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| I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. |
In their coverage of Pope Francis' visit to Iraq, Sky News report that Pope Francis met Grand Ayatollah Ali al Sistani - Iraq's top Shia cleric - at the Islamic scholar's home in the Iraqi city of Najaf.
"The Pope arrived at the cleric's small home in a bullet-proof vehicle. As he entered the house, white doves were released, reflecting the themes of this four-day visit to Iraq - peace, reconciliation and inter-faith dialogue. The meeting - the first of its kind between two such senior leaders in the Christian and Muslim world - was held privately and holds huge symbolism."
Later at an inter-faith prayer service Pope Francis condemned extremism saying, "Hostility, extremism and violence are not born of a religious heart. They are betrayals of religion."
But Islam is a political ideology diametrically opposed to the faith of Christians and others. Convert to Islam, pay the jizya, leave or die is the message in Islamic countries.
Violence and persecution against Christians in the Middle East has been cited as one of the key reasons for the exodus of Christians from the region. A century ago, Christians in the Middle East comprised 20 percent of the population; today, they constitute no more than 3-4 percent of the region’s population - The Persecution of Christians in the Middle East.
Followers of Islam live a life of complete submission to Allah, relegating Jesus Christ to the role of a prophet.
Jesus said "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
How many Christian leaders believe that today as they engage in dialogue with Muslims as though all Abrahamic faiths were basically the same.
I do not doubt the sincerity of Christian leaders but to date the result of dialogue has merely led to greater tolerance of Islam, excusing every atrocity as the work of radicalised fanatics while ignoring the Islamic aim of dominance and submission of all to Allah.
In Wales the diocese of Llandaff is currently pushing The Landscapes of Faith Festival: "a community treasure hunt to celebrate our world faith traditions in Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Paganism and the prehistoric sites in South Wales."
Nothing new of course. We have been here before.
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| Peace Mala. The Archbishop of Wales with supporters @StDavidsNeath. Source: Twitter @WelshMuslims |
Postscripts
[16.03.2021]
While religious leaders talk, "Aid agency Save the Children says Islamist militants are beheading children as young as 11 in Mozambique's northern province of Cabo Delgado...More than 2,500 people have been killed and 700,000 have fled their homes since an Islamist insurgency began in 2017.The militants have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group."
So sad.
[20.03.2021]
Another example of Islam's inhuman regard for Christians. "Excluded by his Muslim relatives. Forced to leave he was left with no food, shelter or source of income."
For the love of God!
How can we 'celebrate' false religions? We can tolerate them respectfully love their adherents, even admire some of the teaching and spirituality. However, we cannot affirm them as just another way to God. To do so would make the words of Jesus and his apostles meaningless.
ReplyDeleteWHAMAB
WHAMAB you are spot on.
DeletePP. I could not have put it better myself. Well said
DeleteMaybe - but they would say that WE are a false religion and THEY are the only way to God. It's called "truth claims" and, ultimately, a matter of faith.
ReplyDeleteIt is nothing to do with what "we" say or what "they" say but rather what Christ said.
DeleteBut a Muslim would say, equally, that it's nothing to do with what "we" say or what "they" say but rather what Muhammad said. I happen to disagree but ultimately, for both me and the Muslim, it's a matter of faith.
DeleteBut then Mohamned was also a slaver, a warlord, a rapist and a paedophile among other things.
DeleteSpeaking of pushing in the Diocese of Llandaff, Wales Online are reporting a Canon of Llandaff Cathedral appearing in front of the Beak in Swansea next week.
ReplyDeleteIt's all over Facebook like a rash too.
DeleteA pity since he is a talented, hard-working parish priest.
DeleteRob
For shame.
DeleteAssuming he's found or pleads guilty, save your sympathy for his victims.
Ruth, my comment was no attempt to justify the actions (if they are as serious as you insinuate), but indicative of sorrow that they should happen: sorrow for the individual, whose lifetime's ministry is overcast as a result. I seem to recall a saying 'Hate the sin but ...'
DeleteRob
To Ancient Briton.
DeleteDear Sir,
Is there any particular reason for failing to publish my last reply to Rob?
I cannot conceive of any legitimate reason for doing so.
The information to which I directed him, in my defence, is both a matter of Court record and in the national press.
Thank you Ruth. Please be assured that all comments are valued. However, comments should be "on topic and not involve third parties" as stated in the introductory Blog notes. Other commentators whose comments have not been published may wish to note. AB
DeleteSo Rob can allege that I am insinuating things but I am denied the opportunity to prove otherwise?
DeleteI find your response particularly unhelpful and unfair when it is clear that you previously allowed "off topic" comments that introduced the new subject of a Canon of Llandaff Cathedral due to appear before a criminal court of law in Swansea this coming Wednesday.
One coukd be forgiven for thinking the Canon in the dock is an old chum perhaps?
@AB
DeleteWhat happened to "An ancient Briton's thoughts on topical news/events" and "with special reference to ... religion, particularly if oddities or injustices are apparent."?
I agree with Ruth especially when it comes to providing you with links to the relevant news article in Wales online.
Ruth, you are hasty in becoming offended. I read a brief press report of the alleged charges against the cleric. I do not know the facts of the case or how serious they are (the allegation is that they are computer related). I simply expressed, and continue to express, sadness that this should happen.
DeleteThat's all. Please do not read more into it, or dare I say it? be so prickly.
Rob
"if they are as serious as you insinuate"
DeleteYour words not mine and I insinuated nothing nether have I been "prickly".
The facts and seriousness are pretty straightforward, the man is facing two charges of making indecent images of a child.
If you aren't man enough to apologise at least don't add insult to injury.
Will "calm down, dear" be your next response?
Prickly, as I say, but I don't hold it against you. You seem to be drawing on personal experience.
DeleteRob
Ruth, I suspect AB was mindful of the tendency for people to enjoy gossiping far too much on here. Let the court do its business, it doesn't need your prickly input nor your tendency to be inflammatory. It's a sad enough situation as it is without having to discuss it here; this isn't the comments section of the Daily Mail.
DeleteIt has to be said one usually finds Ancient Briton and his contributors to be far more reliable and accurate than the Daily Fail, particularly in relation to dodgy goings on in the swamp.
DeleteWell, well, well.
DeleteThe Canon pleaded guilty to having 219 indecent images of children and two charges of making indecent images of a child.
The Church in Wales response includes the claim that its safeguarding is "stringent".
I wonder if his child victims would agree with that or whether the Church in Wales will be facing large compensation claims?
Further comments must be on 'The Way' please. AB
DeleteYou surprise me AB, I would have thought you would have been all over such a story given your proclaimed interest in "oddities or injustices".
DeleteIsn't such scandal and offence worthy of it's own thread?
Especially since the Canon has pleaded guilty!
DeleteWho has a False Faith? If the Church in Wales follows the Bible as the True Way, as all Ordined Clergy are requested to do, on Ordination. How can you have a "Bishop" in a same sex relationship that is recognised in Secular Laws but not in the Laws of Christ?
ReplyDelete