This is a list of investments by Churches into the cashcow called Israel.
More importantly however is to recognize the fact that normal Protestant sects (not just Fundamentalist) have Billions of dollars to invest and they are all currently placing their hard-conned money into corporations involved in the Israeli occupation. This is the Military-industrial-religious-complex. Organized Religions are, after all, mulch-national billionaire corporations who do not pay taxes and have an economic interest in investing in the conflicts they can help foster with religious rhetoric. This is why Israel enjoys the support of Christian fanatics, it's not just the temple on the mount BS, Israel is a Cashcow for the MIC and the Churches use it to profiteer. That's right, this is not some illuminati or devil worshiping cult that's to blame, (as the theory pitched by some holy roller Preachers like Tex Marrs-an idiot who believes in bible prophecy) it's good old Christian Churches. I bet you didn't know they even had Billions of dollars much less that much invested in the occupation of Palestine. Imagine how much churches could help the poor with all that money if they spent it on that instead of on warfare.
These are just the Protestant Churches who have considered divestment, putting morals over profits. Other Protestants sects are not even listed. None of them have actually divested a penny to date. I just found it telling that even though they "talk" about divestment it is just shocking to see how much they have invested in this fascist occupation, (just like they did South Africa).
Billions invested in the Israeli occupationPresbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) 8 BILLION
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is slated to meet in Birmingham, Alabama in June 2006 to vote on the next step in its controversial divestment process, and it is still unclear what direction it will take. A special committee appointed by PCUSA to investigate the issues told representatives from a coalition of Jewish organizations in January 2006 that they did not expect their work to be finished in time for the national conference in June.
Meanwhile, dozens of resolutions -- called overtures in church terminology -- have been debated across the United States by local PCUSA synods or chapters offering proposals on whether PCUSA should proceed with its divestment campaign, or whether the movement should delay or abandon divestment as its strategy.
The controversy first erupted in July 2004, when the PCUSA General Assembly voted to divest from companies doing business with Israel. The Church's investment portfolio has
$8 billion in holdings. The vote, passed by 431-62, calls on the "Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee (MRTI) to initiate a process of phased, selective divestment in multinational corporations operating in Israel." Through an internal process, the PCUSA later added an additional focus on companies that might support violence against Israelis. The PCUSA's Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) identified four companies that work with Israel (Caterpillar, ITT, Motorola, and United Technologies Corporation). They also identified one company for its alleged actions that involve support for terrorism (Citigroup). The MRTI committee has stated that it will not move for the sale of any of these stocks.
Despite the Presbyterian divestment initiative, many church leaders and people in the pews across the country have strongly and vocally disagreed with the Church's proposal to divest from Israel. See: What They Are Saying: Statements by Church Leaders on Divestment
Episcopal/Anglican Church (ECUSA) £4 BILLIONIn fall 2004, the Episcopal Church announced that it would likely conduct a yearlong examination of whether or not the Church should divest its holdings from companies doing business in Israel. In an October 1 statement, Episcopal Bishop Christopher Epting, the church's ecumenical director, and the Rev. Brian Grieves, director of its peace and justice division announced that the investigation will look into what investments are "appropriate with companies that contribute to the ongoing (Israeli) Occupation (of Palestinian territories), especially in the areas of home demolitions, settlement building and the separation wall."
However, after a period of review and consultation, including meetings with national Jewish agencies, the ECUSA announced it had removed divestment from consideration.
I did not discover what every church gives, only the ones who plan on divesting. You can bet with certainty that other Churches such as the Baptist gross much higher and give/invest far more into Israel. I hope you are beginning to see how the Christian wing of tax free money feeds into the military industrial complex. This is also why the Israeli lobby which demands the conflict continue gets so much money. Christians do more than support Israel with their mouths. Christian institutions have their lips firmly around the entire sticky buttocks of the Zionist fascist.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)The ELCA, at its Church-wide Assembly in summer 2005 considered and rejected a divestment resolution, instead adopting a "positive investment" policy to foster peace and cooperation in the region. This approach stresses an investment of "advocacy, volunteer work, and financial resources in those who share in the quest for peace with justice."
United Church of Christ (UCC)The UCC, at its General Synod, also in summer 2005, considered and rejected a divestment resolution. A "positive investment" substitute was passed out of committee. However, a last minute "compromise" was moved and adopted that included both "positive investment" and an endorsement of divestment. The resolution did not initiate any divestment process, though, and UCC leaders have stated that none is planned.
United Methodist Church (UMC)The UMC has continued to defer any action on divestment. Two local regions adopted resolutions in support of divestment. National leaders, however, have expressed their opposition to any similar action on behalf of the UMC.
UpdateMethodist ~$8 billion
It seems the Methodist are making moves to divest from Israel.
Methodist Conference sets new rules for ethical investment in Israel and Palestine.
Quote:
The Methodist Conference has voted for the Church to draw up guidelines on how to engage with corporations or activities that support illegal Israeli activity in the West Bank or Gaza strip companies, with disinvestments as the ultimate sanction
“We cannot turn a blind eye to this suffering,” he said. “I believe we should not invest in companies that involve themselves in activities that defy UN resolutions.” -June 2006
sourceTwo United Methodist gatherings (In Virginia) urge selective divestment from Israel Church of England £2.3 Billion (pounds not dollars) and that is just in ONE company!
On February 6, 2006, the Church of England's General Synod overwhelmingly voted to divest from companies whose products are used by Israel in the Palestinian territories. The Synod backed a call by the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem to divest from "companies profiting from the illegal occupation," such as Caterpillar. The Church described its support for divestment as "morally responsible investment". The divestment vote was spearheaded by radical Anglicans, among them Bishop John Gladwin, who maintains a close association with the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem.
The current Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, voted in favor of the divestment motion. His predecessor, Lord Carey, spoke forcefully against divestment and declared himself "ashamed to be an Anglican" after the vote was passed.
One month after the Synod vote, which is not binding, the Church's Ethical Investment Advisory Group announced that it would not withdraw its investment in Caterpillar (
worth 2.3 million Pounds), since it could find "no compelling evidence" of the company's involvement in the abuse of human rights. In response, anti-Israel activists in the Church have urged individual parishes to withdraw monies from the Church's Central Board of Finance
Learn more about Divestment and the Christian role in it
here
