Is Islamic Prayer in Christian Churches "too far"?

I read this article over the weekend about some Churches allowing Muslims to hold Islamic prayer services in their Churches.

Article: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/02/18/churches-open-doors-muslim-worship/

What are your thoughts on this? Since it is not my parish, not even my same denomination, I basically have the same stance as I did on an earlier post about same-sex marriages in churches. That is, if that particular church is fine with it, then it doesn't bother me because, simply put, it doesn't affect me and really is none of my concern. Same thing here.

That being said, if it were my parish, I'd be looking for a new one to join. I'm sure someone will call me Islamophobic, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but to me that isn't the problem I have. My concern (IF it were my church) is that I have my own struggles with my faith. So many questions about my own religion that I wrestle with. So, I put a lot of faith in the clergy, trusting their years of study to at least help guide me to ask better questions. Specifically with a lot of theChristian traditions (particulary thosestarted under Constantine). Soafter preaching "heaven through Jesus," I don't know how I'd feel if the church I belonged to invited people to pray to allah. I think I'd feel...... "Whats the point of attending church at all? If anyone can come in and pray to whomever. If every religion is the same, then none of them are worth anything."

Although I certainly don't condone telling people of other faiths what they should or shouldn't believe, I can't help but think that there is something blasphemous (for lack of a better word) about have people come in and pray to anyone other than Jesus IN THE CHURCH.

A few other questions I had that weren't addressed in the article. Are there NO OTHER facilites for the Muslims to utilize? (A nondenominational recreation center? Something like that?). Also, I'm curious to know what the actual Muslim services will look like? Will the cross be covered withdrapery? Will all references to Mary be covered?

Again, it's not my church or parish or denomination, so if they want to do this, it's completely up to them. Anyone have any thoughts?

I think it all needs to stop. But, in this context, I think each religion should remain exclusive of the other.

Yeah, making attempts to to stop the strong divide between Chrisians and Muslims is going way to far.

I applaud the church, and all the muslims that prayed there for bridging the gap and showing respect to one another.

how can muslims worship in a building that is also used for christians polytheistic worshipping? epic fail

God is everywhere so why does it matter where you pray?

Of course this shouldn't be allowed. How do you think Muslims would react if Christian prayer took place in mosques?DreamnDayUnite

How does that apply? The Church let them in.

If a mosque LET Christians pray there, I doubt theyd freak out.

Of course this shouldn't be allowed. How do you think Muslims would react if Christian prayer took place in mosques?DreamnDayUnite

Some mosques allow Christians to pray in them.

You were saying?

A lot of things churches have been doing (that go counter to what the Bible says to do) have only exacerbated the struggles i am having with my faith. I do realize that these things sound progressive (and they probably are). But the Bible is very clear about the worship of false Gods (according to the Bible any god not from the Bible is a false God) and about homosexuality. In the case of the former, who is to say which God (if any) is the 'right' one...but it goes against what the Bible says to allow the worship of another God in their temple (at least it does to me). In the case of the later, homosexuality is a sin (same as my lustful thoughts). But there is a difference in a church accepting something as normal (lustful thoughts and homosexuality) and condoning it...the church does not tell me my lustful thoughts are okay so why would they perform gay marriages??? The church (i realize that I am generalizing) seems to be making a push to appeal to to all people in this day and age. While this might sound good in theory, I believe that it is destined to fail in practice. Nascar did something similar. They got away from the driver fights and the rubbing and the wrecks to try and appeal to the masses...to clean up their sport (hockey looks to be attempting something similar). But all that happened was that they alienated their core fans and did not really attract that many new ones. ...just my thoughts on the matter though...which are probably worthless given my current 'issues'rawsavon

Anyway...if the Christian Church allows it...not a big deal. In fact....might be a step to getting the two faiths to respect each other which can never be wrong.

i dont see the issue, its up to the individual churches or mosques... religions can inter-mingle... also tc you do realize jesus is holy to muslims as well don't ya?

Same god, different lyrics.

If both sides are happy for it to take place, let it happen.

how can muslims worship in a building that is also used for christians polytheistic worshipping? epic fail

Harisemo

How are Christians polytheistic? Jesus, God, and the Holy spirit are considered one person in the Holy Trinity.

Let us not forget that those Muslims desecreted CHristian Churches in Egypt by... protecting them. How dare they protect Christian churches! And how dare the Christians protect the Muslims during their prayer! Sorry, I don't have links to these stories, I just read them somewhere and I'm too lazy to track down the links.

