Divine Divestment

July 12, 2010 By 20 Comments

Not quite three weeks before the Islamic award for the Chicago United Methodists, the Northern Illinois Annual Conference for United Methodists approved anti-Israel divestment, ostensibly in response to a “plea by Palestinian Christians for action, not just words.”  A news release explained that divesting from Caterpillar, General Electric and others who supposedly profit from the “occupation” is merely a  “nonviolent form of economic protest long-used by churches and other shareholders to encourage companies to end unjust practices.”  Church advocates of divestment want to target companies that are “involved with the physical settlements [by Jews on the West Bank], checkpoints and the separation wall, or support activities of the Israeli military in the occupied territories.”   The proposal originated with the conference’s “End the Occupation Task Force.”  And the anti-Israel divestment message will be disseminated to the regional body’s 400 local congregations and about 125,000 church members throughout northern Illinois.

Presumably the Chicago-area United Methodists do not have any similar special task forces examining human rights abuses in Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, or Egypt, and companies that purportedly profit from  the repressive policies of those regimes, which of course includes the active persecution of Christians.  Jewish Israel is the only target of special concern for the United Methodists in northern Illinois who, like all left-leaning churches, have been continuously losing members for decades, despite their preoccupation with “diversity” and “inclusion.”   

Almost amusingly, the Chicago area United Methodists’ anti-Israel resolution was titled “Steadfast Support of Christians in the Holy Land.”  Of course, the northern Illinois United Methodists are not expressing solidarity with Christians anywhere else in the world, as apparently Israel is the only, or perhaps just the worst, persecutor of Christians.  Specifically the resolution cites Israel’s purported abuse of Gaza and the infamous United Nations Goldstone report about Israel’s “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity.”   The resolution briefly cites Hamas rockets from Gaza against Israel but emphasizes a quote from Jimmy Carter:  “Never before in history has a large community like this been 61 savaged by bombs and missiles and then denied the means to repair itself.”   

Needless to say, the United Methodist resolution did not mention Hamas’ radical brew of theocratic Islam, which includes suppression of and legally mandated second-class citizenship (dhimmitude) for Christians.  The elites of Chicago-area United Methodists, as they slam Israel and receive an Islamic commendation, perhaps envision themselves comfortably in the role of dhimmitude.

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About

Mark Tooley is President of the Institute on Religion and Democracy (www.theird.org) and author of Methodism and Politics in the Twentieth Century. Follow him on Twitter: @markdtooley.

  • S. HaLevi

    Correctly said.
    In Eretz Israel an unJewish cadre usurped power in the late 1980's leading to the so called Oslo process and derivatives. The pilgrimage to "invited" sessions' in Washington or to perform "speaking tours" as means to receive millions in bribes oiled the process. SO FAR. Large sums were used through ubiquitous front organizations to subvert and sabotage. One of the most damaging objectives of the State and CIA operatives was to develop a well trained and armed islamic para military and to turn the IDF to a military against Jews, Land of Israel and Jewish Heritage and a "rubber bullet, white flour bombs and paint ball rifles" otherwise. That with the support of the State Department, EU and other enemies.
    That is about to turn full circle and as yet intentionally unreported overseas.
    The "failures" and those the intentionally failed under foreign orders will pay very heavily if not finally.
    Those divesting must do so fast because the new leadership here will not be contemplative with enemies. Those aligned with islam will not be differentiated with islam itself.

  • Al Barrs

    The Presbyterian Church has already been doing the same thing! It is alarming… Do they realize what will become of them if Islam becomes the religion of the land???

    • Dale Hooey

      The Presbyterian and Methodist Churches have been taken over by radical liberal clergy. Notice their falling numbers!

  • solemnman

    These genteel replacement theologies ,in their determination to wrest the covenant from jewish hands ,now express their traditional disdain and hatred for judaism by embracing the causes of the Islamo – nazis. The usual reference to the Islamists as Islamo-fascists unfairly equates fascism,however bad it is,with something that aspires to an even more comprehensive genocide than was ever envisioned by even the nazis..The .Islamists openly call for the killing of ALL!! infidels- including ,The genteel people of the genteel faiths that support them

    • http://ziomania.com ziomania

      [quote]The Islamists openly call for the killing of ALL!! infidels[unquote]

      Then what are the thousands of Jews in Iran, Turkey, among other places, living there? Not only do they live there, but they have no intention or desire to move! Why?
      How many Jews are we told perished under the hands of Christians? How many perished under Muslim rule? No, you got it all wrong! Take a look:

      "1 Samuel 15:3 "Go and attack the Amalekites! Destroy them and all their possessions. Don't have any pity. Kill their men, women, children, and even their babies. Slaughter their cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys."

