A Harangue of Hagee

Whatever else John Hagee is, he is certainly a supporter of Israel.

From Israel's point of view, that may be good, as Israel needs all the supporters it can get. The question, however, remains: How do you stay clean if you lay down in the gutter?

The reason that Hagee, a "Christian Zionist," is so pro-Israel, is that Israel plays a pivotal role in his crackpot end-times scenario. Israel is critical to the fulfillment of the Biblical prophecies, says Mr. Hagee. Therefore, Hagee will support Israel in every circumstance.

Part of Hagee's mindset is that we are involved in a religious war with Islam. In his book, "Jerusalem Countdown," Hagee wrote that "This is a religious war that Islam cannot -- and must not -- win." He goes on to warn that "The end of the world as we know it is rapidly approaching ... Rejoice and be exceeding glad -- the best is yet to be."

How sick is that? Does that not resound with echoes of the theology of 19 Islamic fanatics who flew their planes into the Twin Towers?

Who is this Hagee, anyway, that John McCain has embraced and called a great spiritual leader and whose support he welcomes, even though he doesn't agree with everything Hagee says.

[Unfortunately John has chosen not to tell us which of Hagee's opinions or positions he doesn't agree with. I think it's important that McCain come clean on this issue.]

Hagee got his start in the big time in San Antonio back in 1975, when he joined the staff of the Church of Castle Hill, "a moribund parish with only a few dozen worshippers and heavy debts. He had quit his previous church the same year during a messy divorce that was quickly followed by his remarriage to a young churchgoer. Attracted by Mr. Hagee's mix of thundering oratory and folksy humor, the congregation mushroomed."

Today, it's known as the Cornerstone Church, a mega-outfit of some 18-19,000 members. He runs a TV company and is very close to the Republican head honchos. It is reported that he speaks with King George hisself about once per week.

It hasn't all been roses, though. Some folks objected when Hagee invited certain people to speak at Cornerstone, such as pardoned felon, Oliver North and the disgraced TV evangelist, Jimmy Swaggart. He also had a feud of sorts going with Jerry Falwell who claimed that Hagee believed in the "dual covenant." [The dual covenant refers to the notion that Christians and Jews have different agreements with God that allow each to get to heaven.]

Hagee met with Falwell and convinced Falwell that he did not believe in the dual covenant. But he's a bit fuzzy on what he actually does believe. As to whether Jews will get to heaven without converting to Jesus, he says that "a remnant of the Jewish people ... have favor with God right now," whatever that means.

One of his biggest miscues, though, was a "slave" sale. To assist some students find odd jobs, his church newsletter advertised a "slave" sale. It actually said, "Slavery in America is returning to Cornerstone. Make plans to come and go home with a slave."

There was, not surprisingly, an uproar. Hagee did apologize, but "in a radio interview, protested about pressure to be 'politically correct' and joked that perhaps his pet dog should be called a 'canine American.'"

If that shows nothing else, it shows an ungodly arrogance that lacks common sense and has little sensitivity toward those who are not white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestants!

Hagee is an unmitigated hate-monger with an international audience. Some people would say he's an unmitigated SOB. So what does the fact that he's got the president's ear make King George? And what does the fact that John McCain thinks he's a great spiritual leader, make John McCain?

(Thanks to Andrew Higgins of the Wall Street Journal for much of the above information.)