Bill Moyers Journal: Update: CUFI

God said "I will bless those that bless Israel and I will curse those who curse Israel"

Posted by: Klaus | March 23, 2009 11:39 AM

Dear Avigdor, I appreciate the response and quotes from the text of the Roadmap. I see the mistake on my part. I did not emphasize my point enough, which was to state that the Roadmap refers to a reciprocal process. The show presents the process as one dependent upon Palestinian compliance, first. The transcript of the show reads: “The plan calls for a two-state solution in the region — if Palestinians lay down their arms and recognize Israel's right to exist, Israel will withdraw from certain disputed territories and move to help create an independent Palestine. “ In other words, it suggests that if and only if Palestinians do "x", then the Israelis will do "y". The Roadmap is not such a document. It is a process in which both parties are expected to do their part. It is a weak document, extremely flawed at best. But nevertheless, The Journal’s representation of “peace dependent upon Palestinian compliance” is false and unfair. Remember, whatever you may think about “Arab terrorists”, it’s the Palestinians who lack an independent homeland. It is the Palestinians whose land is being colonized by settlers. It is the Palestinians who are rotting away in refugee camps. Thus...

Posted by: Michael Vicente Perez | August 13, 2008 9:24 PM

Why is the October 5, 2007 Moyers interview with Dr. Timothy Weber and Rabbi Michael Lerner mysteriously missing from this website and youtube?

Posted by: Cari | May 24, 2008 2:15 PM

To Michael Vincente Perez: You're quite wrong. The Road Map does indeed require that the Arab terrorists lay down their arms and recognize Israel. It's in Phase I: "At the outset of Phase I: Palestinian leadership issues unequivocal statement reiterating Israel’s right to exist in peace and security and calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to end armed activity and all acts of violence against Israelis anywhere. All official Palestinian institutions end incitement against Israel." [....] "Palestinians declare an unequivocal end to violence and terrorism and undertake visible efforts on the ground to arrest, disrupt, and restrain individuals and groups conducting and planning violent attacks on Israelis anywhere." "Rebuilt and refocused Palestinian Authority security apparatus begins sustained, targeted, and effective operations aimed at confronting all those engaged in terror and dismantlement of terrorist capabilities and infrastructure. This includes commencing confiscation of illegal weapons and consolidation of security authority, free of association with terror and corruption."

Posted by: Avigdor | May 24, 2008 8:40 AM

Dear Bill Moyers Journal, I would like to express my deep concern over the Journal’s content in a recent show aired March 7th, 2008 about the Christians United for Israel movement. In that show, Bill Moyers is quoted as saying: Christians United for Israel opposes the Bush administration's roadmap for peace and urges American leaders to abandon it. The plan calls for a two-state solution in the region — if Palestinians lay down their arms and recognize Israel's right to exist, Israel will withdraw from certain disputed territories and move to help create an independent Palestine. In this quote, the Journal commits an inexcusable distortion of fact that is unusual considering the high standards of journalism displayed in most other shows. First, in the reference above, Bill Moyers refers to the Road Map peace plan suggesting that its implementation is dependent upon Palestinians laying down their arms and recognizing Israel’s right to exist. This is factually untrue and, frankly speaking, bad journalism. The Road Map text is available online. It is a blueprint for making “progress through reciprocal steps by the two parties in the political, security, economic, humanitarian, and institution-building fields.” Throughout the text, it refers to the joint...

Posted by: Michael Vicente Perez | March 18, 2008 11:57 PM

If given the opportunity, I would ask McCain to account for any portion of his admitted pro-mideast-war ideology that relates to a desire to use American blood and treasure for the purpose of fulfilling a biblical prophecy. I would consider anything above 0% unacceptable.

