Too much foreign policy criticism blames Jewish groups for US support of the apartheid in Palestine, when Christian Zionists are truly responsible. That's its own kind of antisemitism.
So let's talk about Christian Zionism. /1
There is widespread belief among white evangelicals that exclusive Jewish control of Israel will bring about Christ’s second coming.
And they're willing to endanger both Jews and Palestinians to pursue these selfish theological ends. /2 independent.co.uk/news/world/ame…
It's important to note that these same folks don't believe the Jews they say they're defending will be saved in that coming rapture!
You can't say your actions are motivated by love for Jewish people, while simultaneously proclaiming their eternal condemnation. /3
So why does this matter? Well, part of what further inflamed an already devastating conflict was the Trump administration's disastrous Israel/Palestine policy—that recognized Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and moved our embassy there. /4
These acts actively supported the violent eviction of Palestinian families that have lived in Jerusalem for generations, and allowed Netanyahu to proclaim US support for the apartheid.
And they happened principally because that's what Christian Zionists wanted. /5
Christian Zionists do not want peace. They do not care about the safety of Jews or Palestinians. They only care about using Jewish people as pawns for their own warped eschatology.
It's violent and grotesque—a violation of divine love that wants us all to coexist and thrive. /6
So what can we do? Well, first the Biden administration needs to sharply repudiate the Trump doctrine. They must state clearly: Christian Zionists do not speak for the United States.
We want a just peace—one that includes the flourishing of Palestinian people. /7
And Christian leaders need to confront and excise the cancer that's been spreading within our faith for far too long.
Before we start talking about other folks' houses, it's time to clean our own. Antisemitism and islamophobia are festering, and making everyone less safe. /8
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The quiet part of "our systems are not racist" is "those people deserved to die."
Either policing is a racist institution or people of color disproportionately deserve to be killed.
Either our infrastructure/waste disposal systems are racist or there's just something about Black/brown communities that elevate asthma and cancer rates.
I've been thinking a lot about a "personal relationship with Jesus" and here's what concerns me most:
What if cultural focus on a "personal relationship" confuses worshipping whiteness with worshipping God? /1
All relationships with Jesus Christ—personal and public—require communal acts of love and justice, and collective care.
And what really disturbs me is how personal salvation is offered as a placebo to make people content with worldly suffering. /2
"As long as you have a personal relationship with Jesus, it doesn't matter if you have a knee on your neck."
God is not a pacifier, and faith should never be offered as a substitute for justice. It cuts against the very heart of the gospel: For God, salvation is collective. /3
We can’t move on—not until there is accountability. Accountability means telling the truth; it means confession and repentance. And it means consequences for brutality and death!
It means the removal of Trump from office. Now.
Either he resigns, or is impeached, or we invoke the 25th. Take your pick.
But if nothing is done—if there are no consequences to violence and insurrection—we are doomed to repeat it.
After the Civil War, the Black community—including formerly enslaved people—mobilized and organized for legal economic and political rights.
Did you know some 2,000 Black people held public office during Reconstruction?
They’re attacking @ReverendWarnock by twisting Rev. Dr. James Cone’s prophetic words because he promises to reshape government like Dr. Cone reclaimed Christianity:
Dethroning whiteness and power to tend the wounds of suffering people. /1
James Cone took Jesus back from racists who stole Christ to sanctify whiteness and wealth, and provide moral justification for 400 years of ongoing genocide.
He put it plain: “Any message that is not related to the liberation of the poor in society is not Christ's message.” /2
“Theology can never be neutral or fail to take sides on issues related to the plight of the oppressed.
It can never engage in conversation about the nature of God without confronting those elements of human existence which threaten anyone's existence as a person.” /3
I'm so grateful to @ChildDefender for their consistent defense of children's rights.
Too often, kids aren't treated as full and complete humans—with their own particular needs, and unique agency.
Abuse of children is covered by euphemism, or explained away as just "part of parenting."
And government abuse of kids is hidden in data; not treated as an absolute emergency.
1 in 3 families with kids can't afford to feed them. Right now. Today. In the US.
That's a crisis!
And that doesn't even mention lead poisoning, substandard education, inaccessibility, a rapidly deteriorating climate, straight-up federal kidnapping or all the other harm that isn't addressed because too often children lack any voice in our political life.