The Horrific Novelty of John Hagee and Joe Lieberman's Continued Love Affair
A reader does not always read a news story because it is logical or because it helps to make sense of some greater whole. Some news story are just some kind of horrific novelty, a grim reminder that the universe is not only difficult to understand but impossible to fathom.
Pastor John Hagee is just one an example of this kind of story. An important figures in the recent right-wing religious movement, Pastor John Hagee is the founder and senior pastor of the Cornerstone Church, Trinity Church and the The Church at Castle Hills (all in San Antonio, Texas), and has been an important figure in the recent right-wing religious movement. He is also the founder and CEO of Global Evangelism Television, Inc. and helped found the Christians United for Israel, a pro-Israel organization that Hagee's obsession with Israel is actually quite recent. It was in February 2006 that Hagee began his focus on the support of Israel and created the Christians United for Israel (CUFI).
Based upon their interpretation of the bible, the organization is a Christian-Zionist doomsday cult that believes that Armageddon is coming soon, and presently on their website they post this message, calling it a "RAPID RESPONSE ACTION ALERT", complete with a picture of siren:
Pastor John Hagee is just one an example of this kind of story. An important figures in the recent right-wing religious movement, Pastor John Hagee is the founder and senior pastor of the Cornerstone Church, Trinity Church and the The Church at Castle Hills (all in San Antonio, Texas), and has been an important figure in the recent right-wing religious movement. He is also the founder and CEO of Global Evangelism Television, Inc. and helped found the Christians United for Israel, a pro-Israel organization that Hagee's obsession with Israel is actually quite recent. It was in February 2006 that Hagee began his focus on the support of Israel and created the Christians United for Israel (CUFI).
Based upon their interpretation of the bible, the organization is a Christian-Zionist doomsday cult that believes that Armageddon is coming soon, and presently on their website they post this message, calling it a "RAPID RESPONSE ACTION ALERT", complete with a picture of siren:
Pastor Hagee and Rabbi Scheinberg Respond to Recent Controversies: Israel’s time of need is now. There is a new Hitler in the Middle East --President Ahmadinejad of Iran -- who has threatened to wipe out Israel and America and is rapidly acquiring the nuclear technology to make good on his threat. If we learned anything from the Holocaust, it is that when a madman threatens genocide we must take him seriously.
During the Holocaust, too many Christians were silent, and we were left to mourn the slaughter of 6 million Jews. Today, Bible-believing Christians must speak up and stand up for Israel. We must act to do whatever we can to protect Israel’s 6 million Jews from the second Holocaust. We must get it right this time. Our faith demands it. The times require it. Silence is not an option.
During the Holocaust, too many Christians were silent, and we were left to mourn the slaughter of 6 million Jews. Today, Bible-believing Christians must speak up and stand up for Israel. We must act to do whatever we can to protect Israel’s 6 million Jews from the second Holocaust. We must get it right this time. Our faith demands it. The times require it. Silence is not an option.
Already this is no longer a news story that I will ever understand. It is clear to me that I cannot begin to empathize with this guy. He is anti-Catholic, anti-Islam, anti-homosexuality, and thinks that Hitler was doing god's will. He is what you technically call a looney.
I must admit that I find it amusing to find out that he was forced to resign from the first church that he founded, saying, "My marriage had collapsed and I became immoral in my personal conduct". [1]
It is also worth noting that the other denounced McCain pastor, Rod Parsley, is also a member of Hagee's doomsday cult. Why the media has not picked up on this nugget is beyond me, it makes the story all the more interesting.
The train wreck that this story has become for the McCain campaign is notable and even understandable. What is beyond understanding is why Joe Lieberman, who has been a staunch supporter of the Christians United for Israel has not decided to follow McCain's lead and denounce this group as well, in light of the recent media revelation that any support of Hagee and his organization is political suicide.
And yet it has been revealed that Joe Lieberman is scheduled to speak at this years Christians United for Israel convention. According to the Huffington Post:
I must admit that I find it amusing to find out that he was forced to resign from the first church that he founded, saying, "My marriage had collapsed and I became immoral in my personal conduct". [1]
It is also worth noting that the other denounced McCain pastor, Rod Parsley, is also a member of Hagee's doomsday cult. Why the media has not picked up on this nugget is beyond me, it makes the story all the more interesting.
The train wreck that this story has become for the McCain campaign is notable and even understandable. What is beyond understanding is why Joe Lieberman, who has been a staunch supporter of the Christians United for Israel has not decided to follow McCain's lead and denounce this group as well, in light of the recent media revelation that any support of Hagee and his organization is political suicide.
