Like Christianity, Israeli Society Finds Itself at a Crossroads

The recent decision of the Supreme Court to redefine marriage has pushed many Christians and churches to a very severe breaking point. On one hand, there was what was once an accepted religious and social tradition that needed no further definition. On the other hand, in recent years, an aggressive and politically astute same-sex marriage movement has worked its way into the media-based public opinion environment.

Through clever manipulation of press, media and popular opinion, many churches have redefined what was considered a common sense covenant that no one in 1776 and 1787 questioned. Our ancestors and founders were reasonable and religious men who never considered that the Supreme Court would exceed its interpretive authority to redefine mankind’s oldest and human relationship.

Today as churches struggle to maintain credibility in a society that has abandoned many honored traditions and beliefs in order to keep attendance high and avoid politically correct criticism, disintegration from within has been accelerated.

Love is the most used, abused and misunderstood word in the English language.

Israel is no stranger to this stress. Israel is politically the home of the Jewish people and has as its acknowledged religion Orthodox Judaism. It guarantees by law religious freedom. But Israel is also an amazingly complex society melding Haredim (“Ultra-Orthodox” Jews, non-religious Jews, Arab Christians, Muslim Arabs and other sects such as Druze and various Greek, Russian, Latin and Syrian Rite Christians) into a society that works. Israel has crime, organized crime, poverty and outbreaks of religious conflicts among its many groups. Despite terrorism—armed attacks from Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS-affiliated bands and Iran—a nation of 8.2 million still functions daily.

Same-sex marriage in the United States has acquired passive acceptance by many denominations and anyone who retains Biblically founded positions is called a bigot, terrorist and other insults. Israel is under pressure to accept same-sex marriage as well.

The United States is no longer referred to as founded on Judeo-Christian principles and seems ready to accept a Muslim-dominated society. This is perplexing as Islam is firmly opposed to homosexuality and daily executions in ISIS controlled territory and in Iran are regular occurrences.  Somehow, herd instinct never thinks ahead. Daily calls for Sharia Law in U.S. communities do not seem to phase the stampede towards the rainbow flag.

As the confrontation of Bible and popular opinion continues to sharpen, with the impending threats of fines and penalties for not accepting same-sex “marriages,” religious persecution looks very likely. Instead of crucifixions, beheadings and expulsions, American believers who adhere to the Biblical covenant of marriage will see legal action, fines and outright discrimination from a growing majority.

Israel still has a majority of Jews who will adhere to the teachings of Torah and draw their strength from the G-d given cohesion that has made their society endure since Egypt. Today, worldwide Jewish population has eclipsed the Holocaust. Can American Christians do the same as we are pressured by an aggressive popular media and hyper-aggressive and manipulative minority?

The time of testing is here. We must learn from the people whose faith survived Egypt. Babylon, Rome, pogroms and Holocaust. Shema Yisrael (and America).

Tom Brennan has worked in quite a few professions. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, he’s worked as a museum curator, archivist and graphics curator, library administrator, small business owner, animal care worker, sheriff’s deputy, rancher and farmer and author and researcher and NewsBlogger. He plans to volunteer for Sar-El next year and see Israel from the ground up. When he’s not digging into news, he works with Arabian horses and other breeds in Boise, Idaho.