The Spirit Speaks.

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     The truth is that the other day President Trump made an announcement to declare and recognize that the USA officially recognizes that Jerusalem is Israel's capital city. Although he is right to say that every country, nation has a capital city, and why should this be a different for Israel. What makes the case different for Israel is that this decision / declaration is not only political, but it intersects with religion, making it even more political. Jerusalem is a very precious site for the three major Monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. A declaration, or a proclamation to say that the city is Israel's capital has implications. We see these at the explicit level where protests have erupted, and there have been deaths from the sides of the Palestinians, and Israelis. The explicit is derived from the implicit messages. The fact that he delivered the clear message is exclusionary, to all the other faiths, who believe this city and think of it as their own, and belonging to them. So the truth is that Jerusalem should clearly belong to all the religions who claim that is belongs to them. This is not to say that Israel should not have a capital city. 

     There should be a capital city, but I don't think that it was appropriate for President Trump to declare this. Even if the USA are close allies with Israel. His first priority as President and Commander-in-chief is to look after the interests of America. However, I would like to posit an assumption, and what I think is truthful. Once again we see a President who is looking after the interests of Ivanka Trump and family first, rather than America. Saying that the USA is a close ally to Israel is his excuse, to look after his interests of his family first. 

     So you may say, why didn't I say anything on the day of the declaration? The reason being was because I wanted to observe, what he would say, and the effects. It was all too well for him to make this declaration, but where was he when the protests erupted, and violence broke out? As a leader, considered the world leader, he also had a duty and obligation to speak out on behalf of all human beings. Allies or not - the loss of human life on any side must be stood for. His actions and in-actions, simply show what and who he stands for. A Muslim, Christian or a Jewish person are humans, before they belonged to any religious construct, or imposition. 

     So what are we to do? By recognizing and giving power to one religious group, negates the others. It creates a sense of belonging and un-belonging. President Trumps decision is not a progressive one, and actually quite out-dated. It re-claims the historical unending wars / conflicts that have taken place in the region, and has opened up all sorts of wounds. If nothing is achieved, what should be achieved, and thought about is how the religious site / land of Jerusalem can belong to all. Even though Jerusalem may not see eye to eye with Mecca, Saudia Arabia. I actually think that they can learn a lot from each other. This is not to say that I agree with all of their practices. But what I will commend them for is their ability to manage millions of worshippers and pilgrims that come to Saudi Arabia from all angles of the world. What would be quite useful is to look at their processes for the purposes of inclusion, rather than setting a claim to the religions lands. These thoughts can be related to that of Earth. The Earth belongs to everyone. But it is the social constructs, boundaries, borders, and maps that reveal who belongs where, and why. This is the same for religious sites. As much as humankind has placed a claim on lands, or religious sites, if we think deeply can anyone put a claim on anything?

     We are born for the world, we die for the world. What we do during our time upon the world, not only defines and shapes who we are as human beings, but also reveals what sort of impact, trace, or foot-print that will be left upon the world. Instead of opening old wounds, emphasizing an endless war, I think that there is a need for progression, a solution. Because what will not change is the fact that Jerusalem belongs to the Jewish people, Christians, and Muslims. Through God's eyes all are equal. No one is loved more than the other. This is what it means to be the Children of God. And if Jesus was alive in body to speak, he could potentially reveal that the Kingdom of Israel belongs to him. ;) 

Dedication: These words are dedicated to all who love the precious lands of Jerusalem. My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)

Notes: These thoughts were originally handwritten on December 11th, 2017.
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