Physical Settings Impression Report 4: Benjamin

"Wilderness of Judah"

The wilderness east of Jerusalem continues to amaze me every time I see it. It looks like an endless ocean of hard packed sand dunes. Yet most of what it is just at sea level if not lower. These mountains off to the east, in essence do seem like mountains or large hills, extending into the sky, yet when compared to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, it really sits quite low. How amazing is God?

"walking along the ascent of adumin" "This is for sure where Jesus walked"

At first glance it appears to be wasteland, desolate, bare, and dry, ready to consume an irresponsible traveler. After taking a closer glance, the brown shrubs is actually full of nutrients for the desert Bedouin. Walking not a mere 200 feet I’m already tired, sweating, and missing the sweet comforts of a nice air conditioned home or even a nice air conditioned car that can take me across the vast hills of the wilderness. “How weak am I to be called a follower of Jesus?” I think to myself, as Jesus himself took this twelve hour trek from Jericho up to Jerusalem. The bible talks about being worthy of following Christ and dropping everything and following him, but one does not truly know the sacrifices until one has seen where Jesus has walked literally. Yes, it’s figurative language, but when you can see where Jesus literally walked you come to appreciate the sacrifices a disciple of Christ makes. Seeing the landscape, makes one picture Jesus totally different. Often my good buddy says, “Jesus is not this weak looking man as portrayed by many illustrators and movies. Jesus was a carpenter, Jesus was a very buff, and cut strong man, to be able to handle the ins and outs of carpentry work.” After seeing the landscape, Jesus definitely does not seem to be the gentle, light skinned, soft, man as movies portray him. Rather he seemed to be of darker, thick, sand beat skinned, tough man who can weather out the treacherous desert-like wilderness of Judah.

"Lush Green Modern day Jericho to the front"

As we come upon the Oasis of Jericho, I think to myself, “Does this really seem like an Oasis? Compared to the lush green locations of various places throughout the world, it may not really seem like much of an oasis. But, in reality, it truly is an oasis in the middle of a desert. Filled with lots of green, it’s amazing how life can grow in the middle of a desert. Of course we now know why and how such a place can exist due to the underground springs from the rains west of the watershed ridge. Flowing out 1000 gallons of water per minute, to feed the inhabitants of the city; Jericho is the city of Palm Trees. As I look upon the place, just like Jerusalem and the Land Between as a whole, it wouldn’t be a place I’d like to live. Although there are plenty of water and lots of green, the heat is just beating down on a person. I can’t imagine how people lived in ancient times with no air-condition. We truly are a blessed and spoiled generation, to have our conveniences the way we do. But Jericho itself is quite an amazing city.

"And a Desert mountain behind" If you look closely you can see a monastery

I can definitely see why Joshua would choose to take Jericho first on his way to the Promise Land. It provides everything you would need to supply a whole army and a large group of people waiting to settle down. The elder, children, and woman can be partying it up and relaxing in Jericho safely behind the confines of this desert wilderness, while the men embarks on a treacherous journey to claim the land that the Lord has already given to them. I really did not find Jericho of much significance to the Bible and the life of the Israelites, other than the fact that the Lord handed Jericho over to Jerusalem.
Now after seeing Jericho, the Lord had it in His mind already to give the Israelites a life line with support as they carry on their journey to claim the Holy Land. The Land Between was and still is such a hard place to make a living and the people of the Bible were tough people challenged in so many aspects of their life, their faith, and devotion to the Lord. But when all is said and done, “All things are possible with God” Matthew 19:26.

This is an Episode of the Every Day Life of Joe Her

Did I Save a Life? You be the Judge!

"Senonian Chalk-like Desert"

"Bus Filled Students"

On the morning of Sunday September 12, 2010, 44 students embarked on a journey that would change their lives forever... J/K haha... it's not going to be one of those novels :P But about 44 of us jumped on a charter bus early that Sunday morning and we headed up the Jordan River to the East side of the Sea of Galilee. It was the first time I was actually able to see a glimpse of the dead sea. But it's hard to see in these pictures for you're not able to see in these sand filled lands. The wind just blows all the dust particles into the air. As you look at these pictures you just see a lot of brown and gold, the color of the Senonian (Rock-Type) Chalk-like sand in the Jordan Valley (The valley running North-South with the Jordan River).

