69 million page views

"Common Cause" Issue

Reader comment on item: John Hagee, the Holocaust, and Me: Thinking about Allies

Submitted by sammish (United States), Jun 3, 2008 at 11:49

Mr. Pipes,

Although I understand that Israel as a democratic state needs all its proponents it can bring to the fold or its "cause", there are however fundamental questions that any person needs to ponder upon when it comes to defining this "cause". I agree that you do not need to explain to others the reasons for this ideological symbiosis with Hagee, you nonetheless gave a reason: "working on the common cause". My question is: what is this "cause"? One is drawn to believe that this cause is ultimalely the unconditional support to Israel. I find this claim tautological.

I believe that there are two "causes" that need to be entangled from each other to see perhaps why they should, if ever need be, to enter into a "marriage of convience". There is a Jewish/ Israeli cause, which is that of survival, strength and the unimmutable fundamental right to exist. And there is the religiously charged redemption "cause" of humanity proposed by Hagee.

This is hardly a simple theological argument, it has its political ramifications. His cause only happens to be contingent on the support of Israel as a state. In a sense, Hagee's cause is not ultimaletly the same cause of Israel. In other words, I see the cause of Hagee (support for Israel) as mean to an end not an end unto itself. His views of the end, is without a doubt problematic to the Jewish civilization and humanity itself. And I believe that is what many poeple are trying to convey about the issues associated with the televangelist.

However, in truth and given the global and regional political situation, it is foolish if not short-sighted to criticize and then alienate Hagee and his large followers. This is the dilemma, but should not deter us from looking at the complex issue from the other side. How many times in history were the Jewish people in this kind of predicament?

Submitting....

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

Daniel Pipes replies:

I don't think Hagee and certainly I do not offer unconditional support for Israel.

When one works on a political cause, as I wrote in my original blog, it is not necessary to analyse one's allies motives and goals to work together. Hagee is a valued ally; I would be surprised if he rejected my support due to our differences in outlook. I know I do not reject his.

Submit a comment on this item

<< Previous Comment      Next Comment >>

Reader comments (50) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Highlighted dates in Hitler's extermination plan 1922 -1942 (credit: lamarina conservapedia) [1068 words]GeorgeJul 31, 2020 12:15259786
Interesting Observation of Hagee [88 words]Larry OakesOct 14, 2008 15:14140167
Pastor Hagee Must Await Moses - not Jesus. Because.. [259 words]IamJosephAug 29, 2008 23:45137640
Hey IamJoseph! [62 words]AhmadAug 31, 2008 00:46137640
Jesus the greatest of all [295 words]DanSep 10, 2008 15:20137640
John Hagee, The Holocaust and Me: Thinking about Allies [191 words]Debbie ShaferJul 28, 2008 17:05135833
Thank you Dr. Pipes [274 words]There is NO Santa ClausJul 24, 2008 15:40135635
john hagee supporting israel [53 words]rachaelJul 21, 2008 16:35135521
I agree too [14 words]CherylJul 19, 2015 17:41135521
I'll take "enemies" like John Hagee anyday over "friends" like B. Hussein Obama [42 words]Joe KaffirJul 13, 2008 21:12135010
I regret only distance precludes me from being in the audience. I am Jewish. [14 words]AlanJul 4, 2008 06:48134368
taking a stand [24 words]m.j.sisemoreAug 23, 2008 17:00134368
Evangelical anti-Judaism undermines support for Israel [222 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
rubenJun 26, 2008 14:40133484
Thank you for your candor! [542 words]Susan BrowneJul 11, 2008 15:34133484
Um... [172 words]Robert ParkerJun 11, 2008 13:38131786
ok [57 words]LynnJun 14, 2008 10:32131786
pertinent difference [163 words]bosJun 16, 2008 06:19131786
1Pastor John Hagee is God's prophet to the Jewish people and the world [108 words]Margaret HoodJun 11, 2008 09:56131754
Hagee a prophet of Israel? I dont think so hunny [72 words]GabbyJun 23, 2008 10:27131754
Pastor Hagee is commended by many Jewish Rabbis for his love of the Jewish people [125 words]Margaret HoodJun 24, 2008 09:05131754
Really, it's not whether you stand by him or not, but your why's [578 words]RandJun 7, 2008 15:59131387
All Christians must support Israel, even with differences. 08 [114 words]Phil GreendJun 6, 2008 21:22131340
Hagee's ok by me, in fact more than ok [50 words]UIJun 6, 2008 11:06131304
Hagee: Speaks More Israeli than Israelis; Bigger Supporter of Israel than many left wing educated US Jewish people [39 words]james burkeJun 5, 2008 16:44131219
Bravo. Spine. [51 words]Charles StewartJun 5, 2008 00:57131149
Problem with Hagee's "support" of Israel [118 words]MichaelJun 4, 2008 14:15131105
Michael, I have good news! [267 words]Susan BrowneJul 11, 2008 16:23131105
How Great It Is that there Is a John Hagee and CUFI -- Caroline Glick also writes on the subject [156 words]Sofa SogoodJun 4, 2008 00:54131051
A letter of support for Dr. Pipes [284 words]Ken BesigJun 3, 2008 12:36130997
John Hagee and Allies [472 words]Gabrielle CroftsJun 15, 2008 03:20130997
"Common Cause" Issue [321 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
sammishJun 3, 2008 11:49130991
Thank you Daniel Pipes. [14 words]CindyJun 2, 2008 03:03130854
That's why I like Dr Pipes [57 words]Amitabh TripathiJun 1, 2008 06:38130759
Daniel Pipes sees the big picture - [52 words]jennifer solisJun 1, 2008 03:43130743
Leonard Fein needs to go back to Jewish Day School [262 words]Ken BesigMay 31, 2008 18:02130683
well,.well, and my, my [249 words]mz ravin blackJun 1, 2008 13:10130683
Ken, was wondering [171 words]YnnatchkahJun 10, 2008 04:54130683
Journalists: Creating problems to sell solutions. [325 words]YnnatchkahMay 31, 2008 04:49130645
Thank you [86 words]YelenaMay 30, 2008 22:42130609
CUFI and the Jewish people [28 words]Kevin FretzMay 30, 2008 17:38130586
Pastor John Hagee and all who are United for Israel.... thank you [154 words]Rochelle MichaelsMay 30, 2008 17:01130582
America must stand with Israel or be "Left behind" by a God who will curse those who don't. [144 words]Margaret HoodJun 24, 2008 09:18130582
Journalists, here to direct us [69 words]InfidelMay 30, 2008 16:44130580
Journalism's evil history [67 words]Straight_Talk_LuigiJun 7, 2008 05:48130580
Loyalty where needed [113 words]Rebecca MouldsMay 30, 2008 14:59130573
Hagee and Pipes [40 words]Barry L WolfeMay 30, 2008 09:24130560
Let's Look At What People Do [427 words]JeffJun 3, 2008 15:46130560
Bravo Jeff [157 words]saraJun 3, 2008 17:41130560
Political agreement, not principled agreement [123 words]GestellJun 8, 2008 20:41130560
You Might Want To Do a Bit More Reading... [44 words]JeffJun 12, 2008 14:22130560

Follow Daniel Pipes

Facebook   Twitter   RSS   Join Mailing List

All materials by Daniel Pipes on this site: © 1968-2024 Daniel Pipes. daniel.pipes@gmail.com and @DanielPipes

Support Daniel Pipes' work with a tax-deductible donation to the Middle East Forum.Daniel J. Pipes

(The MEF is a publicly supported, nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Tax-ID 23-774-9796, approved Apr. 27, 1998.

For more information, view our IRS letter of determination.)