I’m a priest magnet.
I always have been.
Actually, not just priests. But pastors, ministers and chaplains too.
(In fact, in one particularly dark chapter of my life I was married to a minister.)
I don’t know what a regular amount of “ordained” friends is…but I need more than two hands to count my “church leader” friends.
All that to say, the last three years have been interesting, observing their response to the genocide. (Interesting is probably not the correct word but you get my drift)
Anyways, one of these friends is very lovely. He’s not a friend friend but I know him well enough to know that he’s very much into social justice and human rights. It’s not like we hang out or chat or anything besides when we bump into each other and he has supported some of my events.
I decided to send him the church talk I did for Yom Kippur and Peace Day because I thought he might be interested.
This is the one if you want to watch it yourself:
September 21: Brunswick Baptist
He watched it and this is the texting that happened after. I think it’s a perfect example of respectful Christian bullshit.
Him: Veronica - I’ve finally made time to sit with this and listen to it intently. It’s a very good presentation - you are a very good speaker. Your message of ‘no peace without justice’ is utterly biblical and I accept the truth of your message, even if it runs counter to some of my biases. I am a Zionist and I hate the events of October 7 vehemently. Your final landing is great - it’s not just a matter of cutting the baby into two and giving half to each of the combatants. The best vision is one of one nation with justice for all - shalom. New leadership on both sides and wisdom amongst the nations - yeah, sure. God bless - and thanks for sending it.
I was so stunned by having him write that he’s a Zionist…that it took me a couple of days to respond because I wanted to be careful how I worded my message and I didn’t have enough free space in my day to do justice to a proper response.
So before I had a chance to text him back, I received another message.
Him: Hi Veronica. I was reading the story of the Good Samaritan (Palestinian) this morning and it really impacted me. Felt I needed to contact you again. Every Palestinian who has died is my neighbour and I grieve for them and want justice for them. Truly!
Me: I’ve been sitting with your text hoping to find the words to respond gently. I don’t know you well, but enough to know you wouldn’t want to cause anyone harm. So to have you say that you identify as a Zionist is challenging for me. I’m not sure you understand that being a Zionist means supporting Jewish supremacy. I hope you allow the story of the Good Samaritan to lead you to uncomfortable spaces.
Him: My self-description as a Zionist simply means that I support the existence of the nation of Israel - something that has often been under threat. But I also believe in justice for Palestinians. If my use of the Z word triggered you, I’m sorry. The appalling atrocities on Oct 7 have been verified by the UN and I can well understand the trauma they have created within Israel. But there has been far too much loss of life in the efforts to eliminate Hamas. But these opinions do not define righteousness and I can still regard you as a great woman while not entirely in agreement with your view of it all. I have visited Israel and can’t help loving it.
Me: I think you would love Palestine if you were to visit. Or do you specifically love the apartheid state of Israel that are ethnically cleansing a whole people group under the shield of their religion?
Him: I’ve already said that I don’t love everything they’ve done - not at all.
Me: I would encourage you to explore what the word Zionist means.
Him: Yes, OK - will do.
Me: Did you watch my Christian Zionism seminar by any chance?
Him: Thanks - I’ll have a look at it for sure
That was a couple of days ago. And then last night I watched the film NAZA and I came away wondering who in my life could benefit from watching it. And I thought about this guy. So this morning I sent him a text.
Me: I watched the film NAZA last night. Would you watch it with me and have a chat after?
Him: I would not choose to watch that, Veronica. Besides, that issue is not front-of-mind for me. Every person on the planet has an opinion and it’s hugely important, I know, but I’m going overseas soon and I’ve got a book review to write, a talk to give on Aboriginal stuff, and a mountain of admin and other issues to attend to for the Aboriginal church.
So yeah…that’s where we’ve left things. I need a few moments before I respond. And at this point I don’t know how. In the meantime I’ve channelled my frustration with organising a NAZA invite to a few other people in my life that I think miiiiiiiiiight say yes to coming along.
Sigh.
He has an open heart but a closed mind. 🥺
I found his attitude heartbreaking. But, not surprising.