Topic Twelve (2010/11/29~2010/12/6): Why is Jerusalem called "The City of Heaven"?
In "Jerusalem: City of Heaven" (Discovery Channel: 1999), a historical sketch of the holy city of Jerusalem highlights the zenith importance of this city to three groups of religous believers: the Jewish people, the Christians, and the Muslims.
For the past two thousand years, these different groups of people have fought against one another in competition to get control over Jerusalem, and tragedies happen over and over again.
Religous masters teach people to love others and to co-exist in peace. However, the political situations in the middle East have been in turmoil, and hatred grows with the years.
There is a saying: "Among the ten beauties on Earth, Jerusalem possesses nine of them; among the ten vices on Earth, Jerusalem also possesses nine of ten."
Duscussion topics:
(1) Why is it that the most beautiful and the most vicious exist at the same time in Jerusalem?
(2) Do you think there is a way to make different enthnic groups living in/around Jerusalem reach a peace agreement?
Hello~Vinia. I am Serena.99540344
ReplyDelete(1) It is said that "The world's beauty includes one percent of the whole world and ninty-nine percent of Jerusalem". It is the holiest land in the world. But this is also the place where Jesus was sentenced to death. And because this is the place where many religion began, there would be many wars in Jerusalem.
(2) I think it is impossible to have no argument among different ethnic gronps living in Jerusalem. But they still can live with each other without too much disagreement. They should learn to respect each other. And if they can share their ideas when they have different notions, it must can reduce the arguments among them.
My syudent's ID is 99540338.
ReplyDeleteI would like to answer Q2.
God made this place a Holy place where lots of people go there to find the calm of soul. HE also made this place in a mess. No one can get all the advantages. And people always think that the God they believe in is the most powerful, it is the main reason that makes this place so chaotic. They want to be the main one in this holy place.They fight for their god, their beloved god.
Hello, Vinia
ReplyDeleteI'm Helen and my student ID is 99540325.
I would like to answer question one.
I think the God is fair he could give you some advantages and also some disadvantages.
No one can be the perfect in every way so that is why Jerusalem can get nine beauties and nine vices.
Because Jerusalem is a beauty and holy place that every religion and everyone want to posses it, it caused the vicious circle.
Once someone took over it the others want to take it away in order to get the most beautiful place.
That is way Jerusalem have beauties and vicious exists at the same time.
Hi, Vinia. I'm Rebecca (99540309)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to answer question2.
I think it is impossible to make three different religious groups living in Jerusalem reach a peace agreement. The power of religion is so astonishing. Although it brings people faith, it also brings chaos. People in Jerusalem stand up for their respective Gods. They think their God is one of a kind and the most powerful. They think God shows strong favoritism to them than other races. Therefore, they become narrow-minded and can't bear the existence of other Gods. That's why three groups of people launch a war against each other and fight for the Holy City at any cost.
I'm Jessica, 99540319.
ReplyDeleteIt is suprisingly natural that Jerusalem possesses both the most beautiful and the most vicious at the same time. For over two thousand years, three individual religion, even different races of people, fought over the Jerusalem, for many precious antique being left in Jerusalem. Most of the antiques had something to do with Jesus, and the wailing wall located in Jerusalem, which make Jerusalem a beautiful place. However, the tragedies happened between the three religions fighting over the city of Heaven couldn't be ignored. That makes it a vicious place as well.
I thought the people of three religions should really think about the spirit of their own religions. Chaos should never be put before peace, fighting over for Jerusalem isn't the main goal of religion. It supposed to be something more important rather than fighting for ancient things.
Hi, Vinia, I'm Mina 99540346
ReplyDeleteI want to answer question two.
I don't think it is possibile to make different ethnic groups living in Jerusalem reach a peace agreement. Becasue to every group of them, it is sure that they want to have a place, their own holy place, to worship their God. And because Jerusalem is the place that can stand for their belief most, I think there is no one want to yield to other groups. And the place, their own place, can't mix with other groups for what they believe are not the same and because there are so many fight happened before, I think it is hard for them to embrace one another.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHello, Vinia! I'm Avis, 99540335.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to talk about question no.2.
I reckon that the religion believers and religionists in Jerusalem are so drastic and follow their own God in an ecstacy. They even can sacrifice for religion. These three main religionists just advocate their own God. They can't get along well with people of other religions. Therefore, I think it is good for the people in Jerusalem to reach a peace agreement for that can reduce the confliction amgong these different ethnic groups. But reaching the agreement will be very difficult and tough beacause the power of religion is so formidable that cant't be underestimated. Every group will protect their own faith in radical way and may generate great confliction in the process of mixing them together.
