he Jewish patriarchs and prophets. So do Muslims, who also revere Jesus and the Virgin Mary, both of whom are given high honors in the Koran. Whether called Israel or Palestine, the land in question is the Holy Land of three faiths. Yet nowhere has religious conflict been more relentless or insoluble than in the Middle East, and in the "Holy Land" most of all.
Why is this? Is there something in religion that rouses irrational passion, a fervent love of God that can easily flare into hatred of His supposed enemies? Or is religion itself an innocent victim in these conflicts, a banner or pretext under which other issues are fought out issues which, exposed for themselves, might seem less lofty, le
...