Catholics, your opinion please...?

Question

Others are welcome to answer too, but I want the catholic view.

See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20279326/

"A Roman Catholic Bishop in the Netherlands has proposed people of all faiths refer to God as Allah to foster understanding"

imacatholic2: language does matter, as it can 'load' the meaning, based on how that culture has interpreted a word.

Answer 1

Quite frankly, I think that's preposterous. In a country like Indonesia, where the majority religious group is Muslim and the *culture* is predominantly Muslim, calling God "Allah" is at least somewhat logical. Whether or not it is theologically correct is another matter altogether, but it is obviously an attempt to be tolerant toward local custom and is also probably an attempt to reach out to former Muslims who have converted to Christianity. I think it is a well-meant gesture of goodwill, but the theological grounds are shaky at best.

In a Western country where Islam is not part of our history or tradition, it seems to me to be both theologically incorrect and absolutely unnecessary to address God by the name "Allah." Members of the Abrahamic theistic faiths can be "understanding" of one another by *respecting* each others' beliefs. "Understanding" should not require that they *adopt* each others' beliefs if they are not theologically compatible.

Furthermore, I think it sends absolutely the wrong message to fanatical elements of Islam. They've been engaging in terrorism in an attempt to coerce the West to capitulate to Islamist demands. If the West turns around and starts calling God "Allah", then they will have been partially successful. If terrorism gets them that far, then more terrorism will surely get them farther, right? While the West might *mean* it as a gesture of goodwill, it will surely be *interpreted* as a triumph for radical Islam. We'd best think long and hard about the far-reaching implications before we do anything like that.

I think the good Bishop was probably in error to have made that statement. His intentions were good, but his methods are questionable. I certainly won't be changing the manner in which I address God unless a directive comes from the Vatican.

Answer 2

Fostering understanding of what? The fact that the world is being intimidated by violent muslim terrorists? I think we already understand this. And they'll kill you just as readily no matter what you call God. Hey, here's an idea. Maybe if we asked real nice, Osama Bin Laden would instruct his followers to refer to Allah as "God", in order to foster understanding".

Answer 3

Jews, Christians, and Muslims all worship the one true God of Abraham.

Allah is God in Arabic.

The language does not matter:
+ God in English
+ Allah in Arabic
+ Dios in Spanish
+ Dieu in French

Remember God is the title or role and not God's name which is an entirely different discussion.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

I am sorry, but, that is soooo stupid... That just contradicts all the teachings that they have thought people throughout the years, about how Jesus is the only god, and that Allah is just a profet... etc...

Answer 5

I guess pigs fly too