The Daily Beast: "What’s [Glenn] Beck Doing in Israel?"

[Baculus]

This article concerns Beck's Israel rally, where he completes his transformation into some evangelical figure, and it also touches upon right-wing historical revisionist Joe Barton's ties with the Christian Identity movement, which I didn't know about, either.

It's fascinating, albeit a bit troubling, stuff:

"For the last year or so, Beck has been transforming himself from a political commentator to an unlikely religious leader, a Mormon who has mastered the style and idiom of evangelical Christianity. “Restoring Courage” marks the completion of his evolution into a messianic preacher. It’s a multiday Israeli extravaganza set to culminate Wednesday evening with a rally beside the southern wall of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, all devoted to showing solidarity with the most hawkish elements in Israeli society. He’s recast himself as a great champion of the Jews, united with Israel in a coming global war with the Islamist and socialist hordes."

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/08/24/glenn-beck-in-israel-restoring-courage-and-armageddon.html

P.S. I accidentally, originally, posted this to the Stadium. Yeah, it's about Glenn Beck, not John Beck!

[DeaconTheVillain]

Attention whores gotta whore somewhere....

[AsburySkinsFan]

Champion of the Jews who uses their pain and history as cheap props for his political ambitions. What a tool.

[DeaconTheVillain]

I'm gonna just come right out and say it, but I don't believe there is a fundamentalist Christian out there who gives two ****s about the Jewish people. They only care about the Jews when it serves their own biblical fantasy about their own salvation. Because in their story, all the Jews are punished by god for not believing in Jesus, while they are rewarded with chocolates, teddy bears, and everlasting life.

[ACW]

Hey Glenn, I'm a Jew, and I say :finger:

[Baculus]

Considering Beck's rants against "socialism," he seems to be totally clueless to the fact that Israel is a social democratic state (with a universal health care system), that many of its founders were committed socialists (before the arrival of the more militant settlers), and that many Israelis believe in social justice. I have said this before, but many right-wingers would despise Israel if it weren't for the religious-based conflict.

Beck is a charlatan, and I am still amazed that people support him. Of course, the Right befuddles me, with their willful ignorance and painful hypocrisy, on a daily basis.

[scruffylookin]

I hope this is all an act for his sake. Because if this guy is as insane as he appears, things can not end well for him.

[Predicto]

He's not insane. Glenn Back has just learned that you can be a big wheel without making sense to everyone, as long as you make sense to your target audience. His target audience wants to buy what he is selling, and there are millions of them.

[Thiebear]

he goes to Israel all the time...

[AsburySkinsFan]

So now disagreeing with Beck and the Zionists is not just a disagreement but is now evil....gotcha Glenn.....as if you needed to prove to the world even more that you're a tool.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/08/25/glenn-beck-s-restoring-courage-tour-attacks-israel-s-critics.html

There was only space for about 1,000 people at the site of Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Courage” rally near Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, and so the overflow watched it on a giant screen set up in Safra Square. By 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, a half hour before it started, most of the 2,000 seats were taken. A pre-show featured scenes from viewing parties all over the world, and at one point, it cut to South Carolina state Rep. Alan Clemmons, who recently succeeded in passing a state resolution claiming that because God deeded Israel to the Jews, there is no occupation of the West Bank.

Clemmons was fulsome in his praise for Jews who have taken up residence on territory that Israel captured from Jordan in 1967. “We look at those that are the settlers in Judea and Samaria, and we see our American pioneers of years past,” he said. “They are the heroes of that country.” The audience in Jerusalem, a mix of American Christians and Jewish Israelis, many of them conservative or orthodox, burst into applause.

At the culminating rally of his multi-day “Restoring Courage” Israeli event, Beck demonstrated that even in his new preacher mode, he hasn’t left politics behind. Next month, Palestinians are expected to petition the United Nations for statehood. The prospect alarms Israel because it could lead to further international isolation over an occupation that’s already condemned by most of the world, including the United States government. Beck’s rally painted international criticism of Israel as part of a swelling wave of evil menacing the globe, one that good people worldwide need to summon the courage to oppose.

“These international councils, these panels of so-called diplomats, condemn Israel not because they actually believe that Israel needs to be corrected, they do so because it’s convenient,” Beck said. “Diplomats are afraid. They’re cowards, and so they submit…The plotters plot and the schemers scheme and it is easy to tremble with doubt.”

He had even harsher words for human rights organizations that denounce Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians. They have become “grotesque parodies of the principles they pretend to represent…and so today we dismiss them,” he said. The message was clear. Criticism of the Israeli occupation is mendacious and evil and must never, ever be seriously considered.

