Class Image

    Our class discussion and class readings continue to reinforce that Jerusalem is a city which is full of conflict, both historically and today.  Yet, the image (above), which was chosen to be central to the class blog, does not show this conflict - it shows hope.  Though some may say that representing the class and Jerusalem in such a manner is unrealistic, I like that we have chosen this picture.  This image offers hope for peace and harmony while inspiring people to work to achieve that peace and harmony.

Personal Symbols

Saving the Temple

    In chapters 5-7, Karen Armstrong repeatedly writes of the idea that the Temple is the core of the Jewish people.  Being that the temple is where God resides, Jerusalem - or any place for that matter, is worthless without the temple because there would be no connection to God. 
     Since the Jewish people believed in this connection to God through the temple, they were very protective of the temple.  Armstrong recounts several times when the Temple was threatened or invaded by other political leaders only to be met with riots and protests by the Jewish people.  She then tells of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and his visit to the temple where he prophesied, "Not a single stone will be left on another; everything will be destroyed."  In light of all the previous and attempted attacks on the Temple, it makes sense that the Jewish leaders would be worried.  Previously, I had considered the desire of the Jewish leaders to be rid of Jesus to stem purely from jealousy and worry that he was leading the Jewish people incorectly, but this idea of the leaders eliminated Jesus partly because he presented a threat to the temple, their link to God, is completely logical and may even explain the choice those who had been more sympathetic towards Jesus to turn against him.  "Any threat to the Temple, especially during the crowded and emotional festival of Passover, was liekly to lead to violence, which, in turn, could result in dreadful reprisals.  Jesus was a risk that the Jewish people could not afford."
     After the death and ressurection of Jesus, Jewish people became more willing to see God as mobile again as the idea that the sacred could be manifested in a human and that "spiritual reality" could be reached without the Temple, if one believed in Christ and the earth dwelling presence of God, began to be taught - and believed.

Image ideas for Class Blog

Seeking Paradise

       Karen Armstrong, in Chapter 1 of Jerusalem, in trying to explain why the specific place of Jerusalem is so important, discusses the yearning of humans for "something different from the flawed present."  People innately search for a place that puts them in touch with the sacred.  Armstrong then argues that "Today many people seek this paradisal harmony in art, drugs, or sex; in the ancient world, men and women sought it by living in a place where, they believed the lost wholeness could be recovered."  Although, some people do turn to sex, drugs, success, etc. to create their paradise, I think wrong for her to claim that these are the only ways of people today and that only in the "ancient world" did people associate paradise with a particular place.  If this was true, why does the conflict over Jerusalem still exist today?  People today, still look to specific locations to provide harmony and wholeness.  Jerusalem is important to all who claim it as their own because of their personal histories attached to it and the idea that it is their home, in which they, as a people, once enjoyed success, power, and harmony.  Jerusalem still represents a paradise and people are still seeking it.

World News Connection

   As mentioned in class, this link, World News Connection, provided through the IU Library, provides current and past newspaper articles from around the world which are already translated into English. http://dlib.eastview.com.ezproxy.lib.indiana.edu/

City of Peace - Reading Response

    Through each of the readings, it can be seen that Jerusalem has been a site for constant and continuing conflict.  In a repeating manner, Jerusalem has been built, conquered, destroyed, and rebuilt throughout history.  It is ironic, therefore, that in his article, "Jerusalem: Then and Now," Mick Dumper writes that "Jerusalem" is derived from the Hebrew word "Yerushalaim" which means "city of peace." 
     Peace, though, was, and is, scarce in Jerusalem.    Conflicts in culture, architecture, traditions, and religion arose each time that Jerusalem was conquered and a change in power occurred.  Over time, these conflicts have compounded upon one another and have been influenced by the emotions attached to either being conquered or being the conqueror.  All factions within the city, having been the conquerors at one time, feel they have the right to the city.  After so many years of continual conflict, the divided groups within Jerusalem seem unable to work past feelings of hate and distrust and memories of tension and it seems unlikely that Jerusalem will ever become truly a city of peace.