December 19, 2010 8:04 AM
I'm Nina, 99540315
ReplyDeleteAnd, I'd like to anwser question2
I don't think they can reach a peaceful agreement within a few year. They needs much more time to accomplish it. However, I'm sure that there will be someday and some ways for them to live together in homony.The law should be set after dicussing and evaluated by each group. However the most thing is about respect. Once they repect each other's differences, then there will be possible for them to accept. All in all, their attitude toward others is the key to reach the goal of peace.
Hello, Vinia, I am Justin 99540307.
ReplyDeleteI would like to answer question no.1
From ancient times till now, Jerusalem is always the place filled with pleasance and bitterness. The beginning of three religions, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism is in the same place, Jerusalem, where exists specific resources for people to form their own faith. It is the reason why the most beautiful exists in Jerusalem. However, because of the limited space in Jerusalem, the three groups of people will fight for the reign of the sacred place. As a result, the place was destroyed and rebuilt for many times. Also, in the process, many people sacrificed. Therefore, it is the reason why the most vicious exists in Jerusalem at the same time.
Hello,Vinia. I am Apple Huang 99540317.
ReplyDelete(1) Why is it that the most beautiful and the most vicious exist at the same time in Jerusalem?
I think that everything will have two aspects. One is good and the other is bad. There is no things having wonderful situations. So does Jerusalem. The most beautiful and the most vicious exist in Jerusalem at the same time.
(2) Do you think there is a way to make different enthnic groups living in/around Jerusalem reach a peace agreement?
I think each religion groups can subscribe a contrac with each other. For instance,if one group wants to march in a group, the other groups can help them and not to disturb their parade. They can also divide time into several parts so they can use the place without arguing and fighting.
Hello, I am Lilian 99540351.I’d like to answer the second question.
ReplyDelete(2) Do you think there is a way to make different enthnic groups living in/around Jerusalem reach a peace agreement?
I think it is impossible make the make different enthnic groups living in/around Jerusalem reach a peace agreement. In Jerusalem, there are three groups of religious believers: the Jewish people, the Christians, and the Muslims. They have different cultures, different religious, different nation and different social stratum.
Nice to meet you prof.Vinia.I am Andy Lo(99540314)
ReplyDeleteThe reason that leads to the most beautiful Jerusalem is that according to the Bible, God appears in the country to help build the cities and so on. Thererfore, many pilgrims make pilgrimages to "the city of Heaven", Jerusalem, in oder to get closer to the God. On the other hand, the most vicious Jerusalem also comes to pass due to many wars that happened in the country, Jerusalem. The casualties that suffered from it were too heavy to speak of.Many adherants of the own God are so self-centered that they think there is no other Gods exist in the zenith of the world just as the Bible said.
In my opinion, there is no use to fight for the only God that may or may not exist, for all the religions preach to their believers to do good things instead of being wicked. Whichever religions you believe in, they all convey the same virtue ethics. Hence, it is very contradictory to fight for the God, and even irony is that the religious war itself is the oppsite of what religious masters convey. I think those three groups of religous believers: the Jewish people, the Christians, and the Muslims are all surrouded by the mist and actually don't know what they are doing now. This is what it is called SUPERSTITION.
Hi, Vinia! I am Sam, 97350314.
ReplyDeleteI want to answer question no.2.
The Holy City, Jerusalem, is for 3 different religious believers. However, still many people think that this city is only for a certain people. Because of this misunderstanding, it leads to a chaos in the very area. In my opinion, I think it’s very tough to deal with this problem. The event has derived since the 3 religions were established. They had their own beliefs toward God; there was no way to coexist and to be compromised for the other. Thus, if the problem needs to be coped with in a nice and reasonable method, the three groups should try to be magnanimous and tolerant and it might be easily solved
Hi, Vinia. I am Vicky 99540323.
ReplyDeleteI would like to answer Q2.
I think there is a way to make different ethnic groups living in Jerusalem reach a peace agreement. There are many ethnic groups in Jerusalem, but they are monotheism. They all believe in one God, and they are so faithful and obedient to God that they can either accept or ignore all kinds of thoughts that are different. They can just share their own opinions about God with each other. They can still remain what they are and what their thoughts about God are. So, that's why I think there is a way to make different ethnic groups in Jerusalem reach a peace agreement.