"Palm Forest/Farm :)"

Although there are a lot of desert like sand here, there are a few scattered cities like Jericho that is a true oasis in the middle of this desert. As you look at these trees, it literally looks like a forest of palm trees! I've never seen so many palm trees in my life!!! They are actually Palm, Date, and Banana tree's being farmed in this area. They get their water from the Springs that come up under ground at the edge of the Jordan Valley.

"Sea of Galilee from the East"

This Picture here is also a glimpse of the Sea of Galilee. Sorry both the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee were of poor quality pictures, but I assure you my young pediwan (Star wars for disciple) we will make more journies into these lands to explore it and have more quality pictures! :)

"Yehudiya"

We finally arrived at the hiking location called "Yehudiya!" It was so beautiful there! But I assure you, this is place is nothing like the nice snooth trails in america, but as you look at the ground it's filled with huge PEBBLES detrimental to the weary and tired hiker. At the blink of an eye, one can lose one's foot..... to a deadly ankle sprain! :)

"Me Jumping :)"

Well the trip was pretty amazing! We started on top of the canyon climbed down the canyon at a point and walked through it following a river. There were multiple locations in which there was a beautiful water fall, in which we were able to cliff dive! As in this case! Cliff diving was definitely the highlight of the day, but everything else was just so beautiful as well! To picture... JESUS walking through a place like this! It's just amazing! This student activity day definitely was one of the more amazing trips of the day! If you have an opportunity, do come on this hike! It's worth your time! :) But wear good shoes that you're okay with getting wet!:)

"Red and White Trail Guides"

To help us follow the trail, since there really was no trail, the Park was nice enough to come paint these nice red and white markers to help guide us through our hike!






This part here, was by far one of the more amusing parts of the whole trip. As you can see there is a ladder coming down the top of the ledge. And what is it coming down to, but deep waters! What does that mean? It means that you have to get WET! It's the best part! So, you climb down the ladder, hold your bag above the water and swim across this little pond area to the shore to place your bag. Sadly my attempt to hold my bag above the water ended in EPIC Failure! The result was that my phone died! But do not laugh at me for not being able to hold my bag above my head. I literally had 3.5 liters of water in my bag, which added to the weight... :\ You need a lot of water! :)Any way, after finally getting across safely and quickly munching down two pita bread, with ham and cheese, I ventured back up the ladder to what? To jump off from the top of the ladder to the water below just infront of the water fall. It doesn't look that high from here, but I assure you, my butt was definitely sore after the ordeal! It was definitely a lot of fun! :) I've done a much higher one before so I didn't mind this one! :)

"The Ladder" "And Swim Across"

"Me Jumping!"

In an attempt to share my blessings with all my friends at home I took a lot of pictures, so I was one of the slower hikers :). This place was just beautiful! The river was just teeming with life! As you look at this picture next to the shoe! You can barely make out a crab! in a river! I know its crazy! The river was also running with so much Fish! All my buddies in Colorado would love to fish here! You throw a piece of bread into the river and they just swarm around!

"Crab"

"Fishes"

"Spot of the incident"

This location here, is where I will finally begin my story! (I know right, didn't my story already begin in the beginning? True, but this is the focus, the apex, and climax of my story, it is what everybody lives, looks, and dies for!!!! Prepare yourself!!!) J/k haha I know... "a little dramatic there Joe.... :\ (with awkward stares)" :P I was standing on a ledge right next to that girl(her name is Robyn) in the brown there to her right staring down at this lake and this small water fall. If you look at where those people are at the end where the water is flowing to, there's another big water fall down to the pond that you see in the distance with people swimming around. Anyway I had my back pack on and I was holding my camera taking pictures and documenting everything to share with my wonderful friends and family at home! :) Well, as I was standing there, Robyn (the girl in the brown) comes back up the ledge to put her bag somewhere up here before she was to proceed down the fall to the pond below. Well, as I was

