Despite an uproar in the Jewish community, former president George W. Bush is still slated to deliver the keynote address to a fundraiser for the Messianic Jewish Bible Institute in Irving, Texas, tonight. The MJBI trains people to persuade Jews to recognize Jesus as their messiah. Followers of the group believe that if enough Jews are converted, Christ will return to Earth.
After Mother Jones broke the news about Bush’s appearance last week, “a small shitstorm…kicked up over the President’s decision,” writes Rob Eshman, editor of the Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles.
“I have yet to meet a Jewish person who hasn’t heard about this,” Tevi Troy, Bush’s White House liaison to the Jewish community from 2003 to 2004, told CNN Wednesday. Troy had high praise for Bush’s support of Israel and the Jewish community, but, he added, “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed.” A spokesman for the Republican Jewish Coalition did not respond to a request for comment.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and the Rabbinic Association of Greater Dallas issued a statement Tuesday expressing their disappointment regarding Bush’s scheduled appearance: “Support of this group is a direct affront to the mutual respect that all mainstream religious groups afford each other to practice the principles of their respective beliefs.”
Not to say “I told you so” but Elena and I have discussed this very issue on several occasions. The undying support of Israel during the last administration wasn’t just about loving people in the State of Israel. It was about Christian prophecy. It’s Christianity a little out of my league as far as concepts like the Second coming of Christ go. Maybe someone will come along and explain it far better than I can do. However, many Christians believe that certain events must be in place for the second coming.
I suppose Bush is a free citizen and can do what he wants. I just don’t see why everyone is so surprised. One group is always trying to evangelize another group. It isn’t limited to just Christians. I belong to the school of live and let live but I think that is a minority school.
Should Jewish groups be outraged? Sure. That’s their right also. Do I think it is tacky to try to convert Jews? Sure. that’s my right.
What’s so bad about the Messianic Jews? My nephew is or was one. I don’t know how “active” he is.
No one said Messianic Jews were good or bad. I guess people can be whatever religion they want to be. However, that’s a tough one. All the Jewish laws and all the Christian laws. ARRGGGHHHHH.
What I didn’t understand is if he was speaking to people who were recruiting Jews or people who were actually Messianic Jews. I have been around those folks a time or two and I must admit, it was strange.
I guess I find it offensive if Christians of any sect try to recruit/evangelize or in any way change observant Jews. I expect most just get the door slammed in their face. I have never been a big fan of trying to convert others. There have been some scathing scenes throughout history of various conversions but both Christians and Muslims. (other religions also but those two spring to mind) You don’t really hear much about Jews converting others against their will. In fact, Jews are fairly persnickety about who they let in.
Meanwhile, Bush is a free man now. He can speak before whoever wants to listen to him.
From a Jew’s perspective, allow me to share my feelings. For being the first monotheistic religion, Jews are barely surviving, as in their dwindling numbers. Pre Holocaust numbers are now just barely coming to fruition, 16 million. Lest we forget, 2/3 of all the Jews in Europe were murdered. Now, we face another problem, the number of practicing Jews in the United States declining. I am in an interfaith marriage, raising Jewish children is important to me, but it isn’t something that happens vicariously, you have to work at exposing them to the culture, the language, the prayers, etc.
There are 2.18 BILLIONS Christians. Please, leave us alone. We are barely maintaining the modicum of Jews that exist today.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/us/poll-shows-major-shift-in-identity-of-us-jews.html?_r=0
Throughout history, Jews have been assaulted, either by forced conversion or simply mass murder. It’s a miracle there are ANY Jews left.
I don’t care that George Bush is speaking before this group. Who didn’t understand the interest of the Evangelical movement regarding Israel. Is this a surprise to people? It shouldn’t be. You can’t really expect all this evangelical support for Israel and not know there is a quid pro quo expected, like, conversion!
Don’t forget that the Jews also have to be in control of Israel and Jerusalem.
“Not to say “I told you so” but Elena and I have discussed this very issue on several occasions. The undying support of Israel during the last administration wasn’t just about loving people in the State of Israel. It was about Christian prophecy”
So please coorect me if I’m wrong here but from what I read both you and Elena honestly believe that the last Bush admins support if Israel was to hasten the belief Christ will return to Earth? Is that an accurate statement?