Recently, we discussed Brian McLaren’s celebration of Ramadan as an interesting way of him communicating love to his Muslim neighbors. As is always the case, some commenters agreed and some begged to differ. But according to our most recent poll, it looks like our readers are pretty skeptical of something like this.
43% of you call shenanigans. You think this is silly at best and blasphemous at worst. Mark Driscoll agrees with you. In the USA Today Driscoll said McLaren’s fast is “…insane at best … Sad, tragic, horrific, misguided, dangerous, wrong…” and that:
If Christians want to pray during Ramadan, they should pray not with Muslims but for Muslims–that Muslims would come to know Jesus. To pray with Muslims absolutely dishonors Jesus.
18% of you don’t see it this way. You see it as a great expression of love and mutual interest, and you’d like to have thought of it yourself. The chairman of Islamic Studies at American University shares your sentiments:
There is a high level of anti-Americanism in the Muslim world … Now they are going to say this propaganda that America hates us is not true. Here is a pastor who wants to understand us, who does not want to convert us, and who is even prepared to walk with us, to fast with us. That is a big gesture.
And then, there are a whole lot of you riding the fence. You’re still trying to decide how you feel about it, or more likely, you’ve suspended judgment indefinitely and moved on. That’s all right, I’m sure there will be something new for you to have an opinion on in the future. For example, this week’s poll:
We’re looking to know: If your church were organizing a boycott of a company, would you participate? Log your vote in the Church Marketing Sucks sidebar.
Per
September 23, 2009
This is a great site that is working on this type of project! http://www.30-days.net/
David Zook
September 25, 2009
Several thoughts.
As a way to build bridges toward a greater understanding, it may be a viable option.
Yet when I read the Bible, I don’t remember an instance when the Israelites went to another faith and participated in their rituals to love them, nor do I recall Jesus or his disciples doing it either.
I wonder how organizations like Frontiers, who minister to Muslims in Muslim countries, handle this.
Do their missionaries try to assimilate into the culture to this degree in order to love someone?
It seems to me that there are many other ways to express love a Muslim.
Sean Salter
September 28, 2009
While we’re at it, why don’t we go pray and participate in Klu Klux Klan events. I don’t see a difference.
While I walk through protesters to observe Yom Kippur yesterday as well as I will tonight, I wonder. I wonder where the Christian support is for my people, and I wonder why Christians support a religion and belief that teaches that my people should die by the sword or profess Alah who is not the same God. Not even close. I wonder why Christians so freely will participate in Baal worship, while quickly turning their backs on the Jew.
Compassion is at its heart selective, and showing compassion to one group will inevitably isolate another. Loving is one thing, but neither Christ nor God came to the murderer, the Murderer came to them.
It goes beyond traditions and practices. This is a blood thirsty, murderous, and evil religion. Certain things should never be tolerated.
Chad Maag
September 28, 2009
Brian McClaren is on the lunatic fringe of the emerging church movement, he doesn’t speak for me or my contemporaries. His antics are to be dismissed with extreme prejudice, and his voice is one to be ignored.
John
September 28, 2009
I have to agree with Sean Salter. I wonder if this syncretism is drawn not on moral principle, but on the fact that Islam is so powerful?