"My two friends below before incident"

looking at my friends below and she was doing her thing I think to myself "Maybe I should put my camera away or at least lay it down somewhere, where it won't fly into the small pond somehow, just incase something crazy were to happen." Well I didn't listen to the sixth sense and I decided to just keep holding on to my camera. Right at that moment I hear some ruffling behind me and I look up to the ledge to see the soil breaking beneath Robyns feet. She screams, and in a gut move I throw my camera into the pool. ( I Know right) don't hate! Let me explain, I throw my hands forward like I'm going to catch something and in that motion the camera flies into the pool! As I turn to try to do something, Robyn turns 180degrees. Picture her facing the pond, then as the ground is breaking she turns to her left to try to grab onto the stone ledge, and ends up not being able to grab anything! She falls down and lands flat on her face, chest,torso, and leg pancaked to the 2-3ft ledge where the people are standing. Right as she hit,I get there, and as the momentum is going to flip her into the pool, I grabbed her and held her where she fell before she flipped into the pool. ( I wish I was super man moving faster then a speeding bullet to be able to softer her fall, but I was too slow) I kept her from

"pool below"

flipping over into the pool. At that my moment I shout for my friends to come over and they jump into the pool and swims over. One of them says "quick put her on my back I'm going to take her to the bus" the other agrees, and I say "NO! Leave her there, one of you guys go climb down that ledge and go get some older people, to see if anyone is a paramedic or nurse or something." At that time I talk to Robyn to see if she's ok. She has a nasty gash under her chin, as the blood oozes out of her cut. Her face is a little scratched; bleeding as well as parts of her arms. Eventually an Israeli came down who had some paramedic experience. Also there just happened to be some American Soldiers from the Airforce, Navy, and Army that were hiking there as well. They kept her stable, moved her (After figuring that her spine was fine) and kept her hydrated while I moved out of the way. Eventually, one of the army dudes were able to call the Israeli equivalent of 911 and they sent 18 men down the canyon and carried her up on a stretcher. She eventually went to a nearby clinic and got stitches, thankfully she had no concussion or broken bones. All was okay with her.

In the midst of the chaos I had a friend Dan who dived into that pool (25 ft.) to retrieve my camera! Sadly, my camera is done, but I was able to retrieve the picture off the SD card to show you pictures of my adventure.

But the question, did I save Robyn's life or not? She could have flipped over into the water, drop down 25 ft and drowned, because she was so winded and in such pain. Or would she had been fine if I didn't grab her? I say I didn't do anything, other's say I was a hero, but that's for you to decide! :)

Something funny: As I was hiking in my swimming trunks, I took a wide stride to climb over a big rock and as I stretched my legs, I also stretched my shorts. And all of a sudden you hear a loud rip! I look down and my trunks have torn at the trunks! All those around me heard it and laughed. Calm and swift as a Tiger I was, I said "don't worry I have a back up" Luckily I brought along my khaki shorts or I would have been out of luck! :)

This is an episode of the every day life of Joe Her!

~Joseph Her~

Physical Settings Impression Report #3

Overlooking Jerusalem From Mount Scopus

        Hearing the sophisticating stories of the Israelites and how they contacted each other using fire as warnings from high mountain lookout towers reminded me a lot of Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King as they lighted the towers to get help or warn of attacks. Maybe they got that idea from these Ancient Civilizations. It’s amazing how they say those in the fertile Crescent can be warned of an attack over one night from Jerusalem. Maybe it’s just a saying, but the emphasis is still there, that fire can send messages faster than a messenger. If you’re standing at a high point like Mount Scopus you can see for miles and relay messages very quickly from Nebi Samwil to Jerusalem to Herodian in a matter of moments. It’s amazing how sophisticated these ancient civilizations actually were. I can also see why Pompeii would choose Mount Scopus as a command point for his army and conquering of Jerusalem. You can practically see everything from this high point of the city and command your army with ease.

Overlooking into the Senonian Wilderness Mt. of Olives

     Reflecting off the wilderness to the east of Jerusalem it’s quite amazing how the Bedouins survive out there. It truly is the Valley of the Shadow of death (Psalms 23). One who reads the bible having not been to Jerusalem and seen the landscape for themselves does not truly understand the imagery the Psalmists or Prophet’s use. Some may take the words in the bible such as the valley of the shadow of death to mean hell or dying, but it really has a literal and figurative meaning to it emphasizing the point the Psalmist or the Prophet is trying to make. Along with that, one does not truly understand the meaning of “living water” until one has actually seen the wilderness. When you’re walking for miles in the senonian desert without water, and happen to trample upon a valley flowing with water and springs, it really is “living water.” Once again it can carry with it double meanings, figuratively and literally. It’s amazing how Jesus, the Psalmist, and the Prophets use the landscape to emphasize their points.

