by Stan Goodenough - Jerusalem Newswire - June 22, 2006
Some call it “evenhandedness;” more accurately, though, it’s “seduction.”
After years of denying access to Israel’s Red Shield of David, the International Committee of the Red Cross Wednesday finally admitted the Jewish state’s emergency services, ensuring that, at the same time, they opened the door to the Palestinian Authority’s Red Crescent Society.
To arrive at this “historic” milestone, the ICRC demanded that Israel adopt a “Red Crystal” in place of the Red Shield of David that is so offensive to Muslims and multitudes of other anti-Semites. Israel acquiesced.
No such demand was, of course, placed on the Red Crescent. To the contrary, an unprecedented exception was made to allow the PA in – flouting the ICRC rule which stipulates that only recognized countries can become members.
Odious it may be, but there really is nothing startling about all of this. Notwithstanding its “cross,” the ICRC is a secular humanitarian organization. It is going to go with the international flow, conforming to the consensus on the conflict, ensuring it remains “balanced,” “objective,” “neutral.”
Neutral from its perspective means accepting the Arab claim to half of Israel’s historic homeland. It’s kind of like trying to resolve an irresolvable problem between two children who want the same thing by robbing one to appease the other.
Hey, the whole world’s doing it – Anything for the sake of peace.
As I said: There is nothing to really be surprised about here. From our point of view, little can be gained by taking the Red Cross to task.
The Presbyterian Church of the USA, on the other hand, is an entirely different kettle of fish.
Let’s forget about the “Presbyterian” part and just concentrate on the fact that the leadership of the PCUSA considers that denomination to be a part of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Where does it come from, this Church? Well, its recorded origins are in the pages of the Bible; the same Bible that introduces us to – and teaches us all about – the Almighty; the same Bible that records the origins of the Jews and the Arabs; the same Bible that stipulates that the land between the Euphrates and the River of Egypt is the sole and exclusive property of the Almighty Who, in one-sided and unbreakable covenant, set it apart for the Jews.
The same Bible? The same God! At least that’s what “Bible-believing Christians” believe.
The PCUSA, clearly, does not believe the Bible. Nor does it fear God.
Which is why, during its General Assembly last week, it debated things like changing God’s gender, and welcoming those living lifestyles that are abominable to God to stand in the pulpit and preach.
What’s to debate? By questioning the immutability of the Word of God, the PCUSA was undermining its own legitimacy.
But wait, some said, there was some reason for optimism, reason to hope.
Instead of reaffirming its one-sided 2004 resolution to divest from companies doing business with Israel, it voted to amend the decision.
It is now more “balanced,” more “even-handed.”
Bear witness, then, to the seduction of the Presbyterian Church of the USA. Playing the harlot with democracy and secular humanism, instead of staying faithful to the Word of God, it looks to the world for approval, and basks in it.