Across the Divide is a collaboration between Palestinian and American Christians. It explores the intersection of the Christian faith and social justice in the context of Palestine/Israel. It seeks to cultivate constructive conversations from a diversity of voices that reflect on topics related to faith, the scriptures, peacebuilding efforts, and advocacy.
Imagine worshipping a genocidal bronze age war god and thinking you're part of the solution instead of being part of the problem. No matter where they stand politically, Christians are always completely delusional.
I’ve seen Christians who don’t say anything when Jesus is mocked and insulted openly yet if Israel gets merely criticized they would get angry as if you had insulted their chosen god people.
In August 2002 former Israeli Minister of Education Shulamit Aloni was interviewed on the radio and television program Democracy Now. During the interview, she was asked: Question: Often when there is dissent expressed in the United States against policies of the Israeli government, people here are called anti-Semitic. What is your response to that as an Israeli Jew? Shulamit Aloni replied: “Well, it’s a trick, we always use it. When from Europe somebody is criticizing Israel, then we bring up the Holocaust. When in this country people are criticizing Israel, then they are anti-Semitic.” - Former Israeli Minister of Education Shulamit Alone
"I thought all my life that Israel had control over Gaza. Today, I realize Israel has control over almost all countries, except Gaza" - (Anonymous in Palestine)
What’s becoming so obvious to people now is that colonialism has never ended just rebranded with different terms. From Natives indigenous people being called “savages” in the old days to now being called “terrorist” by neocolonialists who are neoliberals, neoconservatives, and zionist. 1) Savages is now “terrorist” 2) Civilizing them is now “bringing them democracy” 3) Colonies is now “territories” We can all see Israel is a colonial project being supported by former and current colonials such as U.S, UK, and others who also control territories of indigenous natives in Caribbean Islands, Pacific Islands, Hawaii, and many more. The liberation of Palestine will definitely give RISE to many indigenous natives around the world to free themselves from western domination. This is the underlying ripple effect that the U.S government and its puppet allies don’t want to happen.
Wow. The conference was held day 42 after the genocide. We're now almost a year in, and the majority in the Western Church still hasn't repented or even shown a slither of empathy. I know you tell us not to lose hope, but where is it? 😔
I watched a video the other day by a popular Christian RU-vidr called Melissa Dougherty. In that video, she interviewed David Wood. The interview was about Islam, and David Wood casually mentioned how hating Jews is part of Islam. Melissa replied with "Oh, that's what we're seeing in Gaza today." It honestly broke my heart how twisted the narrative has become. Christians treat this as good (Israel, Jews, Christians) fighting evil (Palestinians = Muslims) not knowing how much they're hurting Palestinian Christians and also demonising all Palestinians in the process. I even watched a video by Reason and Theology recently commenting about the conflict and justifying it with "but Hamas." I quickly unsubscribed and was even more discouraged when I found out he interviewed you a few months ago about this topic. It made me realise that there's no getting through to people. If people dont want to see us as humans, then no matter how many facts you throw at them, no matter what you say, they will always view Palestinians as collateral damage or fodder to be slaughtered.
Thanks for this @ubemon. What we're seeing in Gaza is a wholesale destruction of life and humanity --what is that but hate and dehumanization against Palestinians? It's really heartbreaking seeing this uncritical Christian support for suffering and death.
So called "Christian," apologists like David Wood fuel the fire for Islamaphobia and, in turn, lead to the dehumanisation of Palestinians, both Muslim and Christian. And unfortunately, I know countless ex Muslims, both Atheist and Christian who - by attacking Islam - lead to even more Islamaphobia and dehumanisation. Looking at comments from channels like The Apostate Prophet, Sam Shamoun, the Christian Prince, GodLogic, Jai&Doc and you'll see just how much people hate Muslims and in turn Palestinians who they associate with Islam. It's sad to see so-called "Christians" hate others. They dont have the Spirit of God in them.
A lot of Christians justify the jenosighd and ethnic cleansing by pretending that Palestinians don't exist and are just Arab invaders. I'd love for you guys to talk about the history and lineage of modern day Palestinians and our connection to the Holy Land. I myself did a DNA test and my Y haplogroup (E-L29) can be traced back to the Natufians who lived in the Levant 10,000 to 15,000 years ago. The Natufians were precursors to the Canaanites and then the Israelites which is why a lot of modern day Jews share the same haplogroup. It's crazy to think that my family and ancestors have been living in the Holy Land for thousands of years, assimilating into the different cultures that invaded and intermixing with the different people that settled in the land. More Christians need to know that we're not invaders who don't have ties to the land.
I have family in Gaza. My heart is broken, and I've lost all hope in the Church. The Church's heart is so hardened I don't think they'll ever listen no matter what we say, no matter how much we cry out. I'm really struggling with this because, as a Christian, how can I share the same Holy Spirit as people who rejoice in the death of anyone, regardless of whether they're deemed as the "enemy" which Jesus called us to love and pray for. How can I call such Christians "brothers and sisters in Christ" when they don't see us as human and continuously demonise us. How can I continue to believe in God when His people are so hateful. I see so much more humanity and empathy in non-Christians. How can this be so!
Hi, you have no idea how relieved I am to discover this channel. I feel like I have scoured the wilderness of the internet to find this perspective of Christians on the situation in Gaza right now. I am devastated by what is happening and cannot stop thinking about the absolute horror and desperation of the Palestinians' plight. The total destruction and trauma, loss, fear, hunger, pain and devastation they are experiencing is more than we could even begin to contemplate in our comfortable Western Christian bubbles. How can we challenge habitual, entrenched, systemic thought patterns? I have recorded a podcast episode on this topic of the Church on Gaza with my Vicar Wayne, directed for our church audience but am keen to do more. I am going to further thry to use these resources as far as I am able to help equip me to educate and activate my church community, just praying the transformation of hearts -and actions-, mine included, can occur quickly so this doesn't have to be so needlessly prolonged. - Thank you, thank you for this important work. Yours lamentingly, your sister, Esther
It breaks my heart and angers me greatly that it is somehow a difficult or controversial message "to also love Arabs and Palestinians" !!!?!?! 😢 Compassion is the only way. I am horrified and devastated with what is happening and how the plight of Palestinians is being ignored.
Half of the new testament are letters to the church, going to Church is a necessity, you need to be part of a family of Christians or christ like people, and if you are moving away from the truth then you need a new Church, ma'am