The ELCA Wades Into the Iranian Nuclear Talks

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is wading into the political realm and once again placing their own fanciful and dubious dreams above the safety and security of the Jewish people. Last week the ELCA sent out an advocacy action alert asking readers to “(t)ell your elected officials: Support a negotiated deal with Iran.”

Many in the United States and Israel are saying the current deal with Iran is bad, but here we have the ELCA calling for a negotiated nuclear deal with them.

Let's look at and respond to some of the statements from the ELCA's action alert:

• “A peaceful resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue is in the best interest of its neighbors in the region – including the Israelis and Palestinians.”

That is not true. I bad deal is worse than no deal for the Israelis (who Iran constantly threatens to destroy), the Palestinians and all of Iran's neighbors. An armed conflict is better than allowing the evil regime to obtain nuclear warheads and make good on their threat to wipe out the Jewish state.

• “. . . as well as in the best interest of the United States and the world.”

Wrong again. A deal that allows Iran to get nuclear weapons or a deal that can not guaranty that Iran abides by the rules, makes for a terrifying world. Iran is the number one supporter and purveyor of terrorism. They call the United States “the great Satan.” They call for our destruction. They are developing missiles that can reach America.

A bad deal is worse than no deal.

• “Such an agreement would offer a mechanism to monitor Iran’s compliance with standards set and monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency.”

That is a big assumption. Can you say “North Korea?” And thinking that Iran will comply with the rules is naive at best. They have a long history of breaking the rules with the United Nations regarding their quest for nuclear power (weapons).

• “a major accomplishment that could pave the way for much more robust and deliberate efforts to focus on Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking without distraction.”

Seriously? Get on with the Iran deal so we can focus on the main problem of the Israeli-Palestinian issue? That issue is so important to the ELCA that they have to insert it into the conversation about stopping Iran from getting nuclear weapons?

To be frank, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is not an honest broker when it comes to Israel. (see here and here) The ELCA view of a deal between Israel and Palestinians has the Palestinians getting most all of their demands and Israel getting a “promise” of peace.

• “As negotiations proceed, two bills in the Senate threaten to undermine diplomatic efforts. S. 269 calls for new sanctions if a deal with Iran isn’t reached. S. 615 would require a delay in implementation if a deal is reached, require congressional approval or disapproval of the deal, and add congressional oversight on implementation of a deal. Passing either of these bills could undermine negotiations at this important juncture. Urge your senators to support a negotiated solution with Iran. Call on them to oppose S. 269 and S. 615.” (see here)

Again the ELCA is wrong. The threat of new sanctions will increase the likelihood of a “good” deal with Iran, as will the need of congressional approval for a deal.

The ELCA and President Obama need to step back and let the nation at most risk of being attacked by a nuclear Iran (Israel) have the ultimate say on whether a deal should be made. Because sadly, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the president do not have Israel's best interest or survival in mind.