A Dutch Catholic priest suggests that Christians should call God 'Allah' to help create unity between Christians and Muslims. What do Christians, Jews, Muslims and atheists think?
2007-09-04 09:59:08 · 69 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
-_- i'm speechless
2007-09-04 10:02:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Should? Sounds like a prescription to me...a dictat, an order. That priest can't see that this is the basic problem with religious people - they believe so much that they're right, that they will fight over it. Even in trying to solve the differences, his suggestion is only likely to cause unrest! Many Christians are automatically going to want the Muslims to make a concession to Christianity in return! Jews are already fighting a war against a faction they don't agree with; does this make it seem they're open to ideas like changing their name for God Himself?!
Of course it would be a great thing to happen but it never will! It's as naive an idea as saying, 'Let's all believe the same thing' - the whole reason for all the wars is that this is precisely what they *can't* agree to do!
2007-09-04 11:08:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I - being a Christian would not call God "allah" for the reason being that is not my God's name from what I've been taught. That is the God of another religion. That would be like me calling my God Bhudda or something. Totally rediculous in my opinion. I don't feel that's a way for unity. Seems to me like a cop-out or something. Come on, there has to be other ways to have unity other than people changing the names of their God, regardless what religion one belongs too. I feel changing that name of your savior and God, could also press on your beliefs too. I don't agree with it - I like God's name just the way it is, and that certainly doesn't mean I don't believe in Unity. I know many people that I now call my friends who are of the muslim religion, and many friends already, who are most certainly of different religious backgrounds - some who don't even belive in a God at all. So, that being the only way for unity? Nope. Because I don't do that and I'm doing just fine making friends from all over the world.
Great question though by the way.
2007-09-04 11:30:50 · answer #3 · answered by ~Abbey Beth~ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a different religion so don't push it. Besides, if you're priest says Christians should call God, Allah then why can't Someone else say Muslims should call Allah, God.
I choose God
2007-09-04 10:10:33 · answer #4 · answered by Alex of the Lost Arts 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Arab Chiristians already do refer to God as Allah, as it's the Arabic word for God. I'm all for improving Christian, Muslim relations and will often myself use the term "Ensha'Allah" when in the company of Muslims meaning, "If it be the will of God" or "God willing". It has often sparked some interesting conversations.
But I also believe it is important that we safeguard against the danger of allowing a watered down version of the doctrine of faith in Jesus Christ to edge it's way into Christianity. There is a fundemental opposition to Christianity inherent in Islam that strikes at the very heart of our faith. That Jesus is the Son of God and that He died that our sins through faith in Him might be forgiven, are directly opposed by Islam. There can be no meeting of minds on such matters.
I'd say there is nothing 'technically' wrong with what's been suggested but one should discern the spirit behind it. It's the thin end of the wedge and should be resisted.
2007-09-04 10:48:15 · answer #5 · answered by movedby 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well since 'Allah' is basically God in Arabic, I would have no problem with it, but there is NO way you would be able to put Christians and Muslims together into a peaceful co-existence. For as long as the Bible says to love your neighbors AND your enemies, the Muslims religion says (and i quote directly from the Qur'an) "Slay all non-believers wherever ye find them."
I think perhaps a child could see that simply having Christians refer to God as Allah would not improve the relationship between the two religions.
2007-09-04 10:09:44 · answer #6 · answered by Light 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I call Him "Jesus," that way there's no confusion as to who I'm talking about.
While I'm against calling my Lord "Allah," I've also come to the conclusion that I can say "God" all day long and you won't know who I'm talking about. But if I say the name "Jesus," then there is no question. Yes, the name Jesus offends people and probably more so than Allah, but I stand for Jesus bc He stands for me. :-) I don't mind the thumbs down just becuase I said the name Jesus. Atleast some people heard His name today! Now if they could only accept His loving grace.
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
2007-09-04 10:25:39 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK I'm a Christan and your just asking for trouble all of those different religions are not the same .god is not Allah god is god. and you should stop asking stupid questions like that.it only makes people who show respect and fear and worship towards god angry .do you know that catholic people a long time ago use to kill people because they didn't believe the way they did you just get a kick out of asking questions like these don't you .you are quite a piece of disturbance!!!!
2007-09-04 10:09:31 · answer #8 · answered by bookwyrm64744 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am Catholic and I disagree with this dissenting, heterodox priest. He is flat out wrong. A name refers to the essence of the being or thing. It is important. We cannot simply use any names we wish. I cannot comment on exactly what Allah means but God has given us names to call Him: Lord, God, Yahweh, etc. It would be wrong to use a false religion's name in place of the name(s) given by God to His chosen people.
2007-09-04 10:07:57 · answer #9 · answered by Web work 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The name Allah was known long before Christianity and Islam; it was the name of a pagan God...maybe of Hindu origin. Before Mohammad, Arabs adopted the name and placed an Idol of Allah in their Tabernacle of Gods.
"Allah' is not an Arabic word and doesn't mean God in Arabic. Allah is simply the name of a pagan God.
This Priest who mad this foolish suggestion is going mad.
2007-09-04 12:07:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Allah means al (the, singular) lah (god) in Arabic.
You'd be saying the same thing, just in Arabic.
You can also say Gott (German) Dieux (French), Dios (Spanish) or Deus (Latin).
Personally I think it seems a little silly to slip randomly into languages you don't know.
2007-09-04 10:05:57 · answer #11 · answered by sgtcosgrove 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