Jews and Mormons

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August 3, 2010 | 10:04 pm

I’m Going to Hell? Who Cares?

Posted by Mark Paredes

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“Mormons and Jews have something in common if they don’t repent and surrender their lives to Jesus Christ.” – reader comment on my recent interview with blogger Menachem Wecker

Following a briefing I gave to a havurah group last weekend in Camarillo, I was asked by a cantor why Jews should accept the support of Evangelicals who believe that they will be destroyed in the last days. This is a common objection made by Jews who are uncomfortable with the thought of close collaboration on Israel with right-wing Christians. I believe it is an unnecessary one. Tens of millions of Evangelicals are fervent supporters of Israel and Jews, and in these difficult times their support should be welcomed, not spurned.

To begin with, it is a gross generalization to claim that all Evangelicals believe that Jews will meet a violent end when the Messiah comes again (or for the first time, if you prefer). Some believe that a mass conversion of Jews will take place, while other believe that a special divine dispensation of grace will be extended to the Jews at the last day (I first heard this theory espoused by Pastor John Hagee of Christians United for Israel). Still others are content to leave the Jews’ fate in God’s hands.

As the above quote makes clear, the subset of Evangelicals who believe that Jesus-denying Jews are going to hell after they die almost always believe the same about Mormons (they claim that we worship a “different” Jesus). Condemning people to hell is not in the Mormon lexicon; we teach moral principles, but the consequences of sin and transgression are God’s to impose, not ours. [We also don’t believe in a traditional concept of hell, but I digress]. When these people call down hellfire upon the heads of Jews, Mormons, and most of the world’s people unless they accept Evangelicalism’s Jesus, Mormons dismiss their condemnation as unauthorized, presumptuous, and doctrinally flawed. We certainly don’t believe that Jews and other non-Christians are going to hell, and we don’t like to be lumped with those Christians who do. The good news is that none of these differences matter when it comes to coming together to support the Jewish people – in this life, anyway. There is no need for Jews or Mormons to worry about what these people believe will happen to non-Evangelicals in the future. I for one am willing to take the chance that they’re wrong. When the Messiah comes (again), we can ask Him for clarification.
 
We shouldn’t require people to have similar theologies in order to accept their Zionism. During my tenure with the Zionist Organization of America, we welcomed Mormons, other Christians, and atheists to our meetings. The only person we turned away was a Messianic Jew. Her Christianity wasn’t a problem, but her insistence on “witnessing” to people whenever she felt moved to do so was obviously unacceptable. Neither the cantor nor anyone else in the havurah believes that Jews are going to become cannon fodder during Armageddon. In all likelihood, they don’t believe in Armageddon to begin with. Whether a fellow Israel supporter believes in “end times” theology is not nearly as important as her belief in a strong, secure Israel.

Some Jewish leaders argue that Judaism should not be seeking converts, that there is nothing wrong with remaining a small, cohesive group of Torah followers. I am not qualified to give an opinion on their religious argument, but Israel advocacy requires a different mindset of inclusion. I’m positive that Jews in previous centuries would have been overjoyed to have the active support of their Christian neighbors, regardless of their end-time beliefs. I have had many interactions over the years with Evangelical pro-Israel groups (e.g., Israel Christian Nexus, CUFI, Eagles’ Wings), and am fully convinced of their sincerity and deep love for Israel. I have never asked any of their representatives what they thought of my theology, and they have never asked me to evaluate theirs. It is my hope that pro-Israel coalitions around the world will strive to follow the admonition of Isaiah: “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.”   

Mark Paredes blogs for the Jewish Journal, the Deseret News, and Meridian Magazine. He will be leading a tour to Israel for Morris Murdock Travel next spring. You can contact Mark at deverareligione@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @jewsandmormons.

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Thanks for the excellent article. I especially appreciate that you point out that not all Christians (Mormon, Evangelical, or otherwise) think that Jews and others are going to be condemned to eternal torment.

Comment by Daniel on 8/04/10 at 5:09 am

It is true that many, perhaps most Christians, including many evangelicals do not embrace literal end times beliefs, but most Christian Zionists do.  In the Jewish community we discuss the issue of end times as if it is only about the future - one we don’t believe will ever happen.  But end times prophecy plots a timeline from the beginning of history to the end of time, providing a simplistic view of the battle between good and evil.  I have read and collected hundreds of prophecy books by Christian Zionist leaders.  The issue is not just that they believe that Jews who do not convert will burn in hell in the future.  They have a Judeo-centric worldview in which the problems of the world are based on a narrative of the rebellion of Jews, and a future utopia can only be achieved when Jews repent and Judaism is no more.  The fantasy of the humbling and destruction of Judaism is being taught to millions in prophecy books like those of John Hagee and other Christian Zionist leaders dressed up as “pro-Israel.”

This impacts their followers worldview in many ways.  It is also creating an environment in this country in which Jews and Israel are the core of every problem - from hurricanes and natural disasters to terrorism.  Yes, it is presented in a “we love Jews and Israel” frame, but it is still a dangerous obsession.  History shows us that this obsession can turn from an obsessive philo-Semitism to anti-Semitism when believers become disillusioned with Jews who refuse to play their proper role in advancing the Millennium or 1000-year Christian utopia on earth. 

The U.S. has generally been a very welcome and open society for Jews, one in which we are treated as human beings instead of pawns in an end time drama.  I don’t know why we are so anxious to encourage and legitimize millennial fervor and the relatively small sector of Christians who view Jews as a means to an end. It’s not good for Jews or Israel.

Comment by Rachel Tabachnick on 8/04/10 at 8:23 am

The article by Mark Paredes was a positive take on an issue for many American Jews that proves, at the very least, to create a great deal of cognitive dissonance.Times may require us to operate from alliances that serve specific interests (like the survival of Israel).

The response by Rachel Tabachnick was well thought out and articulated clearly the not so hidden agenda of many evangelicals and others. The difficulty is not only with the long view of an End Times scenerio but the more immediate take on sexual politics (women’s rights, gays, etc)and an extreme right perspective that is anathema to most American Jews.
Please, if you have more Info Rachel please link finding to my email (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).
Thank you.
Phillip

Comment by Phillip Cohen on 8/04/10 at 11:06 am

Rachel -
I think it would be interesting to interview you at a synagogue or other Jewish forum. Where are you based? Please e-mail me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Thank you. 
Mark Paredes

Comment by Mark Paredes on 8/04/10 at 4:21 pm

Very nice, Mark. Thank you…

Comment by Vera on 8/04/10 at 7:26 pm

“gross generalization” is a very good comment. Sweeping generalities, etc. Well yes there are a lot of hard nosed folks who call themselves Christian who have the attitudes that Rachel describes. There have been for centuries and centuries. They are horribly misguided. So - here: this Mormon beleives with every fiber of his soul that each person on earth will be judged and blessed for charity (kindness and help) that never dies, and on whether they held true and pure to whatever beleifs and understandings they have at any time. This one does beleive there are many mansions, and they are mansions, that the eternal one has for us. We need to encourage each other in the faith we have, not downgrade each other if the other doesn’t toe the exact line we determine they should. Good life to you; peace to you and to all.

Comment by Daniel B on 8/04/10 at 8:42 pm

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