99540345
ReplyDeleteThe City of the Heaven , the place which God chose to place His name.! The name Jerusalem probably means “people, house, or habitation of peace". There are three different religious groups living in Jerusalem and lead a peace agreement. The geographical center is of the earth, the focal point of the world’s history and the world’s future. Jerusalem! The place the place filled with pleasance and bitterness! The very mention of its name brings joy and awe to all those who love and honor god.
Hi, Vinia. I'm Johnny 99540311
ReplyDeleteI'd like to answer question2.
Three religions, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism is in the same place , Jersualem !!
From ancient times till now , countless fight
and countless anger had lived in the Jersualem !
I think those people who died in the Jersualem
were so pity , they just want to get close to the saint but they cant !!! They had done so many wrong things such as killing people or treat bad to people !! Bible say you can't kill people ... in the Jesus of name we are all famliy ... should treat your brother and sister nice ... !! They didnt understand bible but they really want that Jersulam !! I thnik maybe one day when Jersulam disappear , that is really peaceful day !!! no place will let people to fight for !!!
Hi, Vinia. I’m Diana 99540328.
ReplyDeleteI would like to answer the question number two: Do you think there is a way to make different ethnic groups living in/around Jerusalem reaches a peace agreement?
I think there’s no way to make them peacefully live in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a holly place to Judaism, Christianity, and Muhammedanism. Human beings are all selfish and always want to monopolize something. So, no one will be the first to give away Jerusalem.
If I’m a pious believer, then forgoing the holy land would be like abandoning my own faith. Furthermore, when it comes to religion, people seem to be crazier about it. The territorially problem would be solved long ago, if it can be solved.
Hi, Vinia!!
ReplyDeleteI'm Francis. 99540320
I would like to answer quesiton (2) Do you think there is a way to make different enthnic groups
living in/around Jerusalem reach a peace agreement?
My answer is No. Religion is powerful, and also an important anchor for we people.
We count on religion most of our time no matter we are happy or sad.
Maybe somehow religion to people who have deep faith in it is just like an identification.
They hold on to their own religion and accept also only their doctrines.
So, there won't be any compromise and also agreement.
People have already been separated deeply from mind by their own religion.
Hi, Vinia, I'm Renee, no.99540312
ReplyDeleteI'd like to answer question no.2. Do you think there is a way to make different "ethnic" groups living in/around Jerusalem reach a peace agreement?
In school, teachers always tell us that we should learn how to respect different races and different belief, and if we can do that, then we can all live in peace. However, the religious and cultural problems in Jerusalem have always been the main reason why the people there fight a lot. People from different background want others to believe, or at least respect the god they believe, and the religion they belonged to. The problems have been there for such a long time, they all want to prove that their belief is the best. So I don't think there's really a solution to this problem, as long as Jerusalem exist, the conflict between those groups will always exist.
Hi, Vinia I am Alien. 99540336
ReplyDeleteToday I want to answer the second question, do you think there is a way to make different enthnic groups living in Jerusalem reach peace agreement. Actually, I think it is impossible to make peace among these three religions. Maybe they will make a peace agreement in the future but at least now it is impossible. These three religion have their own idea about their God not everyone is the same. They have different to worship their God. I think it is too difficult for them to make a agreement.
Hi Vinia, I'm Emma Chang, 99540316.
ReplyDeleteI would like to answer no.2.
Is that any possibility for different ethnic groups living in Jerusalem peaceblly?
I think there's no way for them to live together. The answer to this question will be absolutely no.
Because I have seen the movie, in the movie, the Jewish people, the Christians, and the Muslims have countless fights in order to be in charge of the city, Jerusalem, City of Heaven. Of, course, there're also related to their religion. They believe that God is there in the city so they want to get closer to thier god. Nowadays, I have aslo seen many news talking about this issue and they are still fighting with each other and sometimes even cause many innocent people's death.
Although the God gave this beautiful city for all people, people's jealous and greedy make it impossible to reach agreement to live happily together.
Hello, Vinia, I’m 99540302, Joyce.
ReplyDeleteI want to talk about question2.
In my opinion, it's impossible to find a way to make different ethnic groups living In Jerusalem reach a peace agreement. Every ethnic group wants to have own space to worship their god. Also, they think their god is the most powerful that no one can compare with their own god. However, there are three religions—Judaism, Christianity and Islam in Jerusalem.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm Jonathan 99540310
ReplyDeleteI'd like to answer question 2
I think that they can not live peacefully only in Jerusalem, because Jerusalem is the "Holy city", it's the one place they believe in. Maybe in other countries or cities they can live peacefully together, that's because they're not in Jerusalem. They have their own lives to live on, and it's just a wast of time on arguing about their beliefs. But because Jerusalem is the origin of their religion, they fight and die just to claim Jerusalem their home.