Posted by: Richard | March 16, 2008 5:05 AM

John Hagee teaches that Russia and the Arab nations will attack Israel when the United States and Israel attack Iran in response to an Iranian nuclear threat. He uses the Biblical text of Ezekiel 38 to 39 to invoke divine authority for his teaching. The trouble with using these texts is that the Battle of Gog and Magog does not occur until after the 1000 year reign of Christ (Rev 20:8). The Battle of Armageddon takes place before the 1000 year reign of Christ. Therefore, he cannot use these texts to support his eschatology for today's world. He is repeating the same errors of many before him, who seek to read today's events into the Bible. The danger is he is advocating a militant, pre-emptive war policy, that is not in the best interest of the United States. Despite his protests to the contrary, his eschatology does influence his foreign policy views. The kingdom of God is not of this world, and I do not think its king - Jesus, advocates using violence to further his Father's kingdom. Better tools are to do international justice, mercy, and humility. War should only be a means of last resort, and never for...

Posted by: Earl Brewer III | March 13, 2008 10:05 PM

Mr Moyers I want to thank you for the job you do. Hagee and his ilk have a very negative message for people that claim to follow Jesus. They should ask WWJD? I guess they are more accurately 'Old Testament' bible thumpers. It is scary to see this cross section of Americana, the sheer numbers is staggering. They are 'radical religious factions' that see themselves as righteous in their beliefs. We (as Americans) have come to associate this radical mentality with Islam but they have theirs and apparently we have ours. This story of Fundamental (emphasis on mental) Christians that support Israel in preparation for the Rapture and the dangerous politicians that have no qualms about sucking up to fanatics for political support should help people make better political choices. Lieberman and McCain are are apparently as deluded as Hagee and his minions. I do think it is important to note, if this brood wants to mix religion and politics then their so-called church should be taxed accordingly.

Posted by: elemental jim | March 10, 2008 5:53 PM

john hagee has about as much grip on the real meaning of jesus christ as he has on his personal diet. his ignorance and hatred doesn't bother me as much as the unquestioning acceptance of his audience of the garbage he spews. why is it that these people are incapable of reason? that question cannot be answered, but the very idea that someone like john mccain would crawl into bed with this larded pustule not only boggles the mind, it reinforces the belief that we need to rid ourselves of 'gods only party.'

Posted by: jim filyaw | March 9, 2008 4:54 PM

This Hagee character is a lying warmonger. Iran has no nuclear weapons program, as our own intelligence has stated. Bill, why don't you clarify what false claims Hagee makes? The U.S. invaded Iraq based on lies and manufactured evidence (yellowcake anyone?). Iraq posed NO threat to the U.S. A war not in direct self defense is a war of aggression, the supreme international crime: the supreme war crime! Iran has not invaded us, nor did Iraq, nor do these countries pose any significant threat to us, or even to Israel. It is Israel that has nuclear weapons, illegally, not Iran. The establishment is a two-faced, double-speaking propagandist and warmonger on an imperial conquest for resources and power. Mixing religion and politics is a toxic mix that Hitler loved to use, just like Bush does. Oh, did I mention that Prescott Bush, GWB's grandfather, was a Nazi traitor to the United States? Were you aware that George H.W. Bush was meeting with Osama Bin Laden's older brother on 9/11/2001. Did you know that George H.W. made his New World Order speech on 9/11/1991? http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1319745137496669030 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_H._W._Bush#Foreign_policy 9/11 was an inside job. There will be a new 9/11, nuclear on U.S. cities probably...

Posted by: Bret Hughes | March 9, 2008 4:36 PM

STRONG DELUSION AND FUNDING OUR ENEMIES By Jan Markell www.olivetreeviews.org Mideast envoy Tony Blair last week praised a Palestinian development plan that seeks $5.6 billion in aid over three years and urged nations around the world to come up with the money. Some 90 countries and international organizations are to meet in Paris this week to consider this request. Describing the plan as "coherent," Blair noted that the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have also come out in support of this. Blair states, "This is the moment where if we are not to back the Palestinian endeavor when they are presenting that type of plan in a way that I think they have never done before--if we are not prepared to back them, then we are not prepared to give them a chance." How many chances do renegade outfits get, I ask?? The PA has received so much money already. They have squandered it and their leaders have stuffed Swiss banks with it. The Palestinians do have a bad economy, but it is not due to the "occupation," or to Israel, but to their leaders' greed, incompetence, failure to end violence, inability to present an attractive investment climate...

