Another Westerner and Christian that just does not get it

[Praxeas]

Catholic churches in the Netherlands should use the name Allah for God to ease tensions between Muslims and Christians, says a Dutch bishop.
Tiny Muskens, the bishop of Breda, told the Dutch TV program "Network" Monday night he believes God doesn't mind what he is called, Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported.


The Almighty is above such "discussion and bickering," he insisted.
Muskens points to Indonesia, where he served 30 years ago, as an example for Dutch churches. Christians in the Middle East also use the term Allah for God.


"Someone like me has prayed to Allah yang maha kuasa (Almighty God) for eight years in Indonesia and other priests for 20 or 30 years," Muskens said. "In the heart of the Eucharist, God is called Allah over there, so why can't we start doing that together?"


Muskens thinks it could take another 100 years, but eventually the name Allah will be used by Dutch churches, promoting rapprochement between the two religions, he said, according to Radio Netherlands.


However, a survey published today in the Netherlands' largest newspaper, De Telegraaf, showed 92 percent of the more than 4,000 people polled oppose the bishop's view, the Associated Press reported.


http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/ar...TICLE_ID=57178

[Praxeas]

You know, Indonesia is NOT the example of Islamic/Christian relationship. Despite the Christians saying "Allah" they are still persecuted there. Not only that, the reason why they say "Allah" is probably out of fear not because they want to work with the muslims. Why not the other way around? Why does the world have to conform to Islam according to some westerners and Christians?

[pelathais]

If he really wanted to be respectful of Muslim sensibilities this bishop should honor the Islamic faith by not watering it down. I find the whole proposal insulting from a Christian view point as well as from what I understand the Muslim view point to be.

These are two different belief systems. To be respectful of both you must treat them separately.

In the case of Indonesia and other Muslim areas I know that the Christians who have survived have done so because they have made certain that they don't stand out from the general population. This is not "tolerance" or "ecumenism" on the part of the Christians; it is fear. Why spread this practice of fear into the West?

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by pelathais

If he really wanted to be respectful of Muslim sensibilities this bishop should honor the Islamic faith by not watering it down. I find the whole proposal insulting from a Christian view point as well as from what I understand the Muslim view point to be.

These are two different belief systems. To be respectful of both you must treat them separately.

Or convert

In the case of Indonesia and other Muslim areas I know that the Christians who have survived have done so because they have made certain that they don't stand out from the general population. This is not "tolerance" or "ecumenism" on the part of the Christians; it is fear. Why spread this practice of fear into the West?

Exactly

[Praxeas]

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