, and each of these faiths will fight to the death for their "promised land"... wow, doesn't that sound ridiculous? Each side claiming an all powerful deity, that could easily on a whim make it's promise come to fruition.... but yet, it doesn't... and relies on its followers to violently force it's promises come true..., and people have the GALL to question my reasons for being an atheist.
How many have died? How many have sacrificed? Terrifying, it is, the very concept. When people have the gall to ask me what it is that I find fault with religious perspectives... there is no other more obvious than this.
One problem with the diety of the muslims. His grave isn't empty.
ReplyDelete@2:40 6/30
ReplyDelete*sigh*... you missed the point entirely.
We *could* have a discussion on the validity/historical accuracy of the resurrection... but it would be completely irrelevant to the conversation...
Just as you make the claims for your deity... Muslims can make the same claims for theirs... and to be poignant.... the Christian resurrection is irrelevant to their perspective... or to the Jewish perspective I will add...
So, I wonder... what exactly was the point you were trying to make regarding this particular conversation?
To 2:40 -- considering that Muslims don't believe their deity died, your comment makes absolutely no sense.
ReplyDeleteDear Conservative Atheist,
ReplyDeleteI have also missed your point , of course we know it is the top of your head.
Since you have a vast knowledge of these countries and religions , please try to impress us with more of your BS.
Take another drink , butthead.
@3:27
ReplyDeleteI thank your for your reply.
I am curious as to what exactly it was you missed in my responses... as you did not articulate them.
I am curious as to your assertion, as well, of my "vast" knowledge of these countries and religions. What *EXACTLY* did I misrepresent... or misspeak about the point's I made relevant?
Oh, and, thank you... I will take another drink.. I hope you will toast with me in the spirit of open conversation... supporting understanding and dialogue...in a civil fashion.. where folks present ideas without resorting to ad hominem attacks... like calling someone else a "butthead".
International bodies/judges don't have the right to "deem" land to anyone. Not the Israelis. Not the Palestinians.
ReplyDeleteThe difference is one is a relgion the other is a cult. Look through the new testament and tell me where God says to kill someone. Now pick up a quran and find the same thing. The quran tells them to kill the nonbeliever in several places. If you need help I will give you instances of them. If the muslims would but down there weapons and walk away there would be peace in the middle east. If Israel would put down their weapons and walk away there would be no more Israel.
ReplyDelete@ 5:04
ReplyDeleteI understand that you are trying to validate your religious perspectives... and invalidate all others.. but to call another perspective a cult is, well lying. Every religion, when viewed through the eyes of a dissenting perspective... is a cult. So your initial assertion bears no merit. It's like accusing something that is blue of being blue.
I have issue with your qualifier of the "new testament"... unless you throw out the old testament and find it irrelevant in ALL concepts, or you make comment on your opinion of its validity/relevance.. until you do I can't possibly begin to comment or make retort on your second sentence.
As far as finding brutality in the Quran... yes it is there... but no more so than Muslim Apologists can find in the bible or the Torah.
oh.. and tell me what your old or new testaments preach about slavery or rape? I can help you with that if you need it...
"If the muslims would but down there weapons and walk away there would be peace in the middle east. If Israel would put down their weapons and walk away there would be no more Israel."
...umm... obvious statements are obvious.... but i have NO idea at what point you are trying to communicate. What specifically are you trying to articulate?
I'm not trying to invalidate anyone's religion. You can not call it a religion if its intent is to kill everyone else that doesn't believe what they believe.
ReplyDeleteLet's talk about slavery and rape.....since it's in the quran. I often wonder why anyone that is black would even have anything to do with the quran since Mohammed referred to blacks are raisin heads and it was Muslim that still today have slaves.
The point in the last statement is to show you that Muslim do not want to exist with others they want world domination and they want everyone to either convert to islam or to die. I can't make it anymore simple than that.
@6:18
ReplyDelete"I'm not trying to invalidate anyone's religion. You can not call it a religion if its intent is to kill everyone else that doesn't believe what they believe."
Am I to believe, that THIS is what you think Islam is? Before we go further, about ANYTHING ELSE.... I need you to tell me that THIS is what you think all of Islam is...
and I need you to tell me about what the Spanish Inquisition means regarding your assertion. .
Regarding rape and slavery, I DID NOT ask about what the quran says about it... but asked what the bible says about it... please to stay on point and not deflect the question. That is what is known as "being disingenuous"... and I might add.. dishonest.
I have NO respect nor reverence for the quoran or the Islamic religion, so anything you ask about my support or respect of their perspectives is a moot point.
I don't think I disagree with your last statement at all.... but I am not sure as to how it applies to your initial assertion that I questioned. It really does not answer my question or substantiate your initial assertion AT ALL.
