Religious Studies 102 introduces students to post-biblical theology and religious practice and the contexts in which they appear. Through a consideration of representative figures and issues, students analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments and points of view. In particular, we consider how concepts of the body are incorporated in religious beliefs and practices.
After reading this article I find myself torn. The student side of me thinks that Redding's ability to be both a Christian and a Muslim makes perfect sense. The two religions compliment each other and, as the article points out, they ultimately both come from Abraham. However, the Catholic in me doesn't think it is possible for a person to prescribe to two different faiths. The basis of faith is to believe in God under the constraints that are given. For Redding to believe in God fully through another religion seems as if she's breaking a religious rule. It would be different if she said she moved closer to God through aspects of the Muslim culture, but to state she is both Muslim and Christian is contradicting what faith is. The debate of wether she can represent both religions is further magnified by her prominent role in the Episcopal church. How can she stand up in church and teach her congregation about the foundation of the body and blood of Christ and then turn to a religion where the body and blood of Christ does not exist? Redding is stretching the progression of modern church's to it's fullest extent as she moves between two faiths with the goal to reach God.
I support her completely. I think it's great that she's thoroughly questioning every aspect of religion and determining what she truly believes. One of my favorite lines from the article is "I could not not be a Muslim." I appreciate the fact that she is accepting her calling to Muslim teachings; however, I, personally, am not sure that she can call herself both a Muslim and a Christian. She cannot alter the foundations of religions. I support her decision to choose different aspects of Islam and Christian teachings to believe, but I just don't think that she can "be" both at once.
I am really glad that I've had the opportunity to read this article. It has never occurred to me that some people actually bridge (or attempt to bridge) different faiths! However, after reading her quotes throughout the article, I think she is actually Muslim and not Christian. Christianity is based on the foundation of the Trinity and Jesus as God's divine, human son. Islam is based on the fact that Muhammad is Allah's messenger. Those ideas fundamentally clash, making it impossible for one to be devoted to both religions. The statements she makes about Jesus are things like "through him, I see Allah" and "he being human gives us no excuse to not be able to imitate him." I get the impression that she respects Jesus in the fact that he brought her to God, but her heart belongs to Islam. I don't think it is possible to follow both religions, but I respect that she tries and has followed her calling.
This article is incredibly interesting. I have never heard someone call themselves both a Muslim and a Christian. I think the way she approached the blending of the two faiths is really fascinating. I personally don't think she can subscribe to both religions, however I respect the fact that she has done what she felt God called her to do. The aspect that I disagree with most was touched when the point of Jesus Christ was brought up. I feel to be a Christian one must believe that Jesus is the son of God who for us died so that our sins would be forgiven. But to be a Muslim would mean that she disregards Jesus as a Savior and simply acknowledges him as a profit. i just don't see a way to blend that aspect.
I completely agree with the idea of finding your own faith within the beliefs of two different religions; however,I also think the disagreements on the idea of Jesus makes it a bit difficult to say that you are both Muslim and Catholic. I believe that each individual person shapes their own faith, because you cant realistically be told exactly what to believe. Each person, no matter what religion they declare themselves to be a member of, forms their own opinions and beliefs based off of what they learn. Usually a person's faith is based off of the ideas of a single religion, but if Reddings found her faith from two different, but very similar, religions then I guess she just has even more ideas to choose from.
After reading this article I find myself torn. The student side of me thinks that Redding's ability to be both a Christian and a Muslim makes perfect sense. The two religions compliment each other and, as the article points out, they ultimately both come from Abraham. However, the Catholic in me doesn't think it is possible for a person to prescribe to two different faiths. The basis of faith is to believe in God under the constraints that are given. For Redding to believe in God fully through another religion seems as if she's breaking a religious rule. It would be different if she said she moved closer to God through aspects of the Muslim culture, but to state she is both Muslim and Christian is contradicting what faith is. The debate of wether she can represent both religions is further magnified by her prominent role in the Episcopal church. How can she stand up in church and teach her congregation about the foundation of the body and blood of Christ and then turn to a religion where the body and blood of Christ does not exist? Redding is stretching the progression of modern church's to it's fullest extent as she moves between two faiths with the goal to reach God.
ReplyDeleteI support her completely. I think it's great that she's thoroughly questioning every aspect of religion and determining what she truly believes. One of my favorite lines from the article is "I could not not be a Muslim." I appreciate the fact that she is accepting her calling to Muslim teachings; however, I, personally, am not sure that she can call herself both a Muslim and a Christian. She cannot alter the foundations of religions. I support her decision to choose different aspects of Islam and Christian teachings to believe, but I just don't think that she can "be" both at once.
ReplyDeleteI am really glad that I've had the opportunity to read this article. It has never occurred to me that some people actually bridge (or attempt to bridge) different faiths! However, after reading her quotes throughout the article, I think she is actually Muslim and not Christian. Christianity is based on the foundation of the Trinity and Jesus as God's divine, human son. Islam is based on the fact that Muhammad is Allah's messenger. Those ideas fundamentally clash, making it impossible for one to be devoted to both religions. The statements she makes about Jesus are things like "through him, I see Allah" and "he being human gives us no excuse to not be able to imitate him." I get the impression that she respects Jesus in the fact that he brought her to God, but her heart belongs to Islam. I don't think it is possible to follow both religions, but I respect that she tries and has followed her calling.
ReplyDeleteThis article is incredibly interesting. I have never heard someone call themselves both a Muslim and a Christian. I think the way she approached the blending of the two faiths is really fascinating. I personally don't think she can subscribe to both religions, however I respect the fact that she has done what she felt God called her to do. The aspect that I disagree with most was touched when the point of Jesus Christ was brought up. I feel to be a Christian one must believe that Jesus is the son of God who for us died so that our sins would be forgiven. But to be a Muslim would mean that she disregards Jesus as a Savior and simply acknowledges him as a profit. i just don't see a way to blend that aspect.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the idea of finding your own faith within the beliefs of two different religions; however,I also think the disagreements on the idea of Jesus makes it a bit difficult to say that you are both Muslim and Catholic. I believe that each individual person shapes their own faith, because you cant realistically be told exactly what to believe. Each person, no matter what religion they declare themselves to be a member of, forms their own opinions and beliefs based off of what they learn. Usually a person's faith is based off of the ideas of a single religion, but if Reddings found her faith from two different, but very similar, religions then I guess she just has even more ideas to choose from.
ReplyDelete