A Common Word Between Us And You

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7038992.stm

It was also sent to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the heads of the Lutheran, Methodist and Baptist churches, the Orthodox Church's Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I and other Orthodox Patriarchs.

The letter, entitled A Common Word Between Us and You, compares passages in the Koran and the Bible, concluding that both emphasise "the primacy of total love and devotion to God", and the love of the neighbour.

With Muslims and Christians making up more than half the world's population, the letter goes on, the relationship between the two religious communities is "the most important factor in contributing to meaningful peace around the world".

"As Muslims, we say to Christians that we are not against them and that Islam is not against them - so long as they do not wage war against Muslims on account of their religion, oppress them and drive them out of their homes," the letter says...... (more at link above)

Read the entire document here.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs...0_07_letter.pdf

So, what do you guys think? Is it about time, or what?

Let me say that as a member of a nondenominational, fundamentalist, evangelical, bible-bangin' church: it's about frickin' time! It's about time that someone has decided to speak about our similarities rather than our differences. It's about time that someone has said, let us seek peace, instead of conflict.
Also, another part of me is ashamed that it was not a Christian group that made this first step. But I am glad it was made and hope (and pray) that something good comes of this.

Main stream Islam has always advocated peaceful co-exitance. It is the extremists who preach war and want to kill all "infidels".

dont hate muslims however i have not heard and out cry from "mainstream" muslims denouncing the terrorist faction of their religion... and how do you tell mainstream from radical...

to quote a great leader:

"It's still trust but verify. It's still play, but cut the cards. It's still watch closely. And don't be afraid to see what you see."

See above, for what you are waiting for. Really, read the pdf. They are trying to show the separation of Islam and the extremists.

Oh, and their religion has made no such attacks. Islamic Extremist groups like the Taliban (akin to our Inquisitions or Which hunters........ loosely) have launched these attacks and take full responsibility for them.

Sorry for the double post but............ well I've said it enough times.

I live in a suburb of Detroit. One of the other suburbs, Dearborn, has the highest population of Arabs and others of Middle Eastern descent in the world outside of the Middle East itself. On 9/11, there were Imams (Muslim clerics) all over the air waves denouncing the attacks. The entire Muslim community in the Detroit area in general was outraged. I have seen many, many outreaches by Muslim leaders. I myself considered converting to Islam over the summer because there is a great beauty and spirituality to it. When I visited a local mosque I was greeted warmly with open arms. Everyone told me "Salaam Aleichem" which means "Peace of God be with you". Did I mention I'm a fair complected white man with blue eyes?

Anyone who hates Muslims just for the fact that they are Muslim really needs to get their facts straight.

I think its a nice start but there is still a long way to go. Interesting point for me and I imagine other Catholics was the date. Oct. 13th 2007 is the 90th anniversary of the visions of Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal. Very well known apparition site in Catholic circles. Whats even stranger is Fatima or Fatimah, is the name of the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and wife of Ali, the first Shia Islam. It will be interesting watching the progress on this.