Looking into Herod's Palace/Fortress Herodian

       Herodian itself is quite an amazing feat. From below it looks like a mere mound or hill, yet once you reach the top, it’s a whole living mansion, with its own baths, theater, running water, bedrooms, and even fortress-like with keeps and watch towers. It was by far one of the most fascinating sites I’ve seen. Biblically Herod was not a man worth mentioning, but by the world’s standards he was a brilliant man who completed amazing near impossible tasks. He was able to create multiple fortress Palaces like Herodian, aqueducts, theaters, renovations of places such as the Temple, and many more things! Even when one speaks of the architecture of Herodian, it’s magnificent how one was able to design and build such a place. The adjective the “Great” is not what Herod can merely name or call himself, but he truly was great in one perspective. Perched high up on this hill, it’s amazing how the Jews were able to take over this Fortress/Palace and from within through the tunnels themselves. It definitely reflects how David was able to take the Jebusite city of Jerusalem from the tunnels within.


       I’m continually amazed everyday by the history of the Land Between, and the importance of the cities, landscape, and the struggle for the scarce resources. Even with what little they had, they were able to construct magnificent structures and build cities on very strategic locations for defending oneself, for trade, and its ability to maintain life.

Physical Settings Impression Report #2

As we look over the city of Jerusalem, I was quite amazed at how much the city has changed over the years and at the same time, how much it has stayed the same. As we look at the present day Turkish City Wall, we can see the different colors of the rocks used for the wall and how it has evolved over the years from the Hasmonean period, to the Medieval, to the Turks. Observing the walls, you can see the history, in what type of stones were used to build it, and how well it was done. Off to the side we can see a pile of stacked stones, not nearly the greatest wall, but still a wall. Yet, what we’re standing on today is only the result of the site being excavated. In fact, the walls were quite short, as the sides were filled with land-fill from trash and debris that had accumulated over the years. Wow, were the walls high, and quite the wonder. Jerusalem, so rich in history over even the smallest matter, such as a stone perched in the wall reused from an older city wall that was destroyed or how the outline of the cities’ streets reflect that of Hadrian and the Roman conquest of Jerusalem. Small matters like these one would definitely overlook, if not for the trained eye.
               

The three different types of Stones Tombs outside of City Walls

It’s interesting how one can find where the old walls were by observing the locations of old houses and graveyards. After excavation if you find remains of houses you know that the city wall if further out. Once you stop finding homes, you know that that area is definitely a good location for a city wall to be located. If homes aren’t present you can look for tombs. Tombs are usually located outside of the city, thus if you start finding tombs, you can assume that the city walls don’t go out that far. It’s amazing how today’s city walls are generally in the same area as the old walls were. You can see broken towers of an old city wall, and in the general location, a city tower like that of more ancient times.  Thus, the city has changed much yet, remains and retains its ancient history to a certain degree.
               

City of David Outside city walls Right beyond the road (today is just housing)

City of David from this point down the slope As you can see it's flanked by mountains

Today, the city of David is not even included in the city walls. In fact, the city of David looked quite unimpressive in its current location, in a small hill flanked by towering mountainsides. One must wonder why David would choose such an unimpressive, indefensible site. Armies, who would come down from the mountainside can easily shoot arrows into the city. Although there’s a sense of protection sitting low on Mount Zion hidden from the enemy, it does not give one such a great sense of security. As David’s City was in a very undesirable location, the Nation of Israel itself was in a very undesirable location compared to the fertile lands of Egypt or Mesopotamia. Yet, one must not forget the greatest factor of all which is God. God, who led the Israelites to Canaan, God who guided David to His Kingship, and the choosing of Jerusalem. It was all done for specific reasons, whatever that may be. In order that the Israelites would trust in God to provide for them or to keep the Israelites deep in the mountainside so that they will not be influenced by outside powers  causing the Israelites to stray from their worship of God.  
                Even though the city of David is outside of the city walls, those who come to Jerusalem can always testify to the fact that one is always walking up to Mt. Zion, the Temple Mount or the gates of Jerusalem. Surprisingly after many wars and destruction, the landscape remains very much the same. As we climbed up from the Pool of Siloam to the Dung gate, one can feel oneself begin to breathe more heavily at the ascent.  From above, it doesn’t look like much of a hill, but from below it’s definitely a tiring feat. One can always feel the Psalmist in Psalm 122:4, where “that [Jerusalem] is 

Psalms 122

A song of ascents. Of David.
 ¹ I rejoiced with those who said to me,
       "Let us go to the house of the LORD."

