Temple Mount part 2

Besides the halachic considerations, there are also the hashkafic (philosophical considerations) of this issue.
We were exiled because of our sins. There is a verse about the redemption "In its time, I will hasten it". The rabbis say "if it will be in its time, it's not hastened, if it's hastened, it's not in it's time(!)" The rabbis answer "If they (the Jews) merit, I will hasten it, if they do not merit, I will nevertheless bring it at its appointed time, as I have promised through the Prophets". The commentators on the Talmud explain that if we merit, it will be a miraculous deliverance. if we do not merit, then the redemption will be by apparently natural phenomena.
After the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans, the seat of Jewish learning moved to Babylon (Iraq). There were, however, also academies (yeshivot) in the Land of Israel, working under terrible conditions of persecution. In many areas, their outlook is quite different. The Babylonian rabbis, for the most part, saw our exile as something that would only end with Divine intervention. One view was that it was even forbidden to emigrate from Babylon to the Land of Israel, until the promised redeemer had come. Another view stated that upon our exile, we were obligated by G-d not to rebel against the Nations, and not try to force a redemption prematurely. In the Jerusalem Talmud, however, they were constantly looking for a way to rebuild the Temple, and reestablish Jewish sovereignty in the land. 
These two views are reflected in the writings of the great rabbis of the Miuddle Ages. Rashi, a great sage in eleventh century France, not only posited a supernatural redemption, but even that the Temple would descend fully built from Heaven. He took quite literally the idea that the course of Nature would be forever changed. RAMBAM, on the other hand calls these the "beliefs of fools", asserting that the Mashiach will do no signs or wonders, other than usher in a new era of peace and harmony. The Temple will be rebuilt. All men will devote their lives to the contemplation of the spiritual, without one person or one nation holding sway over another. The Biblical verses and Talmudic sayings that describe miraculous events, are to be seen as allegorical; teaching of Peace and Happiness for all.
So how does this relate to the Temple Mount?
For secular Jews, the Temple Mount is a non-issue, other than the fact that it is a sore point of strife.For religious Jews, it is the center of the Universe, the place where the Name of G-d dwells, the pivotal point upon which all rests.
Modern rabbis are divided as to what this means. The Chareidi ("ultra Orthodox") rabbis, by and large, posit that we are still in Exile, even in the Land, as we are alienated from G-d because of our deeds. We must live in the Land, where possible, maintaining peace with our neighbors, awaiting the day when G-d will reveal himself to Man, the temple will be rebuilt by G-d Himself. We dare not tread on the Temple Mount, for fear of desecration, as well as fear of inciting violence. Many other rabbis, following the teachings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, believe that the State is the first step towards redemption (Itchalta d'geulah). Events may happen on either a natural or supernatural plane, that will lead to an eventual full redemption of our People, and of the world. In the meantime, we are to do by peaceful means anything that we can to sanctify ourselves and the Land; observing the mitzvot (commandments), settle in all parts of G-d's holy Land, and attempting to bring unity and healing to the diverse and divided factions of our nation. The exiles are to be gathered in, as all the prophets speak of an existing presence of the Jews in the Land at Mashiach's arrival, and those who are not yet there, must be brought. Another group, accepting the basic ideology of the previous group, believe that it is incumbent upon us to do ourselves whatever can be done; reestablish a Sanhedrin (the Great Court of Deteronomy 17), reestablish those sacrifices which can be brought without a Temple, and work for the construction of the Temple itself. There have been Chief Rabbis of Israel representing each of these views.
Unfortunately, religion tends to get mixed up with politics. I hate politics. Each of these views is held by men far greater and wiser than myself. Their reasons were spiritual, and we need to respect different opinions of qualified authorities.  I will pray for G-d's plan to be manifest in the world, and that I may be a meager tool in implementing that plan. May we soon see the redemption of Zion, and the day that "Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and war will be taught no more." Amen