Excerpts from "Battle for the Kingdom of Heaven Continues" by Sheree Joseph ON LINE Opinion, Australia's e-journal of social & political debate

Lebanon is a land of paradise for so many, the land where Jesus turned water into wine. In a twist of irony Israel has turned the waters of Lebanon blood red. So the cycle of death continues.

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Yet I affirm with conviction that religion will play a role in Lebanon's peace if only the Lebanese people can put aside their differences. When the Muslims and Christians learn to work together as a unified body than it may become a more formidable force, one that no amount of weapons can destroy. This is where religion becomes the hero of peace rather than the scapegoat for war.

Maybe the Kingdom of Heaven is, after all, one big party. A party where people of different religions unite and rejoice together, just as Jesus did all those years ago in Cana when the people were running empty on wine. Maybe Lebanon is just running empty on peace and this is the miracle that can make it the life of the party once more.