An Imam (Islam Priest) Was Asked To Come Speak At Our Church, People Outraged?

If Muslims can invite the Pope to a Mosque in Turkey and the Pope went then I do not see why we cannot invite an Imam to a Catholic church.

The Catholic Church teaches, "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

"It is my ardent hope that Muslim and Christian religious leaders and teachers will present our two great religious communities as communities in respectful dialogue, never more as communities in conflict."

-- Pope John Paul II, Meeting with Muslim Leaders in Omayyad Great Mosque, Damascus, May 6, 2001. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/spe...

Christians and Muslims, following their respective religions, point to the truth of the sacred character and dignity of the person. This is the basis of our mutual respect and esteem, this is the basis for cooperation in the service of peace between nations and peoples, the dearest wish of all believers and all people of good will.

As an illustration of the fraternal respect with which Christians and Muslims can work together, I would like to quote some words addressed by Pope Gregory VII in 1076 to a Muslim prince in North Africa who had acted with great benevolence towards the Christians under his jurisdiction. Pope Gregory spoke of the particular charity that Christians and Muslims owe to one another “because we believe in one God, albeit in a different manner, and because we praise him and worship him every day as the Creator and Ruler of the world.”

-- Pope Benedict XVI, Meeting with the President of the Turkish Religious Affairs Directorate in Ankara, Turkey, November 28, 2006. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/spe...

Dialogue are already taking place all over the world. Just in the United States there is the

- Midwest Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims

- Mid-Atlantic Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims

- West Coast Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 841: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3a... and http://www.usccb.org/seia/islam_index.shtml

With love in Christ.

Actually I agree with the older people. If people are interested in something THEY will go find out about it. It should not be rammed down every ones throats without option. The person who made that decision for everyone else is no leader.

I have nothing against other belief systems speaking at all. But not as part of a specific religious service. Outside, before and after, ok. But it is giving the completely wrong impression by having it as part of the service.

Practicing Shaman... quantum physics rocks

I think it's awesome and a step in the right direction. People NEED to learn tolerance. This should happen more often, just to open up minds. Old prejiduces are hard to break, but never instilling those in the young in the 1st place is exactly how to get the world to be the kind of place we want for our children. Hopefully some people will walk away educated and understanding and pass that along.

There should not be guest speakers at a Mass in place of a homily (sermon) that is given by a priest or deacon. If the Imam is giving a short talk at the end of Mass, then this is fine. We have had many people give short talks at teh end of Mass to discuss their ministry.

In my senior religion class the teacher talked about the Pope John Paul II went to a Jewish temple and formerly apologized for the crimes of that have been done against them in the name of the Catholic

god.

Religions need to intermingle for peace to exist, anyone who truly loves their god should want peace.

I think its great if he comes to speak, however after or before the mass, not while the mass is being celebrated would be most respectful.

Old people need to get with the times.

I was baptized, educated and raised a Catholic until I heard the truth and excommunicated my own self. Personally knowing that their is a difference between religion (Romans 10:3) and worshipng God the way He says He wants to be , in Spirit and Truth, it would not bother me to hear them speak but to pray with them in interfaith prayer is for religious spirited Christians not me and being Catholic if you believe that the Pope can claim himself infallible be careful when Mohammed Alla Akbah comes to speak, he just may convert you.

I use to be okay with that type of stuff. I saw no problem with it. I have often spoken with other people of different religious beliefs and I like it. Especially from Hindu's. I also know this Jewish woman who explored outside of her religion before coming back to it and she said she took what was positive back with her. I thought that's good. It seems right to me. However, would a Muslim be outraged if a priest came to speak at his Mosque? I wonder...

Shaman Val is right it should be done after or before services. Not forced upon anyone.

I feel that every one should embrace the fact that other people have different opinions and different beliefs. If they are wrong than that is there belief and while we can guide them if they need. We should not force any belief or opinion upon any one else.

I say let him speak and maybe the closed minded religous people will listen and find out that what ever belief you are we are just people trying to find some sort of purpose out of life.

Just wanna quote these verses from Quran:

Qur'an 3:64-71 Surah Ale-'Imran (The Family of 'Imran)

Say: "O people of the Book (Jews and Christians)! come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not from among ourselves Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back say: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's will)."

Ye people of the Book! why dispute ye about Abraham when the Law and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have ye no understanding?

Ah! ye are those who fell to disputing (even) in matters of which ye had some knowledge! but why dispute ye in matters of which ye have no knowledge? It is Allah Who knows and ye who know not!

Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian but he was true in faith and bowed his will to Allah's (which is Islam) and he joined not gods with Allah.

Without doubt among men the nearest of kin to Abraham are those who follow him as are also this Apostle and those who believe; and Allah is the Protector of those who have faith.

It is the wish of a section of the People of the Book to lead you astray. But they shall lead astray (not you) but themselves and they do not perceive!

Ye People of the Book! Why reject ye the Signs of Allah of which ye are (yourselves) witnesses?

Ye People of the Book! Why do ye clothe truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while ye have knowledge?

I as a muslim was raised by the principles of islam which is to respect every religion. Its stereotypes that destroy the image of islam though stereotypes never present the truth its only a mockery.

I have christian Friends & one of them is called fadi he is an egyptian christian. & He was a great friend of mine we never discussed religion because we know that it might change our relationship so we talk about things like sports & school.