Posted by: Ed | March 9, 2008 1:05 PM

Who was it who said, "When Fascism comes to America, it will come on the cross and wrapped in the flag"?

Posted by: Preston Matlock | March 8, 2008 5:53 PM

When Admiral Stockdale (Perot's running mate) asked, "Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going?" everyone had a good laugh. John McCain can't face these questions, or answer them (to the satisfaction of informed voters). We don't need the foolish myths of religious books to tell us we are facing several terminal challenges (food production, water availability, climate change, energy shortages, economic collapse due to corruption and debt). McCain's Christianofascist supporters (They must be looking in the mirror when they say Islamofascist.)would have us give up trying to fix our planet and insanely blow it all away. No deity would respond, everything would die, and no one would be left to cry about our demise. If God were the zenophobic sadistic beast they purport, and Heaven were the tawdry ignorant lounge they envision, with Hagee's fantasies tawdrilly printed on every wall I wish they could take their little theme park Gawd (god?)and hit the cosmic highway with Commander Adama (McCain?)... and leave us hopeful, determined people alone. At least psychotic mental patients have periods of lucidity, but these poor souls don't seem to.

Posted by: Griffin Jones | March 8, 2008 4:48 PM

McCain would be worse than Bush. Would someone please answer why McCain asked the Vietnamese government to seal his records about his imprisonment? Or why he had tea with the head honcho of the camp while others were beaten? This latest salvo only shows that he is no more capable of being president than mickey mouse - even tho they are just about as old.

Posted by: Edie M | March 8, 2008 2:49 PM

Please let your viewers know how to forward the transcripts of the Bill Moyers program across the country and around the world to our cyber contacts. Your IT programmers need to fix this so that entire programs can be forwarded via email. We need to spread the word of reason and thoughtfulness and we have no time to waste. L. Morton

Posted by: L Morton | March 8, 2008 2:33 PM

One New Man; Jewish Roots of Christianity Adam’s sin came before his act of disobedience, it was his reasoning and rationalization to accept something other than God’s word as fact. It continues to this day with man trying to make God in his image rather than the converse. The best man can produce is external religion. God did not establish a religion, he called Abraham and through him created a nation. A nation that was chosen to carry His banner and be an example to the world. A nation entrusted to preserve the law of God and to write and preserve the scriptures. He delivered that nation out of Egypt and Passover is the feast commemorating that deliverance. God seems to love patterns and it is interesting that the Messiah was also called out of Egypt and died as Passover lambs were being slaughtered. God does not break or abandon covenants. A careful study of scripture reveals that God builds on covenants instead of replacing them. God has established four covenants with the Jewish people and none with gentile nations except as grafted in through Messiah. The four covenants are 1) the Abrahamic Covenant, 2) the Mosaic Covenant, 3) the...

Posted by: Ed | March 8, 2008 12:31 PM

How can John Hagee claim to be a Christian when he ignores the teachings of Jesus Christ and bases his motivation on the Old Testament? Christ said, "I am the new covenant", and repeatedly directed his followers away from the "eye for an eye" etc. attitudes of the Old Testament to follow instead his emphatic mandate in the New Testament to love and forgive.

Posted by: Carol Ast | March 8, 2008 11:24 AM

"But smearing John McCain with this is scurrilous guilt by association. Unless you have more direct evidence that McCain shares Hagee's venom, you should back off the innuendo." Posted by: Michael S | March 8, 2008 12:26 AM Hmmm. I don't recall seeing Bill Moyers w/ a gun to McCain's head in either the Hagee or the Bush/White House clips.