      • MixMike

        "How many Jews are we told perished under the hands of Christians? How many perished under Muslim rule? "

        In Morocco in the 8th century, whole Jewish communities were wiped out by Muslim rulers.

        In 1033 in Fez, Morocco over 6,000 Jews were killed.

        In 1066 in Granada, Spain a Muslim Mob razed the Jewish quarter of the city and slaughtered its 5,000 Jewish inhabitants.

        In 12th century N. Africa, the Almohads either forcibly converted or destroyed the Jewish communities.

        In 15th century Morocco thousands of Jews were slaughtered in Fez leaving only 11 alive.

        In Libya in 1785, Ali Burzi Pasha murdered hundreds of Jews

        In Algiers, Jews were massacred in 1805, 1815 and 1830.

        In Marrakesh, Morocco, where more than 300 hundred Jews were murdered between 1864 and 1880.

        There were progroms against Jews in the mid 19th century across the Muslim cities in the Middle East.

        More than a thousand Jews were killed in anti-Jewish rioting during the 1940's in Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Syria and Yemen.

        Need I really go on?

      • MixMike

        "1 Samuel 15:3 "Go and attack the Amalekites! Destroy them and all their possessions. Don't have any pity. Kill their men, women, children, and even their babies. Slaughter their cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys."

        The commandment to kill the Amalekites has no legal significance under modern Jewish law. The Amalekites are a culture no longer in existence, so the commandment is moot. Whereas, under many forms of Islam the commandments to kill "infidels" is still current and a duty for every follower.

      • solemnman

        I was referrig to Islamist Arabs not Turks or Iranians.I was referring to the Muslem Brotherhood and their affiliates Hamas ,AlQuida and Hezbulla who continually declare their intention to commit genocide.Achmadinijad does not speak for the Iranian majority.The Jews in Germany were relatively safe till Hitler came to power.He said what he wanted to do and the islamist who worship him are saying it now. he did it .Why wouldn't they.

      • MixMChess

        "How many Jews are we told perished under the hands of Christians? How many perished under Muslim rule? No, you got it all wrong!"

        In 627, Muhammad's followers killed between 600 and 900 of the Jewish men in Medina.

        In 8th century Morocco, whole Jewish communities were wiped out by the Muslim rulers.

        In 1066 in Granada, Spain, Muslim mobs razed the Jewish quarter of the city and slaughter its 5,000 inhabitants.

        In the 12th century in N. Africa, the Almohads decimated several Jewish communities.

        In 1465, in Fez, Morocco, thousands of Jews were slaughtered, leaving only 11 alive.

        In 1785 in Libya, Ali Burzi Pasha murdered hundreds of Jews.

        In the 19th century in Algiers, Jews were massacred in 1805, 1815 and 1830

        In Marrakesh, Morocco, more than 300 hundred Jews were murdered between 1864 and 1880.

        There were anti-Jewish progroms all throughout the middle east in the 19th century.

        In the 1940's more than a thousand Jews were killed in anti-Jewish rioting in Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Syria and Yemen.

        Need I really go on?

        "1 Samuel 15:3 "Go and attack the Amalekites! Destroy them and all their possessions. Don't have any pity. Kill their men, women, children, and even their babies. Slaughter their cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys."

        The commandment to attack and kill the Amalekites have no force under modern Jewish law. The Amalekites are a biblical culture no longer in existence, thus the commandments are moot. Whereas commandments to kill infidels are still current and applicable under modern Islamic law.

  • Marty

    I'm adding GE to my stock portfolio after accumulating CAT and Motorola shares once the presbyterians divested those corporations.

  • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/jaydickb jaydickb

    These people are just plain stupid. Stupid people,especially stupid liberal people, seem to like "symbolic" actions that have no real effect other than making them feel good. In this case, they people involved probably feel very proud of themselves. This proves you don't have to be stupid to do stupid things.

    • USMCSniper

      You are right. As a matter of fact, they really are too stupid to even suspect that they are stupid. And deep down they are anti semites who regard Jews as heretics because they have not embraced the "Come to Jesus" syndrome.

  • Rob

    All of these incidents are simply a result, or a symptom, of American Churches watering down the Gospel of our risen Messiah. The average American who professes faith in Christianity, couldn't begin to tell you what they believe. Faith in America has become as materialistic as any other part of our culture.
    Another thing to consider is, the Liberal-Progressives have infiltrated American Churches just as they have our Public Schools, our Legislatures, our Media and our Courts. Faith is one of the pillars that marxists understand that they must bring down to undermine a country or culture.
    If we don't truly understand what we say we believe, and if we don't fully live by what we claim to believe, should we be surprised when mad-men and con-men sell us down the river?
    It is our responsibility to remain vigilant if we want to remain free and to give that freedom to our posterity. Focus on God, His word and His way and we will understand what direction to take and how to stand against the enemies of freedom and liberty.

