New York Catholics visit mosque, learn about Islam

CNS ^ | August 9, 2007 | Beth Griffin

[sono]

[drzz]

they learnt... how to destroy it ?

[blinachka]

He later explained that Muslims consider Jesus to be a prophet, but not divine.

And thus the religion of islam is BLASPHEMOUS to ALL Christians no matter their denomination.

I wonder if the muslims from Wappinger's Falls (only a few miles down the road from me!) will be going to Mass at the church in Garrision? Ugh. This is sickening...I can safely say that if the imam from the giant mosque at Lexington and 95th St called my bishop at my cathedral on Park & 93rd to have a field trip my bishop would tell him to get lost.

[Carpe Cerevisi]

The local mosque in our town had an “open house” a couple of weeks ago and invited local churches to come and learn about islam. Our priest thought that I would be a good candidate to attend this event. I politely declined. Seriously - what would be accomplished by me attending?

And this is in a small town of about 7000 people. I’m sure the event went over like a lead balloon.

[NYer]

Thank you very much for those links! The video should be required viewing for all christians!

[angcat]

Wappingers Falls is loaded with all ex city folk who ran up the line. These people are their own worst enemy. Sick indeed.

[Aquinasfan]

"Dr. Ahmad spoke 'In Praise of Mary' and at the end of his talk

Bishop Sheen believed that the miracle of Fatima would be the bridge that would bring Mohammedans to Christianity, since Mary enjoys an exalted position within Mohammedanism, and Fatima was Mohammed's daughter.

[Aquinasfan]

I thought we Catholics were discouraged from this kind of thing? Am I wrong?

Praying with them would probably be wrong. Attending and observing would be OK. Exactly what happened is unclear to me.

[Aquinasfan]

With that, he opened up the Q'uran in Arabic and reread the same sura. All those heads focused on him now turned towards the presenter. Her face turned a violent shade of red, she mumbled something in Arabic and moved on to the next question.

The truth will set you free.

[Aquinasfan]

According to Muhammad, when he was visited by an “angel” he was terrified and remained that way for several days. I have no doubt that he had a visitation, but it WAS NOT from an angel of God.

And then consider the nature and fruits of Mohammedanism. Yeah, I'm pretty sure Mohammed was visited by the "light-bringer."

[Iscool]

Bishop Sheen believed that the miracle of Fatima would be the bridge that would bring Mohammedans to Christianity, since Mary enjoys an exalted position within Mohammedanism, and Fatima was Mohammed's daughter.

Apparently Bishop Sheen got duped...It's working the other way around...

Catholics are embracing Islam...And not a peep from a Bishop, Cardinal or Pope...

Oh well...Both your religions face the moon god in the east when you worship...

What's interesting is that to most Catholics, we Protestants are an anathema...Even tho we confess Jesus as our Savior...But yet your religion is beginning to cuddle up with muzlims...

And what is the common denominator??? It's not God in the flesh...It's not salvation...It's not the Holy Scripture...

It's Mary, the Queen of Heaven...That's your common denominator...You have a common bond and it's not God...

[klossg]

I have visited a mosque. I have gone with my friends to a Friday service.

It is not bad. It is not terrible. I am still a very strong Catholic. I simply prayed next to Muslims. I did not pray their prayers. I prayed my own Catholic prayers. There is no law. I did not sin. Anyone who asked, knew I was a Catholic.

You would find out that the average Muslim is peaceful and accepting. You would see that most condemn the terrorists and are embarrassed that the terrorists are associated with Islam.

The less we think of people as the enemy, in the non-Christian way that enemy is accepted, the better off we will be. Don't just bring the Gospel to the well. Bring it to the sick. In humility take Christ's love to people, even in mosques, and you will find that the Holy Spirit provides more than you ever could or your fear could.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. If we live like Christ calls us to live, Islam will fall apart and all will become Christians. If we live by the sword, we will die by the sword. Even if we are just defending ourselves. St. Peter had to put his sword away upon Christ's bidding. I am not saying lay it all down ... just be open to more peaceful solutions ... we may surprise ourselves and find Christ in those other solutions.

[Jeff Chandler]

do these loons not know the life of Saint Francis?

They confuse Ghandi for St. Francis, just as they confuse Karl Marx for Jesus of Nazareth.

[Jeff Chandler]

Imam Khan is a Pakistani who holds master's degrees in Arabic and Islamic studies.

Is that like holding black belts?

[klossg]

Catholics are embracing Islam

Other than this article that is right before your eyes, where do you see Catholics embracing Islam. And note that none of those in the article are thinking of becoming Muslim. That is what you read into it with your own fear.

Catholics are not becoming Muslim. Get a grip. This is just your interpretation of today's news item. Yesterday it was Ryan Anderson, a former Lutheran, who was in the news over converting to Islam. Should we all declare that Lutherans are embracing Islam? Come on.

Over the past month everyone has been in Catholics' faces because the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith put out a clarification that the Catholic Church is the one true church (i.e. Bishops, Cardinals and Pope all support the CDF). Now you say "And not a peep from a Bishop, Cardinal or Pope"

I'm just suggesting that you might want to take a more rational approach. or you could continue to pretend that you have found that Mary, the Mother of God, is the stepping stone to Islam. Aye Caramba!

[klossg]

And thus the religion of islam is BLASPHEMOUS to ALL Christians no matter their denomination.

Well no duh! But, who said going into a Mosque and even praying side by side with Muslims is condoning Islam as the true or even a true religion? Is it guilt by association? Do not let your emotions run away with your logic and understanding.

Christians worth their salt, pun intended, can handle a little prayer besides Muslims without losing their religion. You might worry about the Muslims losing their faith in seeing a Christian praying along with them. They might see that our understanding of the Trinity might be a little more subtle than polytheism. They may see that Christ will bring them to a complete understanding of God.

To bring Muslims to the full truth, we may have to look for similarities in our faiths. Otherwise the Atheists may be right and war is the only thing that religion brings.

Christ calls us to love and to call all people to Him. Some people may want to convert Islam by moving closer to them so they can see the similarities in Christianity. And I'd say it is a worthy cause and worth the grace and the attempt.

[Biggirl]

This reminds me of what happen early in July when this Muslim organization had its annual conference in Hartford at the convention center, held a few days after Independence Day. They had a special seminar for non-Muslims to learn about Islam. Even the local newspaper the Hartford Courant covered it. They had it on the Saturday of the conference. The following day there was a protest by the convention center because they had a speaker with connections to Hamas.

[Biggirl]

God Bless your pastor for the courage to go to that seminar and to be able to persevere in asking those questions to the Muslim speaker. As a person who came from Lebanon, he would have first hand knowledge and experence in knowing the truth about Islam and the Koran. Truly Islam is not on a HERESY but also a CULT.

[Biggirl]

....Or from 9/11.

[Biggirl]

...And remember that the devil can appear as an “angel of light”, even an archangel, so this is why Muhammed was fearful.