|
 "We
have had enough of quarrels, perhaps sheer weariness may bring us together
in concord, to dwell in the house of the Lord as friends." (Erasmus, 1533)
In
the Middle East everyone is a victim. The deep-seated hatred and irresponsible
attitude for retribution emerges amongst whomever are the victors and
vanquished.
Judaism,
Christianity and Islam are three vines from the same soil – a belief
in the one God. We do not need a victory of one religion over another
but the recognition of the good in each religion to draw the populace
towards its needed unity.
To
the industrial West, the Arabs and Jews and their Semitic cultures are
poorly understood – or should it be put that if it were not for oil
and the holy sites the West would not be very interested in the area.
The
rise of new nationalisms combined with a fundamentalist approach to religion
are the most powerful force in world politics today. This concept allows
almost any transgression to control people and their land.
When
you read about Israel and Palestine, about the Jews and the Arabs, you
seldom see anything in print about the Christian Palestinians. They are
caught in the middle of the conflict and the ongoing peace process. There
are 120,000 Christians in Israel, 50,000 in the Occupied Territories,
(90,000 Arabic Eastern Orthodox, 50,000 Catholics, 20,000 Monophysite
Orthodox, 10,000 Protestants), and untold thousands in the refugee camps.
They are resigned to be seen as people against Israel as they have no
way of designating themselves as different from the Muslim majority. Many
have not helped themselves by reverting from their Christian to their
Arabic names.
The
result will be an exodus of many well-educated indigenous Christians who
feel they have no future in helping to make Israel and Palestine peaceful
countries. Israel will become more Jewish and less secular. Palestine
will become Muslim, even fundamentalist Muslim.
The
Christian prelates and helpers from outside Israel will continue to arrive
to run the churches, monasteries, hostels and the like. Petty feuding
will continue among Christian sects. Isrealis and Palestinians will allow
Christians to arrive in droves for their tourist dollars. Finally, the
pilgrims, tourists and adventurers worshipping at the Christian religious
sites will be looked upon by the Jews and Muslims as just another group,
somewhat like visitors to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Today,
we are surrounded by a fast moving civilization with hypnotic adherence
to the automobile, computers and the quest for monetary gain – with
little thought for the simplicity of life.
Walking
through the Old City of Jerusalem you regain this simplicity and a deeper
sympathy and appreciation for life.
If
Jesus, Mohammed, and Abraham held an emergency summit would they be able
to achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East? | 