Major US Christian Denomination Backs Divestment From Israel

Arutz Sheva ^ | 27 Tammuz 5764 / July 16, 2004 | N/A

[ChicagoHebrew]

Major US Christian Denomination Backs Divestment From Israel 00:22 Jul 16, '04 / 27 Tammuz 5764

Leaders of the largest Christian Presbyterian denomination have officially equated Israel with apartheid-era South Africa and voted to divest from Israel, according to a report in the New York Forward.

The decision by the Presbyterian Church was approved 431 to 62 in a vote at the 216th annual General Assembly of the church, which has a membership of 3 million and a foundation and pension fund of $7 billion.

According to the Forward, the Protestant group is the largest organization or institution to join the divestment campaign against Israel. They are also the first Christian denomination to join the divestment campaign being waged on campuses and elsewhere against the Jewish State. The church also voted to continue funding "messianic congregations," which target Jews for conversion.

At an international interfaith meeting in Buenos Aires last week, Roman Catholic officials signed a document that called for "the total rejection of anti-Semitism in all its forms, including anti-Zionism as a more recent manifestation equated anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism.”

The Anti-Defamation League condemned the Presbyterian decision. “We were offended and distressed by the actions of the Presbyterian Church USA at your most recent General Assembly pertaining to Jews and Israel.” said ADL director Abraham Foxman. “Specifically, we cite the vote to continue funding the Avodat Yisrael Church [a church in Philadelphia that targets Jews for proselytization –ed.], and other missionizing churches targeting Jews, and the "overture" or resolution calling for divestiture from Israel.”

The Presbyterian Assembly also voted overwhelming to condemn Israel's construction of the separation/security fence and to officially disavow Christian Zionism as a legitimate theological stance.

[A2J]

This means nothing from a dying denomination.

They're just trying to let everyone know that they're not dead...yet.

[Richard Kimball]

Nice post! Seriously, no flaming, no kidding. The reason I kept posting to you (I usually drop extended postings) was because I thought there was a disconnect in our conversation, that we weren't that far apart, but we were missing each other somehow. I was probably not clear in my original post. I never meant to imply that there were no Christians in the Presbyterian Church, but that the teachings of the organization had strayed so far from the basic tenets of Christianity, that their teachings were no longer compatible with Christianity.

You wrote:

Your disagreement is with the leaders of the Presbyterian Church - something you and I would likely agree upon, to the extent that they are espousing liberal dogma unrelated to Christianity.

That was the point I was trying to make in my first post, obviously not very well. Take care.

[RFEngineer]

Boy, I hate it when that happens. (arguing when you really agree).

Regards-

[Wilhelm Tell]

So a "tolerant" liberal church condemns Israel and "Zionism" but they will tolerate Jews if they convert to Christianity. This sounds familiar, somehow...

[Kackikat]

There are two factions of the Presbyterian Church, and this is the Presbyterian Church, USA group. Other denominations have several factions as well, like the Baptists.
It will be interesting to see how this all shakes down.
Yes, we have "All Souls Episcipalin Church" here in Asheville with a Gay Minister....needless to say its nickname is quite disgusting. Lewis Green, author writes about them in his book.

[justshutupandtakeit]

As another elder this merely reinforces my inclination to leave this denomination for one not lead by the deluded, deviat and demonic. I am going to speak with my minister this week on this very matter.

[MainFrame65]

On another thread, and months ago, I read about a church that had, over an extended period of time, established its independence from the parent organization, including local ownership of the facilities. When the offense became too great to bear, they broke away, to join a more like-minded fellowship. Perhaps you, as a responsible and influential member of the leadership, ought to begin to investigate similar action.

[YOUGOTIT]

Another left-wing organization turns its support to terrorist. The left-wing in the United States and around the world are anti-American and anti-Isreal. So why would we expect anything different from this bunch or idiots.

[fadp]

Perhaps the Presby USA leaders are not familiar with, or more likely do not believe the words from GOD to Abraham
from Sacred Scripture: "I will bless those who bless thee,
and curse those who curse thee..." (Genesis 12:3). Divesting Israel,in my opinion is a curse on the Jewish nation. Woe to the the PCUSA!