The Anti-Defamation League has slammed the National Council of Churches' decision to meet with President Ahmadinejad of Iran. Leaders from the United Methodist, Episcopal, Catholic, Baptist, Evangelical, Quaker and Mennonite denominations met with the Iranian President late last month, and were pleasantly surprised by Ahmedinejad's wittiness and religious devotion. The group claims that the Iranian President stated he had no intention to acquire nuclear weapons, and that the situation in the Middle East could only be resolved through politics.

Quote: "We believe it is possible for further dialogue and that there can be a new day in U.S.-Iranian relations. The Iranian government has already built a bridge toward the American people by inviting our delegation to come to Iran. We ask the U.S. government to welcome a similar delegation of Iranian religious leaders to the United States.

I have no doubt what Ahmadinejad's "political solution" to the conflict is, he has stated it several times. The Iranian President believes that all Palestinians be allowed to vote on whether Israel should exist as a nation. He knows full well this will result in the end of the "Zionist regime", which he constantly proclaims will come sooner rather than later. Of course these blind religious leaders automatically put their own interpretation on Ahmadinejad's wiley words, believing he seeks peace between Jew and Arab rather than the seeking the ultimate destruction of Israel. Or perhaps these ecumenical leaders believe that the Church has replaced Israel, and that modern Israel is not fulfilment of prophecy, but just a political anomaly of "Zionist Jews" that have stolen Arab land.

No sign of Rick Warren this time, but there is no doubt this was not a religious meeting as Rick claimed about his Syria visit, and they weren't travelling to Iran to tell the Iranian President that he needs to be saved. This was a political meeting aimed at changing US policy towards Iran. And by meeting with Ahmadinejad, these leaders have given credence to a man who is pursuing the acquisition of nuclear weapons, and intends to use them against Israel to hasten the coming of the 12th Imam.

Quote: ""By meeting with Ahmadinejad, these American Christian leaders are collaborating with a dangerous despot who calls for the destruction of Israel and denies the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. Leaders of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA had lauded Ahmadinejad as a pious and witty man. "Ahmadinejad comes across as a very religious man," said the Rev. Dr. Shanta Premawardhana, NCC's Associate General Secretary for Interfaith Relations.

Source MRZine, Jerusalem Post