Normally vigils by We Hold These Truths, conducted in front of Christian Zionist churches or events, are ignored by the media. In the case of a vigil in Fresno, CA conducted by David Jacobs, Pastor Jim Franklin of the Cornerstone Church in downtown Fresno was so upset by the presence of WHTT and our controversial signs like Blessed Are The Peacemakers, Choose Life Not War and Who Would Jesus Bomb? (a new version of this is: Who Would Jesus Drone?, a corollary to the well known WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?), that he called out the media. Mr. Franklin has a local talk show and must have some clout because one of the local stations, KFSN (channel 30), an ABC affiliate showed up and did an excellent and fair job of reporting our vigil. It's only just over a minute but packs a punch. Pastor Jim Franklin has hosted a number of events for John Hagee and CUFI (Christians United For Israel) at his church that bares the same name as John Hagee's home church, Cornerstone Church, in San Antonio, TX.
WHTT joined Cindy Sheehan at her Tour de Peace stop in Phoenix to protest the use of drones by President Obama, that has resulted in the death of many innocent children in countries like Pakistan and Yemen. The death of Cindy's son, Casey, in Iraq, emboldened her to become an anti-war activist. We Hold These Truths member Leslie Fort (at left in picture) helped read the names of the innocent children killed by drones in front of Senator John McCain's Phoenix office. Travis Steel, a WHTT director holds the "Who Would Jesus Bomb...or Drone?" sign on the right. This video is one of Cindy Sheehan's travel logs made along her journey from California to Washington, DC via bicycle.
Israeli filmmaker, Guy Davidi teamed up with Palestinian farmer, Emad Burnat, to create a documentary, 5 Broken Cameras, that has been nominated for an Academy Award for "Best Documentary." It tells the story of the non-violent protests conducted, over seven years, by a West Bank village, Bil'in (surrounded by illegal Israeli settlements) in an effort to stop the confiscation of Palestinian lands by Israel. The Israeli Ministry of Education has banned the showing of the film in schools, although it has been aired on two Israeli documentary channels and shown at theaters. This short video shows the reaction to a film showing to a group of Israeli students. Watch this and you will be amazed at the hope that this film could generate on both sides of the conflict. We've seen 5 Broken Camerasand it is very powerful and moving.
Here in the US, millions of Christians have been conditioned to fear, and even hate Muslims. We hope that this very touching video will be viewed widely by Christians and Muslims of good will throughout the world.
Millions of Americans believe it's patriotic to support America's serial wars. And, tens of millions of American Christians believe that the United States must support Israel at all costs while ignoring what the Israelis are doing to the Palestinians. This amazing, 29 minute documentary, Subconscious War demonstrates dramatically how we are slipping down the slippery slope from thinking for ourselves to believing what we're told.
Over 40,000,000 American Christians are influenced by what we call, "Angry Evangelicalism," better known as Christian Zionism. Christian Zionists like John Hagee and Benny Hinn wear a mantle of righteousness but often ignore the teachings of Jesus and invoke their will in the name of Jesus, ignoring declarations of Jesus like..."Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God," "Love your neighbor as yourself" and, even "Love your enemy." No wonder so many people dislike and loathe Christians. Show this 4 minute video to your Christian Zionist relatives and friends and ask them "Who Would Jesus Bomb?" Just to prove to yourself that things have not changed much in over a hundred years, watch the video production of Mark Twain's "War Prayer."
In an act of civil disobedience, 6 Palestinians were arrested in the West Bank when they tried to ride a "public" bus for Israeli settlers only. A solidarity rally was held in Phoenix, AZ in front of City Hall and across the street from the Occupy Phoenix encampment. The Arizona contingency of We Hold These Truths joined the rally. We talked with at least 5 Occupiers who were in sympathy with our message. One occupier even held one of our signs, "No More Wars For Israel." To read about the Palestinian Freedom Riders go to: "The Freedom Riders of Bus 148" Also, an excellent video about freedom riders, then and now: Palestine Freedom Riders. And, here's a report on the Palestinian Freedom Riders from Australian national TV, not like the U.S. where the event was ignored by the major media: Palestinian 'freedom riders' in West Bank protest
We Hold These Truths has released our first documentary on Christian Zionism for free viewing on the internet. This is a must see to understand the nature of a branch of Christianity that puts Israel ahead of Jesus. Ever wonder why so many Christians support America’s many wars, especially in the Middle East? A new Christianity has emerged from the Twentieth Century called Christian Zionism or what could be called, "Angry Evangelicalism," or "Dispensationalism on Steroids." What motivates a nationally known, evangelical preacher like John Hagee to call for a preemptive strike against Iran when it is contrary to what Jesus taught and commanded his followers to do? This “Roots of Zionism” presentation may be the first of its kind with a factual explanation of how Christianity’s latest apostate epidemic was launched with the publishing of C. I. Scofield's reference Bible in 1909, and the influence of the notes in it. The video can be watched in full screen mode at: http://vimeo.com/29901084