 ² Our feet are standing
       in your gates, O Jerusalem.

 ³ Jerusalem is built like a city
       that is closely compacted together.

 ⁴ That is where the tribes go up,
       the tribes of the LORD,
       to praise the name of the LORD
       according to the statute given to Israel.

 ⁵ There the thrones for judgment stand,
       the thrones of the house of David.

 ⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
       "May those who love you be secure.

 ⁷ May there be peace within your walls
       and security within your citadels."

 ⁸ For the sake of my brothers and friends,
       I will say, "Peace be within you."

 ⁹ For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
       I will seek your prosperity.

This Psalm, was what the director and one of our professors at JUC gave us the first night we were in Jerusalem. Something we were able to reflect on because our feet were really standing at the gates of Jerusalem! :)

Going into the city and observing the people and culture as stated in verse 3 Jerusalem really is a city compacted together, not only in physical structure, but also in the people groups and there interactions. Imagine a city where, Christians, Jews, Armenians, and Muslims live together! This is that City, where everyone is always trying to gain more ground and get more for themselves. This truly is a city compacted together.

Verse 4, where it states the tribes go up to Jerusalem to praise the Lord it can be taken literally and figuratively. People literally go up to Jerusaelm, because it's on a hilltop, and flanked by the Hinnom and Kidron Valley. Thus, people going to Jerusalem go up to Jerusalem. And at the same time we go up to Praise the Lord! :)

Verse 6 and 7 praying for the peace of Jerusalem, it is definitely something we need to do, for the Middle East is a place of conflict. And as stated earlier Jerusalem is a diverse place filled with many different types of people. May there truly be peace in Jerusalem! 

Just something for you all to reflect on about Jerusalem! It is really quite an amazing and none other like it! :)

This is a reflection on The Every Day Life of Joe Her

~Joseph Her~

A class on the idea of a Living “Tell”

     As I went on a five hour class into parts of the Old City one thing the professor (Professor Wright) expounded on was this archaeological term called a “Tell.” It’s actually a Hebrew word and translated a mound in English. What is it one may say? Well imagine you were walking around the country. And all of a sudden you see this big hill. That is what a Tell or mound is, but its more than that a tell. In the hill country of Colorado or whatever hilly areas you can find in Illinois, it’s just simply a Hill, but in certain parts of Israel, and I mean very specific special spots, it’s a tell. A Tell is a mound made up from years of human activity. Imagine if Chicago just ceased to exist due to war, and all the buildings were destroyed. Then hundreds of years later, people come back and build up Chicago again, and then war comes and it’s destroyed again, and the city is leveled. Imagine this process, as new cities are built on top of the old one. Pretty soon, it won’t be as flat as it is now and it’s a big hill. That is what a Tell is. As archaeologists dig and excavate these “Tells.” As they get deeper, they discover pots and bricks, rooms, and walls. Each time they start going deeper though, they go through all the different layers of civilizations or different inhabitants that lived there through each century. That is the basic idea of a tell.

     But today’s discussion is on a “Living Tell.” What on earth can a living Tell actually be because these Tells/mounds are dead old materials abandoned a long time ago buried underneath dirt. Well, let me tell you, Jerusalem is a Living Tell. Let me explain. Jerusalem has been destroyed and rebuilt over many times as you read the account of the History of Jerusalem in the Bible. The walls, the temple, have all been rebuilt and destroyed over many wars. But, Jerusalem is a city that has never been deserted. There have always been someone living in Jerusalem! So,  although there are parts of the city that has been leveled and built over, we can see in many buildings the changes of the different conquerors and groups of people. For example take a look at what I’m about to show you. It’s not the whole building itself, but just imagine all of it in one building. In fact this building to the Jews is called King David’s Tomb and to the Christians the Upper Room. Yes, THE Upper Room where Jesus had the last supper, where the Holy Spirit came upon the believers at Pentecost. : )

Anyways this first picture, I have no idea what it is, but it looks like a tablet of the ten commandments in Hebrew connected to the building.

