Disciples of Christ Oppose Israel's Fence

I was raised Disciples of Christ. I didn't know much about what set the denomination apart from others, except that we didn't have to go to catechism like the poor, unfortunate Catholic kids. My dad's mom was Disciples of Christ, and her maternal grandfather (who brought his family out West from Kansas in 1888 in a covered wagon) founded First Christian Church of Tacoma, Washington. Or so says family legend.

Nutshell on Disciples of Christ: Founded as part of the Restoration Movement of the mid-1800s (pre-Civil War), which was non-denominational. Turned into a denomination under its own momentum. Split officially in 1906 into the smaller Churches of Christ and the larger Disciples of Christ, which then split in 1927 into Disciples of Christ and Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ (more detail here), with Disciples of Christ heading into liberal territory and the Independent churches heading into conservative territory. I've been attending an Independent Christian Church for 18 years.

Today's Jerusalem Post reports (here) that the Disciples of Christ general assembly has called for Israel to dismantle the West Bank security barrier. I find the decison both disturbing and comforting. Disturbing for the same reason Rabbi Cooper gives:

"The resolution is an abomination," said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Wiesenthal Center. "It is shocking and depressing that a vanguard of social activism like the Disciples of Christ would be so blind and deaf to Jewish suffering," he told The Jerusalem Post.

The general assembly even refused the opportunity to have a survivor of the 2003 bombing at Jerusalem's Cafe Hillel speak to them. This refusal showcases the closed minds on the general assembly, an unfortunate condition to find in a Christian church.

I find it comforting on a personal level, because I attend a church whose independent status (there is no national organization/denomination) prevents a general assembly or other governing body from dictating distasteful policy. My church is full of people who recognize the importance of Israel on both a global and a spiritual level.

"I have no doubt that had theses delegates seen the human face of the victims of Palestinian terrorism, the outcome could have been much different," Cooper said.

I'm not so sure. The Disciples' general assembly is apparently so close-minded that, even if the human face of the victims were before the assembly, that group would just shut their eyes and proceed with their condemnation of Israel's self-defense.