Posted by: Canucklehead | March 8, 2008 1:19 AM

Next time you run a clip of Hagee, you should contrast it with a recording of Jim Jones ranting at Jonestown, urging his followers to drink the koolaid. The tones and cadences match, and the message is eerily reminiscent. Query: How will Christofascism answer the problem of Islamofascism?

Posted by: david bockoven | March 8, 2008 12:40 AM

Hagee is extreme, as you clearly show (and not for the first time). But smearing John McCain with this is scurrilous guilt by association. Unless you have more direct evidence that McCain shares Hagee's venom, you should back off the innuendo. I was also concerned at the way you tried to characterize a McCain presidency as a third Bush term, and was glad that both of your guests repudiated that attempt. All in all, the program of Friday March 7, was a vaporous hit job on John McCain, on par with the NYT article regarding Vicki Iseman.

Posted by: Michael S | March 8, 2008 12:26 AM

Moyer's report on John Hagee fellowship with a possible future President McCain is important not because of Hagee himself. Hagee,Robertson,or Farewell. It has to the to with those how do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. The are so many self proclaimed prophets. Don't misunderstand I'm deeply religious but out constitution and the Bible actually agree. It say give what is due to Ceasar to Ceasar and to God what is due. When you have faith or Believe in God you depend on his ways not the word of a single earthly man. Never twist to use of fear or God to get your way. Real faith is between you and God not you and a self proclaimed prophets. Need proof just look to the White House and the 1 man who say he believes and knows whats good for you and me.

Posted by: Mel | March 8, 2008 12:19 AM

Though I don't share Hagee's venom much of his Bible interpretation is right on. I can see that those who react so negatively to his position know little about the Bible and if believers at all are probably taken in by what is known as "replacement theology". I am not a McCain supporter at this juncture but I can say that I moved to the "evangelical right" mainly because Democrats have to accept or turn a blind eye to abortion. I was a Democrat but now choose to be unaffiliated because of the abortion issue.

Posted by: Ed | March 8, 2008 12:12 AM

Hagee is just one example of the dangers of substituting the "word of God" for the God that spoke the words. Jesus was big on the difference, "The letter of the law killeth, but the Spirit giveth life." When people substitute knowing ABOUT God for knowing God, this is what you get, a perfect enemy for Islamo Fascist extremists, Christian Crusaders. Wait, didn't we already see this movie? Ever since George Bush stood on the rubble and body parts at the World Trade Center for his photo op in front of the flag and the cross, I knew we were in very deep dung as a nation. The recent attempts to set up Venezuela for a "first strke" are just more proof that the Neo-Con, Bohemian Grove, Mollech worshipping, New World Order, is determined to have Armagedon. Too bad the "Fanatical Christians" don't understand, "the Bear" and "the Eagle" of Revelations are Russia and the U.S., the bad guys of revelations. Just as the "Great Whore" of Revelations is the apostate "Church", the Christian religion without the Loving Saviour Jesus as its head. Worst yet, the New World Order mass media is offering our citizens three imitation oponents to the...

Posted by: Michael Couch | March 8, 2008 12:02 AM

Hagee is just one example of the dangers of substituting the "word of God" for the God that spoke the words. Jesus was big on the difference, "The letter of the law killeth, but the Spirit giveth life." When people substitute knowing ABOUT God for knowing God, this is what you get, a perfect enemy for Islamo Fascist extremists, Christian Crusaders. Wait, didn't we already see this movie? Ever since George Bush stood on the rubble and body parts at the World Trade Center for his photo op in front of the flag and the cross, I knew we were in very deep dung as a nation. The recent attempts to set up Venezuela for a "first strke" are just more proof that the Neo-Con, Bohemian Grove, Mollech worshipping, New World Order, is determined to have Armagedon. Too bad the "Fanatical Christians" don't understand, "the Bear" and "the Eagle" of Revelations are Russia and the U.S., the bad guys of revelations. Just as the "Great Whore" of Revelations is the apostate "Church", the Christian religion without the Loving Saviour Jesus as its head. Worst yet, the New World Order mass media is offering our citizens three imitation oponents to the...

