somejew: You are blinded by your hatred. Nobody is “eager to drag Rav Chaim’s name through the mud”, other than those who disagree with what he said. People have claimed he was tricked, that he was mistaken… that’s insulting R’ Chaim zt”l.
Religious Zionists recognize that salvation comes from Hashem – we just view the State of Israel as part of that. It’s definitely not an avodah zarah.
You just remind me of the old story about the person stuck in a flood. He climbs to the roof of his house, and asks Hashem to save him. A boat comes along and offers to take him to safety. He says, “No thank you, Hashem will save me – I don’t need your help!” Then a helicopter comes, and he gives the same answer. In the end, he drowns. He complains to Hashem, “Why didn’t you save me? I had such faith in You!” Hashem answers, “I sent a boat and a helicopter, why did you decline them?”
