“It’s just a rock” were the words spoken today by our local guide as he took us through the Dome of the Rock.

“We believe in God, the rest is fairly tales” he said next. This seemed to be at least one of the themes for the day. “It’s just a cave” stated another guide, as we visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. “You can stand in line for an hour to go inside the tomb but, you know what? Jesus isn’t there.”

I heard versions of these sentiments throughout the day. Why do religions fight over physical objects, over control of churches, over control and ownership of sacred grounds? These are objects of man, not of God. “Look up” our guide said, “We share the same God.” Simple really.

Mark Mehos