Jesus wept over Jerusalem, saying, "If only

You had known the way to Peace." 

"days will come upon you,

when your enemies

will set up a barricade around you

and surround you and hem you in on every side." Gospel, Luke

 

September is a month of many remembrances and anniversaries for the world.  It is the month in which we remember the 3000 who perished in the US when the events of 9/11 were permitted to occur.  It is the month in which some of us remember the 3500 civilian refugees, primarily unarmed women, babies, children and old men, who were savagely massacred in the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila 25 years ago.  The Israeli military enabled the Phalangist Lebanese Christians to massacre the refugees after Israel surrounded the two Lebanese villages with Israeli military tanks so that none of the refugees within the villages could escape the hatchets, machetes, and rifles that were coming for them.  It took three days to torture, kill, rape, castrate, dismember and defile the Palestinians, and then they were buried like trash in a dump.  They were unknown as they lived and unremembered as they died.  It is said that their screams could be heard for three days, but those who hemmed them in and heard and watched with binoculars did nothing to help the innocent.

 

And now, during this month of September, the world is catching glimpses of something else that it shall hopefully evermore remember. Another uniquely inhumane plan has once again been formulated against Palestinian refugees by Zionist Israel. The Zionist plan is to continue to barricade, surround, and hem-in on all sides the small, hungry, poverty stricken state ofGaza and its crowded, tortured population of almost 1.5 million refugees and civilians. Now that the Palestinians are completely hemmed in and once again unable to escape, the Zionist plan is to further starve the population and deprive them of water and other supplies.

 

While the world might not have heard the cries of those in Sabra and Shatila 25 years ago, this September we have access to the writings and films of independent journalists who are providing us with the truth about the Zionist disregard for humane laws and human rights. The unique Zionist brutality seems to have escaped mainstream media for many years, but because of the new journalists, we are beginning to learn the truth about Palestine and the occupying force that has been relentlessly ravaging it for 60 years: Zionist Israel.

 

As I learned of this latest horrifying plan to further deprive the already hungry and malnourished Gazan babies, children, women, men and the elderly, I wondered if I should write about this as a journalist or as an ordained minister. In order to cover all of it, it occurred to me that it must be covered in both capacities. This is a planned Zionist Holocaust of a captured population, and Israel is falsely using a religion as its stated motivation. The plan is being backed by US Zionist Christians.

 

We receive our mainstream news of the events happening in Palestine with words that are designed to limit the potential shock and outrage we might otherwise feel if we only knew the truth. Thus, we hear about the Israeli "Defense" Force, and assume that this means they are defending themselves. We hear about the "Palestinian terrorists," and "militants," and assume this refers to the rampaging madmen against whom Israel is forever trying to defend itself. But the truth is almost the complete opposite of what the words suggest. Israel is the only presence in Palestine with tanks and armored vehicles, navy gunboats, and a full air force. Israel has been the military aggressor since day one, after declaring itself a "Jewish only" state inside Palestine. It has never once stopped its assault on the Palestinians, their children, their homes, and their lands.

 

Making constant military "incursions" into the refugee camps and villages, the Israeli military has used the tanks and bulldozers provided by US tax dollars to repeatedly tear down the homes and tents of the refugees without cause, provocation, warning or explanation other than "we need this land that you're on."  They have destroyed ancient orchards, uprooted ancient olive trees, and bulldozed agricultural lands in order to build new "Jewish only settlements" and apartheid walls throughoutPalestine, which they have renamed "Israel." The Israeli military frequently targets innocent Palestinian children and unarmed civilians with their US tanks and bulldozers. When they demolish homes, as can be seen in the following photos, the refugees then become homeless refugees, sometimes repeatedly, and they are left with only the clothes they are wearing. (1) (2) (3)

 

 In addition to the military attacks, there are the militant Zionist "settlers" who have been handsomely rewarded to come from other countries and occupy the land that is owned by the Palestinians.  In some areas, these "settlers" are armed and quite aggressive, and they too have contributed to the torment and deaths of the Palestinians.

 

Incredibly, the justification for this 60 years of malicious death, destruction, land-grabbing, and anguish inflicted upon a civilian population that has no tanks, planes, helicopters, drones, jets or gunboats of its own, is the Zionist claim that "God gave this land to us." This claim is based upon a disputed interpretation of statements written in the Old Testament, a book that was penned by Jewish men. The claim to "Jewish only" ownership of the Holy Land, is not shared by all Jews. Many Jews, including prominent and highly respected rabbis oppose the existence of the state of Israel.  The claim of "Jewish only" ownership is embraced only by Zionists who feel they have a right to such a state, although many of the Zionists are atheists who do not even believe in a God in the first place. Therefore, taking away land that belongs to others because of the Zionist's claim that "God gave this land to me," deserves rational questioning. (4)

 

 Adding to the religious turmoil this situation is creating, is the fact that millions of Zionist Christians are following the unfolding bloodshed and suffering in the Middle East with a sense of joy and great anticipation that is as barbaric as some of the ancient writings found in the Old Testament.  The Zionist Christians are hoping that the bloodshed and suffering of others indicate we are in the "end times," and that this is what their old war god, Jehovah, wants - - utter carnage and bloodshed. They believe this will lead to the return of Jesus.  Since it is written in the bible, they believe it to be completely and literally true.

