Going to a mosque or a synagogue on a

weekly basis in Iran or Israel is not nearly as high as some of my fellow Downunderites seem to believe. 

Around a quarter of Iranians go to their mosque once a week. There are more men who do it than women. This is down from around a third twenty or more years back. I talked to a non-believer of Iranian origin about this some time back. He claimed that "not everyone who goes is a believer. If they don't go then they will be in trouble from their employer." I have no idea if this is true but he also conceded that young people are less likely to attend. 

In Israel the numbers are about the same with respect to Jews who attend synagogues on a weekly basis. It also seems young Jewish people are less likely to attend than older people.

Here in Downunder the numbers attending church on a weekly basis appear to be lower although about half of us claim to be "Christian". I thought about all this again this morning as I read main news sources about Israel and Iran. 

Why? Because news sources like to give the impression that the vast majority of people in both countries are devout believers who attend a synagogue or a mosque on a regular basis.  Much footage is shown of those attending Friday prayers as if this is what a majority does. We are told about "the Supreme Leader" and other religious leaders in Iran and how the "ultra-orthodox" influence decisions in the Knesset. We are told how Muslims want to take over the world and impose sharia law on everyone. Is it what most Muslims want?

All is not what it seems to be perhaps?  Starting WWIII is not going to win you respect or support. I am trying not to think about where the current friction between Israel and Iran will lead.  It is utter madness on both sides and it would seem that there are a minority of fanatics who wield too much power in both countries.