In all seriousness, if the Christians want to let Muslims worship in their churches, good. The two religions need to come to peace together and then we can realize we have a lot more in common than that is different. Also, check out this letter by Muhammad, kind of paints a different picture of Islam then you are probably used to seeing. Didn't want to click the link? Its basically saying that Christians are Muhammad's people as well and that Muslims should respect them as highly as they would another Muslim.

[QUOTE="Harisemo"]

how can muslims worship in a building that is also used for christians polytheistic worshipping? epic fail

JustMe64

How are Christians polytheistic? Jesus, God, and the Holy spirit are considered one person in the Holy Trinity.

[QUOTE="rawsavon"]A lot of things churches have been doing (that go counter to what the Bible says to do) have only exacerbated the struggles i am having with my faith. I do realize that these things sound progressive (and they probably are). But the Bible is very clear about the worship of false Gods (according to the Bible any god not from the Bible is a false God) and about homosexuality. In the case of the former, who is to say which God (if any) is the 'right' one...but it goes against what the Bible says to allow the worship of another God in their temple (at least it does to me). In the case of the later, homosexuality is a sin (same as my lustful thoughts). But there is a difference in a church accepting something as normal (lustful thoughts and homosexuality) and condoning it...the church does not tell me my lustful thoughts are okay so why would they perform gay marriages??? The church (i realize that I am generalizing) seems to be making a push to appeal to to all people in this day and age. While this might sound good in theory, I believe that it is destined to fail in practice. Nascar did something similar. They got away from the driver fights and the rubbing and the wrecks to try and appeal to the masses...to clean up their sport (hockey looks to be attempting something similar). But all that happened was that they alienated their core fans and did not really attract that many new ones. ...just my thoughts on the matter though...which are probably worthless given my current 'issues'LJS9502_basic

Anyway...if the Christian Church allows it...not a big deal. In fact....might be a step to getting the two faiths to respect each other which can never be wrong.

Really. Since (in the Christian church and Bible) Jesus is God.
I wonder how you rectify that both worship the same God...either Jesus is God or he is not.
...unless Muslims believe that Jesus came and died for the sins of the world (and I am just unaware)

And quite a few churches do it (just google "what churches perform gay marriages")

So my points still stand

I think it's going way to far! Hopefully this tolerance doesn't spread and become a trend.

[QUOTE="JustMe64"]

[QUOTE="Harisemo"]

how can muslims worship in a building that is also used for christians polytheistic worshipping? epic fail

LJS9502_basic

How are Christians polytheistic? Jesus, God, and the Holy spirit are considered one person in the Holy Trinity.

I know, I was explaining how they weren't. lol

[QUOTE="Harisemo"]

how can muslims worship in a building that is also used for christians polytheistic worshipping? epic fail

JustMe64

How are Christians polytheistic? Jesus, God, and the Holy spirit are considered one person in the Holy Trinity.

They are considered one in christianity but for us muslims they are not one. Jesus was a human being and God is far superior and has no partners. Jesus is not part of God or God in human form or son of God but simply a mortalman just like others. So worshipping Jesus or associating jesus with God is polytheism.

[QUOTE="JustMe64"]

[QUOTE="Harisemo"]

how can muslims worship in a building that is also used for christians polytheistic worshipping? epic fail

Harisemo

How are Christians polytheistic? Jesus, God, and the Holy spirit are considered one person in the Holy Trinity.

They are considered one in christianity but for us muslims they are not one. Jesus was a human being and God is far superior and has no partners. Jesus is not part of God or God in human form or son of God but simply a mortalman just like others. So worshipping Jesus or associating jesus with God is polytheism.

You define a religion on what the people following it believe, not how other religions see it.

Just saying.

You define a religion on what the people following it believe, not how other religions see it.

Just saying.

xLFTMx

Christians qualify as polytheists in my religion. Just saying.

[QUOTE="xLFTMx"]

You define a religion on what the people following it believe, not how other religions see it.

Just saying.

Harisemo

Christians qualify as polytheists in my religion. Just saying.

THEY worship them as pieces of the same being. Christianity ISN't polythestic, not matter how your religion sees it.

The way YOU see something doesn't change the definition.

