This is an interesting question. Is Jimmy Carter "pro Israel"? Those on the right would shout NO because he supports talks with Hamas. Of course, 65% of Israelis support talking to Hamas as well so why is that not pro Israel? The Christian Right considers itself pro Israel. But ask them about the details and you realize that they believe Israel must continue to exist as a state in order to be destroyed during Armeggedon when all Jews will go to hell. Is that really "support"?

The Christian Right are pro-Israel insofar as they (insanely) believe it to be a stepping stone in the path to the return of Christ (ain't gonna happen-ever). And these folks are used (for their votes) by the "pragmatists" or "realists" or whatever they call themselves who have "strategy" in mind (i.e. a giant military base in the middle of oil country).

Sorry. I essentially just restated your point. LOL!

What if one thinks that both Carter and the Christian Right are not "pro-Israel" because they both voice extreme and ignorant views as to how the middle east operates?

You and Screwjack no NOTHING about the Christian Right. You think we support Israel because we WANT armaggedon to happen? You're joking, right? Do you even KNOW anyone on the Christian Right? Or do you just repeat what you hear, and ignorantly lump anyone who is Christian into that category without talking to them. Yeah, let's not let the facts get in the way of our opinions!

For your information, most Christians - whether left or right - would tell you that NO ONE knows the day or hour of Christs return. Therefore, trying to speed up Armaggedon is a waste of time. It will happen when it happens. Also, most Christians don't believe all Jews will "go to hell," as you so eloquently put it. We believe that God alone can make that decision. Of course, we also believe that we are correct and they are mistaken about Jesus being the son of God, etc. but again, whether they end up in Heaven or Hell is up to God, not us.

Ripley, you have me doubting you are an actual Christian! To suggest that "Also, most Christians don't believe all Jews will "go to hell," as you so eloquently put it" is simply wrong and absurd. All core traditiona beliefs of conservative Christians (those that consider themselves pro Israel) can be found in the three creeds, Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed. They all agree on the main points of Christianity and that belief in Jesus as the son of God is the main one. Belief in Jesus as the son of God is the only path to heaven and clearly Jews don't meet that criteria.

I'm Catholic, and I recite the Nicene Creed at Church every Sunday, and I am well aware of what it says. "We believe in One God...We believe in One Lord Jesus Christ...." etc. It states what we believe, and nowhere does it state that "we believe all Jews will go to hell." In fact, the modern Catholic church is entirely silent on that issue. However, I wasn't raised Catholic, and the church I grew up in was something of a John Knox offshoot and very fundamentalist. They believed that Jews were God's Chosen People, and you didn't mess with them! Currently there are about 40,000 (no, that''s not a typo) Christian denominations in existence, ranging from the Mormon sect in Texas to the liberal Episcopals that ordain women and gay men as priests, and just about everything in between. There's a growing belief among evangelicals that stewardship and social justice for the poor are more important issues than abortion or gay marriage. In fact a manifesto has been signed by dozens of Christian leaders wanting Christians to stay out of politics, because Christians have become "useful idiots" to the Neocons. My point is that you can't throw all Christians into your Right-Wing fundamentalist group that wants to see all Jews go to hell. We're just too diverse for all that. (Incidentally, there are also a few "Messianic" Jews who DO accept Jesus as the son of God, just not very many of them.) So, I stand by my point that most Christian's don't believe that all Jews will go to hell, and we're not waiting around for Armaggedon to wipe them all out, either.

It states what we believe, and nowhere does it state that "we believe all Jews will go to hell." In fact, the modern Catholic church is entirely silent on that issue.

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Paradoxically, the Catholic Church was entirely silent on Hitler's plans for European Jews.

Sorry, I like your comment, I just had to bring that up.

I like the way you think. Still, my point stands. Those Christians on the far right who are most fervenly "pro Israel" tend to be the ones that take a hard line on the concept that one must believe in Jesus to be saved.

Belief in Jesus: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).