Hello, I'm Chloe. 99540305.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to reply to question 1. I think the reason that the most beautiful and the most vicious could coexist at the same time is because that Jerusalem is a holy, religious place. People put their believes, hopes and dreams there, which makes the place beautiful and serene. But at the same time because of the difference, and their obstacle of tolerating each other, the place became the most vicious place on earth.
Hello, Vinia. I’m Jane 99540347.
ReplyDeleteI would like to answer question 2.
I think it is very hard for the three different religious groups of people, the Jewish people, the Christians, and the Muslims, living in Jerusalem reach a peace agreement. I think they all want to live in peace with each other, and they don’t want to hurt anyone, but when it comes to share the place, the city of heaven, no one can make a concession; no one will give in this place because they all think that it belongs to them. But indeed, it belongs to nobody. No one really owns the city, it is a place for everyone to come and leave. So I think if they don’t change their concept, there won’t be a peace agreement.
Hello, Vinia~ I am Eva and my student number is 99540308
ReplyDeleteI would like to answer Q.(2) Do you think there is a way to make different ethnic groups living in/around Jerusalem reach a peace agreement?
I think there must have one way to resolve the problems in the middle East. However, their hatred in their mind has made them dislike each other for a long long time. It is very difficult for them to live peacefully unless they learn to respect each other’s religion. Or, there will always have battle in their living place.
Hi, Vinia. I’m Pattie. 99540333 I want to answer question No.1. Why is it that the most beautiful and the most vicious exist at the same time in Jerusalem? I think the position which Jerusalem located is a good place for humans to live there. That’s why there are a lot of people who have different faith having once lived there. Because of this, their important buildings are at the same place such as Wailing Wall and Mosque. The most beauty there is the faith and the scenery of ancient buildings. The most vicious violence still happened there because the different faith leads to the results.
ReplyDeleteHello, Vinia, I am Daisy, 99540342.
ReplyDeleteI would like to answer question 1.
Jerusalem is the holy place where has three religions at the same time, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Jerusalem has many beautiful cathedrals so many people come here to pray. There is a saying, “Among the ten beauties on Earth, Jerusalem possesses nine of them; among the ten vices on Earth, and Jerusalem also possesses nine of ten.” Many religions began from here. This place is so wonderful that many people wanted to reign over it so this is why this city is the most beautiful and the most vicious exist at the same time in Jerusalem.
I'm Robert 99540313.
ReplyDelete(2) Do you think there is a way to make different enthnic groups living in/around Jerusalem reach a peace agreement?
No, I don't there is a way to make different ethnic group living in Jerusalem reach a peace agreement. There are three different groups of people believe in Jerusalem, and they all have one thing in common: they think there is only one god in the world. They just believe in their own gods and cannot bear other viewpoint toward religion, that's why the three different believers fight against one another for so many years. Therefore, it's very difficult for those people to admit that there are other gods exist, because that's how their religion teaches them to believe. It's just the way keep them worshiping the real god. So I think there is no way for the three ethnic group to be peaceful toward one another in terms of Jerusalem.
I’m Grace Wei, 99540334
ReplyDeleteI would like to answer the question 1: why is it that the most beautiful and the most vicious exist at the same time in Jerusalem?
I think that’s all because Jerusalem is a holy city to the three major Abrahamic religions-Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Therefore, it is a city of different culture, religion and race. It is very important to them when worship their god. Besides, today the status of Jerusalem is the core issues in the Israeli and Palestinian conflict. But what we can deny is the holy relics in Jerusalem. Every year there are a lot of people coming here to appreciate and talk to their god.
Hi Vinia, this is Joseph 99540301.
ReplyDeleteMany biblical characters saw Jerusalem as a sacred place because Jerusalem was the place where Western and European religions started.
There's a saying "Where to start where to end."
It's said that God will come to Earth the second time and revive all the dead from Jerusalem to the end of the world.
So that's the reason why Jerusalem is called the city of Haven.
Hello, I’m Amy. 99540348
ReplyDeleteToday I want to answer question 2.
(2) Do you think there is a way to make different ethnic groups living in/around Jerusalem reach a peace agreement?
