From: jtem01@gmail.com   
      
   Watch one of them there "Documentaries," this one on   
   Amazon Prime, and they identify Petra as the ancient   
   holy city for Muslims, going back to before Mecca and   
   even before Islam!   
      
   Now apparently the idea that Mecca wasn't always the   
   holy city and direction of prayer isn't a radical one. But,   
   it's just about universally declared that before Mecca   
   Muslims always prayed towards Jerusalem.   
      
   This actually makes a lot of sense. ESPECIALLY is you're   
   one to view the Nabataeans as major important to the   
   development of religion in the region.   
      
   It also fits the Christianity-is-a-latter-day-invention   
   theory, and all the arguments against Jerusalem even   
   existing let alone a seat oof importance prior to the   
   Roman city...   
      
   And maybe this explains the Jewish hatred of the   
   Samarian temple? It really was a rival!   
      
   Oh. Maybe I should point out:  The Nabataeans are not   
   just identified (by many/most) as the origins of modern   
   Arabs hence muslims, but also the origins of Jews.   
      
   THE ONE problem here is that the switch from Petra   
   to Mecca happens way to late to be woven into any   
   of the known theories... theories where the Romans   
   hid the true location of the temple/etc as a means to   
   punish and/or control the natives.   
      
   I mean, if in the early 8th century parties involved were   
   still aware of Petra's significance then clearly the Romans   
   didn't hide it.   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
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   https://jtem.tumblr.com/post/614695230811357184   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)