Posted by: Michael Couch | March 8, 2008 12:01 AM

Thank you for this expose' of John Hagee and Christian Zionism. From an authentic Christian theological standpoint, the New Testament is quite clear that God's promises to the Israelite people in the Hebrew Bible have already been fulfilled in Jesus. The modern state of Israel should be seen as the fulfillment of the Jewish people's legitimate human aspirations for statehood, but not as the fulfillment of Hebrew Bible prophecy. Catholic social teaching is also quite clear in its support for a negotiated, two-state resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We stand together with reasonable Jewish, Christian, and Muslim leaders on this issue.

Posted by: Joan | March 7, 2008 11:38 PM

Yes- How can I forward this stuff to my sister, a devoted Republican...? I don't think she understands the implications of voting John McCain into office!

Posted by: cindy | March 7, 2008 11:09 PM

Carl Sagan once talked of the destruction of what was then the golden city of the world...Alexandria. He said: "It's as if a society had undergone a self-inflicted brain surgery." Referring of course to the destruction of the Library of Alexandria, and the rise of Christian fundamentalism, that sapped classical civilization for 1000 years. Its seems these growing tides of superstition and fundamentalism are recurring again, globally.

Posted by: Ninos Hermis | March 7, 2008 10:53 AM

My apologies for the multiple entries, but when a former co-worker told me his church's entire congregation had held a special prayer-vigil the night before, stating proudly: " We all held hands and prayed to god to completely wipe New Orleans from the face of the planet"...(!!!)...After realizing what I'd just heard this (seemingly) 'normal person' tell me, I asked: " You did what?"...At that point he explained the reason and overwhelming rationale, "god will completely destroy New Orleans because it's an evil city, promoting gays and lesbians and every other evil"... I feel sure this little church (which has grown to the point of becoming 'a city in itself'), is taking its due pride in the part it played in helping convince god to 'do the right thing'... I can't help but see the parallel between the brainwashing effects I witnessed and what hagee is preaching...I also can't help but see the parallel of growth (both in people and the all important money they pump in)... So at this point, I can't help but question the reasons why so many people can't come together and pump so much energy and money into a 'positive cause' (ie. assisting those trying...

Posted by: Sir Vertual | March 6, 2008 1:15 PM

I remember seeing hagee for the 1st time (on some obscure public access) while channel surfing...He was standing (a)behind a podium fit for a sacrificial lamb and (b)in front of a 'gigantic' hand-drawn, cryptic-looking religious, map-slash-diagram that appeared to be something from the 17th Century that you'd see on 'Antiques Roadshow'...I had to stop and watch for a moment just for the 'nutty effect'...But regardless, I had to pause and watch as 'This was either a 'SNL rerun or scary-nutty-cult stuff that had definite 'humor-quality'...Of course within a few moments I realized this guy was a religious-nut and was probably gonna' have rattlesnakes onstage before the show ended, so I watched for a little while...Listening a little, but also trying to figure out the cryptic messages on the folk-art map as I got glimpses of it behind this quite obese man. I couldn't help but think about gluttony and sin as he shouted about hell and damnation. The irony itself was enough to inspire (at least) a Comedy Central writer. I never did get a good look at the map-thing. Over the last several years I've caught glimpses (again while channel surfing), noticing each time that the video was better...

Posted by: Sir Vertual | March 6, 2008 12:14 PM

Eight years ago John McCain stood up to the likes of the Hagees and Falwells, et al. Nowadays he's cozying up to them even though he's got the GOP nomination practically sewed up. The saddest aspect of McCain's sell-out to Hagee is a sell-out to a man whose virulent anti-Catholicism is well-known and documented. I'm a (Catholic) Christian who strongly supports Israel's right to exist. But I can't help wondering what's happened to McCain when he stands by and seeks the alliance of Evangelical Christianity's homegrown Louis Farrakhan, John Hagee. Why has John McCain whored himself and his credibility out to a man who continually waves the old--and disreputable-- bloody shirt of the Reformation, ("whore of Babylon") against Catholicism? This ranks right up (or down) there with "rum, Romanism, and rebellion.") Who's whoring whom?

