Re: Judaism is The Only Reason Why Muslims and Christians Have a Claim on Jerusalem

In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
 [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Lisa R.) wrote:

> Part of the reason Arafat rejected Oslo is that he didn't sincerely
> think that Jews have a legitimate claim on Jerusalem. His opinion is
> echoed by some pro-Palestinian Americans.
> 
> But think it this way---what claims could either Islam or Christianity
> have on Jerusalem if Judaism hadn't claimed it first?
> 
> The answer is:  Neither religion would have any claims to Jerusalem. 
> In fact, there wouldn't have been any Jerusalem as we know it. 
> Jerusalem would have faded into obscurity after the Jebusites were
> overrun.  Instead of turning up a plethora of Biblical antiquities as
> they do today, archeologists would instead be excavating the dusty
> ruins of some nameless tenth-rate town that had ceased to matter to
> anybody three millenia ago.
> 
> Jerusalem is important to Muslims and Christians because it was
> important to Jews, and for no other reason......

While you may be correct with respect to muslims, but with respect to 
Christians you are way off base.  When I read this, the first thing that 
popped into my head was, "What is she thinking?"  I normally don't get 
into theological discussions but this is just so obvious.  Jerusalem is 
what--- maybe 5 or so miles from Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ?  
And a few miles more from Nazareth?  This is where Christ grew up and 
lived.  Saying that the only reason Christians place importance in the 
region is because it is important to Jews is just plain nonsense, sorry.