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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Pope Visits Holy Sites of Judaism, Islam

Benedict meets with leading Muslim cleric after visit to Dome of the Rock

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(AP) – Pope Benedict XVI began the second day of his Holy Land tour at one of the most contentious sites in the Arab-Israeli conflict: the Dome of the Rock, where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven, and the adjacent Western Wall. The pontiff urged both sides to engage in "a sincere dialogue aimed at building a world of justice and peace," reports the AP.

Pope Benedict removed his red shoes as he entered the Dome of the Rock, the most sacred Muslim shrine in Jerusalem, and later met with an Islamic cleric. At the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest shrine, he slipped a note into a crevice addressed to "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." The pope meets with Israel's two chief rabbis later today. 

Pope Benedict XVI stands next to the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site in Jerusalem Old City, Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Pope is on a five-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
Pope Benedict XVI stands next to the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site in Jerusalem Old City, Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Pope is on a five-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.   (AP Photo/Dan Balilty, Pool)
Pope Benedict XVI and Sheikh Taysir Tamimi sit during an interfaith gathering at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem, Monday, May 11, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI and Sheikh Taysir Tamimi sit during an interfaith gathering at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem, Monday, May 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tony Gentile, pool)
The Pope is on a five-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
The Pope is on a five-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.   (RONEN ZVULUN)
Pope Benedict XVI places a note at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, in Jerusalem's Old City, Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Pope is on a five-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
Pope Benedict XVI places a note at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, in Jerusalem's Old City, Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Pope is on a five-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.   (RONEN ZVULUN)
Pope Benedict XVI prays at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site in Jerusalem Old City, Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Pope is on a five-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
Pope Benedict XVI prays at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site in Jerusalem Old City, Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Pope is on a five-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.   (RONEN ZVULUN)
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TerrifiedCitizen
May 12, 09 10:07 AM CDT
The priestly and governmental system that was originated by God and given to the Israelites was blessed by him only as long as they honored him and upheld his laws. But due to their man-made traditions which they attempted to 'bolt-on' to their worship, they invalidated these commandments and flagrantly supported a system of injustice that lasted until 70 C.E., when it was destroyed by the Romans. The genealogical records establishing priestly and tribal identification were destroyed completely with the devastation of the temple. In its place, to this day, stands the Moslem shrine, the Dome of the Rock. Reply
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Fondue
May 12, 09 4:57 PM CDT
All of these organized religions are man-made. Faith and spirituality are not. As defined: 1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. 2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. See synonyms at belief, trust. 3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters. 4. often Faith Christianity. The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will. 5. The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith. 6. A set of principles or beliefs. You don't need a Pope, priest, bishop, cardinal, etc etc to have faith and spirituality. Reply
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