Study Curve

Becoming best friends is contingent on mutual/compementary interests, respect, and a likely meeting under positive circumstances. The Muslims and Jews of the Middle East have not, in most cases, not met under those terms.

It is so important (to promote peace and friendship in the M.E.) for the parties involved to work toward the goals of promoting those positive attributes. Difficult, but possible with the right programs by the right people.

That's a great questions. How do "natural rivalries" exist? Mike are you referring to instinctual as in animals instincts to hunt, herd, point, etc.? I am just curious as I believe rivalries are learned. Very interesting discussion.

Then the next question is there really such thing as a "natural' rivalry?

As with any other group of people, there are those individuals who transcend the typical hatred and zenophobia that many others are trapped within and find a way to love, support, and connect with others...including people with whom some natural rivalries exist.

During the Middle Ages, Jews and Muslims worked closely in North Africa and Spain to bring about the Golden Age of the Moors in Spain.

When the Moors were forced out of Spain in 1492, Jews were banished or subjected to thorrors of the Inquisition as Christians retook Iberia.

Jews have lived peaceably in Morocco, Yemen, Syria and even Iraq and Iran until the last half of the twentieth century.

Yes, I believe that human nature does have a lot to do with the inabilities of one people to get along with another people. It is not limited to middle eastern countries, or religions, or necessarily cultures. It usually stems from limited "resources" (in the broadest sense) and the competition surrounding the acquisition of those limited resources. Sort of the haves and have nots, or wish they hads. When compromises can be made, and those limited resources can be shared, then often (in a synergistic way) conflicts simmer, and everyone can be better off while sharing those resources.

its not Islamics its actually muslims and honestly i dont know
this world is just not peaceful

When it comes down to it you simply have to think of human nature. People are people. People are known well for fighting and getting upset even over the littlest things. It could be about money or land, but chances are its about something so ridiculous it lost all purpose anyway. That doesnt mean they would stop fighting about it. People get this kind of adreniline rush when they are arguing with other people. I know it might sound stupid but war and fighting is all we see now a days. If people would really just take time to stop and think, stop and (i hate to say it) smell the roses. You could only imagine the kind of possiblities that this world has. Look how incrdible it is, look how amazing. Look through the eyes of a child...there seeing everything new. And all we see in the world is hate. I know it will never change but its nice to think about. (sorry if i stryed away from your topic, i just find the world so fascinating. ) =)

Because they were one of the most commonly hated religious groups in the Middle East

When you ar brougth up to hate, your mind and spirit are poisoned.
BTW, it's not just those two groups!
Try Hindus and Muslims, Protestants and Catholics, etc.

Sammy is right in saying that this is a complex question that cannot be answered. But there are a few things that separate the people of modern industrialized democratic countries from those living in oppressive least/less developed countries (LDC's).

The role of religion is totally different in these countries, democracies pride themselves on its pluralism (separation of church and state), informed voting citizens, and rational political behavior. Most countries in the middle east are not democracies. (Israel and Lebanon can both claim to be functioning democracies, but not true liberal democracies like the USA) Religion and religious groups have taken over the role and functions of the state in the middle east. (Hamas/Hezbollah providing garbage pickup, low cost education, medical care, etc.) Therefore religious groups and figures gain extraordinary amounts of power and loyalty from their citizens.

In many of these countries there is no such thing as freedom of the press, separation of church and state, or checks and balances on state power. Those in power direct the discontent of their citizens away from them and towards outside groups. (E.g. Israel, the USA, or Great Britain). This helps them consolidate power over their people, silence the moderates/middle class, and create legitimacy for the regime. There is no opportunity to get "the other side of the story" or news without state-sponsored bias. Rampant corruption, cronyism, and economic stagnation festers with the result of creating disaffected youth who are willing to become radicalized to "escape" or "get back" at those outside groups responsible for their plight.

Sammy brings up a good point about the youth being "brain-washed" with hate mongering. This radicalization starts in the madrassahs or religious schools. Textbooks are written to justify and perpetuate the stereotypes and hatreds.

Unfortunately, these combinations allow for corrupt, power-hungry individuals to manipulate true religion in order to rise to the top.

This is a highly complex question that cannot possibly be answered in a short time. I believe that those who live in other countries and who 'get along' are there because they are tired of the hatred and fighting and want to live their lives in a peaceful manner.
Those who are living in the Middle East are constantly hearing a great deal of hate mongering. Children of Islam are being brain-washed much as the Hitler youth were: to be willing to pay any price to get rid of the enemy.
I personally believe that if they ever succeed in destroying Israel, they will spread their hate-mongering outward into other countries. Thankfully, I don't believe that this hatred is widespread in the Middle East: it just gets the biggest publicity.
I also believe that if the US and other peacekeepers retreat from Iraq and Afghanistan, the hatred will follow us to our countries throughout the world.
I believe everyone should be able to believe in the religion of their choice, but when it infringes on the rights of others and causes harm, it is not really a religion but a terrorist group.

Sammy

Religion, in general, has always led to conflict. "People" can get along and be best friends. Mix politics and religion and the result is volatile. Then toss in groups that are looking for power and control and use religion as their excuse and peace is simply not an option. Now that there is oil in the equation and so many large corporations and governments that want control over that oil, religion has become a convenient reason for conflict.

The history of the middle east is so much richer and longer than many in the United States can comprehend. A deadly conflict that happened a few hundred years ago can seem like only yesterday. These battles are still being fought today and with the addition of oil, there are too many reasons to keep fighting and not enough to work towards peace.

I believe it is all in how you are raised. Here, we are told (or force-fed) that everyone should be treated as equals, while in other countries, blame is turned to hatred towards others. Of course, blame is another form of lack-of-responsibility, which runs rampant in the US., so that theory might not carry any water. How's that for an answer?