Posted by: Steven Barrett | March 3, 2008 10:12 PM

I would also like to add that for the very first time, Mike Huckabee is looking like a more appealing G.O.P. option than John McCain. The image of McCain in The Washington Post, with Hagee's massive, malevolent form looming in the background like a puppeteer gives me a premonition of horror!

Posted by: Dave McClure | March 3, 2008 5:28 PM

Mr.Moyer, you are a gift to all of us in the program you provide for our education and action. Regarding Hagee and his CUFU, it is absolutely incredible that such biased, arrogant, god-awful bible babblers are allowed to spew out their supposed theological and or political omniscience leaving the rest of humankind to endure the consequences. I have always considered myself among the God honoring people of the world, but such a God as Hagee promulgates?? Christians are becoming the carbon copies of the terrorists they fear. Hagee may be in for quite a surprize when his Jesus comes to earth.

Posted by: Harry Dyck | March 2, 2008 6:53 PM

This piece has made it clear -- or is it pronounced "cular"? -- just where the clear and present danger really is. How do you fight the influence of aberrations like Hagee?

Posted by: David McClure | March 2, 2008 2:26 PM

In my dictionary there is a picture of John Hagee beside the entry "twisted sick bastard." This shameful insanity should demonstrate that reading the Bible as anything more than myth or mediocre literature is a mortal mistake. At least all these mental inmates are congregated together in churches where they can be watched. The only course is to target and defeat the ignorant government representatives who indulge them. If they truly believe let them fight Islamofaschism on the frontlines until the Rapture, and may John McCain lead the Crusade if he accepts their hateful support. The implication of a "land covenant" is that the U.S. mainland has been given to white Christians of European heritage by God as he has designated Israel as for only genetic Jews (Even Israel is not so strict in regulation.). These ignorant idiots make me proud to be a non-believer in these unjust times. Who is crazier I can't say: Just last week the Israeli defense minister threatened the helpless half million souls in Gaza with holocaust. These are mostly poor and helpless, relatively unarmed people. I respect and revere the charity, love and faith of most Christian neighbors but CUFI is ripe for the...

Posted by: Jack Martin | March 2, 2008 1:54 PM

Just speaking to the people being interviewed at the end of this clip: I found their willingness and even want to go to war disgusting. As an active duty Marine to hear someone talk about throwing around lives in a preemptive war like that is furiating. "It's time to take a stand" is perfectly easy to say when you're not the one actually going to war. I won't even bother speaking on the theological absurdity but just from a human standpoint it was amazing listening to that. Go figure McCain isn't distancing himself from this. I suppose that is to be expected after he rolled over on his torture stance.

Posted by: Z. Becknell | March 2, 2008 12:04 PM

Well, hopefully the endorsement of the CUFI will assure that the republicans will not win the presidential election. The CUFI is a lunatic Organization who are inconsistent with the teachibngs of Christ and give Christianity a bad name. Their platform is based on greed, death and destruction. Christ taught compassion, not agression. Religion has become a disaster for humanity instead of a source of love and light. Anyone wo supports the republican party after the damage they have done to this nation and humanity is on the path to hell. Patriots need to protect this country from corruption and destruction of our moral fiber, our freedom and our livelihood. Dave

Posted by: David Eddy | March 2, 2008 1:54 AM

Thank you for the intelligent discussion of this topic. It is a relief to know that I can come here and get the kind of information that will allow me to think for myself.

Posted by: Pamela | February 29, 2008 10:36 PM

Update: CUFI

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