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| Open Theism Discussion Board > Public Forums > General Chat > A Jew's prayer for the children of Gaza | Forum Quick Jump
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Pentz
Registered Member
Date Joined Mar 2006
Total Posts : 59
| Posted 1/7/2009 10:30 PM (GMT -6) |   | By Bradley Burston
If there has ever been a time for prayer, this is that time.
If there has ever been a place forsaken, Gaza is that place.
Lord who is the creator of all children, hear our prayer this accursed day. God whom we call Blessed, turn your face to these, the children of Gaza, that they may know your blessings, and your shelter, that they may know light and warmth, where there is now only blackness and smoke, and a cold which cuts and clenches the skin.
Almighty who makes exceptions, which we call miracles, make an exception of the children of Gaza. Shield them from us and from their own. Spare them. Heal them. Let them stand in safety. Deliver them from hunger and horror and fury and grief. Deliver them from us, and from their own.
Restore to them their stolen childhoods, their birthright, which is a taste of heaven.
Remind us, O Lord, of the child Ishmael, who is the father of all the children of Gaza. How the child Ishmael was without water and left for dead in the wilderness of Beer-Sheba, so robbed of all hope, that his own mother could not bear to watch his life drain away.
Be that Lord, the God of our kinsman Ishmael, who heard his cry and sent His angel to comfort his mother Hagar.
Be that Lord, who was with Ishmael that day, and all the days after. Be that God, the All-Merciful, who opened Hagar's eyes that day, and showed her the well of water, that she could give the boy Ishmael to drink, and save his life.
Allah, whose name we call Elohim, who gives life, who knows the value and the fragility of every life, send these children your angels. Save them, the children of this place, Gaza the most beautiful, and Gaza the damned.
In this day, when the trepidation and rage and mourning that is called war, seizes our hearts and patches them in scars, we call to you, the Lord whose name is Peace:
Bless these children, and keep them from harm.
Turn Your face toward them, O Lord. Show them, as if for the first time, light and kindness, and overwhelming graciousness.
Look up at them, O Lord. Let them see your face.
And, as if for the first time, grant them peace.
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Sahid
Megistered Rember
Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 2013
| Posted 2/7/2009 6:30 PM (GMT -6) | | The Bible tells us what God thinks of it when the poor are robbed and victimized. We know what he thinks of those who put their trust in the weapons of war. The only difference between the violent acts of a terrorist and the violent acts of states like the US and Israel is that the latter are generally recognized as sovereign states. That is to say the acts are objectively identical in quality. The only difference, the subjective difference, is that one side is labeled 'good guys'. The denial by many of Israel's right to exist is not so different than the denial by others of Al Qaeda's right to exist. Both are terrorist organizations claiming to fight for justice. Both kill thousands of bystanders to achieve their objectives.
I pray for reconciliation, for true peace. | | Back to Top | | |
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Asher
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 477
| Posted 2/8/2009 10:41 PM (GMT -6) | | Sahid,
If all Israel's enemies stopped attacking them, do you think Israel would continue to attack their enemies, and would Israel ever initiate an attack if their enemies would never attack them?
Would Al Qaeda continue to attack their enemies if their enemies stopped attacking, would Al Qaeda ever initiate an attack?
Any honest person immediately knows the answer to these questions.
to say "the acts are objectively identical in quality" is to be intellectually dishonest. That doesn't mean that Israel is beyond reproaching, but to say "the acts are objectively identical in quality" is to equate non-violent injustice with violent injustice. And that is why so few people take seriously the kinds of things you are saying. | | Back to Top | | |
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Tom
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 10353
| Posted 2/9/2009 7:58 AM (GMT -6) | | Asher: If all Israel's enemies stopped attacking them, do you think Israel would continue to attack their enemies, and would Israel ever initiate an attack if their enemies would never attack them?
Tom: The question is whether Israel would stop supressing and denying the rights of Palestinians and continue to confiscate more and more Palestinian land, further dividing them geographically and underminding the territorial integrity of their culture and livlihood. And remember, Israel is a "Jewish" state, an enthocracy. It is state-embodied racism.
Tom | | Back to Top | | |
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Tom
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 10353
| Posted 2/9/2009 7:58 AM (GMT -6) | | | | |
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Asher
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 477
| Posted 2/9/2009 5:54 PM (GMT -6) | | Tom: The question is whether Israel would stop supressing and denying the rights of Palestinians and continue to confiscate more and more Palestinian land, further dividing them geographically and underminding the territorial integrity of their culture and livlihood. And remember, Israel is a "Jewish" state, an enthocracy. It is state-embodied racism.
When I said "That doesn't mean that Israel is beyond reproaching, but to say "the acts are objectively identical in quality" is to equate non-violent injustice with violent injustice." that is exactly what I mean. Your question should definitely be asked of Israel and their non-violent injustice should be presented to them squarely in the face...but...to equate the two forms of injustice is not to do justice to the situation as it exists. Even when we look at injustice on a continuum from the non-violent forms to the violent forms we must recognize the tendencies of individuals or corporate entities (like a state) to operate more on one end of that spectrum than on the other. And I think it can be acknowledged that Israel operates more on the non-violent end of the spectrum than does it's enemies. To equate the two or to say that the Palestinians have no recourse but to turn to acts of violence because Israel holds the political power is to undermine the whole argument for non-violence. What I am saying is that when someone does equate the two types of injustice in the name of advancing their pacifist agenda is to slit the throat of their own idea right out of the starting gate. | | Back to Top | | |
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Sahid
Megistered Rember
Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 2013
| Posted 3/9/2009 8:11 AM (GMT -6) | | Am I or have I ever been a Muslim? Seriously.
The answer is no, Senator McCarthy. | | Back to Top | | |
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