Figure 1.--Jeursalem is an important site to yhree of the world's great religions. This photograph was taken in Jerusalem during the 1920s. I'm not sure about the precise location. We see an Arab boy riding a donkey on the city streets.

The importance of Palestine in the modern era is to a large extent is due to its religious significance. It is astounding to think how three of the world's great relgions are attached to Palestine in a major way. Two of the world's great relgions (Judiaism and Christianity) were founded there and the reglion has a major Islamic site. One wonders how this could be the case. Logically it seems unlikely. We suspect that the location of Palestine astride trade routes and the resulting intelectual cross-fertilization was a powerful factor here. This would be amazing enough in such a small land, but all three religions focus their attention on a small area of Jeruselum--explaining why the status of that city is such a difficult political issue. Jerusalem is especially important and the location of many charity houses, churches, monasteries, mosques, schools, and other buildings of religious importance. The buildings are located on the slopes of Al-Tur mountain and inside the walls of the old city of Jerusalem. Sites of religious importance are not just located in Jerusalem , but throughout Palestine. The Jews see sites throughout Palestine mentioned in the Torah and other Old Testament books. Jeursalem was the Jewish capital and the sight of Solomon's temple. There are many important Christian sites in Palestine such as Bethlehsam and Nasareth and the Jordan River. Jerusalem was where Christ was crucified. Muslims are especially interested in Jerusalem. Muslims believe that the Dome of the Rock is where the prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven.

Religious Imporance

The importance of Palestine in the modern era is to a large extent is due to its religious significance. It is astounding to think how three of the world's great relgions are attached to Palestine in a major way. Two of the world's great relgions (Judiaism and Christianity) were founded there and the reglion has a major Islamic site. One wonders how this could be the case. Logically it seems unlikely. We suspect that the location of Palestine astride trade routes and the resulting intelectual cross-fertilization was a powerful factor here.

Jerusalem

This would be amazing enough in such a small land, but all three religions focus their attention on a small area of Jeruselum--explaining why the status of that city is such a difficult political issue. Jerusalem is especially important and the location of many charity houses, churches, monasteries, mosques, schools, and other buildings of religious importance. The buildings are located on the slopes of Al-Tur mountain and inside the walls of the old city of Jerusalem.

Individual Religions

Sites of religious importance are not just located in Jerusalem , but throughout Palestine. The Jews see sites throughout Palestine mentioned in the Torah and other Old Testament books. Jeursalem was the Jewish capital and the sight of Solomon's temple. There are many important Christian sites in Palestine such as Bethlehsam and Nasareth and the Jordan River. Jerusalem was where Christ was crucified. Muslims are especially interested in Jerusalem. Muslims believe that the Dome of the Rock is where the prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven.

Judiaism

The Jews see sites throughout Palestine mentioned in the Torah and other Old Testament books. Jeursalem was the Jewish capital and the sight of Solomon's temple.

Christianity

There are many important Christian sites in Palestine such as Bethlehsam and Nasareth and the Jordan River. Jerusalem was where Christ was crucified. Muslims are especially interested in Jerusalem. The Church of Holy Sepulchre is perhaps the most important Christian site in Jerusalem. The church was built by St. Helena (Constantine's mother) in 335 A.D. It is a major site of Christian pilgrims, especially durin Easter and Christmas. Another important site is the Church of Gethsemane. It was built on the location of the garden of Gethsemane. It was here where Jesus and his disciples concealed themselves before being taken prisoner from the garden to Jerusalem. Some Biblical sites have been identified. The acttual location of the Crusifixtion and Accession are disputed.

Islam

Muslims believe that the Dome of the Rock is where the prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is of special interest. It is located on the south-side of the Old City, surrounded on the south and east by the wall of Soloman's Great Temple. The Mosque is mentioned in the Koran. The Dome of the Rock is also located on the Temple Mount. Muslims believe that the Dome of the Rock is where Mohammad ascended to heaven. It was built by the Ummayad Caliph Abdul Malek Ibn Marwan in 684 AD. The Dome of the Rock was built in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Created: 11:29 PM 4/29/2006
Last updated: 11:29 PM 4/29/2006