I recently spent the last couple of years taking my daughter from church to church to broaden her knowledge of religion in the U.S. She attended a religious elementary school through the 4th grade. Yet she has visited many different locations where religious studies are conducted and many were not based on the bible but on other religous texts. When I was young I studied everything from the Bible to Buddhism and Hinduism. Personally I feel that religious education is important since the majority of religion is based on belief. It is also important for religious tolerance. For each individual they know within themselves when something rings true and it is seldom the same for each one. The authenticiy and accuracy of any religious material could be questioned. During that period, some of the churches we visited spent a large portion of their time studying the rapture and the end of days. It is pretty much up to each individual congregation and their pastor as to what the focus is. In all that time, I never experienced any prejudice, racism, or negativity toward any one group over another. I did at times witness examples of superiority complexes between one church and another, but that was pretty much the extent of it.

>John,
>
>You need to read information on what constitutes "the rapture". This is the final goal for the fundamentalist evangelists. Some of the requirements for "the rapture" involve some events occurring in the Middle East. These events involve some things happenning with Israel. That's their motivation behind buddying up with Israel.
>
>Do some reading. The evangelicals that Bush has garnered for his supporters advise him on matters advising Israel.
>
>And sorry, these people are sick and twisted. Do some reading. Learn some. The have some very bizarre beliefs. Massive pools of blood as Jesus mows down the non-believers? I call this sick and twisted.
>
>>Hi Perry,
>>
>>I'm pretty sure I would not label evangelicals as "sick and twisted". And I haven't seen evidence that they're buddying up; in fact, most hardline evangelicals are mildly anti-Israel (but not pro-Palestinian).
>>
>>Both sides need to avoid rhetoric of that nature to arrive at a solution.
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>>The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is also heavily influenced by US evangelicals. There are certain events that must occur in Isreal for their propheses to come true.
>>>
>>>Unfortunately, this has caused Israel politicians to buddy-up with the evangelicals. Even though the evangelicals are not doing this to save humanity. In their sick, twisted, etc. beliefs, when their propheses come true JC will appear and smite and non-believers. Of course this would include almost all in the Middle East.
>>>
>>>>Hi Walter,
>>>>
>>>>Almost no-one wants to create a strong "Christian religious" America. Sure, there are plenty who want America to uphold Judeo-Christian values, but that's not the same thing at all. America was founded on the principle of religious tolerance.
>>>>
>>>>And, yes, the Isreali-Palestinian conflict is undoubtedly influenced by powerful Jews....but also by radical and powerful Muslims. But that's the way it is - people with resources or connections with a strong belief will get involved on the side they identify with.
>>>>
>>>>It's not fundamentalists exclusively trying to stop gay marriage and abortions in America. Right or wrong, a solid majority of Americans, 68% last I saw, oppose gay marriage. Yet an equally strong majority support civil unions. A lot of Americans see marriage as a sacred act before God and that influences their viewpoint. But we're also pretty fair on most issues and that's why most folks don't have a problem with civil unions conferring the same rights and benefits.
>>>>
>>>>China is not servicing our debt; however, I agree with you that the US should fight stronger for human rights in China.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Who talks about a conspiracy? It is just politics. There is no conflict with protestants on the scale of the isrealian/palestinion problem. But meanwhile on the subject there are other religious powers in the american goverment that want to create a strong cristian religious america. It is well known that the american government is directed by large companies and is heavely influenced by fundings. No only is the isrealian/palestinian conflict influenced by powelfull jews, but also the weapon industry influences the government to not revoke the right to carry guns and presses for war if they think there might be chance to justify for that. Also, strong fundamentalistic powers try to stop gay marriage, abortion, etc. Why do you think the US won't address human rights in china? Who do you think is financing the huge debt of the american government?
>>>>>
>>>>>Walter,