Wolfgang, most Europeans—and, for that matter, many Americans—don't fully grasp the intense fervor of American Fundamentalist Christians, especially the "Born Again" Christians. One of the centers of their theology (if it can really be called that) is their fixation on the Book of Revelation and selected passages dealing with "the Second Coming of Christ." They have built a whole mythology around this. It's called "Millennialism" or "Dominionism."

Their belief is that the world is nearing "The End Time." This is signaled by "wars and rumors of wars" coupled with what they consider to be corruption within the Church (except, of course, for their own), general moral decay, and a number of other signs and omens derived from their particular interpretation of The Book of Revelation. The Second Coming of Christ is a longed-for event, because according to the Millennialists, Christ will establish the Reign of God on Earth. This reign will exist for a thousand years (i.e. The Millenium). What happens at the end of the thousand years, they don't say, because apparently "a thousand years" equates with some biblical concept of eternity.

But according to the mythology, before this can happen, the State of Israel must be establish. Other nations, the myth says, will challenge the State of Israel and try to destroy it. The Anti-Christ is involved in this, and this is what precipitates the ultimate battle between Good and Evil, the "Battle of Armageddon". Christ (no longer the gentle, peace-loving teacher, but descending from Heaven in a chariot and carrying a flaming sword) defeats the Anti-Christ and the forces of Evil. With this defeat, Islam is destroyed and the Jews are given another opportunity to accept Christ as their Savior. Those who do not will go to Hell. Christ "separates the sheep from the goats," the sinners are punished, and the faithful are rewarded—not in heaven, but right here on earth. And the Kingdom of God is established.

It didn't make the news much, but Ronald Reagan is said to have been a staunch believer in this line of thought, and believed that the Battle of Armageddon would be between the United States and Russia—hence his "evil empire" speech and his eagerness for military build-up and confrontation. The current situation, centered in the Middle East, and with Israel as a major bone of contention, fits the Millennialist mythology much better than Russia did.

The point is this:— Millennialists are generally eager to see the Battle of Armageddon begin, because, they believe, the sooner the Battle starts, the sooner Christ will return. Osama bin Laden, or more recently, Saddam Hussein, are easy for them to cast in the role of the Anti-Christ. And it also goes a long way to explaining the unquestioning support of Israel and why a blind eye is turned to the atrocities they commit against the Palestinians.

George W. Bush and several others in powerful positions in the Bush Administration proudly proclaim themselves to be Born Again Christians. Think about it!

If anyone thinks I have overstated the beliefs of these folks, go to google's "Advanced Search" and put in combinations of words like Armageddon, End Time, Millennium, Book of Revelation, Second Coming, Born Again, Anti-Christ, AND George W. Bush and see what you come up with. Also, several books, including one by Bob Woodward, one of the investigative reporters on the Watergate break-in, have been written this subject.

Helluva way to outline a foreign policy!

Don Firth