And yet it has been revealed that Joe Lieberman is scheduled to speak at this years Christians United for Israel convention. According to the Huffington Post:
Senator Joseph Lieberman is scheduled to headline Pastor John Hagee’s 2008 Christians United For Israel Washington-Israel Summit this July 22. In accepting Hagee’s invitation, Lieberman became the most senior elected representative confirmed to appear at the annual gala.
"He is a Ish Elokim, a man of God and those words really fit him…like Moses he’s become a leader of a mighty multitude, even greater than the multitude that Moses led from Egypt to the promised land."
None of this makes sense. It is political suicide for Lieberman to support Hagee in the present climate. (Lieberman is from Connecticut and Hagee's supporters are in Texas!) Lieberman's behavior can't be because of a deeply felt religious belief, he's Jewish. As a matter of fact, the Rapture is a 'Christians only' event! Lieberman's support of Hagee definitely will not help McCain, Lieberman's choice for president. The only common thread that I can find between the Christians United for Israel and neoconservative Lieberman is they both advocate a pre-emptive military strike on Iran.
I must confess that I find the whole thing strange and bizarre. It's like watching a human train wreck in slow motion. But this human train wreck wants to destroy the world.
I must confess that I find the whole thing strange and bizarre. It's like watching a human train wreck in slow motion. But this human train wreck wants to destroy the world.
13 Comments:
McCain and Lieberman are playing good fundie, bad fundie.
McCain throws the preachers under the bush and Lieberman runs to them, pulls them out and gives them the kiss of life.
Lieberman has four years until his next reelection. He is counting on short memories of the electorate while supporting his real cause. Two years from now you won't hear about Hagee from him and you might even get a condemnation.
For years they've been pushing the envelope of extremity with nary a cost to them. Why stop now?
I assume you've read/heard of this?
Also, in a bizarre way, I think they're right. I think they could possibly piss God off enough that he comes back down here.
I picture Him like Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction or Snakes on a Plane. I bet he has a huge God-wallet that says "Bad Motherfucker" on it that He will use to swat the Armageddonists about the head.
Lieberman WILL be speaking at the GOP convention.
Reid better get in front of that now.
I think we should do what George Carlin says. "They want to meet Jesus so bad, let's give 'em a little helping hand!"
that last picture in your post says it all
A "looney" is techinically a unit of Canadian currency. I think you actually mean batshit-barking-mad-lunatic.
Unconventional nails a perfect landing. 10 points from the Utah judge. Forget what I said about your rancid butter.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Lieberman's out for himself and that's it. He's not really pro-Israel, he's not pro-Christian, not pro-Republican, not pro-War -- at least, not in any way that isn't a subset of pro-Lieberman. The guy would gladly wear a tinfoil hat and claim that the Earth was flat if he thought he could win a significant electoral margin from the alien conspiracy flat Earth crowd.
I hope Connecticut voters who voted for him because the Democrat who won the primary was anti-war before anti-war was cool feel ashamed of themselves for this. Maybe they asked to have this creep foisted upon them, but why do the rest of us have to suffer him?
I agree, DZ. Good piece.
But they're not cool enough to be gay.
;-)
Part of me is firmly convinced that Lieberman is the most brilliant practical joke artist in history.
Surely he can't believe most of the stuff he says and does?
Pissed Off Patricia: Ah, that makes sense! Except the kissing part. Who would want to kiss Lieberman?
John J.: That is the real reason, of course. Still, it is an unpopular position.
Randal Graves: I pushed the 'envelope of extremity' once! It came back postage due, unfortunately.
Übermilf: Yeah, I saw that guy on TV. I can see Samuel L. Jackson in all of his glory screaming, "In the name of Jesus, I cast out the demon of handwriting analysis!"
Dean Wormer: I think that it'll be alright. Nobody is going to watch the GOP convention this year, except the deluded and the press. (Like there is a difference!)
Bradda: Hee hee! That's mean!
Liberality: Thanks! The Alpha Omega Bomb will cure all of our ills, one way or the other!
Unconventional Conventionist: Indeed! I believe that you are correct, good sir.
Utah Savage: Rancid butter? Where is the toast? Two slices, please!
chaos4700: My feelings exactly. Nothing good can come of that senator. Nothing good at all.
Batocchio: Alas, most of us aren't. ;o)
MWB: The problem with the 'practical joke artist' theory is Lieberman is just not funny. Not funny at all. :o)
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