First, We discussed the formation of Jerusalem as a major city for many faiths, societies, and human civilizations. Without direct access to any major trade route, nor with proximity to any major water source or abundance of other natural resource, Jerusalem's location is highly atypical of a major human settlement. Still, Jerusalem has been viewed as such by the three major faiths of today and by humans throughout time.
Jerusalem does have a topographical prowess. With the Old City situated on top of a hill and surrounded on its south, east, and west edges by severe valleys, natural defense was a selling point. Still, the northern edge of the city remained vulnerable, leading to its being the location of the city's most fortified walls and most historical intrusions.
Moving on in the lecture, the concept of sacred space became the primary topic. With three faiths viewing Jerusalem in this light, we broke down the concept into the construction, consecration, and creation/re-creation phases. Because this process of creating and maintaining sacred space is largely the same among all faiths, Jerusalem (and its holy sites) has come to be revered by those not simply of the faith to whom the site is considered holy, but rather to all mankind. Perhaps the same phenomena is at play in the common occurrance of churches being converted into/used as synagogues and visa versa. For some reason, having high holy day services in a Catholic Church feels less awkward than a high school gym or hotel ballroom. While the Church itself has no sacred meaning to the Jewish faith, there is something about places of worship, regardless of type, that all mankind recognizes as "holy".
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