I would HATE to think that my last reply was censored, since it did not violate any terms... it could have been a user error on my part... so forgive me if this is a double post:
ReplyDelete@6:18
"I'm not trying to invalidate anyone's religion. You can not call it a religion if its intent is to kill everyone else that doesn't believe what they believe."
Am I to believe, that THIS is what you think Islam is? Before we go further, about ANYTHING ELSE.... I need you to tell me that THIS is what you think all of Islam is...
and I need you to tell me about what the Spanish Inquisition means regarding your assertion. .
Regarding rape and slavery, I DID NOT ask about what the quran says about it... but asked what the bible says about it... please to stay on point and not deflect the question. That is what is known as "being disingenuous"... and I might add.. dishonest.
I have NO respect nor reverence for the quoran or the Islamic religion, so anything you ask about my support or respect of their perspectives is a moot point.
I don't think I disagree with your last statement at all.... but I am not sure as to how it applies to your initial assertion that I questioned. It really does not answer my question or substantiate your initial assertion AT ALL.
ConservativeAtheist -- No you were not censored, we are working as fast as we can to get the comments up,sorry for the delay.
ReplyDeleteYes that is exactly what I think of Islam.
ReplyDeleteThe bible gives people free will to do things. If people do things that are wrong that means they are wrong. The bible does not teach you to murder people. That is the difference.
I'm not here to teach you about the Spanish inquisition. You are on a computer google it. No matter what I tell you about it you will twist what I have said like you have done so far. BTW there are more people killed each YEAR but Islamist than the entire 350 years of the Spanish Inquisition.
You try to make a point then want me to answer the way you want. It's not going to happen. I could go on with this for hours but frankly what is the point. You are set in your ways and mainly the reason the country is in the shape it's it. Enjoy your night I have a lot better things to do than sit here and debate over things you think you know.
to conservative atheist, God calls a man a "fool" if he doesn't believe. scripture also says many times there is NO wisdom without God.
ReplyDeletei'm sure you're very nice as a person, but since you truly don't have the wisdom God wants you to have, i could never hang my hat on your thoughts and ideas.
everyone has a "god". everyone believes in something, even if it's themselves. then you are your own god.
God through moses granted this land to the jews by covenant. no man can change this. God will have His way and truly that's the end of this long standing battle.
504-Read the Old Testament. And instead of listening to loons, pick up the Koran and read it yourself. You'll find a whole lotta stories about Jesus in it. Obviously, you've never even as so much glanced at the Muslim Holy book. Anyone knowledgable on religious texts knows how closely the Koran/Bible are, many of the same stories are within both. The Koran says Jesus was a Prophet, are you saying the Koran was wrong because you're too ignorant to open a book?
ReplyDelete1118-Why are you ducking the question about rape & murder within the Bible? Did you forget the Bible was written by mere mortals? You, nor anyone can "Grant" land to anyone or anything. You're a "fool" if you believe a document that has been edited thousands of times over the years, as if the same words that were written two thousand years ago are the same ones you read today. The Koran/Bible are very closely linked. If you don't know that, it is because you are ignorant on the subject(in other terms, speaking out of your @$$). Go to ANY theologian, and ask them. And why are you ducking the questions about the brutality mentioned within the Old Testament? Afraid of the truth? lol you guys are funny. No international panel of judges has the right to "deem"/"Grant" land to ANYONE. Nutbags.
ReplyDeletefor those who have not been enlighhted by the Spirit of the Living God; you will never understand.
ReplyDeleteyou don't have to live in this "state". you can seek God with your whole heart and you will find Him. That's His promise to us.
of course brutality is in the bible. in God's unfailing wisdom, He shows us we are "fallen", and we are in great need of a savior. this is why He sent His ONLY BEGOTTEN Son; Jesus Christ to die on the cross for us. Jesus blood was shed for all. now all man must do is recognize he is a fallen man in need of redemption. man cannot save himself. oh, he thinks he can and therefore won't humble himself and cry out for the very thing he needs to be whole. pride is an awful thing we have to deal with daily but we must, at some point realize we are not god and we can't save ourselves.
it is sad that some will never come to this place in their lives. there is an afterlife and it will be eternal heaven or hell. God sends NO ONE to hell. it is a choice we make.
i challenge you to read the entire bible for yourself. study its words and you will see the truth.
Jesus - Don't leave earth without Him.
The Koran does not mention Jesus. It mentions Issa. They are NOT the same person. The Koran stole some verses from the bible. Jesus was a peaceful man. The person that revealed the quran Mohammed was NOT. He was a theif, murderer and a pedophile. Sorry God would not reveal anything to such a vial person as mohammed. Anytime mohammed lusted for something...... all of a sudden he had a revelation.
ReplyDelete