INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW

Introduction

This compilation collects public statements issued by a variety of American Christian churches – Evangelical Protestants, Mainline Protestants, and Catholics – responding to Hamas’ barbaric attacks on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023.  Most of the statements, of course, also discuss the actions Israel has taken in response.

 These statements were issued over a ten-day period.  They should be read with that understanding, and with attention to exactly when they were released.

 The focus is on official statements from denominational leadership in the United States.  A selection of additional statements from local clerics is also included.  This compilation does not claim to be comprehensive.  It was prepared by visiting the websites and X (Twitter) feeds of denominations and their leaders.  When I came across other statements, I included them here.  I have presented the statements in full, and, in many cases, have added a few words of analysis. 

 I “closed” the document on October 15, 2023.

 I would be happy to add additional statements to the online version of this document.  Please send links to statements to mark@hambletoncove.com. 

Overview 

 It is hardly surprising that the statements from leaders representing, collectively, nearly two-thirds of the American population (some 210,000,000 people) are diverse and reflect a wide array of viewpoints.  American Christianity is a mansion with many rooms, including space for, among others, conservative evangelicals, liberal protestants, Catholics of all opinions, and the innumerable combinations and permutations thereof.  It includes Blacks, Whites, Latinos, and Asians, those who would not identify with any of those categories, and those who fit into more than one of them.

 Nevertheless, some general observations are possible.

 First, the Evangelical Statement in Support of Israel stands alone as a powerful statement of support for Israel.  It recognizes the “evil and indefensible atrocities” committed “against the people of Israel by Hamas.”  Although not surprising, it does underscore the dichotomy between American Jews (who tend to be liberal on most issues and are typically strong supporters of Israel) and American Christians (where those who hold generally liberal views are typically less supportive of Israel, and those who are more conservative are more supportive).  (This observation leaves for another day the question of what Evangelicals have in mind when they support Israel; is it, and if so to what extent, part of a theology that sees a strong Israel as means to the ends of the “final days,” the rapture, in which the Jews will be killed,  and the return of Jesus.)   

 Second, nearly all the church statements do not differentiate between Hamas and “the Palestinians.”  Conflating the two means that they are often unwilling to condemn – or even to acknowledge – Hamas’ extraordinary brutality, because, it would seem, doing so would call into question support for “the Palestinian cause.”  Of course, as so many have pointed out over the past ten days, it is not inconsistent to support the right of Palestinians to live in freedom and without fear and, at the same time, to recognize the immorality of Hamas. 

 Third, overall the statements from the Mainline Protestant denominations fail to recognize the way in which the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, fundamentally re-drew the reality in the Middle East.  Much - too much - of their focus is on putting the attacks into context, and seeing them as part of an ongoing “cycle of violence.”  On the one hand, of course, context is always helpful.  On the other hand, it is clear that the attacks have dramatically changed how the key parties see each other, and how they see themselves.  

 Fourth, although I did not explore the statements of local religious leaders as deeply as I looked at those of the national denominational leaders, there is an observable difference between them.  On the whole, and not surprisingly, the local statements feel more pastoral; they are addressing friends and colleagues in their own communities who are hurting.  It is local leaders, after all, who are typically in the closest relationship with other faith leaders.  The statements from local leaders are also far more critical of Hamas and supportive of Israel.  The distance between national religious leaders and their respective flocks- as expressed in public opinion polling, for example - is increasingly notable and may well be related to the final observation I will share.   

 Fifth, this is really hard.   As someone who often drafted statements for a national religious denomination, I know how challenging it can be to find the right words, words that are true to the facts and will speak to both the (often competing) internal constituencies and to a broader audience.  That’s not to make excuses for statements here that missed the mark; it’s just to acknowledge the degree of difficulty in getting such statements right,  especially in the first hours of a war.

 A final thought, which does not speak to an analysis of the statements themselves.  It is interesting, at least to me, how little public attention is being paid to what American Christian religious leaders are saying at this critical moment.  That certainly relates to the steadily decreasing role played by religious leaders, and by religion, across the nation.  That is another subject for another day.

                                                                                                                 Mark J. Pelavin

                                                                                                                  St. Michaels, MD

                                                                                                                October 17, 2023