If there's one thing that seems to unite disparate factions of the American political and social landscape these days, it's foolish anti-Israel posturing. Since the Jewish state's attack on Iran, we've seen race-baiting radicals:
…fundamentalist Christian nationalists:
…and even aging political opportunists getting in on the action:
Regarding Sanders, columnist Jeff Jacoby accurately surmised the Vermont Democrat continues to prove that age doesn't always bring wisdom, but sometimes merely "reinforces imbecility."
Still, while I'm not particularly inclined to defend Bernie Sanders (or Shaun King for that matter), I tend to believe that he is one of an ever-increasing number of Americans who are at a distinct disadvantage in being able to look at situations like Israel/Iran with any sense of clarity.
To explain why, I need to paraphrase syndicated radio host Erick Erickson, whose recent commentary on the subject pinpointed what every other major media commentator has missed.
The singular motivating force behind my decision making, from the monumental to the minute, is my faith in Jesus and the truth of His Word. Though for selfish reasons I too often depart from it, it remains the focal point to which my moral compass is calibrated. It makes me believe things that secular, non-Christians find irrational: that just like a man named Jonah spent 3 literal days in the belly of a great fish before being spat back upon the land, God's chosen Savior for humanity spent 3 literal days in the belly of the earth before walking out of the tomb. That Savior is literally returning one day, not to save humans this time, but to judge them. My actions in this world will reflect my belief in that fact.
Offer me any sum of money to reject those truths or recant them and I won't take it. Or conversely, threaten to rob, maim, or kill me if I don't recant, and I won't do it. That's how people of faith operate; we are animated by something far more fundamental than what seems politically, economically, or even strategically expedient.
The mullahs, ayatollahs, and clerics in Shiite Islam are similar in the sense that they are motivated by their faith in the words and teachings of Muhammad as found in the Hadith and Quran. Part of that teaching includes a belief that by destroying the state of Israel, they can speed up the arrival of Allah's paradise by causing the "Mahdi" to reveal himself. It's why they are fundamentally pledged to the ultimate destruction of the Jewish state. It's not strategic, political, or economic. It's religious. It's fundamental.
That's why pursuit of such a nefarious objective is a non-negotiable for Iran's Shiite leaders. Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Bernie Sanders can all arrogantly boast about their superior negotiation skills. They can prattle on about sanctions and incentives, but all of that is useless when you're dealing with the faith of radical Islam. Just like no amount of money, nor any threat of harm will dissuade me from pursuing obedience to Christ's commands, no censure or trade deals will distract Iranian Shiites from obeying what they believe Allah has called them to do; namely, obliterate Israel.
Therefore, Israel could not permit Iran to get a nuclear weapon. If they had one, they would have used it. Unlike other nuclear powers on earth who operate under the fear of mutually assured destruction (that is, if one launches on anyone else, they will be the targets of retaliatory strikes), Iran's leaders aren't concerned about destruction. Not so long as Israel is wiped out first.
Men and women like Obama, Harris, or Sanders, whose faith is either culturally compromised, compartmentalized, or even non-existent, simply can't understand all of this. They believe that everyone operates as they do, particularly on the world stage. Israel, because they have to, understands differently.
Iran could not get a nuke, Israel felt like they were on the verge of doing so, and therefore they took the action they felt that had to take.
Those who object likely do so only because they lack clarity on the nature of true religious devotion, or they are foolishly (or malevolently) ambivalent about global nuclear war.
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Not the Bee or any of its affiliates.
