A lot of strong emotions have been flying around teh internets amongst religious bloggers regarding two open letters. The first letter is by Muslim leaders to Christians and then the second letter is a response to the first by a whole list of Christian leaders.
Much of what I’ve read regarding these letters is negative. Many people (rightly) point out that Christians and Muslims idea of God are very different in several key ways. One religion claims that Jesus was God, the other denies that and claims that Jesus, like Muhammad, was a prophet of God and nothing more. One religion claims that salvation is through faith in Christ alone, the other claims that salvation is acquired by other means.
However, having read over both letters in their entirety I really don’t get the impression that Christians are trying to claim that Islam is saying the same thing regarding salvation (which, I gather, is the crux of most complaints). Nor do I get the impression that Muslims are claiming that Christians view Muhammad the same way they do.
The impression I get from the letters is that both parties recognize that (apart from theologies like salvation) Christianity and Islam do indeed have certain things in common. Namely, the fact that both religions worship one God and that both religions preach (or should preach) love of thy neighbor. Note, that I did not claim that I believe Muslims worship the same God as Christians, just that they worship a singular God just as we do.
I see the letters as being a mutual desire in both camps to open up peaceful dialog between two religions. I do not see these letters as being an effort on anyone’s part to somehow “meld” the religions into one common belief system. These letters are both saying, “Hey, I know we have many different beliefs but we both commonly believe that we need to worship God and love our neighbors. Let’s love and respect each other instead of hating and killing each other.”
I think these letters are great. Hopefully efforts like this will lead to open, honest, peaceful dialog open between two parties which have historically hated each other with a bloody vengeance.
4 Comments
I have thought about whether or not to leave a comment here. Usually, when I think I probably shouldn’t do something, I don’t. But, I like breaking my own rules.
Let me just ask this—how do you love someone when you(/we) put walls up? I don’t understand this love the sinner, hate the sin, mentality. I love my Muslim neighbour but I fundamentally disagree with the core of his being? How can love exist in that?
Granted, I realize there must be a very conservative majority fuming at the idea and you have taken quite a liberal approach, but it seems to me you shoot yourself in the foot.
What I am saying is—why qualify your statement?
Note, that I did not claim that I believe Muslims worship the same God as Christians, just that they worship a singular God just as we do.
I get the politics that must obviously be used in your blog because of your job, but what if you just didn’t give an answer? What if none of us did? Personally, if someone pressed me for an answer, I might be compelled to say that it is the same God. (So you might be able to write me off right there.) However, I don’t know that we need to give an answer. Why put up a wall when there doesn’t need to be one. And if that’s not enough, then let me ask—who are we to decide who God is? Why do we insist on having a monopoly on faith? Why not go to the basics that we are commanded by scripture to do and stick with them—love our neighbour and love God?
You know, I do agree with you in general. I probably didn’t need to qualify my statement because I agree, I don’t need to put up a wall. I’m debating taking out that qualifying remark. In retrospect, I think you’re right, an answer like that needn’t be given.
Oh, but regarding me filtering what I write here: I really try not to do that. I suppose the degree to which I’m successful can vary but I do honestly try to speak my mind as bluntly and plainly as possible.
It really comes down to the individual. The lay man will follow his book of religion but in the end it comes down to death.
Only upon death will the truth be revealed. The question is will you accept the other as the true God when you die. Do you want to be in that heaven or still refuse to bend your knee for your own salvation of your soul?
One key difference you did not point out was that the christian faith allows you to choose if you want that religion or go elsewhere and even return if you leave for a while. The door is always open to those that seek God with a repentent heart.
The muslim religion is one where if you are born into it, you cannot leave without the parents, family, friends, congregation and entire faith of people turning their backs on you and will not acknowledge your existance because you left the faith.
They both claim a merciful God. Which then would you rather be in?