Amir Canaan

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Holy Mess, a free book by Amir Canaan covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from an atheist angle.

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Site title: Holy Mess - Amir Canaan
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Thought Experiment: Is There a Solution?
Nov 27, 2025 · original
In recent years, it has become trendy to say that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has no solution. I beg to differ. Here’s a thought experiment to prove my point: Two hundred years from now, the situation in the Middle East will unquestionably be radically different. There could be two states, a single bi-national state, or a federation of some kind. Another possibility is some arrangement that relies on land “donated” by one or more neighboring countries. Or perhaps a terribly disastrous war that wipes out hundreds of thousands of people, rendering one of the sides (or both) incapable of governing anything anymore, thus giving someone else the reins. Future circumstances could also – and likely will – be so different that we can’t even imagine them now. Many things can happen, but here’s my point: between now and then, some solution will be reached. There’s no telling what it will be,
Thought Experiment: Take Away Religion
Nov 27, 2025 · original
Many factors prop up the conflict, allowing it to persist for so many decades. Here’s a thought experiment that can help elucidate the core one. What is the one factor that, if eliminated, will make the conflict significantly easier to resolve? None of the often-discussed issues, if solved on its own, will end the conflict. Territorial claims, the right of return, the status of Jerusalem, security concerns, and many other thorny issues are all entangled. If you take away either side’s territorial claims, for example, people will still believe in the religious nonsense that their power-hungry leaders sell them. They will find other things to quarrel about and keep hating each other for believing in the wrong religion. Take away religion, and all of a sudden, Bible stories have no meaning. They’re just fiction. Their historical significance will fall into doubt, given that even those based
Thought Experiment: Dig Deeper for the Root Cause
Nov 27, 2025 · original
When discussing the conflict, both sides choose to minimize or ignore the root cause and instead point the finger at more recent events. Here’s an example and some food for thought: Why did a war break out in the Gaza Strip in October 2023? The Hamas attacks of October 7th. That’s where Israelis would prefer to end the discussion. Why did Hamas attack Israel? A growing frustration with the occupation that festered over decades and eventually exploded with tremendous force That’s where Palestinians would likely stop. Let’s continue: Why did Israel occupy Gaza? There are conflicting territorial claims over the same piece of land, and Israel amassed more military force and was able to take over and hold on to the area now known as the occupied territories. Where did these territorial claims come from? Traditions and vague historical claims backed by spiritual mandates. What’s the source of
Thought Experiment: Imagine No Religion
Nov 27, 2025 · original
Imagine you are on the ground in the region. Look around you. What do you see? Depending on your whereabouts, you may see hills, trees, fields, buildings, or people. Almost everyone around you is religious, whether or not it is evident from the way they dress, talk, or associate. Now imagine that all these people got their memories wiped clean at the same instant, while you were watching. None of them remembers who they are or what religion they believe in anymore. Furthermore, they all lost their ability to speak their native tongue and instead speak fluent Icelandic with a perfect accent. Who are they? They’re not from Iceland – after all, they were locals just minutes ago – Israelis and Palestinians, most of them God-fearing Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Now, however, they are just people, all equal and similar, and none of them remembers ever hating the other. They’ll enjoy a few de
Thought Experiment: Unique Privilege?
Nov 27, 2025 · original
What would happen if a developed European country enacted an apartheid government that discriminated against a portion of the population? It would not be the first time this happens, of course, but let’s imagine it taking place in the twenty-first century. What if Italy, for example, decided that the entire Campania region – with Naples in its center – must be sectioned off by a tall wall, with the people living there losing their right to vote and their equality before the law? To cross into Italy proper – if they even meet the quota – they must go through checkpoints guarded by armed soldiers and suffer lengthy delays and humiliation. Furthermore, they’ll be subject to repeated harassment by Italians from other regions who’d settle in land pockets annexed by the central government and enjoy monetary assistance and military protection. How would the world react? Will the Italian democra
Preemptive Replies to Pushback
Nov 23, 2025 · original
Readers will have strong feelings for and against the positions I expressed in this book. While I can’t anticipate every single objection, here are some preemptive replies to potential pushback. “All in all, religion does more good than harm.” I’m not sure how to measure the amount of goodness religion brings to the world and compare it against all the negatives. Regardless, it’s certainly not a net positive when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where the downsides clearly tip the scales. “You’re just expressing your opinion.” Guilty as charged. Finding neutral discourse or totally independent research about the conflict is rare. Virtually everybody voices their opinion in some way, with or without disclosure. People who express this kind of pushback mean “I disagree with your opinion,” which is understandable. To each their own. “You don’t have references.” All the facts I
What Not to Do About the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Nov 23, 2025 · original
Avoiding certain actions and habits can be as important as reducing dependency on religion. Organized religion got everyone used to giving them the reins and paying them money in various ways, but that’s no more an obligation than spitting when a black cat crosses your path. It is easier said than done for those living in close-knit communities, as they can be derided or ostracized when refusing to pay their dues. Their only way out may be to leave their suffocating environment and seek a better future. Here are a few things to refrain from doing to improve the likelihood of a lasting peace in the Middle East: Don’t have faith that reason will prevail. Don’t trust that a sensible solution will be reached if only people are more tolerant toward each other. Common sense is unlikely to win because it faces an onslaught by common nonsense, propagated by well-funded religious interest groups.
What Can You Do About the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Nov 20, 2025 · original
As individuals, we can do very little to help nudge the Middle East toward a better future. Protests hardly make a dent, and other forms of nonviolent resistance are largely ineffective as well. For those living in the region, civil or uncivil disobedience doesn’t do much. Middle Eastern governments are known for their forceful suppression of any resistance, and it’s rare to see lasting change attained through bottom-up activism. There’s one thing that hasn’t been attempted at any scale yet: reducing the intensity of religious belief in the region. Resisting the spread of religion is an uphill battle against the political and financial interests that use it as a tool for controlling the population. Despite that, what seems like a futile effort may work in the end. One of the best contributions one can make is to support organizations that promote a non-religious way of life and advocate

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