wfn.org | Dangers of 'Christian Zionism' are cited in new NCC brochure

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Dangers of 'Christian Zionism' are cited in new NCC brochure

New York, December 12, 2008 -- "Christian Zionism" is a dangerous 
movement that distorts the teachings of the Church, fosters fear and 
hatred of Muslims and non-Western Christians, and has negative 
consequences for Middle East Peace.

A new brochure, Why We Should Be Concerned About Christian Zionism, 
by the Interfaith Relations Commission of the National Council of 
Churches (in English and Spanish) is now available as an educational 
tool for communions, congregations and other groups who want to share 
these warnings with their members.

Christian Zionism, while ostensibly a Christian movement in support 
of Israel, actually has the opposite effect. This brochure shows 
Christian Zionism to be  a misguided ideology that considers the 
State of Israel divinely ordained with the role of ushering in the 
end of history, where unconverted Jews and Christians of 
"questionable status" will be judged by God's wrath. In fact, the 
brochure points out, many evangelical Christians and Israelis reject 
the notion.

"The danger of this ideology is that it is a manipulation of 
Christian scripture and teaching," said Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos, NCC 
Senior Program Director for Interfaith Relations. "Unfortunately it 
has influence in American churches, to the point where many 
well-meaning Christians are swayed to support particularly 
destructive directions in U.S. foreign policy with regard to the Middle East."

In its narrowest form, Christian Zionism advocates preserving control 
of historic Palestine, including Gaza and the West Bank, for the 
Jewish people alone, rejecting any peace settlement based on a 
two-state solution.

An effect of the Christian Zionist ideology is that Christians in the 
Middle East and Muslims are viciously stereotyped. Many scholars have 
concluded that the Christian Zionist ideology has no roots in the 
traditional teachings of the church. The National Council of Churches 
has historically and consistently supported the security needs and 
rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.

The brochure was introduced during recent meetings of the National 
Council of Churches Governing Board and the General Assembly of the 
NCC and Church World Service.

The brochures can be downloaded and reproduced in English and Spanish 
for those who wish to know more about the ideology.

NCC News contact:  Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2228, NCCnews@ncccusa.org