I updated my facebook status yesterday like I do several times a day. Yesterday I was thinking about the nation of Isreal and why so many Christians feel that they and America must back Isreal in everything that they say and do. I updated my status and a debate was sparked--even if it had nothing to do with what I originally wrote about.

I do want to say that I am impressed by the way that the discussion was had with no personal attacks to people getting angry. I think that one of the main obstacles to having a good meaningful conversation these days is that people get so worked up and feel that their beliefs are being attacked--or that those with opposing views must be converted here and now! I thank all of the commenters for their insight and level headedness.

Whenever we look at an issue or formulate our opinions about something, we can only use our own experiences and background to help us mold how we feel. Without getting too existential, I do want to point out that no one can look at at topic the same way YOU do--and we all feel like our own experiences give us special insight into a situation. You cannot understand Japan in the same way that I do, nor can I understand what it means to be a single parent. Maybe with more of this attitude, we can hear others out before automatically labeling their points of view "dumb".

The issue that Kermie brought up was of course a natural extension of my original question, being, "Why do Christians feel that they must like ______?"

I do feel that for many years we as "the church" got it so wrong--and for sure we have a long way to go. For me, I have a hard time singing "God Bless the USA" and "I'm Proud to be an American!" after I read more and more about what Jesus called us to be. For sure we have done a lot to help the world---But do our good deeds in Africa cover up our failure to act during Rwanda? Can we ever weigh good deeds against the bad and come out on top? Who judges what is the end good? Is the proliferation of the US way of life good for people and the planet? These are just the tip of the iceberg...

For sure we are a generation that won't stand for the "old time religion" and one that allows us to subcribe to beliefs that don't require action or sacrifice.

But back to the start-- I will say loud and clear that I don't support Isreal any more than I support India, Pakistan, France, the UK, China, North Korea or Iran. Why do they get a free pass in a world of nuclear proliferation?