Christian-Muslim-Jewish friendship thread

[niminypiminy]

I've had a talk with Crescentmoon about starting a thread where Christians and Muslims can hold out our hands in friendship to one another. I feel like we have so much to offer one another, and I certainly would love to learn more about Islam, and to understand the ways in which my Muslim sisters live out their faith. Would anybody else like to join?

I'm niminypiminy, and I'm a member of the Church of England, and work, and have two children. I realise that I'd don't even know if there is an equivalent in Islam for the different denominations (aside from Sunni and Shia, which I'm not at all confident I correctly understand the difference between). I'm going to be offline for a couple of days, so can't get back to reply, but if anybody would like to use this thread to come together as Christians trying to live out our faith, and to prayerfully and open-heartedly welcome and understand each other...

[peacefuloptimist]

Hi again,

Just wondering if anyone watched that Panorama program this week about non-violent extremists. What are your views on the use of this term? I think it can create a lot of confusion. When someone promotes violence and hatred it is clear that is an extreme view that could lead to a person committing acts of terrorism but what about those who subscribe to quite a traditional, conservative interpretation of religion. Do you think non-violent extremists is an appropriate or useful term to describe the more literalist, orthodox members of your faith group e.g. orthodox jews, evangelical christians (thinking of the bible belt in America).

I agree that these sorts of groups can sometimes promote an intolerant world view however Im not sure the answer is to crimanilise them. For example if someone has quite a traditional view of gender roles is that extreme? Isnt it better to debate with that person about their views rather then just silencing them. How will that change their opinion? I just think it could be a slippery slope as this idea of non violent extremism seems quite arbitrary in the way it could be applied.

[stressedHEmum]

clean, I agree with chocolate. Just ignore the ignorance and hate. Most of us just want peace and unity.

[Chocolateteacake]

Just ignore the numpties.

[cleanmachine]

Hello everyone. It's been so lovely to read this thread. I have been saddened, depressed and sickened by some of the views on mn in this last week. Debating with some people is a pointless and futile exercise. I was thinking of taking a long mn break but this thread had reminded that there are many many wonderful mnetters out there who strive for peace and harmony between us all.

[Chocolateteacake]

These people believe that any mad scheme that pops into their head has come via their personal hotline to the Almighty, not the devil (oddly enough).

[peacefuloptimist]

Hi everyone

Count me in as well. Im so happy this thread exists and hope it can be a forum to promote understanding and peace.

Shlep I totally agree with you. Anyone who uses children as a target or a weapon for their cause is truly a monster. It really boggles the mind how any person of faith who believes in an after life can commit such hideous acts. Im always left wondering dont they believe they will be standing in front of God one day having to answer for these actions?

It is not just me but many muslims find the actions of people like this totally shocking and baffling including influential muslim scholars.

www.onislam.net/english/shariah/special-coverage/481653-paris-attack-charlie-hebdo-terrorist-cartoon.html

However these sorts of people will ignore the rebuke and advice even from the most knowledgeable and influential clerics in the muslim world.

[FaithLoveandGrace]

Hi all, count me in. I've been thinking we should have an inter-faith thread after some of the conversations on the Muslim tea room thread, so very pleased to see one already exists :)

Hi niminy, good to "see" you again. Hope all is well with you. I love the idea of the rose. Sending a virtual rose to all.

[niminypiminy]

Count me in! Thank you for bringing the thread back to life, Tuo. Haven't been around much on MN recently so hello to everyone.

A friend of mine showed me yesterday a text from her sister -- a Muslim woman - a complete stranger - had come up to her in the street and given her a rose as a gesture of peace and friendship.

People of all faiths (and none), I offer you a virtual rose.

[Shlep]

Apparently France has deployed 5,000 soldiers to protect the 700 or so Jewish schools specifically. No school should have to be guarded by troops ffs.

[Tuo]

If anyone is in the local area, they might be interested in this course.

[stressedHEmum]

count me in. As Crescent has already said, blessed are the peacemakers and the world surely needs more of those. We are all God's children whatever our faith or lack thereof, if only we could all see that.

[Tuo]

bigbluestars - I said all are welcome, and I meant it.

However, since the aim of the thread was specifically to improve understanding and relationships between faiths, rather than to debate 'faith' per se (and there are, or at least have been, lots of threads doing that), I'd hope that posters kept in mind the aim of the thread when posting. I say this not because I'm afraid of being questioned, but simply because that wasn't why the thread was started... (But it's not my thread, and I'm certainly not the Thread Police, so if others disagree then feel free to say so...).

Running to work now, but will be back!

[PositiveAttitude]

Would love to join in too.

[bigbluestars]

No atheists welcome then.

[Shlep]

Hi. I wasn't here for the original thread, so joining in here- I'm Jewish (Liberal), fwiw.

[madhairday]

And me too.

[QofF]

And me....

[Chocolateteacake]

Count me in...

[Tuo]

In view of recent events, and of some conversations between Christians and Muslims on the Muslim Tearoom thread, I wondered if it might be timely to bump this thread...

This is a place for Christians, Muslims and Jews to reach out hands of friendship and peace, on the basis that mutual understanding is the best basis for the building of a more tolerant future.

All are welcome.

[niminypiminy]

Sorry to have been so quiet, I've been away for a couple of weeks.

While I was away I was privileged to be able to visit a mosque during prayer time and to witness prayers there. It was a really powerful experience which made a great impact on me. I think the main thing that I felt was the presence of God, but also how much as Christians we have to learn from the way that Muslims worship -- standing shoulder to shoulder, old and young, using their bodies as well as words.

I was also lucky enough to have some time asking questions of and talking with a female Muslim chaplain, who was just brilliant -- one of those people whose holiness just shines from them like an inner light, not in a holier than thou kind of way, more as in her whole life was clearly centred in God and she obviously walked in complete freedom of self-surrender. And she was very engaging and funny! It was wonderful !

[Tuo]

Thank you, crescentmoon. I was lucky enough to visit Jerusalem a year or so ago, and was incredibly moved by the experience. I have just re-read something that I wrote then. I said that 'oneness and multiplicity define this place  define it, and divide it, and hold it together in a peace so fragile it feels like a holding of breath', and I am crying now because it feels as if even that most fragile of peaces has been shattered. But if we love our neighbours, as you suggest, then we cannot give up on peace; and if we are powerless to bring peace to our fractured world, then we can try to bring it in a tiny but perhaps not insignificant way to those around us and to those we can reach.