Why the Left-Right schism on Israel? (Pat Buchannan not withstanding)

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(08-24-2012 10:39 AM)Ignatius Wrote:  I think you are too quick to dismiss the power of Evangelicals in the Republican Party of 2012 and the extent that they base their support on the belief that the existence of the State of Israel is a sign of the Second Coming. I was brought up in an Evangelical Church and can attest that these people sincerely believe this and they are vocal. They also vote and campaign. I would normally dismiss my apocryphal evidence somewhat, but I see plenty of evidence it extends much deeper.

My experience is different from yours. I also attended various Evangelical churches in the deep South growing up and I don’t remember any support for Israel for apocalyptic reasons. I remember hearing the term “Holy Land,” but opinions on specific interpretations of the book of Revelation varied widely.

(08-24-2012 10:39 AM)Ignatius Wrote:  Take a look at the sales of the "Left Behind" and the the incredible popularity of end times televised ministries, for instance.

I read the first book as part of a book club reading. The writing quality wasn’t bad, and it wasn’t overly preachy. I was pleasantly surprised, though I wasn’t compelled to read any more of the series. The author seemed to want to tell a story with a premise based on some assumptions. I don’t see the popularity of the books as evidence that the Right supports Israel for apocalyptic reasons.

(08-24-2012 10:39 AM)Ignatius Wrote:  I saw a headline today that the GOP is running forty candidates for national office that would vote to outlaw abortion in cases of rape. That mentality doesn't come from anywhere but religion.

This kind of condescension is not welcome in this forum. Please take a look at the FAQ and Rules for the forum. I might not agree with those politicians either, but I don’t have to denigrate their logic by attributing their conclusions as being the result of a "mentality" (state or quality of mental or intellectual ability, mental inclination or character) , rather than based on reasoning.

(08-24-2012 10:39 AM)Ignatius Wrote:  I find it weird that the "Right" heaps so much praise on a government that has aggressively pursued a Socialist economic policy since its inception. It was just a few weeks ago that Romney praised Israel's healthcare system that is far more state run than Obama's (formerly Romney's) healthcare plan he derides at every opportunity here.

What does this have to do with the original question? This seems more like a gratuitous slam against the Right.

(08-24-2012 10:39 AM)Ignatius Wrote:  … So why do free market, freedom loving American Rightists all at once think the opposite is fantastic when Israel does it? Is there is a reason other than religious identity?

If one side (Left) flocked to one side of the issue, it sounds plausible that the other side (Right) may reflexively take up the other side of the issue. I’m not saying that this is necessarily the case.

(08-24-2012 10:39 AM)Ignatius Wrote:  I also reject this contention that anti-Semitism is a hallmark of left-leaning movements (which I see you included fascism as one of these, it's not).

Fascism was not a left-leaning movement? There are many who believe that Mussolini’s socialist-populist policies would put him in the “Left” category. I’ll acknowledge that there were different flavors of fascists in early 20th century Europe, and that the definition of Fascism is somewhat ambiguous.

(08-24-2012 10:39 AM)Ignatius Wrote:  Communism, especially in Europe was explicitly linked to Jews by the European Right. Hitler's whole crusade against the Soviet Union (and eventually the US) was based on his fervent belief those nations were puppets of Jews.

Again, you seem to be asserting your beliefs as facts. If segments of the European Right did link Jews to communism, it doesn’t mean that it was the only source of anti-Semitism. Also, labeling Hitler and the Nazis (National Socialist Party) as Right wing is also a debatable topic. There is no shortage of internet discussions on the topic. Stalin, had originally publically denounced anti-Semitism , though there are several incidences of his behavior that ran counter to that, and that the Soviet Union become more overtly anti-Semitic over the years.