Gullible or Credulous

 Before getting into this article entitled Gullible or Credulous, let’s define these two words. “Gullible” is based on having or showing too great a readiness to believe things.   “Credulous” is very similar; gullibility stresses being duped or made a fool of, suggesting a lack of intelligence, whereas credulity stresses forming beliefs uncritically, thus indicating a lack of skepticism and/or discernment. 

In between the two World Wars, and especially after the latter, in the wake of the establishment of the State of Israel, the West (including Israel) has had to deal with a very distraught and hostile Islamic world. The Arabs maintained that their lands had been stolen from their (now defunct) Caliphate. Being subjects to and of their superior-to-all-others religious system, it was and is incumbent upon them to try to convert all non-believers to Islam.  If met with resistance, it gives them the right to use force, or, in the event of being at a temporary disadvantage, negotiations are in place. All means are kosher in order to achieve the ultimate goal of dominance. Thus, when dealing with the “infidel,” it is obligatory to do so by the usage of cunning and deception. This approach is being applied today in the negotiations with the gullible peace-seeking Western world. Scripture points out that this kind of peace, “when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11) is futile and dangerous. Such is our reality today, with this credulous mindset being exploited very boldly. We, who are not naïve, see red lights flashing everywhere when, for example, an ISIS leader takes over the government in Syria and declares his desire to join the Abraham Accords. Strangely enough, though, even here in Israel, there are those whose eyes are still blinded to the enemy’s tactics, being gullible, credulous, and… stupid.  

A personal anecdote, veering somewhat off the subject but landing on the same spot….

Recently, I had to renew my American Passport. I sent it to the American Embassy in Jerusalem, but I had no idea, until I arrived, about the location of the compound in question. Getting off a city bus and having to walk a couple of blocks, I resorted to Google Maps, which showed that I was crossing the so-called “green line” (the 1949 armistice border) in order to arrive at my destination.  Once at the Embassy, it was hard not to notice that most of the staff were made up of Palestinians (Israeli residents from East Jerusalem, who are not citizens).  Was this situation, of chosen location and staff, indicative that in “real-life” this American representation venue is actually designed for a future Palestinian state? Over the past several decades, Jerusalem has been expanded to include this area, but was it ever intended as the site for a future American Embassy in Israel? By the way, the old Tel-Aviv one still functions, just like the new one.  

A show of strength, i.e., military power, may cause the enemy to allegedly negotiate a ceasefire or maybe even a peace treaty. However, that too is a war tactic to keep maintaining the upper hand.   Islamic leaders have had 1400 years of dealing with their Western enemies. This Islamic history has helped them advance their agenda. In the past 30 years or so they have made almost more strides forward, in subduing their western enemies than at any other era. Time is on their side. Even if Israel and the United States penalize them by force, they will still come out on top through their style of negotiations. Conversely, wars (even among themselves), for example, are a means for multitudes of refugees to flee to other countries, mainly western ones, and start the process of taking over by becoming landmines in the enemy’s homeland.  This has been the case for several decades, and everyone is in fear of stepping on one of these explosive traps. Humanitarianism has won the hearts of the ‘Christian’ world, blinding them to YHVH’s scriptural realities and solutions for His people’s future. Yet there is always a remnant that the Father will keep for His purposes.  May we be counted among them!