I heard someone on the news talking about the “decades old conflict between Iran and Israel”. The current conflict between Israel and Iran may be only decades old, but the conflict between Islam and Judaism has been going on almost since Muhammad’s visions. But lukewarm Westerners don’t understand the Iran – Israel conflict.
But first, what’s with the image here?
It’s to show the lack of awareness by many in the Western world where life is easy and issues can be avoided for too long.
The title, about lukewarm Westerners, is a combination of that plus something Jesus said to the church in Laodicea, in Revelation:
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Jesus’ warning, of course, was due to the lack of interest in Him – from people who claimed to be followers of His!
Today, since many in the Western world know so little about a Christianity that many still claim to follow, how much less aware are we about things that don’t directly affect us? Yet.
Summary
Tries to shed light on the complexities of the Middle East conflicts and the lack of understanding among Westerners regarding these deep-rooted issues.
Conflict Origins: Discusses the historical roots of the Iran-Israel conflict, tracing it back to the 600s AD and beyond, highlighting the religious and political tensions between Islam and Judaism.
Sectarian Divisions: It emphasizes the deep divisions within Islam itself, between Shia and Sunni Muslims, and how these internal conflicts impact relations with Jews and Christians.
Modern Implications: connects these ancient disputes to modern-day geopolitical dynamics, particularly the strategic alliances formed due to the shared enmity towards Iran.
Religious Texts: provides an analysis of Qur’anic verses and their historical context, discussing the implications for the relationships between Muslims, Jews, and Christians.
In summary, the Iran-Israel conflict has deep historical and religious roots, spanning centuries. The tensions between Islam and Judaism, as well as internal divisions within Islam, continue to shape modern geopolitical dynamics. Understanding these complexities is crucial for comprehending the Middle East conflicts.
Lukewarm Westerners don’t understand the Iran – Israel conflict because we don’t understand the Islam – Judaism conflict.
In reality, there’s a larger conflict. Or I should say there are larger conflicts.
In Islam, there are two large sects: Shia and Sunni. Iran is controlled by a Shia theocracy – government and religion. On the other hand, countries like Saudi Arabia are run by Sunni Muslims. Each sect of Islam considers the other to be apostate. They don’t share all the same beliefs.
That may sound a bit like Christian denominations, but it’s different. Much more extreme. Both Shia and Sunni Muslims both consider Christians and Jews to be infidels. It wasn’t always that way, but it’s life in the Middle East, and for Muslims in some Western countries. The thing is – Shia and Sunni Muslims also consider each other to be infidels.
So when something happens, like Iran launching hundreds of drones, rockets, and ballistic missiles with something like (according to BBC), 60 tons of explosives, things get rather rough. The Sunni countries don’t want Iran getting too powerful. So even though they don’t like Israel, they’ll help to keep Iran from getting too much in control of the area. It’s the old saying – my enemy’s enemy is my friend. So, for this purpose, Sunni enemy Israel becomes their friend – because Israel is also Iran’s enemy.
But it doesn’t end there. This isn’t a decades long thing, as I said. It goes back to the 600’s AD, in one respect. But even further back in another.
God and me - this life and the next 
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