Kyran: "I am very curious to learn where you got the idea that the religious right thinks they can hurry the 2nd Coming by supporting Israel."
God knows I'm no theologian, but as I understand it they believe (and just like Osama, they base themselves on their interpretation of their holy scriptures ... ) that the hard Israeli right will restore the ancient Hebrew Kingdom, including Judea and Samaria, provinces which make up the modern-day West Bank. This will pave the way for the end of the world, in which the Messiah will return to "Zion". Creepy, eh?
Here's a bite-size quote that I found at
http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cf...fm?ItemID=16028
"Though specifics are a little sketchy, there is a generally accepted version of events leading up to Judgment Day. First, and this is key, Jews will return to Israel. A wicked world leader -- the Antichrist -- will assume power by deceiving everyone into believing he will bring peace. Soon after, the final battle, the Apocalypse, Armageddon, will be fought.
At its conclusion, Jesus will descend from Heaven. He will come down the Mount of Olives on the east side of Jerusalem, through the Golden Gate, and into the city. (Just in case, Muslims bricked over the Golden Gate when they controlled the Old City.) There will then be a thousand-year reign of peace on Earth."
And leading the pack of the chosen ones will no doubt be Jerry Falwell and Boy George himself.