To what degree is US policy in the Middle East influenced by Biblical thinking?

Question

In particular, the idea that the Bible claims that "God" gave a certain land to a particular people. I'm of course aware there's more to US policy than this simple strain of thought. I just wondered, having just read a book on the rise of the politicised Christian Right, how prevalent it was in policymakers' agenda.

Answer 1

Biblical thinking in this case is a servant to political thinking.  The US supports Israel for different reasons, depending on who you are.  

The Republican/Conservative/Business agenda has Israel being our friend in the region, a bulwark against Islamism, communism, etc. etc.  

Christians have been taught that the creation of the modern state of Israel is a harbinger of the Final Days, that it means that the apocalypse is coming soon.  This is actually a very questionable interpretation of the Bible, but the reason Christians believe this is that their leaders have been corrupted to exploit them for the Republican Party.

The Bible actually says that when the Messiah comes, he will lead Jews to create the modern state of Israel.  But fundamentalist Christians have been conditioned to believe it's the other way around, that we can -bring on- the apocalypse, the Second Coming and all that, by creating and defending Israel.

And though Christians believe Israel exists by God's will, part of God's plan, they have no respect at all for Jews.  They believe all the Jews will burn in h**l.

Answer 2

US Policy is not influenced by the Bible. However the people who have input as to what the policy maybe influnced. If the so called 'religious right' had any input to US Policy they are influenced by the bible to one extent or another.

Answer 3

It is influenced by the Jewish lobby!

Answer 4

Well, Bush claims that 'God' told him to invade Iraq...

Answer 5

In America many Christians have been persuaded by the Scofield Reference Bible and Hal Lindsey's writings to believe that God blesses those nations that stand with Israel, and He curses those who don't. Old Testament prophecies are taken as literal, with many still to be finally outworked in the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Middle East. Christian Zionism supports this and lobbies Government very effectively.

It needs to be said that the trend of such Christians is to take current events and try to mould them to prophecies in the Bible. It should be the other way around. Some of these views can actually contribute to bloodshed and division in the Middle East.  I would recommend as a link, http://www.charlesstrohmer.com

Answer 6

There is no doubt that Puritan Chistianity, well established in the USA, has close ties and connection with Judeism.

In some respects this connection goes right the way back to Oliver Cromwell MP - The Lord Protector of England, who proclaimed that the English were the second chosen of God and since the Jews were God's first chosen people, they, the Jews will be allowed back into England etc.

This same 'Puritanism' eventually lead to the Welsh Wizard, David Lloyd George MP offering the Jewish people a homeland in Palestine.

Hatikvah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0rVDbYqE...

Shalom Israel

Answer 7

Zero from our government.  Israel is a thriving democratic country in a chaotic region.  The USA has helped Israel become that country in only 60 shorts years.  Of all the aid we give, if what Israelis have done with their country could happen more often, it would be worth all the money.  They're our ally, and a very strategic one at that.  It's not about love.  It's not about religion, except to those who like conspiracy theories and like to demonize a group of people.

Answer 8

While both Christianity and Islam control and oppress its converts, Judaism has been carefully crafted to serve the Jews.

Biblical text may be used by propagandists to get the Christian Right behind the Zionist lobby but policy is primarily determined by the significant Jewish lobby and the greed of opportunists close to the government.