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...

[Chocolateteacake]

Just ignore the numpties.

[stressedHEmum]

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

[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.