[QUOTE="Harisemo"]

[QUOTE="JustMe64"]

How are Christians polytheistic? Jesus, God, and the Holy spirit are considered one person in the Holy Trinity.

xLFTMx

They are considered one in christianity but for us muslims they are not one. Jesus was a human being and God is far superior and has no partners. Jesus is not part of God or God in human form or son of God but simply a mortalman just like others. So worshipping Jesus or associating jesus with God is polytheism.

You define a religion on what the people following it believe, not how other religions see it.

Just saying.

He's trolling, there was no reason for him to include "polytheistic" in his original post unless he wanted to rub people the wrong way.

[QUOTE="Harisemo"]

[QUOTE="xLFTMx"]

You define a religion on what the people following it believe, not how other religions see it.

Just saying.

xLFTMx

Christians qualify as polytheists in my religion. Just saying.

THEY worship them as pieces of the same being. Christianity ISN't polythestic, not matter how your religion sees it.

The way YOU see something doesn't change the definition.

yes it does matter to me :| I dont care if they worship them as "pieces of one" but they qualify as polytheists in my religion.

I actually support the idea if: 1. The church still preaches that there is only one way to the Father - through Christ. 2. This is a way for the church to share the love of Christ and evangelize the Muslims by way of loving their neighbors. 3. There is a differentiation being made between the two groups. They can coexist with one another in harmony but that doesn't mean they must agree. I do not support this idea if: 1. People are changing orthodox Christian doctrine in favor of a more universalist idea. 2. There is great tension between the two groups that would cause the Muslims to turn farther from Christ.mindstorm

He's trolling, there was no reason for him to include "polytheistic" in his original post unless he wanted to rub people the wrong way.

JML897

typical "i don't agree with him...so he must be trolling".

[QUOTE="JML897"]

He's trolling, there was no reason for him to include "polytheistic" in his original post unless he wanted to rub people the wrong way.

Harisemo

typical "i don't agree with him...so he must be trolling".

No, it's just that "polytheistic" was such a needless word in your original post.

how can muslims worship in a building that is also used for christians polytheistic worshipping? epic failHarisemo

There's no reason whatsoever to include "polytheistic" in that post.

[QUOTE="xLFTMx"]

[QUOTE="Harisemo"]

Christians qualify as polytheists in my religion. Just saying.

Harisemo

THEY worship them as pieces of the same being. Christianity ISN't polythestic, not matter how your religion sees it.

The way YOU see something doesn't change the definition.

yes it does matter to me :| I dont care if they worship them as "pieces of one" but they qualify as polytheists in my religion.

Thats cool. Doesn't change that language doesnt work like that. Even if your religion IS correct, Christians worship them as one. Because they worship them like that, their religion isn't polytheistic. It doesnt matter if its correct, but thats what they believe. So they are defined as monothestic.

[QUOTE="Harisemo"]

[QUOTE="JML897"]

typical "i don't agree with him...so he must be trolling".

JML897

No, it's just that "polytheistic" was such a needless word in your original post.

how can muslims worship in a building that is also used for christians polytheistic worshipping? epic failHarisemo

There's no reason whatsoever to include "polytheistic" in that post.

Meh, I've always felt the trinity thing was somewhat polytheistic. Not trying to be offensive, just how I've always viewed it.

No, it's just that "polytheistic" was such a needless word in your original post.

[QUOTE="Harisemo"]how can muslims worship in a building that is also used for christians polytheistic worshipping? epic failJML897

There's no reason whatsoever to include "polytheistic" in that post.

maybe it was "needless" in your opinion but it is a very important point in my opinion. You cant as a muslim worship in the same placewhere polythestic worshipping is done. if you think thats needless then my friend you dont understand islam.

[QUOTE="JML897"]

No, it's just that "polytheistic" was such a needless word in your original post.

[QUOTE="Harisemo"]how can muslims worship in a building that is also used for christians polytheistic worshipping? epic failHarisemo

There's no reason whatsoever to include "polytheistic" in that post.

maybe it was "needless" in your opinion but it is a very important point in my opinion. You cant as a muslim worship in the same placewhere polythestic worshipping is done. if you think thats needless then my friend you dont understand islam.

Thats cool. Doesn't change that language doesnt work like that. Even if your religion IS correct, Christians worship them as one. Because they worship them like that, their religion isn't polytheistic. It doesnt matter if its correct, but thats what they believe. So they are defined as monothestic.

xLFTMx

Yes christians worship them as one but islam teaches that christians are polytheists so for a muslim like me they are polytheists! I cant define christians as monotheists even if they believe they are monotheists.