  • CHOI

    By ENGAGING in OPEN POLITICAL ACTIVITY,the "United Methodists"are in VIOLATION of their 501c TAX-EXEMPT STATUS.
    Also ,their numerous "Church Properties" are "Cook County Real Estate Tax " EXEMPT.

    Since they WANT this FIGHT, LET'S GIVE IT TO THEM!
    Let's ALL Flood the Federal,State ,and Local Tax Authorities with the PROOF of "United Methodist Church's" VIOLATIONS of their "Religious Tax-Exempt" Status"
    In Cook County,Illinois,which includes "The City of Chicago" ,their FALSE Exemption to the Real Estate Tax is PUTTING EXTRA BURDEN on the TAXPAYERS,in America's MOST TAXED COUNTY and anywherev else they enjoy Tax Exempt Status..
    Either THEY Cease being Political,or they SHOULD NO LONGER BE TAX-EXEMPT on any level.
    They CAN'T have it BOTH WAYS.

  • JULIE JONES

    ONE WORLD RELIGION = WORLD COUNSEL OF CHURCHES,ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL=
    NATIONAL COUNSEL OF CHURCHES
    THIS CHURCHES HAVE LEFT THE CHRISTIAN BELIEF IN GOD OF THE BIBLE,THEY ARE APOSTATE , CHECK THESE TWO SITES IF YOUR CHURCH IS INVOLVED COME OUT FROM THEM!

  • CHOI

    And, IMAGINE the United Methodists FACING PROTESTORS when THEY gather for Church Functions.
    If readers would ORGANIZE Peaceful and Lawful Protests at every United Methodist Church OUTSIDE of EVERY CHURCH EVENT(incl Sundays) ,tey WOULD GET THE MESSAGE.
    Among the Protest Signs should be References to STRIPPING their TAX-EXEMPTION(s).
    THAT's HOW TO DEAL WITH THESE "RELIGIOUS" FRAUDS.

  • Ron

    The majority of United Methodist congregations, and other so called "mainstream" protestant denominations, long ago diverged themselves from the G_d of creation and the Bible as a whole. They teach a touchy, feely, New Testament only gospel, of a Jesus who existed only in their imaginations. Even to the extent of ignoring much of the teachings of the New Testament, and Jesus himself, in order to preach this social gospel message.

    Jesus is the Son of the G_d of Creation! The Son of the G_d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! His Life was fulfillment of prophecy of the Old Testament concerning G_d's covenant promise to Israel! Everything he did up to and throughout his resurrection was for and about Israel and it's people.

    Not until he went to His Father did he include we Gentiles in the Salvation that he made possible! Never did he contradict the Father.

    The next time he comes it will be with a sword in hand to destroy the enemies of G_d!

    So it's easy for them to ignore G_d the Father when he said:

    “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” — Genesis 12:3 (King James Version)

    They are "Cursing" Israel!! That can have only one result!

    rd

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/WilliamJWard WilliamJamesWard

    If we do not defend Israel God will not defend America, this was stated by
    Rev. John Hagee who has raised millions of dollars for Israel and has a strong
    message for Christians who understand our attachment to Israel and for any
    one that will listen. The apostate church (note the lower case) is lost to its
    false teachers and cosmic muffin beliefs, either they turn back to Bible basics
    or they are lost, it is just that simple……….To Israelis, there are multiple millions
    of American Christians that support you and pray for the peace of Jerusalem
    which we would help you defend as best we can…….November it changes…..William

  • Samurai Hit Woman

    How can these "Christians" claim to be Christian and hate Jews? It doesn't compute. According to Christian scripture the Jew is the apple of God's eye. And that is the reason they've experienced so much persecution, of course.This world is under the control of God's antagonist.

    Also the reason the Jews calls Christianity "replacement" theology is according to prophesy in the Old Testament God was going to the gentile and make Israel jealous by making a people not His people "His people".

    Now the gentiles are falling away from God, too. This too was foretold by the ancient Jewish prophets.

  • Samurai Hit Woman

    How can these "Christians" claim to be Christian and hate Jews? It doesn't compute. According to Christian scripture the Jew is the apple of God's eye. And that is the reason they've experienced so much persecution, of course.This world is under the control of God's antagonist.