An Alternative Voice to Christian Zionism
-- Illinois Conference Version

This resolution was approved for study at the 2003 Annual Meeting of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ. The resolution will be finally voted upon at the 2004 Annual Meeting.

(Click here for the revised resolution to be presented at the 2004 IL Conference Mtg.)

WHEREAS, the United Church of Christ has affirmed its concern about the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine in the following resolutions: “Bringing Justice and Peace to the Middle East” (1999); “Jerusalem City of Life” (1997); and “Palestine/Israel” (1997), and

WHEREAS, the government of Israel has violated numerous United Nations resolutions, as well as Geneva Conventions with respect to: the transport of Israeli citizens to the West Bank and Gaza Strip; the transport of Palestinians out of the West Bank and Gaza Strip; the collective punishment of Palestinians; and use of banned weapons, and

WHEREAS, the Palestinian resistance movement has violated the Geneva Conventions by supporting the use of suicide bombers to kill innocent civilians, and

WHEREAS, the United Church of Christ opposes and affirms that there is no justification for either anti-Jewish or anti-Arab hatred, having in previous resolutions affirmed its support for a secure state of Israel [“The Israeli-Palestine Conflict” (1987), “Consultation on the future of the city of Jerusalem” (1979), and “The Middle East” (1971)], and also in previous resolutions condemned anti-Jewish positions [“Anti-Semitism” (2001), and “Relationship Between UCC and the Jewish Community” (1987)], and

WHEREAS, influential members of the current U.S. government endorse Christian Zionist positions as a basis for U. S. foreign policy, and

WHEREAS, Christian Zionism encourages Christians to support financially and politically policies of the government of Israel that conflict with the justice and peace teachings of Jesus and the prophets, and

WHEREAS, the Just Peace Pronouncement that was adopted by the General Synod in 1985, as well as updates and similar proclamations of other denominations and like-minded groups, has received insufficient publicity within our denomination, in the mass media, and among U. S. government officials;

THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ recognizes the diversity of Biblical perspectives on the question of a Jewish homeland, but affirms that any such perspectives should be grounded in the message of justice and peace taught by Jesus and the prophets, and

LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ call upon member churches to enter into prayerful study of the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine using study materials to be provided by the Naperville First Congregational United Church of Christ, and

LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ encourage its members to write a letter to the President of the United States, and other leaders in our government, asking all parties to agree unconditionally to abide by the Geneva Conventions and accept the Road Map as originally proposed, and

LET IT BE FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Conference Minister of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ will,

1. Issue to all churches in the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ a pastoral letter on Christian Zionism and the resolution of conflict in Israel and Palestine.

2. Cooperate with other denominations and like-minded groups to promote an alternative to Christian Zionism in the mass media.

Use the form below to search for documents in this web containing specific words or combinations of words.