Posted on 12/10/2001 1:13:51 PM PST by KJMorgan
albannach 12/10/01 11:31 AM Regarding Israel: There is no official Eastern Orthodox position on Israel since support for a nation-state is not a prerequisite to salvation. When we die and stand before God’s throne, He is not gong to ask us about our opinion on Israel. So, among Orthodox Christians there seems to be a variety of opinion. Many Orthodox people will support Israel if it’s in the interests of our national security, however there is a growing number of Orthodox Christians who feel they cannot support Israel because of they way she has treated Christians. Mainstream Christianity seems to be under the impression that Israel can do no wrong. But one thing Pat Robertson and Hal Lindsey won’t tell you is that Israel and Christianity are NOT one big happy family:
* Despite the fact that Hamas is a radical Muslim organization, Israeli snipers continue to target Arab Christians. * Israeli law discourages Christian proselytizing. * Israeli soldiers have shot at priests. * Law enforcement allows Jewish settlers to destroy Christian property.
These Palestinian Christians (most live in Beit Sahour, Beit Jala, Bethlehem, and Nazareth) are the descendents of the first followers of Jesus (http://www.bethlehem2000.org/bethlehem.htm). Many Orthodox Christians find it appalling that Israel has killed and destroyed the property of these (and I’m talking about the innocent) people. Many Orthodox Christians also find it appalling how apathetic mainstream evangelical Christians are.
Before 1948 there were 30,000 Orthodox Arab Christians living in Jerusalem. Now at most there are 2,000. It is the same story for the rest of the Christians: the Latins, Melkites, Armenians and so on. Israel is going through a process of Judaization contrary to U.N. Resolutions 242 and 338 and contrary to the stated position of the U.S. government. In short, if Israel is still God’s favorite nation, why don’t they act like it? Just because Israel was recognized as a nation-state doesn’t mean they act on behalf of God. If Israel wanted to once again worship ancient Mesopotamian gods, I guess we should support that, too.
I am a Christian, first and foremost. And if I have to draw a line in the sand as to who I support, one thing is for sure, I will not support Israel as long as they are killing Christians. I will be loyal to my Christian brothers and sisters. “All people know you are my followers by your love for one another.” When Israel stops killing and starts protecting Orthodox Christians, when it stops bulldozing and starts returning Orthodox property, then you will see more Orthodox Christians support Israel.
The current government of Israel has done a wonderful job as keeper of the holy land. In the last 50 years, due to the painstaking work of their archeological people, a tremendous amount of information has been brought to light that has been a fascinating insight for Christians. These insights have been because of a genuine need to try to understand the past. History is precious because it gives direction to the future.
Whenever a road is being built, or, if the foundation is being put in four new hotel, and some sort of ancient grave or piece of ancient building is discovered, the entire project stops. Apparently in Israel a new building cannot be properly built if it's foundation neglects history. The big benefactors of the stewardship in place today in Israel, have in many ways, been the Christians.
Me neither. This underscores something many of us may not want to see. They probably don't like Christians any better than Muslims. The Jews under Orthodoxy in Russia were treated rather badly.
I do not support the indiscriminate killing of anybody anywhere for any reason. Israel better get her act together. Going after terrorists is one thing, but firing missiles at questionable targets is not kosher in my book.
Yes, it would appear that your experience is quite limited. At least you have the decency to both recognize that and state it as well!
Bump for later reference.
What kind of logic is this?! Who kills whom? What a mess!!!
Eastern Orthodox Christians (in Russia, Ukraine and so on) has nothing to do with the Arab Christians of Bethlehem, and the latter aren't dessendants of the first followers of Jesus Christ (those were Jews, as Jesus himself).
And yes, Arab Christians represented the majority of Bethlehem population, until fellow Arabs of Muslim faith and PLO persuasion (not Israel) began to squeeze them away by all means, violent more often than not.
Lies (except for the part about proselytizing of Jews being discouraged).
The Israelis have bent over backwards to keep Christians out of the line of fire. The Muslims, on the other hand, have tried their hardest to bring Christians into the fray, such as by firing at the Israelis from Christian towns.
It seems that several Christians have gotten caught in the crossfire. There were posts here around Sep 22 where Israel went on a rampage in Bethlehem and some Christians were killed. It was surprising to me that Christians were being targeted . . . or being used for target practice. Take your pick.
My point, of course, is that it appears that Israel gets justifiably outraged by the latest suicide bombers and goes off and and starts killing in reprisal indiscriminately. It may be difficult for them to determine who was responsible so they seem to shoot innocent along with the guilty.
What the heck are you talking about? Most of the Arab Christian in that area are under the Orthodox Patriarch in Jerusalem. Yes, there are Melkites under the Roman Pope and Copts under the Egyptian Pope, but most are in full communion with the Orthodox in Eastern Europe.
The problem is that the Israelis see Arabs as one big group, and color them all muslim. But the Muslim Arabs have taken advantage of the situation to squeeze out the Christian Arabs. In some cases the Christian Arabs have been the patsy holding the bag for Muslim Arab actions.
The net result is that while the Israeli treatment of Arab Christians may be shabby, they will fare no better in a Palistinian Authority state. Probably worse, because the Israelis are constrained by a legal framework that would not exist if the area were under PA control.
My brother, who is an Orthodox priest put it well. He says "they are being ground between two millstones."
The Christians realize it. One reason that the Christian population of Jerusalem has dropped so precipitously, is that they are emigrating to friendlier countries -- and those nations are not other Arab nations, either.
"A nation cannot de-legitimate the head of another nation," Father Jaeger told Fides. Acknowledging that Israeli leaders have serious reservations about Arafat, he observed: "Today, Palestine's leader is Arafat-- elected and recognized by the Palestinian institutions, just as Sharon is for Israel."
The Franciscan priest also pointed out that Israeli government policies toward the Palestinian Authority are contradictory. "For example," he said," over the past few days the government ordered strikes on the Palestinian security forces offices-- only to demand that the national Palestinian Authority use these same security forces to arrest terrorists."
Father Jaeger said that some Palestinians are now attracted by more radical groups such as Hamas because they see so little progress in negotiations toward a peace agreement. "There is no doubt," he insisted, "that as soon as light is seen at the end of the tunnel, followers of Hamas and similar Israeli extremists will soon diminish."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.