Standing with Israel and in unison

By Colleen O'Callaghan-Miele

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009 | 5:34 p.m.

Throughout history, religious teachings around the world shaped by ignorance and fear have been misguiding people and have often led to tragedy.

Religion, even in its purest form, can be prejudiced, discriminating and violent against any minority, not only in America but around the world. Authentic religion inspires compassion and respect for everyone. Religion as defined by several sources is:

• People's beliefs and opinions concerning the existence, nature and worship of a deity or deities, and divine involvement in the universe and human life.
• A particular institutionalized or personal system of beliefs and practices relating to the divine.
• A set of strongly held beliefs, values and attitudes that somebody lives by.
• An object, practice, cause or activity that somebody is completely devoted to or obsessed by.

We, as a country, are in existence today because our forefathers were persecuted for their religious beliefs. They were forced to flee their homeland in search of a place to be free to practice their faith and to feed and raise their families in peace and without fear.

No different is the state of Israel. Israel and her people are entitled, as are all of God's children, to live in peace and prosperity in a land of their own with borders free of missile attacks.

At the close of 2008, Israel launched a defensive military action against Hamas targets in Gaza. Following years of unprovoked rocket attacks, the Israeli government has taken this action to protect her citizens.

Israel's leadership determined that it could no longer allow Hamas' declaration to destroy Israel to stand. The terrorists have amassed huge stockpiles of sophisticated weapons that are now being used to target Israeli population centers in the south, including Ashdod and Ashkelon.

It is clear that Israel's leaders have said enough is enough. Southern Nevada's Jewish community is committed to do whatever is necessary to provide aid and support for their brothers and sisters in Israel.

We, as Americans, understand the terror of Sept. 11 and treasure our homeland and life without war. Therefore, our United States has always demonstrated its solidarity with Israel in the past and should continue to do so. As an American, and as my father did before me, I will stand with Israel and her people.

For Israel, these are challenging times that demand action and support from all those who denounce anti-Semitism.

Judaism and Christianity teach that the gifts we have been given are not ours to keep but to steward responsibly and pass on in ways that help make a difference in the world. Events of the past few months have caused many to suffer and lose their homes and lives.

Let's not forget the innocent killed in the crossfire. This alone should cause us all to reassess our needs and priorities and to be thankful for all we have been given, to count our blessings, as well as our resources, to recommit ourselves to embrace our ability to care for those in need in our community and around the world.

President Obama, I also stand behind you. You have shown the world that regardless of one's race, color, creed or gender, as Americans we are united.

Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the News, can be reached at 990-2653 or [email protected].