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Part political commentator, part preacher, Glenn Beck wants the world to stand with him in support of Israel later this month.
"It doesn't matter if we stand or not because it will stand. Israel will stand," Beck said in a video about his Restoring Courage events scheduled for late August in the Holy Land. "If you're on the wrong side, you're not going to."
It's a message that, like many of Beck's pronouncements, resonates with a number of Utahns for a variety of reasons, some of which are religious. At least 50 Utahns plan to go to Israel on trips arranged by a Draper-based travel company — one of only two providers in the country authorized to sell tours that include tickets to the Beck events. And at least 15 viewing parties will take place across the state, including one at the Utah Capitol that organizers hope will draw hundreds.
Though he has many supporters in Utah and elsewhere, Beck remains controversial. Critics see the Mormon convert as an overly dramatic fearmonger who resorts to hyperbole to promote his political beliefs.
But to fans, Beck is a kindred spirit when it comes to values, politics and patriotism. When he announced he wanted to take a stand for Israel, many of those backers felt he was putting voice to their feelings.
"We believe that Israel has a divine right to exist," said Lynn Butterfield, who is hosting a viewing party in Erda, "and all of the world media has been telling one side of the story and not their side of the story."
Beck unveiled his plans shortly before a speech in which President Barack Obama called for using pre-1967 Arab-Israeli war borders as a basis for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Obama's proposal found support among those who believe Israel has taken too hard of a line against Palestinians and should work with them so they can have their own state. But the announcement also drew condemnation from the Israeli government and from many Americans, who believe Israel is rightly defending itself against its enemies.
"I don't feel like the president of the United States should necessarily be putting an ally in that position," said Lacey Smith, a Salt Lake City resident who is organizing the viewing party at the state Capitol.
But Smith, a member of the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, acknowledges that, for her, faith is part of the equation as well. It's important, she said, to be involved in government, which, in this case, means standing up for Israel.
"I believe, religiously even, that God expects us to be involved, especially in our country, which I don't believe would exist without divine providence, so this is definitely an opportunity to do that."
Michael Minch, chairman of the Philosophy and Humanities Department at Utah Valley University, said some evangelicals and some Mormons might be drawn to Beck's pro-Israel message because they believe Israel must exist for Christ to return.
"The reason why Israel is important is the very existence of Israel is key to the end of history," said Minch, who studies politics and religion. "It's key to Christ's Second Coming."
More broadly, Minch said, fundamentalists from a number of religions are drawn to Beck for the same reasons many flocked to televangelists such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson: They want a sense of certainty and control. They want to be part of helping the prophesies of their faiths come true.
"There's this grasp for knowledge but also a grasp for one's own active participation in making history turn out right," Minch said. "They want certainty and they want knowledge and they want to be given the tools by which they can take control of their lives psychologically, spiritually, politically and so on."
Beck offers all that, often referring to God, and that appeals to fans, Minch said, though that same language often makes his critics cringe. The tagline for his GBTV is "the truth lives here."
In a video on Beck's website about the upcoming events, he asked, "Who holds the line? Where is the line? I will tell you that my line is Israel. It's pretty clear, been clear for thousands of years, really quite clear."
He later said, referring to Obama's statements about Israel, "now we are on the wrong side."
"I will protect. I will defend. I will stand. I will speak, and, in the end, if it be his [God's] will, I will die right alongside my brother. That is the stand."
A Beck representative declined to schedule an interview with his boss for this story.
Minch said the Israel events are another manifestation of Beck appealing to some people's desire for certainty and control.
Butterfield, who identified himself as a Christian, likes Beck partially because they both share "a belief in God and a belief that God is actively involved in our everyday lives and that anyone can have the blessing of God's help in their lives if they'll simply have faith, listen and move or act on the promptings they receive."
Brian Mickelsen, co-owner of Voyager.Travel in Draper, said sales of Beck tours have come from across the nation, but particularly from South. About 50 tours have been sold to Utahns. He recently said about 900 people had bought packages through the agency.
The Voyager tours also include visits to sites important to Christians such as the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Cana and the Mount of Olives, along with tickets to the three sold-out Restoring Courage events.
Mickelsen said the events transcend religion.
"It's about restoring honor. It's about being truthful. It's about being able to, I guess, stand up for the silent majority," Mickelsen said. "I think what he's really trying to do is create an urgency among the silent majority that they can have a voice and not be so silent anymore. It's about the basics of Christian values."
twitter: @lschencker —
Beck's 'Restoring Courage' events
P Aug. 21 • The Courage to Love will use the stories of Ruth and Esther to inspire audiences to display loyalty, courage and love in standing with Israel. It will be held in Caesarea.
Aug. 22 • The Courage to Stand will focus on the Holocaust and strength of survivors. It will take place in Jerusalem.
Aug. 24 • The Courage to Declare will occur at the Davidson Center near the Western Wall and Temple Mount in Jerusalem and focus on supporting Israel.