Posted on 07/06/2009 6:52:03 AM PDT by IbJensen
WASHINGTON, DC – Defying some of his fellow conservative Christian critics, one of the most prominent religious leaders in the country told several thousand American Muslims on Saturday that "the two largest faiths on the planet" must work together to combat stereotypes and solve global problems.
"Some problems are so big you have to team tackle them," evangelical megachurch pastor Rick Warren addressed the annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).
Warren said Muslims and Christians should be partners in working to end what he calls "the five global giants" of war, poverty, corruption, disease, and illiteracy.
Warren, founder of Saddleback Community Church in Orange County, California, is the author of The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. His willingness to show support for U.S. Muslims is a huge gain for the community, which has endured intense scrutiny since 9/11.
Islam Jihad dominateA Southern Baptist, Warren has a record of upsetting fellow Christian conservatives by calling old-guard evangelical activists too partisan and narrowly focused. Ahead of his speech Saturday, bloggers who follow Warren had already denounced his appearance at the convention as cozying up to extremists.
Warren acknowledged the controversy during his 20-minute speech.
"It's easier to be an extremist of any kind because then you only have one group of people mad at you," he said. "But if you actually try to build relationships — like invite an evangelical pastor to your gathering — you'll get criticized for it. So will I."
In his speech, Warren also urged Muslims and Christians to speak out against stereotyping of any group and to respect each other even while disagreeing. Addressing Muslims who "have been in America for many generations now," he urged them to help "the newcomers learn what it means to be American."
Based in Plainfield, Indiana, ISNA is an umbrella organization for Muslim groups across the country. The annual convention, now in its 46th year, regularly draws more than 30,000 people for lectures, prayer, and socializing.
Many in the crowd were drawn to the session by prominent Muslim scholars such as Sheik Hamza Yusuf of the Zaytuna Institute in Berkeley, California.
Ann Zahra, 42, said she had never heard of Warren before Saturday but agreed with much of his speech. "The basics are the same," said Zahra, of McLean, Va. "No religion teaches cruelty or disrespect or hatred."
Really? I never heard of him until he hosted an Obomba interview and tossed cream puff questions at him.
A-Hole.
If he wants to see how Muslims can work with Christians he should ask Brigette Gabriel, any Copt, or CHristian Sudanese and Nigerians.
His “religion” is globalism.
He should ask Daniel Pearl’s family how they feel about getting along with Muslims.
The guy’s a feel-good guy.
Hope meets the Pope on the 10th, maybe they have a solution.
Yes, but he has the trait apparent in many Americans and their leaders: the desire to be liked by his opponnents, but who are Warren’s opponents? As you say, he is really known in just a few circles. But he surely likes Obama.
Seems to me that mohammedanism is a leading cause of war, poverty, corruption, disease, and illiteracy.
James 4:4 is but one of the proscriptions in scripture about being friends with the world.
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
His “religion” is globalism.
One World Religion.
Warren appears not to comprehend that from the perspective of Muslims the main global problem is how to most effectively convert the rest of the world to Islam -- by sword, by homicide bombing, or by nuclear detonations?
how about jihad?
What’s funny is that Islam/the Koran
DOES teach peace and respect and love and truth... but only to fellow Muslims.
All others are to be treated as dogs or swine.
Imagine. Calling on muslims to solve global problems when all they can do is read manuals that lead them through the bomb building steps.
It's bad enough that they read what the perverted 'prophet' wrote and blow themselves up hoping to meet new girls.
IMHO the disturbing thing about this is the active recruitment of an “evangelical” preacher into this agenda...strongly supports my concern about who REALLY bought Obama the White House
He’s nuts or something close to nuts.
Naive, or just raining on our legs?
Ann Zahra, 42, said she had never heard of Warren before Saturday but agreed with much of his speech. "The basics are the same,"
No Ann, the basics are antithetical. I wish the pastor had explained them to you instead of chasing peace.
Moderate Muslim = OUT OF BULLETS
Islamic birth control is a bomb strapped to a ten year old.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.