Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths- Chapters 10-13

Chapters ten through thirteen were not very interesting contextually. I feel they are dragging on the story that has become so typical throughout the novel- war and more war for religious peace. However, this section of the novel made me more inquisitive about the mind of man. I find it fascinating that all of these unmerciful acts were being attributed to religion and were done in the name of God and religion. Not only were people persecuted but they were made to live in a true religious hell. When referring to the development of new monasteries Armstrong states, "Each settlement was thus a new Eden, a new beginning. The monks could live a paradisal life of intimacy with God, like the first Adam." What Armstrong indirectly alludes to is that the original inhabitants of the locations were displaced and disregarded.

Initially Jerusalem was to be a holy city of peace in the name of religion, regardless of the religious group that held power, but it was transformed into a holy city fueled by political agendas and greed. As one group took power they attempted to out show and show up the previous groups feats. I feel it is this mindset of doing better than the last or being more notable than others is the main fuel to the fire in the Israeli Palestinian conflict. From the readings I am drawing that Armstrong is making a statement against religion and its definition of peace. I think Armstrong is trying to reveal the faults of the three religions to prove that one is in fact not better than the rest. Therefore one religion cannot claim to have the sole right to call Jerusalem its holy city, but rather they all need to learn how to share it as equals.