The evening before the rally, Danny Dayan, the chairman of the Yesha Council, an umbrella organization of settlers groups, had dinner with Beck. Dayan opposes a two-state solution, believing in the right of Jews to occupy all the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. In his vision Palestinians, if they insist on remaining, will have to live in permanent political inequality. Earlier, he’d spent time showing Beck around the West Bank, and was convinced that the broadcaster shared his views. “He understands perfectly well the historical perspective of the conflict, the moral perspective of the conflict, and the motivations of the parties in the conflict here,” Dayan told me. “And therefore I have a lot in common with him.”

For Dayan, Beck’s support is important in part because he considers Obama to be “the most anti-settler president” in American history, and a singular threat to his movement. Thus any help in swaying American opinion is valuable. “He’s a person who is able to rally multitudes not only in Jerusalem, but also in Washington,” said Dayan. “Of course it’s very important to receive that support.”

Because Israel’s harshest critics compare its policies in the occupied territories to apartheid, Beck announced that the day after the rally, he was flying to South Africa. There, he will broadcast from Capetown “to remind the world what the evil of apartheid actually looked like.” After that, he’s heading to South America, where he plans to speak to an audience of 5,000 from throughout the continent, urging them “to join me in standing in defense of Israel and the Jewish people, responsibility and truth.” He plans to wrap it all up with a big speech in Texas.

Beck hinted that some who chose the brave path of defending Israel “may fall along the way. Some will have their reputations destroyed. Some will have their careers ruined or their businesses shuttered. Some may pay the ultimate price.” In other words, simply supporting Beck in his new Zionist crusade requires immense courage, and presumably deserves immense respect. “This is why you were born!” he exhorted. “This is why you were placed on earth at this time! It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past. It matters only what you do from here.” It’s a powerful message, this offer of salvation through politics. It also makes negotiation impossible. And that’s precisely the point.

[Ellis]

He's a failed actor and former alcoholic... which might not even be true, for all we know.

**** him.

People get what they deserve.

[DeaconTheVillain]

He still is an alcoholic, he just isn't a drunk anymore.

Although, listening to him does make you wonder what he is on

[NavyDave]

So this is a hate Beck because he likes and supports Israel thread. The left and Godless are so umm left and Godless.

Where is that Bloomberg no invites for those who endorse praying at the WTC 10th year anniversary by Christians, etc, thread for balance?

[ACW]

So this is a hate Beck because he likes and supports Israel thread.

:no: I like and support Israel but not Glenn Beck. Glenn Beck and his ilk only support Israel for theological reasons.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/oct/28/usa.israel

On the conference floor, however, the explanation has more to do with the end of the world than the start of it. What has really changed is the emergence of the doctrine known as "dispensationalism", popularised in the novels of the Rev Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. LaHaye and Jenkins may not mean much to you or to the readers of the New York Times Book Review, but the ninth volume of their Left Behind series sold three million hardback copies in the US last year, eclipsing John Grisham.

Central to the theory - based on a reading of scripture Brown would prefer not to discuss - is the Rapture, the second coming of Christ, which will presage the end of the world. A happy ending depends on the conversion of the Jews. And that, to cut a long story very short, can only happen if the Jews are in possession of all the lands given to them by God. In other words, these Christians are supporting the Jews in order to abolish them.

[Chicken Fried]

:no: I like and support Israel but not Glenn Beck. Glenn Beck and his ilk only support Israel for theological reasons.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/oct/28/usa.israel

No offense, but you sound like a complete nut with the link you posted. Are you trying to link Beck with the rapturists?

---------- Post added August-26th-2011 at 08:22 AM ----------

I'm gonna just come right out and say it, but I don't believe there is a fundamentalist Christian out there who gives two ****s about the Jewish people. They only care about the Jews when it serves their own biblical fantasy about their own salvation. Because in their story, all the Jews are punished by god for not believing in Jesus, while they are rewarded with chocolates, teddy bears, and everlasting life.

What an ignorant thought to say Christian fundamentalists don't care about the Jews. I suppose I would consider myself a fundamentalist Christian and I care very much about the Jewish people.

[AsburySkinsFan]

So this is a hate Beck because he likes and supports Israel thread. The left and Godless are so umm left and Godless.

He doesn't like Israel or the Jews, he's a Zionist who believes that the Christians will take over Israel.

Your trolling is weak today ND.

---------- Post added August-26th-2011 at 08:35 AM ----------

:no: I like and support Israel but not Glenn Beck. Glenn Beck and his ilk only support Israel for theological reasons.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/oct/28/usa.israel

That quote is right on the money, that is the ONLY reason that the Fundamentalists** support Israel, all based on an escapist 200 year old interpretation of a 2,000 year old text.

**edit for clarification

I used the word "Fundamentalist" in the earlier version of this post...what I should have said was "Dispensationalist" the two while often closely linked are not necessarily the same.

