Evangelical Christians and Israel: Challenging the Notion of Friendship Between These 'Best Friends'
Yesterday I found myself in a high-level meeting about religion and democracy a few blocks away from where the Prime Minister of Israel was making a speech to the U.S. Congress detailing his concerns about Iran and its potential of developing nuclear weapons.
I don't want to comment on the substance of Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech but rather to challenge the notion of friendship between Evangelical Christians and Israel. Some of the biggest supporters of Israel are Evangelical Christians, who have even been called Israel's best friend.
True friendship is about mutual respect and recognition. It seems to me that the relationship between many U.S. Evangelicals and Israel is one-sided. Why do I say that?
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While Christians in Israel have the freedom of worship there are still some significant injustices that need corrective action. Evangelical Christians have dwelled in this land for many years and yet their churches do not have official recognition by the State. It is beyond time that this recognition should be granted.
Unlike the established traditional denominations, Evangelical churches currently do not enjoy some of the basic rights related to marriage, burial and other religious issues. During the 10 years I served as Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance, I regularly called upon the government of Israel to grant this recognition. I was made promises last year this would be granted, but we continue to await action by those in authority to fulfill this promise.
This is not only a call for justice and democracy but it will also create a more stable context. Evangelical Christians in this region make a contribution to building a prosperous and thriving community. Treating them as third class citizens does not empower them to reach such a shared goal or even remain in the land.
So if Israel wants to deepen its democracy, if it wants to demonstrate respect, recognition and friendship toward Evangelical Christians, then I urge them to finally give Evangelical churches their recognition.
To my fellow Evangelical Christians I would encourage you as you support Israel that you do not forget our brothers and sisters in the land that do not have some rights that you and I take for granted. Why not write or call the Israeli embassy asking the government of Israel to grant this recognition?
In case you think I am unfairly focusing on Israel, I have also called upon the Palestinian government to grant the same recognition and many other countries that limit the religious freedom of their citizens.
