Biblical Tamar Park

Position Paper to our Guests and Staff at Tamar

(on sharing religious perspectives)

Effective:  January 1, 2007                       by Dr. DeWayne A. Coxon

Israel is an important country historically to the three monotheistic religions of the world, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  They all date their faith to the worship of one God from the teachings of their common ancestor, Abraham.

For the past twenty-five years, (and even prior to Blossoming Rose) the location now called Biblical Tamar Park has been a place of interest not only to the Jewish people but to Christian groups from Europe and the United States.  For the most part, there has been religious tolerance and common courtesies among various individuals and groups.

Over the years, through the help of several Israeli friends, I developed relationships with many Jewish and Christian organizations/groups, as well as non-religious groups in Israel.  When the government or “powers-that-be” in Israel decided to trust Blossoming Rose with the Park property and signed an agreement to that effect, they did so because of our commitment to bless Israel by being tolerant and respecting the beliefs and values of others, without proselytizing

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We want the Park to be a wonderful place of community and unity – a melting pot of religious thought – a significant spiritual experience – without making people uncomfortable to share in praise and worship.  It should be a “house of prayer for all nations” and a “place in the wilderness” for us to worship God.  None of us has a “corner on God.”

My request to you, while you are at Tamar, is that you respect the religious views and privacy of others.  You are welcome to pray anywhere on the premises of the Park, but if you plan to have political or religious discussions among more than one or two of your friends in a private setting, you should do it only at the designated times of your group’s leader and/or pastor.  If you invite others to join you, please don’t make them feel guilty if they choose not to.

While praying anywhere on the premises of Tamar is encouraged, directed prayer at people who may not share your views and the laying on of hands, without a request, is strongly discouraged.  This has been cause for people to be hurt and for misunderstandings to occur.  Cultures vary in many ways and tolerance is appreciated.

My commitment to the Israel Antiquities Authority and to the Middle Arava Regional Council at Sapir is that the Park will become a national historic place for the Jewish population and a place for non-Jewish people to pray for and bless Israel without contention.