Special to The Jewish Star Times

July 31, 2002

Traduction française


Like many Americans, Sept. 11th changed my thinking and focus. I re-examined most of the issues behind the current Middle East conflict. I looked at the history; the peoples; the social, economic, political, and religious facts; the events as they unfolded; etc. I got on mailing lists for pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian groups, got things off the Internet, read numerous library books, listened to assorted speakers on radio, TV, and in person, etc., etc.

Then I looked at me. I asked myself why I had not really paid much attention until now. The answer was simple: It was a pain in the butt! I didnt want to be bothered with so much learning and studying. Too many issues, too little time...

''There's always been trouble over there, from time immemorial.'' I read the book… ''What about the poor Palestinians?'' I read This Side of Peace by Dr. Hanan Ashrawi... ''Both sides are equally wrong.'' I read history books and countless articles from assorted publications. ''The Palestinians fight with the only weapon they've got.'' More articles, and insight from all sorts of people, including ones from the US military, and my Muslim friends about Islam... 'This conflict involves two peoples who don't know anything but revenge and 'an eye-for-an-eye.' '' (The Cycle of Violence theory.)

I started reading again books of the Old Testament...

I began reciting Psalms every morning. I prayed for the peace and prosperity of Jerusalem. I read up on Jewish teachings and thought. Then I went to the Rally for Israel in Washington, D.C. on April 15. My heart wasn't just warmed; it glowed. Then ''Baltimore Walks for Israel'' a month later. The glow continued. I became involved with various Jewish groups, all working to promote Israel. A half-dozen or so pieces that I've written even got published in assorted publications.

Here's my nutshell: As a Christian, I worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will defend those I consider to be my brothers and sisters. If you want to think of that as being one of the ''vagaries of religious confluence,'' be my guest. But you miss the point.

What changed this Christian into a raging Zionist in a little over 9 month's time? Something that will always pass the test of time and is, in itself, timeless... faith.

[The publisher of this publication] is correct: what is happening right now across America does represent a change in thinking. It represents the kind of change that only comes from experience and deeper analysis. The great irony may well be that September 11th does bring on an American jihad of sorts. What we are witnessing is not a superficial change in outward appearance, but a deep-seated, inward revision of the priorities of, and private beliefs held by, many practicing Christians.

Religion can also be worn on the sleeve. But this phenomenon is no fad. For men and women of faith, this change will pass the test of time.

The words spoken by Mordecai over 2000 years ago, still speak to Christians today, and we know it: ''For if you altogether remain silent this time, then relief and salvation shall arise to the Jews from another place; but you and your fathers house shall be destroyed; and who knows whether you have been called to come to the kingdom for such a time as this?'' (Esther 4:14)

There is no doubt that we will all stand before the Creator one day and have to answer for our actions and choices. Woe to Christians if the Lord has to ask why we didn't choose to help His people when we found them terrorized and embattled.

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* Beth Kennedy is a freelance writer living in Taylors Island, Md.
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[By courtesy of Posy McMillen, Fort Worth, USA.]