If this guy cloaks himself in "justice" and "peace" one more time I'm gonna puke. Reverend Donald Wagner, a professor and supporter of Presbyterian divestment efforts, is left incredulous that his efforts are not universally seen as prophetic and enlightened, but are instead recognized as regressive, anti-Semitic, naive, supportive of the worst aspects of Arab and Islamic nationalism, morally bereft and characterized more by misplaced blame than anything resembling "justice."
Daily Star: Christian prophetic voices face many battles
...Wagner believes he and his colleagues are "raising legitimate issues about Israel-Palestine, critiquing Christian Zionism and end time theology, and trying to reach out to evangelicals and progressive forces in the Christian community. We're also saying that Christianity is disappearing in the Holy Land, especially in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem, largely due to the results of the Israeli occupation and a lack of peace and justice. Christianity will vanish in the Holy Land if this trend persists, and it's interesting that our critics never even attempt to answer my argument about the consequences of occupation or the fate of Palestinian Christians. These pro-Israel and Christian Zionist groups try to shift the focus of the debate to accusing us of anti-Semitism, and saying that Christians are leaving because of Islam. We reject and resist that argument, and one result is this smear campaign we are being subjected to."
Wagner is worried that such campaigns, especially against Christian groups in Palestine, aim to "silence the prophetic voices of Palestinian Christians, like Sabeel, Cannon Ateek and Rev. Raheb, so they can say that our friends in the Christian community are the Christian right and those who support the Sharon policies."
One problem is that this guy doesn't acknowledge that Israel is the one country in the middle east where the christian population is increasing.
the thing I hate about people like this is the way that call themselves as crusaders for "peace and justice" -- as if that gives their opinions legitimacy. Disgusting.
The other major problem is that those he names -- Naim Ateek and Sabeel -- as well, for that matter, as Presbyterian Middle East coordinator Victor Makari, and president of the GAC, John Detterick HAVE IN FACT used crucifixion imagery to demonize Israel. Aside from being hyperbolic to the point of absurdity -- this same set of images and blood libels have always contributed to hatred of Jews -- uniquely.
Naim Ateek talks of the Israeli crucifixion system, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians on crosses. He also talks of Israel rolling stones in front of the tomb of Jesus, and compares Israel to Herod who killed babies under two to try to kill Jesus.
Victor Makari compares the suffering of Palestinians to the wounds of Christ. Detterick reported this claim -- and apparently didn't dispute it.
If these aren't rank bigotry -- being carried out in the name of Christians -- I don't know what qualifies.