Christianity and Islam: Collision or convergence?

[Da Lone-Warrior]

Religion and Politics
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Christianity and Islam: Collision or convergence?

Excerpts from an address given by Lord Carey, former Archbishop
of Canterbury, at the Gregorian University, March 25, 2004:

What of the relationship between church and mosque? It is
important to know what Islam stands for - its strengths and
weakness. But it is far more important to know some Muslims and
befriend them. We shall find then that they have the same fears
about us as we have of them. ...

We must deepen interfaith cooperation and understanding.
Religion is not going to go away. We may talk of a postmodern
world but certainly not post-religious. But religion may be used
for bad as well as good purposes. In the hands of evil people
religion is sometimes used as a weapon to kill and to suppress
as it has been, from time to time, in the long history of
Christianity. But religious leaders have an important role to
play alongside political leaders. There is still too little
comprehension in political circles of the power of authentic
faith and the possibilities of harnessing the religious
imagination and energy for peace.

We must focus on root causes of unrest where religions clash and
seek to heal the wounds of the past. We must confront the deep
sense of injustice felt by ordinary Muslims in much of the
developing world where people see the tyranny of their own
leaders, the growing gap between rich and poor and what they see
as the massive support of the West to regimes inimical to Islam.
...

Read the entire speech at: http://go.sojo.net/ct/o716bpn1EjPm/

Read the Sojourners magazine article, "Is Islam the enemy?" at:
http://go.sojo.net/ct/p716bpn1EjP0/


Source: Sojourners 2004 (c) http://www.sojo.net

[kofh2u]

Religion and Politics
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Christianity and Islam: Collision or convergence?

Excerpts from an address given by Lord Carey, former Archbishop
of Canterbury, at the Gregorian University, March 25, 2004:

What of the relationship between church and mosque? It is
important to know what Islam stands for - its strengths and
weakness. But it is far more important to know some Muslims and
befriend them. We shall find then that they have the same fears
about us as we have of them. ...

We must deepen interfaith cooperation and understanding.
Religion is not going to go away. We may talk of a postmodern
world but certainly not post-religious. But religion may be used
for bad as well as good purposes. In the hands of evil people
religion is sometimes used as a weapon to kill and to suppress
as it has been, from time to time, in the long history of
Christianity. But religious leaders have an important role to
play alongside political leaders. There is still too little
comprehension in political circles of the power of authentic
faith and the possibilities of harnessing the religious
imagination and energy for peace.

We must focus on root causes of unrest where religions clash and
seek to heal the wounds of the past. We must confront the deep
sense of injustice felt by ordinary Muslims in much of the
developing world where people see the tyranny of their own
leaders, the growing gap between rich and poor and what they see
as the massive support of the West to regimes inimical to Islam.
...

Read the entire speech at: http://go.sojo.net/ct/o716bpn1EjPm/

Read the Sojourners magazine article, "Is Islam the enemy?" at:
http://go.sojo.net/ct/p716bpn1EjP0/


Source: Sojourners 2004 (c) http://www.sojo.net

[kofh2u]

Religion and Politics
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Christianity and Islam: Collision or convergence?

Excerpts from an address given by Lord Carey, former Archbishop
of Canterbury, at the Gregorian University, March 25, 2004:

What of the relationship between church and mosque? It is
important to know what Islam stands for - its strengths and
weakness. But it is far more important to know some Muslims and
befriend them. We shall find then that they have the same fears
about us as we have of them. ...

We must deepen interfaith cooperation and understanding.
Religion is not going to go away. We may talk of a postmodern
world but certainly not post-religious. But religion may be used
for bad as well as good purposes. In the hands of evil people
religion is sometimes used as a weapon to kill and to suppress
as it has been, from time to time, in the long history of
Christianity. But religious leaders have an important role to
play alongside political leaders. There is still too little
comprehension in political circles of the power of authentic
faith and the possibilities of harnessing the religious
imagination and energy for peace.