As we go on to the roof, we see these dome looking type of thing which is reflectant of Jewish synagogues.

This next picture, is an image of a Muslim Minaret.

Why am I showing you all of this? Well, imagine this one building with both this Jewish Mosque and a Muslim Minaret connected to it. It just doesn’t make sense, right? The Jews and the Muslims don’t mix. Well this here, is a living Tell! You see this building use to be a Christian Church, Jewish Synagogue, and Muslim Mosque! How can they all share one building at one time? Well, let me tell you, they didn’t! You see, the building first was a church, a place of worship for the Christians. Then they were persecuted and wars came and they left. Then it became a Jewish synagogue. Then the Arabs took over all of Jerusalem and turned it into a Jewish Mosque and built a Minaret! Years later the Crusades happen and the building was rebuilt and refixed, reflecting these gothic arches. Then the crusaders were overran and the Muslims build this imprint facing Mecca. You see how this one building has transformed over the years? Every part of it contains living memories of past inhabitants. That my dear friends, that is a living Tell! : )

And so, as we toured Israel we were able to see a lot of traces of these living Tells! : ) 

This is a lesson from “The Every Day Life of Joe Her”

                                                                                                                ~Joseph Her~

Physical Settings Impression Report #1

       For my Physical Settings of the Bible class, we go around the country looking at sites related to the Bible. After each outing we need to write a one page single spaced impression report on our experience and our initial thoughts of what we saw. Here's my first one. :)  

   Coming down to Jerusalem, doing the scavenger hunt, and the night tour, I was trying to put the pieces together in trying to imagine how the city looked like in my head;  which side was north, east, south, or west, but I couldn’t. After our first talk about the Kidron Valley, Hinnom Valley, and Central Valley, along with the later talk about the Cardo and Decumonos, it definitely helped give me an idea of the geography of the city.  I feel like I know the city a little better after the first physical settings outing.
            What is quite disturbing is the fact that many of these sites are relative of what it actually is. Nothing is really for sure, yet we see people coming in and technically worshipping these sites and items, such as the slab of concrete said to be the slab that covered Jesus’ tomb, except it’s been destroyed many times by earthquake and replaced five times, placed there just in remembrance of the actual tomb slab. It’s just as Dr. Wright said of how our Holiday’s are relative dates; it’s the same with these historical sites. I kind of imagined it differently, that I would walk through these sites and actually truly see an accurate monument of a place that Jesus has been.  Knowing that some of them are just monument’s makes the feeling less intense, which is kind of disappointing, but the sites with an accurate or more probable account such as the Church of the Holy Sepulcher being the likely location of where Jesus was crucified seems to be pretty cool. Yet, people who don’t study the city, will never really know the truth and is kind of tricked into thinking, they’ve been into an actual place, such as David’s Tomb, or what we now call today Mt. Zion, which wasn’t really the case before. But overall, it still feels great to be in Jerusalem!
            It’s very interesting how we are so close to all the sites. At first I thought we had to walk quite a ways to get to the upper room, but it was just in our backyard. It was quite surprising how rich the History is so close to the school! It’s just so amazing and I feel so blessed to be on this Study Abroad program. Sitting in the Upper Room and looking at all the differences in the building, of how things were added, changed, and how it evolved over the years. Pondering on the idea of a “Tel,” and slowly seeing the Upper Room as an active living Tel, just kind of blew my mind open. Who would have thought, of such a thing. It’s kind of crazy, to imagine the idea of a Tel, and now the idea of a living Tel compared to normal Tel’s. It’s very true how the Psalmist, speak of Jerusalem as an active living person, in essence, it kind of seems to be true.
            Another thing that was quite interesting is how the History of all the people groups in Jerusalem is intertwined today; the geography, buildings, religion, markets, living, and just the normal daily interactions. It’s quite interesting how there’s these Minaret’s placed all across the city in these strategic sites to play loudly the prayer, rest, and work sessions of the Muslims. Also, how one particular Minaret is strategically higher than the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to in a way show its dominance over Christians. As the west view the east, it makes it seem as if Muslims and Jews can’t really get along together, but that’s not true, as we see here, people live together peacefully all of the time, it’s really only a few radical extremist that stir up all of the problem in this very diverse city and nation.