Should or shouldn’t Jews vote for John McCain? What effect does his choice of Sarah Palin as running mate (apparently instead of Joe Lieberman) whose religious world view is frightening and repellent to most Jewish voters have on their decision? This is the subject of on-line discussions that have caught fire recently.
He writes:
“There are many reasons not to support Sarah Palin, but the fact of her religious affiliation is not one of them. In fact, I am actually a little ashamed of Jews who object to Sara Palin because of what she believes. How did it feel when we heard that people were uncomfortable supporting Joe Lieberman, not because he was a Democrat, but because he was a Jew? In fact, Jews worried about that phenomenon far more than it ever materialized, but that’s another story.”
On the other hand, an article on Israel News lays out the very particular world views that Palin’s church espouses that points to the problem that the candidate will have with Jewish voters. The article features a video recorded at Palin’s home church featuring Jews for Jesus president, David Brickner, who apparently asserts that terrorism is God’s punishment on the Jews for not accepting Christ.
The article asks:
“There are some questions that one hopes will be resolved about the incident – was Alaska Governor Palin in attendance at the Wasilla Bible Church* while the current head of Jews For Jesus, David Brickner, asserted that the gruesome deaths, maiming and disfigurement of Israelis caught in Palestinian suicide bombing attacks should rightly be blamed on those victims themselves because of a collective Jewish refusal to accept Jesus en-masse, as a collective people ?”
As a Christian minister I do not think it is religious bigotry to challenge this world view of Brickner and the pastor of Wasilla Bible Church who invited him. In fact, I think it is a moral obligation of all people of any religion to challenge those who see violence as a revelation of God which conveniently supports their own objectives. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks warns: “When religion is invoked as a justification for conflict, religious voices must be raised in protest. We must withhold the robe of sanctity when it is sought as a cloak for violence and bloodshed. If faith is enlisted in the cause of war, there must be an equal and opposite counter-voice in the name of peace. If religion is not part of a solution, it will certainly be part of the problem.” Just as Barack Obama refuted his pastor’s position post 9/11, so David Brickner should be challenged on this dangerous theology – and Governor Palin should be the first to do it. Not to win Jewish votes. But because it is the right thing to do.
posted September 24, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Amen. Why is it that everyone was up in arms against Obama’s minister when he made such offensive statements but are giving Palin’s minister a pass? Can anyone say race?
posted September 24, 2008 at 7:17 pm
It’s amazing how things change quickly. I was leaning McCain before he picked Palin. Now, I’m not even leaning Obama – I’m most definitely voting Obama. Even if it’s primarily voting against McCain-Palin. Anyone who thinks Palin is ready to lead, seriously lacks judgment.
posted September 24, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Here’s one person who’s married to a Jewish man and has a Jewish family who will never vote for McCain-Palin. Palin scares the hell out of me.
posted September 24, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Do left wing Jews have a death wish. I don’t know if America can survive 4 years of the socialist Obama but I am damned sure Israel
can’t. As Iran launches a 2nd holocaust Obama will hem & haw but ultimately do nothing.
posted September 24, 2008 at 11:44 pm
paulejb,
Putting aside your lies about Obama being socialist and not caring about Israel, with the Israeli nuclear arsenal and air force, you think Israeli lacks deterence without the US?
You don’t know much about Israel.
posted September 25, 2008 at 8:03 am
I dont think that Sarah is that bad. She can do no worst than the many men that came before her. Ronald Reagan is one of the greatest presidents in history and he didnt have much experience. (Although I am not a supporter of Reaganomics I believe that he made significant foreign policy contributions.)She would only be vice president.
I was undecided before the Palin pick and I am still undecided now. I am not a fan of big government and I know that big government is what we will have if Obama takes office bc he is a rock star. The media is in his corner and I think it is dangerous to have a media that wont put checks on the government but instead try to forward the presidents agenda and protect him. I dont think that he can handle the job. Yet, I find him inspiring and sometimes hope is all you need. And, I am not really a big supporter of McCain on several issues.
As always I will be choosing between the lesser of two evils. I just dont know who that will be yet. I voted for Hillary during the primary but I didnt agree with her on a lot of important issues to me. Perhaps I will just vote independent as usual.
posted September 25, 2008 at 8:43 am
Well, according to the kooks at jews for jesus, wouldn’t Iran and God be attacking Israel? What effective response could Obama or McCain make if God is the true assailant? Would we then see the “Atheists for Christ” emerge? or the Meat loving vegetarians? Only a complete moron would not understand that Jews for jesus is a contradiction based on stupidity. In fact they are terrorists who incite Israels enemies to attack them using the same “god approved” agenda as al quaeda. I would suggest that all Jews everywhere assassinate all jews for jesus at every opportunity.
They are the enemy with their “convert or die” mantra. Besides they would get to meet Jesus right away..isn’t that what they want?
posted September 25, 2008 at 9:02 am
Sarah Palin wouldn’t matter if McCain was 20 years younger. But you could end up with the mayor of Mayberry as president. I guarantee you our sworn enemies arent scared of a hockey mom. Better to take a chance on the young honor student than the old POW who may succumb to the pressure and leave us with Bullwinkle’s worst nightmare, and ours.