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Fr. Z has a provocative post on the God of Islam. These days, some people still can't be sure it's the same God. A Church document, Nostra Aetate seems to think it is. Fr. Z raises some interesting questions regarding the issue here.
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For me - a simple Catholic - I find it all very confusing, this idea that everyone worships the same God. Mohamed came after Jesus Christ, True God and True man, yet he is only recognized by Islam as a holy man, as Fr. Z points out: "Christians obviously believe that God is Triune. But, "O People of the Scripture! Do not speak lies against Allah, but speak the Truth. That Jesus Christ, son of Mary, was a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not ‘Trinity.’ Desist! It is better for you. For Allah is one God." (An-Nisa 4:17)"
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In centuries past, Christians died as martyrs rather than embrace Islam, much less kiss their holy book or worship in a mosque. In our own day Muslims still slit the throats of Christians, burn sacred images and Bibles and churches in the name of Allah. Are we in the West saying that Muslims are too dumb to realize that we both worship the same God? Or that the martyrs died in vain? Did we suddenly wake up in the late 20th century, from a great sleep after some dreadful dark night and suddenly realize Islam is a religion of peace?
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I often think of Paul's words to the Corinthians repeated in this morning's Mass whenever I see photos of cardinals and bishops scattering flowers or lighting candles before Hindu deities - in effect offering sacrifice to idols, and even when I view that most confusing of all photos - Pope John Paul II kissing the Koran. Yet this is what the Holy Spirit says to the Church on September 11, 2010: "My Beloved ones, avoid idolatry. What they sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, not to God." 1 Cor 10 14-22
One thing you have to give Islam credit for however, they adhere to their teachings.
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Top photo: Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Sambi lights candle to Hindu deity.
Middle photo: Our Lady of Mercy directed the founding of the Mercedarians to rescue Christians hostages enslaved by Islam.
Bottom photo: Cardinal Dias lights votive candle to Hindu deity.
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What the the USPC bishops say:
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Numerous religious leaders from Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths attended a Sept. 7 meeting in D.C., titled “Beyond Park 51,” which was hosted by the Islamic Society of North America.
In a statement on Thursday, Archbishop Wilton Gregory, Bishop William Murphy and Bishop Howard Hubbard said they voiced their “solidarity” with the leaders who gathered to “denounce categorically derision, misinformation and outright bigotry being directed against America’s Muslim community.”
You're not the only one who's confused . I am of the opinion that Muslims need a conversion real bad .
ReplyDeleteAnyway great post!
I am of the opinion (although not exhaustively researched) that although some individual muslims may indeed worship the True God, the regime of Islam does not. Islam was founded as a tool to control people for political purposes and it has continued as such. This can only be done by terror, virtual enslavement of women, and by keeping the masses as uneducated and fanatical as possible.
ReplyDeleteSo no, I don't think the God of Islam is the same God. However, God's creative impulse is rooted in human DNA and individual muslims can worship the true God although through a desperately deranged system of belief. God still knocks at the doors of people's hearts and as is evidenced by the conversions that happen, they sometimes listen.
I pray for Muslims and atheists daily, and try to be the person Jesus is slowly converting me to be so that His light will shine before them and they will want Him as He is.
I wish I could say I am always successful! Daily I am humbled.
Some quotes sort of related to this topic:
ReplyDeletePres. Obama said about the Florida Quran burning:
"I hope he listens to those better angels and understands that this is a destructive act that he's engaging in,"
And President Lincoln said in his first inaugural address: "...The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be,by the better angels of our nature."
And yesterday Pres. Obama said about 9/11:“... And I will do everything that I can, as long as I am president of the United States, to remind the American people that we are one nation, under God. And we may call that God different names, but we remain one nation. And, you know, as somebody who, you know, relies heavily on my Christian faith in my job, I understand, you know, the passions that religious faith can raise.”
More shocking than confusing, some in the Church seem dangerously close to teaching that dialogue, understanding and just "getting along" takes precedence over converting Muslims.
ReplyDeleteWhen did we move beyond "the Great Commission?" I don't think this move is from the Holy Spirit.
Parenting lesson 101:
ReplyDeleteDo not send confusing messages to your children.
Lesson closely, speak directly
Lead by example
Thanks, Count Dencula, for putting it better than I could. A lot has been written and said about "who Muslims 'really' are". I am beginning to think it is the wrong question; that we should be asking "Who are we?" and how are we as Christians called to witness? We know that Christ died for Muslims just as He died for us, and wishes their salvation. Do they know we are Christians by our love? We are told in the Gospel to be "wise as serpents and gentle as doves". We seem to have the serpent part down pretty well, I'm not sure about the "gentle as doves".
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope no one is seriously suggesting that Pope JP II is an apostate for his reaching out to Muslims, because that would be offensive.
I used to think that Muslims worshipped the same God as we do. Now I'm not sure. Muhammed either made the whole thing up, was a nut or was talking to a demon.
ReplyDeleteNo one is suggesting JPII was an apostate.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to Islam most Catholics, certain bloggin' priests included, don't know Shi'ite from Shinola.
ReplyDeleteLeo - I love that! best line ever. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMixed messages?...you better believe it!
ReplyDeleteA whole lotta folks who don't know what they're talking about is the "state of the union".
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
They don't worship the same God, end of story. I'm a postulant with the Mercedarians, we give up our lives to free Christians that get captured ane enslaved by the Muslims.
ReplyDeleteJoe: God love you and Mary bless you!
ReplyDeleteMay you be given the spirit of the founder to love the Lord and His Holy Mother, the Holy Church, and to help free all of us from the bondage of error and sin.
I have no hatred toward any individual adherent of Islam.
But it is a horrid and hateful religion.
Absolutely.
Why do I say that?
Because anyone who denies that Jesus is the Son of God is against Him.
And the fundamental tenets of Islam is to dominate and exterminate anyone who is an "infidel"...meaning us, folks.
Yeah, us.
Mosques rising everywhere?...you better pray your rosaries faithfully and be in the state of grace.
Who knows what is "down the pike"...and I'm no paranoid extremist; believe me.