A Common Word Just Won’t Cut it
A “common word” between Muslims and Christians on loving God and their neighbor is an orthodox argument for why and how these two different religions intertwine. The most important and first two Commandments: (Allah is the one and only god, and love all thy neighbors) are strong statements. They both intend to promote the same praise, and an amiable attitude towards all people. However these two commandments alone are far from establishing good-natured relationship between both Muslims and Christians. Other evidence against the association of the two religions suggests this “common word” is deceptive.
Allah is the one God and all faithful Muslims must respect that. Lord is the one God and all faithful Christians must respect that. Those phrases are the keystone of “A Common Word,” Using multiple examples and from an array of books in the Koran and Bible. “ACW” attempts to arouse interest that both Muslims and Christians have similarities and should create a sense of fraternity between the groups.
Due to the suffering caused by Muslim and Christian tension I believe that any diminished stress would be beneficial, yet the “common ground” we share (to devote are love to same God) is imperil by other verses in the bible. In Genesis 1:26, 3:22,11:7 and Isaiah 6:8 the Lord is referred to "us" or something plural, therefore not being capable of monotheistic prayer, and completely unacceptable in Islam and Christian practice.
Love off all they neighbors is “ACW” second largest point, trying to convey the reader that current tension is unnecessary and peace can be reached. If a Muslim wants to remain faithful to Islam then this “peace goal” is impossible (Koran 2:190) “Fight for the sake of Allah those that fight against you, but do not attack them first. Allah does not love the aggressors." Unfortunately due to the media and other means. People “some of might include Christians” will harass “who they think to be” Muslims in any way possible. Unquestionably a faithful Muslim would retaliate and create conflict, being the Koran tells him he must act against us to fight for Allah. Completely contradictory to “love thy neighbors.”
Unlike the Koran’s verses ordering revenge on offenders, the Bibles verses differ. (Matthew 5:43, 45"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven..." Instead of vengeance on disrespectful offenders the Bible tells its followers to love them. These are some points that exhibit how hard a relationship between Islam and Christianity would be.
By. André P.
I think that you are correct in that most Christians would see some of the Islamic prayers to be an infringement upon the trinity. Personally, I would find no problem with their "monotheistic" prayers, but I could see where the discrepancy would lie.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think that quoting specific passages from the Qur'an out of context is a unfair to Islam. The verses were meant for a specific people, in a specific place, in a specific time. Not to mention, that verse is subject to "basic rule" such as these:
[60:8] GOD does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards them. GOD loves the equitable.
[60:9] GOD enjoins you only from befriending those who fight you because of religion, evict you from your homes, and band together with others to banish you. You shall not befriend them. Those who befriend them are the transgressors.
The only time Muslims are supposed to fight is in self defense. Never does it say that Muslims should be violent because of another's unviolent act.
The Jews did terrible things to the Midianites as exhibited in Numbers 31. They killed everyone in the city (except for the virgins, which they kept for themselves) all in the name of God. Also, according to Matthew 15, Jesus told his diciples that the law says if a child "curses" his parents the punishment is death. A completely different interpreation can arise if one is familiar with the context of the later.
http://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/noframes/ch2.html
I felt that "A Common Word" was both a necessary and enlightening gesture between Islam and Christianity. Though there are many discrepancies between these two faiths, this article brought forth the most important similarities. Both teach to love God completely and secondly to love your neighbor. If both sets of believers abide by these paramount commandments, then the relations between the groups can do nothing but improve.
ReplyDelete