 

They have been blinded and whipped into a frenzy by Zionist evangelists and televangelists who state they must support all of Israel's aggressive acts, and that all of this must take place in order for Jesus to return. They have been led to believe that all of Gaza must be destroyed, and that the Zionists are the "rightful owners" of the Holy Land, despite the fact that most Zionists now are not even Semites, (the Palestinians are the Semites). They are basing their beliefs on the English translations of the Old and New Testaments, without any realization that the entire bible is the work of men who have chosen by vote, bickering and warfare what to put into this book, and what to leave out of it. What they put in serves the agenda of Jehovah. What they left out was the truth about the opponent of Jehovah: Jesus.

 

 This is not the first time people have been lied to and/or mislead into bloodshed and war by religious leaders, as well as organized religion itself.  These past 2000 years have been the bloodiest 2000 years in the history of humanity, largely because of organized religions and their hold over people with fear.  How can anyone be expected to raise him- or herself up to a level of love and respect that Jesus asked us to achieve, when one is praising a war god who appears happiest when smiting, dashing babies' heads against walls, and watching us spill our blood and that of our neighbor?  For god's sake, what kind of a god is this that so many have been tricked into following?

 

At what point does it become apparent to us that it is time to retire the vicious, draconian codes of conduct attributed to Jehovah?  Harsh, draconian laws were primarily left behind years ago, but recently they have been openly embraced again by the Zionists in control of the US and Israel. Christian soldiers are now dutifully marching backwards for them into the dark tunnel of time past and applauding the darkness.

 

 In the meantime, while Christian Zionists are gleefully watching headlines announcing the continuous bloodbath of the innocents, while some have had the audacity to urge politicians in D.C. to give even more US tax dollars to the Israeli military so Israel will rain down more of the wrath of Jehovah upon the Palestinians, the anniversary of something else is also being honored in September by a growing number of people.

 

It was perhaps in a symbolic and prophetic gesture that the man who ordained me first came here the night of my own worst day, which happened to be September 11, 1988, thirteen years to the day before America would suffer her worst day. I was an atheist when I first met him, and had just been diagnosed with cancer. On that most difficult night, he awakened me by shining a bright light on me. I opened my eyes to see a large sphere of light in my bedroom. A man was speaking from the light. He asked me if I was afraid, and I said no. "Good," he said, "none of this is meant to frighten you." It was a while before I could actually see the man standing inside the light on that night.

 

The man had a lot to say on that night and in the weeks, months, and years to come. He came here and visited often. I was not sure who or what he was at first, because sometimes he was manifesting here completely in the flesh, as a fully human man. Very quiet and humble and filled with humor, there was never any trumpeting or fanfare. He'd just show up. On the occasions when we walked out into the public, I watched as he interacted with others, always making them smile or laugh.

 

I should have known who he might have been when he healed my cancer, but it would be almost nine months after my first meeting him before I would actually learn his identity. He does not go by the name of "Jesus" any longer, and I cannot say I blame him since most of the bloodshed for two millennia has been carried out in that name.

 

My ordination came when he asked me in 1989 if I would come forward as his advocate and witness. "Tell others all you have seen and heard," he said, and by this time, I had seen and heard plenty. He asked me to remind people of his true and simple teachings, which had been long forgotten. "Love one another as I have loved you," was the summary of his teachings. After first refusing this ordination and request, I then reluctantly accepted it and came forward.

 

And so, in this month when we remember our pain and the pain of others, there is also something else to remember: he kept his word. He told us he would never leave us, and he never has. We have merely been blinded by religion to his presence among us. We should have believed him instead of listening to the religious institutes that told us he was dead, gone, risen, descended into hell, then up, then down, elsewhere, long gone, and no longer available for personal visits. After all, if we knew that he was still present and walking among us, what would organized religion be able to offer us that would keep us tithing and following their orders of separation and elitism?  We do not need to have any more wars in order to try to bring him back again. He is walking among us fully in the flesh, but no one suspects a thing.

 

He dresses conventionally for the most part, and he does not reveal his identity using names, as apparently that would be too pompous. Just as he did 2000 years ago, he appears and disappears and sometimes he changes his appearance. You will have to recognize him yourself, therefore. In order to recognize him, you will first have to recognize the innocent Christ within yourself. It doesn't matter what religion you might belong to or wish to follow. You can be Muslim, Jew, Christian, or anything else, or nothing at all. He doesn't ask for "believers," and he never represented any religion. He did not come to bring a religion. He came to set us free from religion. His teachings are about love and respect for each other, and this transcends all religions.  It is this that makes him the Messiah. Even my little dog recognizes and loves him. She treats him as though he is her best friend, although she's never spent a single day in bible study.