I think there is one way to make different ethnic groups living in peace. As we know that every group has its own belief, to which is what they stick. They are not easy to compromise and surrender. However, if they change their mindsets, there may be a chance for them to live in peace. They respect each other, but they can still keep faith in their own God, which is a very mutually beneficial thing to do. What I want to say is that once those people make up their minds, they can create a peaceful environment instead of a turbulent one.
Hi Vinia, I am Yuka 099540352.
ReplyDeleteThe city of Jerusalem is the birthplace of the most dominant religions of the world. It has rich historical relics and cultural wonders. But religion itself is a very political concept. Segregation of believes has always caused people to go to war against each other. For this reason, Jerusalem will never be peaceful, its historical spectacle IS its ultimate vice.
Hi, I'm Neo 98540451.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to answer question 2. I think there is a way to make different enthnic groups living in/around Jerusalem reach a peace agreement. Jerusalem is a sacred city, and people who live there have a common consensus that they should bring peace and love in Jerusalem. Maybe there is a miraculous power and special blessing around the city, and I think that's why different enthnic groups can reach a peace agreement.
Hi Vinia, I’m Mavis 99540303.
ReplyDeleteI would like to answer the question 1: why is it that the most beautiful and the most vicious exist at the same time in Jerusalem?
Many religions founded by Jerusalem, include Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. These religion have their own followers, all of them want to possess this wonderful and ideal place to propagate their faith. And people are selfish, so they fought over Jerusalem, and this beautiful place became vicious. I think it is reason why the most beautiful and the most vicious exist at the same time in Jerusalem.
Hi, Vinia. I’m Eva Huang 99540321.
ReplyDeleteI think it’s impossible for them to reach a peace agreement. We all know that Jerusalem is sacred place for the Jewish, Christians and Muslims. Every culture and religion has its own doctrine, which they believe in. Besides, we all know that we have to respect others, whatever the things are. However, we still have something to stick to. Sometimes, we don’t want to obey or agree with others’ words or behavior and so forth, especially about such a sensitive issue. I think no one knows for sure that when the chaos will end, maybe we can do is try our best to prevent the worst thing from happening.
Hello, Vinia. I'm Betty, 99540322.
ReplyDeleteI would like to answer Q1.
Jerusalem is the birthplace of many religions, such as the Christianity, the Catholicism, and the Judaism. I guess that's the most beautiful part of Jerusalem. It is just a place, yet it breeds three religions. Though Jerusalem is a peaceful place, the followers of its religions often have disagreements with one another. They had fight in ancient times, and they argued now.
As a consequence, no matter how beautiful Jerusalem is, it would become vicious with so many disputes.
Hi, Vinia. I’m Emma. My ID number is 99540341.
ReplyDeleteI want to answer question two.
We all know that there are always many wars from the past to the present in Jerusalem. I think each group wants to get control Jerusalem and doesn’t want to share with other groups. Human beings are selfish. It is hard to say Jerusalem belongs to which group because every group had a relationship of history with Jerusalem. And their belief is different and extreme, even in the same group so it is hard to reach a peace agreement in Jerusalem.
Hi,Vinia. I'm Annie. (99540330)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to answew Q2.
In my opinion, it is very difficult to make different enthnic groups living in/around Jerusalem reach a peace agreement.
All of the people are eager to own this holy place,Jerusalem for the sake of showing how
admirable they are to their respective belief in God. No group wants to give in to another that's why this place is always disturbed with so many fights,quarrel,and even lead to the serious wars. As a result, unless people let hostility down and don't be so selfish and weak, there is possible to live with each other peacefully.
Hello, I am Monica 99540337.
ReplyDeleteI would like to answer question no.2.
As we can see in thousands years, these different groups of people have fought against one another in competition to get control over this place, and, sadly, tragedies happen again and again. Although, from religion we learned that people have to love each other and to co-exist peacefully, the situation in that area is always in disturbance. I don’t think it’s easy to think out a proper peace agreement. Maybe some developed countries can help them make out a project, and also the professional religious researchers can also join this challenge because of the world peace.
Like a lot of people I am rather skeptic about the prospect of the different ethnic groups to live in Jerusalem in complete peace. Of course I am in favor of it, but they have been arguing, fighting, and killig for the last two thousand years, how big are the chances that they suddenly stop? Their motives and ambitions haven't changed. Of course, people and nations have become more sophisticated, less cruel (?) due to laws and all, I guess, but that hadn't stoped people to act brutal in the past. So one can only hope that one they they will all get it, understand that that is hopefully not what their God intended and share that holy place since they all share its importance.
ReplyDelete