I'm not quite sure where I stand on the current conflict between Israel and Lebanon. I'm not firmly on either side because there are elements on both sides that are in the right, and both that are in the wrong. What I do know is that somebody needs to work this out because otherwise it won't end well. The problem is, some people out there do not want it to end well, and in fact they see this conflict as a sign that the end of the world is near and jesus is coming soon. This movement is called Christian Zionism.
http://christianactionforisrael.org/...
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
http://blogs.salon.com/...
http://www.raptureready.com/
From Wikipedia, here's what the Christian Zionists are hoping for:
The role of certain Christians in supporting the establishment of Israel following World War II is well known; and it is regarded by some critics as, in part, a kind of self-willed fulfillment of prophecy. Given this, some are alarmed by what else Christian Zionists envision being done to bring about the conversion of the Jews and the end of the world. As an example, Hal Lindsey, one of the most popular American promoters of dispensationalism, has written in one of his books about the end times: "the valley from Galilee to Eilat (a town in southern Israel) will flow with blood and 144,000 Jews would bow down before Jesus and be saved". According to Lindsey, the rest of the Jews, and presumably all non-Christians, will perish in "the mother of all Holocausts", a great battle of religion called Armageddon. Such beliefs asserted as inevitable fact, and a basis for human action, are often criticized in alarmed tones.
There's more on the Wikipedia site, and it's easier to read then a lot of the Christian Zionism websites because it's got a lot less apocryphal scripture.
http://www.raptureready.com/...
If you read here, it lays out their beliefs in a very detailed manner. The war in Iraq (fall of Babylon) and the fighting in Israel are all signs that Jesus is inbound. Thefaster things deteriorate, the faster he will get here and all the "faithful" can go up to heaven and sing hosannas while you and me burn. To that end, these people are supportive of the war in Iraq, and they encourage anything that escalates the conflict in Lebanon. They're anti-Muslim, and they are very much for war with Iran.
It would be nice if we could dismiss them as harmless kooks, but we need to be aware and vigilant that these nutbags have infected every level of our government, and in a big way they're driving Republican policy. Their beliefs fit right in with the fundamentalist "Battle between Good and Evil" that the right has been masturbating over ever since adopting fundamentalist Christianity as a campaign platform.
Keep an eye out. Educate when you can. A lot of people who support their ideals don't realize exactly what they're supporting. Hopefully not all of them are this far gone:
July 12th, 2006, 12:46 PM
Kidsintow123
...Our bridegroom and kinsmen redeemer, what a beautiful thought!! To finally see His face!!!
Sound the shofar! Let the Enemy know the alert has been sounded and Yeshua is stepping onto the battlefield.
I am a Jewish princess, my Father is the King of Kings!