“Christian Zionism” by Paul Kivel
Excerpt: “There are many forces that influence U.S. foreign policy regardingIsrael/Palestine. Clearly influential in shaping U.S. policy are the U.S. military, the powerful U.S. arms industry, multinational oil companies, the U.S. government’s attempt to control access to regional oil resources, the U.S. government’s desire for a proxy military force that can carry out U.S. foreign policy goals in the area, and high levels of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab racism among U.S. government officials and advisors. Other factors, as well, play significant but less dominant roles in the shaping of U.S. policy. (Read More)

“The Christian Holiday Cycle” by Paul Kivel
Excerpt: “Holidays are great when they reaffirm our connections to family and friends, when they are inclusive, when they build community, when they honor our true history and leaders. Holidays are also important when they celebrate significant religious and cultural events and connect us to our deepest communal and spiritual values. However, holidays can be destructive when they celebrate war, militarism, colonialism, when they are promoted aggressively, when corporations and other commercial interests use them to promote behaviors and values which are destructive to ourselves and our environment. Holidays become destructive and exclusive when they are proclaimed as universal but are actually culturally specific traditions, or when they are based on historical lies and perpetuate misinformation. We need to think seriously about what we celebrate and why—who is included or excluded in the celebration, and what values are implicitly or explicitly communicated. What are we telling our children and ourselves? What is being promoted?” (Read More)