[MeanWestTexan]

No theologian here, but I suspect God is not so easily swayed.

Sure, he might be angry that there is a pagan shrine on the Temple Mount, but the idea that God is giving the Paleo-Stinians power merely because they possess the territory is a bit totemistic to me.

I strongly believe that God is not "controlled" (bit strong of a word, can't think of another, perhaps "swayed" again or "influenced") by use of what is effectively a magic charm.

He looks through to the purpose, faith, and subservience to His will.

[Russ_in_NC]

Not to sound to much like a right wing Christian nut case but ....

It's not God that gives them the power, but that of Satan. He has so convinced these people that their belief is the Truth, that they feel they are justified in what they do.

I personally have a problem with a religion that has a God powerful enough to create the world and all the wonders that are in it ... yet needs a nut case suicide bomber to take out 20-50 Innocent people (or in the case of the World Trade Center, over 3,000) and a promise if they do they get 70 virgins in heaven. Wouldn't fire and brimstone be much more effective in getting your point across? perhaps a few thousand lighting bolts?

Does anyone else see the irony in that?