Skip to main content

Christian-Muslim relations

from Eric Corbin...

The selection for today in Holy Solitude speaks of more than one topic, but the one that captures me today is the issue of Christian-Muslim relations.  I'd like to set aside Charles's "cringe-worthy letters" (as Haverkamp describes them) to focus on how our congregation (and others) are embracing (or not) our Muslim neighbors.  I was once told by a very devout Christian "all Muslims are out to kill us."  I asked him if he personally knew any Muslims, and he said that he did not.  I replied that the Muslims I knew personally were kind and loving people.  Interpersonal relationships with others are key to understanding and acceptance.  I'm grateful for the work of the Champaign County Interfaith Alliance in creating space for such relationships to begin and grow.  I'm glad that our congregation has hosted seminars about Islam and has visited the local mosque at their invitation.  I'm excited that Imam Ousmane Sawadago will be part of Pastor Matt's installation service.  More can and should be done.  How else can we -- as individuals or as a congregation -- develop relationships with Muslims and other people of faith in our communities?  How can we "—behold... the Muslims [w]e encounter... not as potential converts but as people and see... [our] future bound up with theirs, come what may." (pg. 88)

What have been your experiences?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Guilt, peace, and call

Betty Hollister shares: Lots of swirly thoughts this week, but they are, for the most part, disjointed and unsettling.  The most consistent battle I have had with this study is the  guilt :  guilt that I am never going to live in a three-by-nine foot closet; guilt that I am never going to travel for days into the mountains enduring physical hardships to meet God, guilt that I can’t even work up a desire to fast on a Friday.  I refuse to feel the slightest bit guilty that I won’t beat myself as penance.  I am one of those people who tends to take on the “guilt of the world,” but I am not even tempted with that practice.  Most of the last five weeks, I have just been thinking what an odd collection of people to use as inspiration.  BUT, as I have admitted repeatedly, this whole study has made me think.  So, once I get past the guilt and look at this week’s contributions, I am struck by the contrasting emotion of peace. Can we feel guilty and sti...
Post a Comment
Read more

Friday Fast: Skip lunch

Each Friday we are encouraged to think of fasting in some new way. Imagine my delight when the latest issue of Presbyterian Outlook online shared an article on the very topic for Lent. I encourage you to read and ponder: Presbyterian Outlook: Fasting when what is harmless keeps us from God. Consider skipping lunch today, instead praying and pondering the hungry. The money you might have spent on a lunch out, consider donating to the Food bank or empty tomb. I'm going to try to go to the labyrinth at Crystal Lake park to pray over the lunch hour.
Post a Comment
Read more

Pilgrimage Walking

The late Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa was a key figure in bringing about Forgiveness and Reconciliation in the Apartheid Movement.   He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 as a “leader to all individuals and groups in South Africa who, with their concern for human dignity, fraternity and democracy, incite the admiration of the world”.   When asked about his tenacity and strength, Bishop Tutu spoke of his pilgrimage walk every morning.   Every morning, the Bishop took a prayer walk.   These prayer walks provided Desmond Tutu purpose, focus, endurance and resilience for the good fight. Physiologically speaking, walking is an excellent exercise.   After a proper warm-up which usually means walking slowly until one gets up to a brisk pace, typically between five to ten minutes, it provides many of the pulmonary and cardiovascular benefits including stimulating brain endorphin and serotonin without the wear and tear of the knees, hips and back of ...
2 comments
Read more