“Evangelical” Buffoons By: Michael D. Evans The New York Times published a letter on July 29 under the title of “Letter to President Bush from Evangelical Leaders.” Thirty-four so-called evangelical leaders thanked President Bush, but for what, and on behalf of whom? Is he being thanked on behalf of another group of evangelical leaders that met with an Arab contingent on Monday, July 2? Is he being thanked for reversing the statements made on June 21, 2002: “The United States will not support the establishment of a Palestinian state until its leaders engage in a sustained fight against terrorists and dismantle their infrastructure”? Less than a year later, the State Department reversed course, eliminating the cessation of terror as a pre-condition for engagement. Palestinian terrorism grew. Is President Bush being thanked for a presidential promise in July that would send ½-billion dollars in aid to President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah terrorist movement? Fatah is the organization that, one year ago, threatened to strike at the economic and business interests of the United States, both here and abroad. The letter is absurd in several respects: First, evangelicals believe the Bible. The majority of the men who signed the letter to President Bush are “replacement theology” adherents and should not even be labeled “evangelical.” In fact, evangelicals would never call a Presbyterian an evangelical. Most are members of the World Council of Churches, a decidedly “un-evangelical” organization. The great news is that not one person who signed the letter would be known by most evangelicals. If a poll were taken of 1000 evangelicals, not one of that number would be able to recognize the names of the signers. The President of the Southern Baptist Convention, the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, the head of the National Association of Evangelicals, and the head of the National Religious Broadcasters did not sign the letter. The letter also says that the best way to bless Israel is to support a two-state solution. This is a myth that calls for the support of a Palestinian culture, language, and history. The letter calls for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem, the home of Christianity, to be placed under the authority of terrorists. The debacle of Bethlehem and Jericho should be enough to convince these men that this would be a horrendous mistake. Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, and Jericho are now terrorist towns. It is no longer safe for Christians to visit the birthplace of their faith because of the emphasis on suicide martyrs and terrorist activities. Israelis have never had a problem with the existence of the Palestinians. Rather, they have strived, year after year, to reach some agreement that would allow them to live at peace with their neighbors. One land-for-peace deal after another has been signed by Israel only to be spattered with the blood of the victims of suicide bombers roused by calls for intifada and jihad. Yes, the Israelis have protected themselves as much as possible from the onslaught of terrorists hell-bent, not on a two-state solution, but on driving the Jews into the Mediterranean or annihilating them completely. It should be that one extends a hand to a rabid dog only once; the Jewish people have reached out again and again, and have been murdered for their attempts to reach some agreement with the Palestinians. It is heartbreaking that these men, professors, presidents of organizations, ministers, and etc., are willing to offer Israel up as a sacrificial lamb, yet again. Compromise is deadly. The Church in Europe compromised during World War II. Many turned a blind eye as Jews by the millions were dragged away to the concentration camps and deadly ovens that awaited them. The Jewish people know that compromise cost them dearly; we dare not ask them to compromise what little security they now enjoy. The writers of the letter speak of “historical honesty.” If these learned men are going to be truly historically honest, surely they must admit that the Jews have every right to inhabit the land of their fathers, the covenant land given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob by none other than God. How dare it be said by anyone that God’s chosen people have no right to their inheritance. Now, we have only to wait and see if the conference planned for the fall will parallel the Madrid Peace Conference of 1991. Will the Palestinians again be handed peace on a plate only to reject it by issuing yet another intifada, ala Arafat? A reconstituted Middle East roadmap would strip Israel of its right to defend itself, would give control of East Jerusalem to a terrorist organization, and would certainly move the terrorists bent on the destruction of Israel nearer their target. The Old Testament prophet Zechariah wrote: “‘If someone asks him, ‘What are these wounds on your body?’ he will answer, ‘The wounds I was given at the house of my friends.’” If the signers of this letter to President Bush are friends of Israel, she has no need for enemies.