tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11404995.post115842151582242689..comments2023-12-12T04:32:09.269-05:00Comments on BaptizedPagan: Of Benedict, Islam, and RegretsBaptizedPaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687989094914082292noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11404995.post-1158851559144068212006-09-21T11:12:00.000-04:002006-09-21T11:12:00.000-04:00Religion of Pieces, I initially considered deleted...Religion of Pieces, I initially considered deleted your comment entirely, but I'm going to leave it there as a witness that violence and ignorance isn't a problem only within the Muslim world.<BR/><BR/>This misrepresents Islam in a number of (sociologically fascinating) ways, and seems less rooted in a rational investigation of Islam and a willingness to let Muslims tell non-Muslims who they are and what they believe, and more in an attempt to justify an anti-Muslim attitude than to seriously respond to the claims and theology of Muslims. <BR/><BR/>Referring to Allah as a "demon" is particularly insipid, since my Arabic-speaking Christian sisters and brothers also pray to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jesus as Allah.<BR/><BR/>As a Roman Catholic Christian, my hopes that Christianity and Islam might enter into fruitful dialogue are rooted in the teachings of the bishops of my church. The bishops of Vatican II in the declaration <A HREF="http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html" REL="nofollow">Nostra Aetate</A> said this on the question:<BR/>"The Church regards with esteem also the Muslims. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all- powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth,(5) who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself, submitted to God. Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him as a prophet. They also honor Mary, His virgin Mother; at times they even call on her with devotion. In addition, they await the day of judgment when God will render their deserts to all those who have been raised up from the dead. Finally, they value the moral life and worship God especially through prayer, almsgiving and fasting.<BR/><BR/>Since in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Moslems, this sacred synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom."<BR/><BR/>And the <A HREF="http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p123a9p3.htm#III" REL="nofollow">Catechism of the Catholic Church</A>, quoting from Lumen Gentium 16, states, "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."<BR/><BR/>Further resources for Catholic-Muslim relations are available from the U.S. Bishops <A HREF="http://www.usccb.org/seia/islam.shtml" REL="nofollow">at www.usccb.org</A>.BaptizedPaganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03687989094914082292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11404995.post-1158761129380226482006-09-20T10:05:00.000-04:002006-09-20T10:05:00.000-04:00Oh, I don't think the reaction in the Muslim world...Oh, I don't think the reaction in the Muslim world is justified in any way, let me be clear. I think that the violence of the response supports the point that, as far I can tell, the pope was trying to make: that there's a need for a dialogue that's both frank and non-violent. I think he may be trying to carve out a space for a "third way" (apologies to my Anglican sisters and brothers): we have lots of dialogues, religious and otherwise, that are frank and violent, and lots that are wishy-washy and non-violent...what's difficult is finding one which is frank and non-violent...this would be good not just for Christian-Muslim dialogue, but for, say, American political discourse or intraCatholic dialogue...<BR/><BR/>Fault with the Pope...hmm, tougher. Obviously, it's not the pope's fault that people are reacting so violently to his words. But one has to wonder how he thought this would be a good way to begin such a dialogue, and how much he could have reasonably expected a reaction like this to occur. So there's some responsibility which is his, arising from what seems like a misjudgment, a lack of prudence...BaptizedPaganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03687989094914082292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11404995.post-1158625401924361862006-09-18T20:23:00.000-04:002006-09-18T20:23:00.000-04:00My dear friend ... Just one question: do you think...My dear friend ... Just one question: do you think that the reaction that happened in the Muslim world is justified? And, related question, that the fault is entirely with the Pope? <BR/><BR/>[Oh, on my grand tour of the northest, I'll be in Boston ... we should meet up! Even if it seems our paths seem to have lead us down very divergent paths. Or rather, the way we think. Whateva ... :)]Fr. Gaurav Shroff https://www.blogger.com/profile/04964314266441708310noreply@blogger.com