| Subject: Exclusivity tendencies of religions lead to conflict |
Author:
XOX
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Date Posted: 10:00:13 01/13/05 Thu
From Partner for Peace first statement. Maybe we could all learn about this and know the new direction of the Christ Church toward a growth in depth of spiritually rather than concentrated on differences.
SourceL http://www.sedos.org/english/wisma.htm
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Obstacles to dialogue between Christians and Muslims
4.3.1 Fear, prejudice, and suspicion on both sides are prominent obstacles to dialogue and co-operation. Most Christians know little about the religion of Islam, and our understanding is often distorted by half-truths and superficial judgements and shaped by the negative image of Islam presented in the media. Exclusivist tendencies among both Christians and Muslims that regard one's own religion as the only way to salvation do not permit real dialogue or sharing of religious experience. Sometimes, Christians seemingly exude some superiority complex, regarding themselves as better off and more advanced than Muslims, whereas on some occasions, Muslims appear to look down on Christians and treat them with disdain.
OUR REFLECTIONS IN FAITH Expressed in Solidarity
5.1 'The history of salvation tells us that God is continually dialoguing with people" (FABC Congress on Mission, Manila, 1979). In faith encounters with people of different religions, we can participate mutually in that divine dialogue that is in the heart of each one of us, and we are able to recognise and live our common communion in God and with God. This communion of faith, then, enables us to accept each other joyfully as sisters and brothers and to encounter each other trustfully in the joyful and painful events and realities that are common to us and to all other brothers and sisters.
5.2 This encounter in faith is truly a gift of the Holy Spirit, the spirit of communion, providing us with the divine power to approach and accept each other in forgiveness and reconciliation and in gratitude and love.
Dialogue in the Spirit – Peace the Fruit of the Spirit
Recognising this centrality of spirituality in inter-religious relationships. We commit ourselves therefore:
-To dialogue in the Spirit, giver of peace. In a world torn apart by strife, violence and war it is God alone who can restore peace through renewed minds and hearts converted to the Will of God.
-To act in a spirit of forgiveness in order to find peace in our hearts and bring peace to others.
-To a new pilgrimage from noise and hectic activities to silence and contemplation, that will enable us to move with compassion to all of humanity and to live in harmony with nature. This putting on of the compassionate heart of {God} is also one that prompts to courage, that will strengthen our will to speak the truth amidst fear and hopelessness, to become the voice of the voiceless and those unable to live with dignity.
-To place God at the centre of our lives in the midst of the dominant culture of worshipping money and power and glorifying the individual at the expense of the community.
-To return to the Will of God, the sound foundation for the realisation of a genuine inter-religious dialogue, as we move towards the Third Millennium.
We give thanks to God who has called us to be followers of Jesus Christ, our Master and Saviour. We ask God to bless all Christians and Muslims with the gifts of understanding and love so that we may live together in peace, co-operation, and mutual enrichment. May Mary, whom the Holy Qur'an calls "a model for all humankind" accompany Muslims and Christians in our common desire to do God's will.
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When we talked about a lot of theological differences among Christians, we have to state very clearly what Liberal Christianity has to offer to others.
Liberal Christianity and Liberal Theology would change with the advance in knowledge of the world around us.
We have to learn to present what Liberal Christianity could offer to the world.
1. We would live quite well with all religions in the world, except for the few religions that are hostile to others.
2. We come to view all people in the world as children of God and born with dignity and in rights. No one should be robbed of their rights based on their race, gender, religious belief or sexual orientation.
3. We come to understand the messages of Christ, as a way to lead a spiritual life. And not to lay down more rules for people to keep. We come to understand the 'rules' of life is already written within the soul of the person, and this will show itself by the incredible good work that people do to others, disregarding the person's religion.
4. We come to understand that what religion a person has, is more because of the country and the family this person is born into. That God would not favor one person over the other just because one is born of a Christian family and the other is not.
Well, that is just what on the top of my head when I read the statement from Partner for Peace. Please feel free to add what Liberal Christianity means to you and how we could contribute to the world.
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