 

The Christ within is the part of you that wants to feed the hungry, give water to those thirsting, comfort the wounded, help the lame to walk, be friendly, and heal rather than kill. It is the part of you that is forgiving, patient and peaceful and it is within all of us, regardless of who we are, what we are, or which religion we choose to embrace. It is our destiny. When you find this within yourself, you will then know what Christ looks like, and you will be able to recognize him just as my little dog has done. It might be this afternoon when you meet him - - perhaps in the grocery store as my children and I have done on so many occasions. So, it is good to prepare for your meeting as soon as possible. We were told, after all, that he would show up when we least expected it.

 

Two thousand years ago, he selected twelve Palestinians to be his disciples. To them, he gave his simple message: love one another - - all others, not putting one race above another. He openly broke many of the Jewish laws, saying laws were meant to serve man, not the other way around. His teachings, however, were lost as Christianity was developed into a major religion instead of a simple code of new ethics intended to replace the old laws of elitism within an ancient religion.

 

Christianity was based primarily upon the teachings of Paul, from Tarsus. Paul, a Jewish man, was not a Palestinian, he never heard the teachings of Jesus, and was never selected by Jesus to be a disciple. Jesus told his chosen twelve Palestinians to bring his teachings of love and racial unity to the "lost sheep of Israel," because the purpose was to set them free from the powerful grip and laws of Jehovah. Paul did not know this, and so instead, he did the opposite. He set off on his own crusade and brought Jehovah to the Gentiles, telling them this was the "gospel of Christ."  Confusion has reigned ever since.

 

Christianity, as we can now clearly see, has become a strange entity that has never completely embraced the simple teachings of Jesus, but instead has long been used to fulfill the military dreams of those who continue to glorify a war god, while reaping the profits of war. Christian Zionists are now applauding the horrifying destruction of Gaza and Palestinians, believing this to be the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, the sign of supremacy of the Jewish Chosen, and a sign that Jesus "will come back soon." I ask them to look again at the biblical quote I provided at the top of this essay. These are said to be the words spoken by Jesus. If one believes that everything in the bible is literal truth, please note the words attributed to Jesus in reference to those who would one day build the barricades surrounding and hemmingin the Palestinians. He did not refer to them as the Chosen People, or "rightful owners" of the Holy Land. He called them "enemies."

 

At this time as Zionist Israel continues its 60-year massacre of the Palestinians, it is time for us all to stop and wonder why it was the Palestinians who were Chosen by Jesus to be his disciples. He must have found something quite unique about the Palestinians to have singled them out for his teachings of peace. He must have had a very great plan for his Chosen Ones. And sure enough, a new movement can be seen rippling and alive in the devastated Holy Land. In spite of all that has been done to them, the Palestinians are holding weekly nonviolent protests against the Zionist occupiers. Every week, the peaceful protestors gather unarmed, and every week, they are then attacked and abused by the heavily armed Zionist military. They gather every week with unwavering bravery and sense of purpose, knowing they are facing a military with no conscience. In doing so, they have sparked something astonishing to behold, and their crowds are growing in number. International protestors are joining them in the peaceful demonstrations. Israelis are also joining the Palestinians to protest the apartheid and military brutality. The spirit of many heroes both past and present seems to surround each gathering crowd, perhaps fortifying the nonviolent protestors - - heroes of peace and freedom through nonviolence such as Gandhi, who was opposed to Zionism, Martin Luther King, Jr., the Most Reverend Dr. Desmond Tutu, and others.

 

I have watched the videos of these nonviolent demonstrations carefully, because I suspect I am going to recognize the face of someone I know in these crowds. I am watching and waiting to see the familiar face of a certain man as he comes to join in with the crowds of the peaceful protesters. I know he's already there, because I have already seen him reflected in the faces of the Palestinians. He is walking again among the people he selected as his Chosen 2000 years ago.

 

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mary sparrowdancer is the author of the bestselling book, The Love Song, which is available now in English, as well as Japanese and a German version will soon be available in Germany.  The true teachings of the Teacher are not affiliated with, nor do they belong to any religion on earth.  They belong to each of us, individually, regardless of any religion we might choose to embrace.

www.sparrowdancer.com

sparrowdancer1@earthlink.net

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References:

1. Zionist Israel's endless destruction and turmoil. 09/23/2007

http://uruknet.info/?p=m36531&s1=h1

 

2. Total destruction of a village to make way for Apartheid wall. 09/23/2007

http://rafahtoday.org/

 

3. Destruction of refugee homes. 09/23/2007

http://rafah.virtualactivism.net/details/demolitions.htm

 

4. Abusive mindset of "settlers," trespassing on Palestinian property. "This is my land."

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2830469388974062248&q=god+gave
+this+land+to+me&total=176&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=7

 

5. "What you do to the least of these, you do to me."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKQqItZu4Is

 

6. For those who have the time to spend on a 45 minute documentary, this one is excellent ­ the Tobias documentary.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2347953151064740545&q=tobias+
documentary&total=12&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0