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Title: American Evangelists See God At Work In Israel
Source:
The Age - Australia
URL Source: http://www.theage.com.au/news/world ... /2006/08/09/1154802962293.html
Published: Aug 9, 2006
Author: Telegraph UK
Post Date: 2006-08-09 11:31:11 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 476
Comments: 24
Word of God: Pastor John Hagee. Alec Russell, Washington August 10, 2006 ANYONE wanting to understand why Israel has unwavering support from the United States should speak to one man. Fiery television evangelist Pastor John Hagee has become the rallying voice for thousands of American Christians who believe Israel is doing God's work in a "war of good versus evil". When he strode on to a stage in Washington last month, he was cheered to the rafters by 3500 prominent evangelicals — as well as by Israel's ambassador to the US, a former Israeli chief of staff and a host of US congressmen from both sides of politics. "After 25 years of hammering away at the truth on national television, millions of people have come to see the truth of the word of God," Mr Hagee said. "There is literally a groundswell of support for Israel in the USA among evangelicals." Twenty-five years ago, Mr Hagee was denounced as a heretic when he urged his fellow preachers to speak out in support of Israel. He also met with huge suspicion from the Jewish community, who thought that anti-Semitism was the standard evangelical belief. When he persevered and hosted a "night to honour Israel" in San Antonio, Texas, there was a bomb threat and panicked Christian followers ran for the door. But today most of America's 60 million Christian evangelicals, who make up about a quarter of the US electorate and form the core support base for George Bush, are behind the President's pro-Israeli position and are pushing for a showdown with Iran. As many as half are Christian Zionists. "What we have done is united all of this evangelical horsepower and said, 'We're not just going to Washington to stand on the grass and sing Amazing Grace. We're going into the halls of Congress to see the senators and to see the congressmen face-to-face and to speak to them about our concerns for Israel'," Mr Hagee said. His claim of political clout is no idle boast. Mr Bush sent a message of support praising him for "spreading the hope of God's love and the universal gift of freedom". They met several times when Mr Bush was governor of Texas. America has long backed Israel against its Arab foes, shored up in Washington by the influential America Israel Public Affairs Committee. It also reflects a cultural affinity that is greater in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001: for most Americans, Israel is on the front line against terror. But Christian Zionism is another crucial factor. It is a booming movement based on the idea that Israel's travails fulfil biblical prophecy. As the head of Christians United for Israel, which links hundreds of US evangelical leaders, Mr Hagee is one of Israel's most influential supporters. Mr Hagee sees a showdown between Islam and the West. "This is a religious war that Islam cannot and must not win," he has said. "The end of the world as we know it is rapidly approaching."
Photo: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times
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#2. To: Brian S (#0)
"There is literally a groundswell of support for Israel in the USA among evangelicals." Mr. Hagee appears to be a very confused man. He should take a break from waving the Bible in the air and spend the time reading the words of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. He should ask the question, would Jesus drop incendiary chemical weapons on children?
did any of you catch Pat Robertson being interviewed from Israel on FNN yesterday morning? the freaky IsraelFirster "evangelical" was stunningly giddy over the bombs bursting in the air. it was a most disgusting and inappropriate display.
I missed it, which is probably just as well as I would hate to lose my breakfast. These people really do have no shame.
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Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest"After 25 years of hammering away at the truth on national television, millions of people have come to see the truth of the word of God," Mr Hagee said.
#3. To: honway, aristeides, Brian S (#2)
#9. To: christine (#3)
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