We must focus on root causes of unrest where religions clash and
seek to heal the wounds of the past. We must confront the deep
sense of injustice felt by ordinary Muslims in much of the
developing world where people see the tyranny of their own
leaders, the growing gap between rich and poor and what they see
as the massive support of the West to regimes inimical to Islam.
...

Read the entire speech at: http://go.sojo.net/ct/o716bpn1EjPm/

Read the Sojourners magazine article, "Is Islam the enemy?" at:
http://go.sojo.net/ct/p716bpn1EjP0/


Source: Sojourners 2004 (c) http://www.sojo.net


Two billion Christians can create the peaceful environment in an economic resurgency in Gaza and the West Bank. This massive, none stop tourism, fostered by the separate and individual churches can serve ptophecy and in the manifestation of the Holy zDpirit in tnere collectiveness, bring the Love of Jesus to our enemies!

Isa. 60:5 Then thou shalt see (these hoards of Christianity), and flow together (with them), and thine heart shall fear (the truth of Christ), and be enlarged (in understanding); because the abundance of the sea (of Western nations) shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles, (Christians, now two billions in number), shall come unto thee.

Isa. 60:6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come (to pilgrimage in the Holy Land): they shall bring gold and incense (the revenue of their tourism); and they shall show forth the praises of the LORD (in his Promised Land).

[Armand]

Does this mean that we accept Islam as an alterntaive religion then, as Christians, because you have to admit that it could be difficult to fulfill our duty to evangelise while were telling them that their religion is entirely equal to ours. I think tat this whole interfaith things is ok, but cannot be placed above the duty given by Jesus to bring the sinners to Him, and it would seem to me at least that the archbishop of Canterbury appears to be doing just that.

[billy_pilgrim]

Does this mean that we accept Islam as an alterntaive religion then, as Christians, because you have to admit that it could be difficult to fulfill our duty to evangelise while were telling them that their religion is entirely equal to ours. I think tat this whole interfaith things is ok, but cannot be placed above the duty given by Jesus to bring the sinners to Him, and it would seem to me at least that the archbishop of Canterbury appears to be doing just that.
I think what the Arch-Bishop means is simply that we need to realize that there are more similarities than differences between humans who happen to be believers in Islam and humans who happen to be believers in Christ. Thus the statement that we would then realize that the Muslim fears us as much as we fear him. A relationship based on mutual fear and mistrust ain't much of a relationship.

[WebToaster]

Read the entire speech at: http://go.sojo.net/ct/o716bpn1EjPm/

Looks like the URL is messed up, I'm getting a 404.

Obviously I don't believe Christianity and Islam will be able to peacefully resolve their difference on their own accord, which is one of the reasons I'm a Baha'i.

But its interesting that Christians usually do not see the need to ask the same question of Judaism, e.g., Judaism and Christianity: Collison or convergence? While this is a fairly common concern within the Jewish community.

[Dr T]

Does this mean that we accept Islam as an alterntaive religion then, as Christians, because you have to admit that it could be difficult to fulfill our duty to evangelise while were telling them that their religion is entirely equal to ours. I think tat this whole interfaith things is ok, but cannot be placed above the duty given by Jesus to bring the sinners to Him, and it would seem to me at least that the archbishop of Canterbury appears to be doing just that.

I agree, and in fact Islam presents a particular problem for a number of reasons, not least the denial of the Cristian faith contained with in the Koran.
Given the following verse, dening the crucification, how can any Christian believe tha the Koran is divinly inspired?

4;157 And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger - they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain

I think that the Church of England acts in a way that gives the impression that it considers Islam to be on a par with Christanity, and I wonder how this sort of mixed message, from what should be the Christian leadership in England, impacts Christainity in England. No wonder people are falling away from the CoE.

[Jude3b]

What fellowhisp has Christ with belial? What fellowship has light with darkness? The implication of Scripture is - NONE! This whole interfaith will not accomplish very much. Oil and Water don't mix.

To be "interfaith" - is to say that absolute truth does not exist. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (the Lord Jesus Christ)." Amen!