Fundamentalist Christians, Islam on collision course?

ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” story. It is an editorial by the editor.

“Let’s have a war… so you can go and die.” — A Perfect Circle

I had a difficult time falling asleep one night earlier this week, the day of that ceremony in Jerusalem. It wasn’t just because of the violence nearby that caused the deaths of nearly 60 unarmed Palestinians, it mostly was a result of what I learned a half century ago about Biblical End Times prophecy.

It is vitally important we collectively understand there are two very separate religious groups seeking to have a “war to end all wars.” They are, as Prof. Richard Dawkins said, the two most dangerous groups on the planet — fundamentalist Christians and fundamentalist Islamists.

Fundamentalist Christians, among them the Rev. John Hagee, one of the speakers at the ceremony in Jerusalem, believe in the concept and desirability of Armegeddon, a world war that will bring on the end of the world. They believe true Christians will be taken up to Heaven while the conflict rages and no lesser a figure that Jesus Christ will return to rule.

Some of this philosophy was outlined in the “Left Behind” series of books published not long ago.

Many fundamentalist Christians applaud the move to have Jerusalem declared the capital of the Jewish nation because it very simply is fulfilling Biblical prophecy that goes back to the book of Revelations. The author of Revelations is believed to have been someone named John, who described dreams in which he foresaw Christ returning to Earth through the clouds, riding a white horse.

This John published this material more than two centuries after the death of Christ. It is so controversial that some pastors do not use it in their sermons and no lesser a figure than John Wesley refused to preach from its passages.

On the other side of the controversy are Muslims who have grown to despise the West and Christians. Many of them hate us because they believe we have meddled in their countries and have established Israel, their ancient enemy, in their midst. Many also believe we have sponsored the overthrow of their governments, like in Iran in 1953 and in Iraq in 2003.

My favorite documentarian, Adam Curtis, produced a terrific three-part film, “The Power of Nightmares,” showing how fundamentalist Christians and neoconservatives in the West and jihadist “Freedom Fighters” in Afghanistan both believe it was they who brought down the Soviet Union. And they’ve been at serious odds since.

It has been estimated that 25 percent of Americans are fundamentalist/evangelical Christians. Some of them have high positions in government. One good example is Mike Pompeo, our new secretary of state.

So it gives me the creeps that some influential people in our government really do want to go to world war against Islam because it fulfills the prophecies in the Book of Revelations. And half a world away millions of Islamists stand ready, willing and able to “bring it on.”

Indeed it’s possible that the war to end all wars will happen. But my sense is that no humans will survive and the Earth will undergo its Sixth Extinction. And perhaps we will be gone without a trace.

Have a nice day.

Don’t they know it’s the end of the world? It ended when you said, ‘good-bye.'” — Skeeter Davis

3 Comments

  1. Bob Moras

    Dave……..
    I certainly disagree with your synopsis of facts, relating to the desire of Christians (Fundamentalist) only as religious fighters. This is a religious battle from both sides. Islamists also believe that if they fight “in the name of Allah” they will reside in their own paradise surrounded by virgins. It is why they are willing to partake in suicide missions. In addition, the hatred for Israelis if because of Islamist religious beliefs as well.
    Yes, I do agree there is a small segment of the Christian religion that awaits the fulfillment of Biblical Prophecy. But, most mainstream Christians are like anyone else. They want good food, comfort and a peaceful life. It is not the Christian world (fundamentalist or otherwise) that is on the offensive here. It is the Jihadist Islamists. Just muse over how Christians treat Muslins and Islamists, compared to how those Jihadists treat Christians. When was the last time you read about a Christian beheading an Islamist? Or throwing one off a building or setting one on fire? The worst punishment I can recall reading about is water boarding and a trip to Gitmo.
    I know you have no Christian belief. But to be so opposed to those that choose to believe in Christianity is as bias as a Nazi toward a Jew. Come on Dave, Live and Let Live. And don’t be so paranoid. Get a good nights sleep and enjoy tomorrow.

  2. Matt

    Our country is much more comfortable with the idea of dangerous militant individuals of other religions than we are dangerous militant Christians. I think if you’re using your religion as an excuse to miss-treat, attack, discriminate, or even kill people who think differently than you then you’re probably doing religion wrong. This week alone I’ve witnessed some incredibly unChristian like behavior individuals I know would classify themselves as Evangelical Christians.

    Setting aside the wisdom of moving the embassy to Jerusalem and the timing of such a move for a moment, let’s look at the pastor we sent to represent us and give the opening prayers for this facility in the city three world religions consider holy.

    We chose a Evangelical Christian pastor who is an advisor to President Trump that has on several occasions publicly called one of those world religions a cult from the Devil and said that members of the other religion will be excluded from the kingdom of God and will spend eternity in hell for not believing what he believes.

    Even if you believe every word that came out of this man’s mouth does this person seem like a good choice to send to into speak on our behalf in a potentially explosive and unstable situation?

    Could we not at least pretend that diplomacy is desirable these days?

  3. I read with great interest your editorial, David. I’m sure as my good friend you already know well I have a very different perspective on much of what was presented in it. Though it is certainly true that in any broad movement there are always those of radically different persuasions, I have to tell you I have never in my 70 years been around any “fundamentalist” Christians in my life, even calling myself a fundamentalist Christian for many of my earlier years and having pastored in “fundamental” Bible-believing churches, who ever had any desire or intention whatsoever to physically fight anyone for spiritual purposes or to “bring in the kingdom”. On the contrary, the message is “love your enemies, do good to those who despise and persecute you” (Jesus). He taught us the true warfare is in the spiritual realm in God’s Kingdom, as is abundantly clear to any who pay attention to the New Testament scriptures. Before Christ’s first coming to earth in flesh Israel did physically fight for their territory and at times for their survival and conquest over their enemies. They’ll find themselves in a warring situation again in days to come according to the scriptures. The Christian body of believers is not a physical place or a physical nation with physical status. It is Christ’s body, some dead, some living, some not yet born. The Battle of Armegeddon and Christ’s return to rule and reign will not be Christians fighting anyone. Christians are told when the end times come to remain faithful and “get outta Dodge” if you can (away from the conflict) into the hills and the wilderness. That battle will be among the nations and most focused against the nation of Israel. It will be in the Valley of Megiddo (Armageddon) in northwestern Israel. The world-ruler, the Antichrist, will be in power through Satan. Christ will visibly and physically return and will himself fight and defeat all the enemies formed against him and his people. But all he’ll have to do is speak, for his sword comes “out of his mouth”. So, to wrap this very long comment up (you pick very big subjects, my friend), you have to search far and wide for any knowledgeable professing Christian who thinks they can or will or should bring the end of this world system to fruition through any human armed conflict with anyone at all, Islamic or otherwise. As they say…it just ain’t so.
    (BTW…I appreciated your published article on me and my StopSite innovation. It was certainly all your idea, my friend from wayback. So a personal thank you for electing to cover that.)

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