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A review by clairealex
At the Entrance to the Garden of Eden: A Jew's Search for God with Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land by Yossi Klein Halevi
5.0
This is an important book for anyone interested in ecumenical issues. Halevi tells of encounters with similarly ecumenical minded Muslims and Christians. None seem to be mainstream.
Interestingly, he finds some "ecumenical" Muslims espousing a position that includes Jews but not Christians and some Christians including Jews but not Muslims. He keeps seeking broader inclusivity.
He fears and finds some who claim ecumenical interest but continue to consider theirs the only right and true; some even proselytize.
The encounters are well told; the players are vividly described.
Halevi seeks to put religion into the Israeli/Palestinian discussion, something he claims is usually omitted. He ponders if religion could be a gateway to reconciliation. At the end, politics has overcome whatever religious rapprochement might have accomplished, had it gone mainstream.
Interestingly, he finds some "ecumenical" Muslims espousing a position that includes Jews but not Christians and some Christians including Jews but not Muslims. He keeps seeking broader inclusivity.
He fears and finds some who claim ecumenical interest but continue to consider theirs the only right and true; some even proselytize.
The encounters are well told; the players are vividly described.
Halevi seeks to put religion into the Israeli/Palestinian discussion, something he claims is usually omitted. He ponders if religion could be a gateway to reconciliation. At the end, politics has overcome whatever religious rapprochement might have accomplished, had it gone mainstream.