in case you do not know, or choose not to recall, what the church teaches on islam

Last updated on: July 7, 2016 at 11:22 am by Rebecca Bratten Weiss

in case you do not know, or choose not to recall, what the church teaches on islam 2016-07-07T11:22:52-04:00 Rebecca Bratten Weiss

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place among 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.” (Lumen Gentium)

But that doesn’t say we don’t get to fight them, does it? Because, Lepanto? Well, see below:

“The Church has also a high regard for the Muslims. They worship God, who is one, living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth (Cf. St. Gregory VII, Letter III, 21 to Anazir [Al-Nasir], King of Mauretania PL, 148.451A.), who has spoken to men. They strive to submit themselves without reserve to the hidden decrees of God, just as Abraham submitted himself to God’s plan, to whose faith Muslims eagerly link their own. Although not acknowledging him as God, they venerate Jesus as a prophet, his Virgin Mother they also honor, and even at times devoutly invoke. Further, they await the day of judgment and the reward of God following the resurrection of the dead. For this reason they highly esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, alms-deeds and fasting.

“Over the centuries many quarrels and dissensions have arisen between Christians and Muslims. The sacred Council now pleads with all to forget the past, and urges that a sincere effort be made to achieve mutual understanding; for the benefit of all men, let them together preserve and promote peace, liberty, social justice and moral values.”

“Therefore, the Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against people or any harassment of them on the basis of their race, color, condition in life or religion. Accordingly, following the footsteps of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, the sacred Council earnestly begs the Christian faithful to ‘conduct themselves well among the Gentiles’ (1P 2:12) and if possible, as far as depends on them, to be at peace with all men (cf. Rm 12:18), and in that way to be true sons of the Father who is in heaven (cf. Mt 5:45).” (Nostra Aetate)

And John Paul II, speaking to the Catholic community of Ankara:

“My brothers, when I think of this spiritual heritage (Islam) and the value it has for man and for society, its capacity of offering, particularly in the young, guidance for life, filing the gap left by materialism, and giving a reliable foundation to social and juridical organization, I wonder if it is not urgent, precisely today when Christians and Muslims have entered a new period of history, to recognize and develop the spiritual bonds that unite us, in order to preserve and promote together for the benefit of all men, ‘peace, liberty, social justice and moral values’ as the Council calls upon us to do (Nostra Aetate 3).

Now, perhaps you have been reading texts by independent thinkers developing their own view of Islam, quoting from saints or scholars whose views diverge from magisterial teaching. Perhaps you simply don’t care what magisterial teaching is. But, if you do, bear in mind:

The Council has asked that we put past disputes behind us, and work towards mutual understanding, for the sake of peace. This sounds like an excellent – and Christian – counter-terrorist approach.
If the Church has high regard for Muslims, clearly this regard extends to those who “esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, alms-giving, and fasting.” I’m pretty sure this does not refer to violent extremists who claim to uphold faith through bloodshed and force. Therefore, refusing to refer to extremists as Muslims is entirely in keeping with this magisterial statement of respect for Islam.
Focusing on the things that divide, rather than those that unite us, is precisely the opposite of what St. John Paul asks of us. Consider that, please, for a moment. Do you think he was being overly optimistic? Naive? If so, remember you’re thinking of a pope who lived under both Nazi and Communist regimes, and saw the worst of what humanity can do. Recall that he was shot by a Muslim – and forgave his would-be assassin.
We’re supposed to love even our enemies, but most Muslims are not our enemies. So it is not only un-Christian, it is also ignoble, to spread the rhetoric of hatred and distrust for people who mean us no ill.

No, the church does not teach that Islam is equal to Christianity, nor that there are not problems with the way the tradition has been lived or interpreted. The ongoing, living presence of our God in our sacramental life is what makes Catholic Christianity so compelling, and in this respect (not in our always being good and right, because sometimes we’ve been just awful and stupid) is our tradition unique, rooted as it is in divine Presence. But the church DOES encourage unity with Muslims, reconciliation with them, respect for them, and a shared project of peace.

If you don’t like it, fine – we all have our little quibbles – but just be honest about the fact that you’re the one dissenting from church teaching, that your dissent is likely to foster an increased culture of violence – and stop telling those of us who agree with the magisterium that we’re “full of crap.” That’s not even a clever or interesting argument.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer#/media/File:Duerer-Prayer.jpg

Previous Post

July 4, 2016

let's not call violent extremists "muslims" anymore

Next Post

July 8, 2016 rejecting the glamour of evil: a pledge of non-violence

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category abortion anti-semitism art Atwood Betrothed church clergy abuse coronavirus culture economics education environmentalism ethics faith family feminism gardening gun violence immigration Judaism literature MaddAddam New Pro Life Movement news pandemic personalism poem politics politics blue Pope Francis racism religion salvation sexuality social justice spirituality Station eleven Stephen King The Stand Trump Uncategorized war World Health Organization

Select a Month March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How long did the judges rule before kings?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Approximately 350 years 300 years 200 years 400 years

Support this
Column