[DeaconTheVillain]

What an ignorant thought to say Christian fundamentalists don't care about the Jews. I suppose I would consider myself a fundamentalist Christian and I care very much about the Jewish people.

Do you believe in the rapture?

If so, do you believe that certain events need to take place in Israel before the Jesus returns?

---------- Post added August-26th-2011 at 08:42 AM ----------

That quote is right on the money, that is the ONLY reason that the Fundamentalists support Israel, all based on an escapist 200 year old interpretation of a 2,000 year old text.

I think im on the same side as you, father!

[AsburySkinsFan]

No offense, but you sound like a complete nut with the link you posted. Are you trying to link Beck with the rapturists?

Yes, unless you believe it was all Mormons who flew over with Beck to Israel spouting his Zionist theology.

What an ignorant thought to say Christian fundamentalists don't care about the Jews. I suppose I would consider myself a fundamentalist Christian and I care very much about the Jewish people.

The Dispensational doctrine only cares about Jews as a means to an end, and Mormons hold to a Dispensational theology.

[ACW]

I was overgeneralizing (though that IS a reason for some). See how dumb it is ND?

[Baculus]

No offense, but you sound like a complete nut with the link you posted. Are you trying to link Beck with the rapturists?

Beck has ties to fundamentalists, so why is that a nutty suggestion? I mean, have you actually ever listened to Beck and his apocalyptic fear-mongering?!

What an ignorant thought to say Christian fundamentalists don't care about the Jews. I suppose I would consider myself a fundamentalist Christian and I care very much about the Jewish people.

I believe some fundamentalists care more about Israel's role in relation to the Rapture than they care about Israel or the Jews themselves.

---------- Post added August-26th-2011 at 02:47 PM ----------

So this is a hate Beck because he likes and supports Israel thread. The left and Godless are so umm left and Godless.

No. This is a "hate Beck" thread, if that is the proper term to use, because he is a delusional, blubbering, hypocritical fool.

As it is, Beck is a prophet of hate and certainly not love.

Where is that Bloomberg no invites for those who endorse praying at the WTC 10th year anniversary by Christians, etc, thread for balance?

Feel free to start that thread; I don't know anything about that subject.

[Chicken Fried]

Beck has ties to fundamentalists, so why is that a nutty suggestion? I mean, have you actually ever listened to Beck and his apocalyptic fear-mongering?!

How many fundamentalists are rapturists? Just because a very few fundamentalists are rapturists doesn't mean all of them are. If you listened to Beck, you would know that he mocked the rapturists.

I believe some fundamentalists care more about Israel's role in relation to the Rapture than they care about Israel or the Jews themselves.

Yes, I wouldn't agree. Note the red bold, though.

[Baculus]

How many fundamentalists are rapturists? Just because a very few fundamentalists are rapturists doesn't mean all of them are. If you listened to Beck, you would know that he mocked the rapturists

From what I have seen and heard, Beck pushes the "end of times." I don't listen to the guy 2/47, thank goodness, but he never struck me as "anti-rapturist." Here is a bit about this from Media Matters, with a lengthy quote from its article:

During the show, Beck plugged Hagee's "excellent" new book, Can America Survive? 10 Prophetic Signs That We Are The Terminal Generation, saying that he "just started to read last night." As we documented last week, this book is about how the world is fast-approaching Biblical Armageddon. Hagee offers a wide variety of "evidence" to buttress this theory, but much of it focuses on a supposedly impending conflict involving Israel, Iran, Russia, and the rest of the world that, according to Hagee, was foretold in the Bible.

Not only did Beck promote Hagee's book, but he also explicitly endorsed Hagee's theories by stating as fact that "a lot of the pieces that have never been here for the prophecy are here now."

The "prophecy" Beck referred to was the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, which Hagee describes in great detail in his book. After reading through the book and discovering the "prism" through which Hagee views current events, it's worth asking why Beck singled out Hagee as one of the "few brave preachers" that "need to start standing up."

http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007130029

Yes, I wouldn't agree. Note the red bold, though.

Your answer confused me. :-)

[88Comrade2000]

So, this is Rick Perry's running mate in 2012?

I wonder if the Jews would be so supportive if they knew that their role in this, is that they must become Christians in the end.

[DeaconTheVillain]

I wonder if the Jews would be so supportive if they knew that their role in this, is that they must become Christians in the end.

From what i've been told, they gladly accept the support and everything American churches do for them, but mock their reasons for doing it.

[Thiebear]

You would think any human would show a little concern for an ally of the United States that is surrounded by people with a charter stated goal of the 'Removal of Israel".

The back and forth since the beginning is ugly on both sides with the Palestinians being used rinse/repeat, but you should feel for them, no different than the Palestianian people themselves.

Shockingly enough even a Neocon can feel for the women/children/old of any country on this beautiful planet.