"All...have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".

Bar Israel, David?

BOAZ_David, I'm pleased to hear that you're not looking "for an ideal 'Christian State' it aint gonna happen". Funnily enough, I'm not looking for a Christian State either (perfect or otherwise).

It seems to me that US Middle East foreign policy is a dangerous blend of optimism, idealism, naïveté, piety and self-interest. The ham-fisted invasion of Iraq was a good demonstration. The notions that Iraqis would welcome American conquest, that democracy and good cheer would break out seem laughable. Add blatant self-interest (Haliburton contracts etc) and wrap the whole thing in prayers and flags. Not a pretty sight.

I note that Yossi Klein Halevi is recommending more of the same, in the case of Iran. Various sources claim that Hezbollah has initiated the rocket campaign on behalf of Iran, goading Israel into a retalliatory strike. Halevi is obviously trying to goad the USA into a retaliatory strike on Iran. I find this war-mongering repellant, not least because such a move would simply stir up more animosity and hatred.

BD I'm glad that you've found meaning in your life through Jesus and note that you see the cure for the world's ills being universal conversion to Christianity. While not necessarily questioning the efficacy of such an event, I am a little concerned at its likeliness. In the meantime, I guess we'll just have to rely on people, with all their fallabilities.

Marilyn, I'd suggest "one soldier from Australia who killed himself" sounds like a presumption of suicide. Don't know if that's what you meant, but there's been no finding one way or the other.

I admit that I am naive about the subject at hand.

@Bennie

absolutely including Israel.

Choosing to support Israel (as I have done) is not to condone every military blunder they make. I don't think we needed to saturation bomb Dresden either.. but I stand by our side in the 2nd world war.

But when I quote "All have sinned" this is a technical word -"sin" is something only applicable between man and God.
Due to our alienation from God, (the vertical relationship) our horizontal relationships (man - man) are stuffed.

Alienation from God, leads to selfishness, greed, slander, immorality, adultery, self gratification and a lust for power and control.

I choose to support Israel because of historical and theological reasons. I also have a view that Islam constitutes at best a false faith, and at worst the 'False Prophet' referred to by Jesus concerning end times.
I take that view, because of the life of the founder of Islam, his being a murderer, torturer, adulterer, child molester, and war criminal (based on our Western laws of today).

So, any faith or political movement based on this man, and the false faith he invented, is to me 'The Enemy'. I expect the state of which I am a member, to take all action appropriate to remove this 'enemy' from our midst.

Why do I describe them as an 'enemy' ? Simple, they hold up Mohammed as 'The best example of mankind', and urge Muslims to follow that example. Then, I recall the events of Srebreniza and am reminded that the Serbs learnt all of that from Mohameds example in regard to the already surrendered Jews of Banu Qurayza where he beheaded 600-900 males. The Serbs did not go as far as mohammed though, they didn't enslave the women and children. Even the raping of the women was following the example of Mohamed implied by his allowing his soldiers to rape captive women. It certainly had nothing to do with Christs teaching or example.

So, such a faith, (Islam) and example is repulsive in the extreme for me.
That is why I support Israel in principle. (and selective immigration to Australia)

Here watch this, catchy tune great message. Israel must be so frightened:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WxQcWNHmAo

Inshallah

2bob

Getting back to the subject, namely this Opinion piece written by Yossi Halevi.

Which bit is seriously wrong?

Which bit is at odds with PM Howard’s statement on the subject, namely that
1. Hezbollah must disarm
2. The Arab world and Iran and Syria must accept Israel’s right to exist.
3. There must be Palestinian State.

From what is being said, and has been said, it is also clear that militant Islam needs to recognise that it has no hope of converting everyone to its cause, whereby by slicing and dicing the troubles, which they help to create, they will convert everyone to its totalitarian view.

In the meantime Sheik Al Hilali and his cohorts marches down our streets under banners, equating Nazism with Judaism. So much for the religion of peace.