[QUOTE="Harisemo"]

[QUOTE="JML897"]

There's no reason whatsoever to include "polytheistic" in that post.

Rheiken

maybe it was "needless" in your opinion but it is a very important point in my opinion. You cant as a muslim worship in the same placewhere polythestic worshipping is done. if you think thats needless then my friend you dont understand islam.

yes the point about hinduism, I see them as idolaters and polytheists and it doesnt matter to me that they themselves believe that they are ultimately worshipping one God but to me they idolatrous polytheists

[QUOTE="xLFTMx"]

Thats cool. Doesn't change that language doesnt work like that. Even if your religion IS correct, Christians worship them as one. Because they worship them like that, their religion isn't polytheistic. It doesnt matter if its correct, but thats what they believe. So they are defined as monothestic.

Harisemo

Yes christians worship them as one but islam teaches that christians are polytheists so for a muslim like me they are polytheists! I cant define christians as monotheists even if they believe they are monotheists.

Its whatever. I disagree. Its not a big deal, I dont really care. I just don't think the meaning of words are subjective in that way. If the meaning of a word is changed by how people view something then there really isn't a need for the word at all.

.. You make it sound like it was forced, the church decided to have this happen.. its not too far because its their own damn business.sSubZerOo

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"].. You make it sound like it was forced, the church decided to have this happen.. its not too far because its their own damn business.YellowOneKinobi

When you suggest it "goes too far".. Making it sound like either its a abomination that this ia happening or its being forced upon.. You take your pick.

[QUOTE="YellowOneKinobi"][QUOTE="sSubZerOo"].. You make it sound like it was forced, the church decided to have this happen.. its not too far because its their own damn business.sSubZerOo

When you suggest it "goes too far".. Making it sound like either its a abomination that this ia happening or its being forced upon.. You take your pick.

[QUOTE="xLFTMx"]

Thats cool. Doesn't change that language doesnt work like that. Even if your religion IS correct, Christians worship them as one. Because they worship them like that, their religion isn't polytheistic. It doesnt matter if its correct, but thats what they believe. So they are defined as monothestic.

Harisemo

Yes christians worship them as one but islam teaches that christians are polytheists so for a muslim like me they are polytheists! I cant define christians as monotheists even if they believe they are monotheists.

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]

[QUOTE="rawsavon"]A lot of things churches have been doing (that go counter to what the Bible says to do) have only exacerbated the struggles i am having with my faith. I do realize that these things sound progressive (and they probably are). But the Bible is very clear about the worship of false Gods (according to the Bible any god not from the Bible is a false God) and about homosexuality. In the case of the former, who is to say which God (if any) is the 'right' one...but it goes against what the Bible says to allow the worship of another God in their temple (at least it does to me). In the case of the later, homosexuality is a sin (same as my lustful thoughts). But there is a difference in a church accepting something as normal (lustful thoughts and homosexuality) and condoning it...the church does not tell me my lustful thoughts are okay so why would they perform gay marriages??? The church (i realize that I am generalizing) seems to be making a push to appeal to to all people in this day and age. While this might sound good in theory, I believe that it is destined to fail in practice. Nascar did something similar. They got away from the driver fights and the rubbing and the wrecks to try and appeal to the masses...to clean up their sport (hockey looks to be attempting something similar). But all that happened was that they alienated their core fans and did not really attract that many new ones. ...just my thoughts on the matter though...which are probably worthless given my current 'issues'rawsavon

Anyway...if the Christian Church allows it...not a big deal. In fact....might be a step to getting the two faiths to respect each other which can never be wrong.

Really. Since (in the Christian church and Bible) Jesus is God.
I wonder how you rectify that both worship the same God...either Jesus is God or he is not.
...unless Muslims believe that Jesus came and died for the sins of the world (and I am just unaware)

And quite a few churches do it (just google "what churches perform gay marriages")

So my points still stand

If it fosters better relations with the other faiths, I have no problem with it. All this religious infighting strikes me as a bit silly considering how much the three religions that originated in the Middle East have in common.

If the churches want to open their doors let them. It would be wrong for us to say what a religion can and cannot do.

I really am not a man of faith anymore. Even though I'm technically Roman Catholic, I found meaning in life in other places.