Summary 14-18 and Solution

"The Israeli conquest was not a 'reunification' of the city, but its occupation by a hostile power." The conquest of the Western wall, like the previous conquerors only breed more hate and fear. It seems like an endless cycle. The actions of the Israeli's only stirred up more conflict. From these readings, I do understand the aims and goals of each side, but these reasons to me do not justify disregarding the others.

"One of the most inescapable messages of the history of Jerusalem is that, despite romantic myths to the contrary, suffering does not necessarily make us better, nobler people. All too often, quite the reverse" Pg. 435

What Armstrong said, really stuck out to me. One would think that living through times of affliction, one would be more sympathetic towards another. It is just amazing how humanity so easily turns against one another. Armstrong really seems to hit on how much religion has brought upon evil. For the sake of religion, violence is enacted and destroys peace. What an area is supposed to be, triumphs over rights of other human beings. I am an extremely emotional person, and the last chapter especially, made me rather sad. Armstrong does not leave on a completely pessimistic ending, however, and talk about the potential of hope for the city. The key is coexistence I shall now segue into the solution portion.

The only way to a solution is tolerance. Tolerance that one may not have the same beliefs as you. Tolerance for others to take part in what is "yours". How can this be possible? I think getting to know the other side is a step in the right direction, because there is no way that all side can be right at the same time. Both religious and political authority need to be on board that true compromise the the true solution. How is this possible? I really don't know.

There was a discussion in class that history is passed down from generation to generation. How can one forget the atrocities that was inflicted on their family? How can one move on and move past from it. Though the past is a part of us, we are not people from the past. I am certainly influenced by generations before me, but it does not mean that their choices are my choices. Human beings have monstrous capabilities of inflicting damage. We are also gifted with the ability to adapt to social changes. This includes accepting people that were not accepted in the past. Relationships, regardless of what they are, are always very fragile. It is so easy for people to snap back to their discriminatory thoughts. Even through the shakiness, people need to be willing to keep taking steps forward and fight through backward motions. Humans will always have thought of hatred. However, it needs to be taught that this kind of treatment towards others is unacceptable. Therefore one can acknowledge the need to constantly improve oneself.