Monday, October 3, 2005
In a post below, I pretty much mocked the usefulness of a recent "ecumenical" group-trip to the Middle East. But according to this JTA article (hat tip: Judith), while the trip may just have been another all-expenses paid junket for the national-leadership types, some of the rank and file may have actually gotten something out of it. Maybe I shouldn't be so cynical.
Interfaith trip to Holy Land mends ties between Jews and Protestants
Take the experience of the Rev. Mark Baridon, pastor of Louisville’s Central Presbyterian Church. Baridon initially thought divestment seemed like a good idea, but the trip to Israel reinforced his feeling that investing in education and economic development for the region makes more sense.
Baridon said he now will be more outspoken against divestment.
“We don’t have to follow what our denominational leaders say anyway,” he said. “We need to be more balanced in realizing that there’s been some real suffering on both sides and to appreciate the strides that Israel has made in making an inclusive democracy.”
Additionally, Baridon realized for the first time that some people oppose the existence of the State of Israel. After seeing how Israel has provided a homeland for refugees, he wants churches to make stronger statements of support for Israel’s existence and policies, he said.
"Baridon realized for the first time that some people oppose the existence of the State of Israel." I think we bloggers aren't reaching enough people.
"'Baridon realized for the first time that some people oppose the existence of the State of Israel.' I think we bloggers aren't reaching enough people."
You can say that again.
But in this case another factor is at work -- people in leadership positions are conveying one set of "facts" and spin -- and most of the members want to believe that they wouldn't misrepresent the truth. They automatically have a kind of credibility by virtue of their position.
"Baridon realized for the first time that some people oppose the existence of the State of Israel."
That pop you hear is the sound of a mainliner's head being extracted from his ass.
"... that some people oppose the existence of the State of Israel."
Melanie Phillips has a post
"British perfidy in Palestine"
http://www.melaniephillips.com/diary/archives/001429.html
in which she links to Emperor's Clothes which is worth the long read just to realise how old this opposition is.
To put into context the action in the region and how stupidly ignorant many of us have been (thanks to the media and school history), and some still are, as regards the truth.
Thanks, she's a couple months slow on that link. http://www.solomonia.com/blog/archives/006327.shtml
Heh.
"I think we bloggers aren't reaching enough people."
Did not know about your blog until some weeks back thanks to a link.
Heh indeed.
As a comment by will spotts asks: "Please forgive a stupid question, but isn't this common knowledge?"
No, sadly it is not, as I have recently come to discover.
Maybe when the Brits complain about the "Militant" behaviour of the Jewish groups in Palestine, Stern, Lehi, Irgun etc., one can now cite mitigating circumstances?
"Did not know about your blog until some weeks back thanks to a link."
And I thank that link. :)
It's going to take one heck of an educational effort to overcome all the political cant that's passed itself off as history over the past few decades. I just don't know how it can realistically happen.