National Cathedral Hosts Muslim Friday Prayers

on November 14, 2014

For the first time, the Episcopal Church’s Washington National Cathedral has hosted a Muslim service of Friday prayers (Jumu’ah) at the landmark national church.

Representatives from five Muslim groups addressed the gathering both preceding and following the prayers, which were said in the north transept, an area of the Cathedral with arches and limited iconography. Cathedral staff identified the transept as “an ideal space—almost mosque-like—with the appropriate orientation for Muslim prayers.”

Muslims have been invited on previous occasions to offer prayers at the Cathedral during interfaith services, including a past conference on Abrahamic faiths. Friday was, however, the first time Muslims were invited to hold Jumu’ah in a service of their own at the Cathedral.

Rizwan Jaka, a member of the Board of Directors of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) indicated that the event will be recurring, describing it as the “First of the Friday prayers at the landmark Washington National Cathedral.”

Jaka stated that Friday prayer at the Cathedral “exemplifies a partnership between Christians and Muslims.” The ISNA official made an appeal to religious tolerance, noting several U.S. examples of Muslims sharing spaces with Christian churches and new church construction in Dubai and Jordan. Jake also noted that Muslims were aware they were exercising a freedom of religion in the United States not always afforded to religious minorities in Muslim-majority countries.

“We must continue to advocate for Christians and other minorities in Muslim-majority countries,” Jaka stated. In a similar message, Roula Allouch, National Board Chair at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) declared, “The more we get to know one another, the less room there is for hate and prejudice to come between us.”

In addition to ISNA and CAIR, officials from the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS), Masjid Muhammad (the Nation’s Mosque), and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) sponsored the event.

In welcoming comments, The Rev. Canon Gina Gilland Campbell of the National Cathedral noted she has learned the patterns and practices of prayer from Muslims, Native Americans, Sikhs and others. Stating that “Openness to those whose prayer differs from our own is one thing” but that preparedness to exercise hospitality is another, Campbell announced that “deep relationships come out of shared prayer.”

No statement was offered noting the use of the Cathedral sanctuary for non-Christian worship, despite the space being consecrated to the worship of Christ. The sanctuary of the National Cathedral has also been used for Tibetan sand painting by monks and for a Native American smudging ceremony, in which a gift of smoking tobacco leaves was offered to welcome spirits from the four cardinal directions.

In his sermon, Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool of South Africa noted appreciation to the church for making the facility available, but explained the group chose not to have prayers in the “main church” (the nave) “lest subsequent generations of Muslims see that as a license to appropriate the church for Islam”

Rasool appealed to stop extremist attacks on Christian monasteries, violence that has increasingly occurred in the Middle East.

“If we don’t stop it at monasteries, they will come after mosques for this or that,” Rasool said of Muslim extremists, who he predicted could quickly direct their attacks against Shi’a and Sufi Muslims, or anyone else who did not meet their idealized version of Islam. Rasool also addressed the violent actions of ISIS as “shocking the conscience of the world.”

At the conclusion of the event, Cathedral Dean Gary Hall recalled St. Benedict and his dual emphasis on prayer and hospitality.

“The Christianity St. Benedict embodied is representative of what we see here today,” Hall announced, wondering aloud “how many people are chagrinned at the public face of extremist Christianity.”

“We are at a moment where we are confident enough in our own traditions not to try to convert one another,” Hall offered. In a 2012 interview with the Detroit Free Press Hall announced that he is, “not about trying to convert someone to Christianity. I don’t feel I’m supposed to convert Jews or Muslims or Hindus or Buddhists or Native Americans to Christianity so that they can be saved. That’s not an issue for me.”

In the same interview Hall also shared about finding common cause with those who do not profess a faith in Jesus Christ.

“I have much more in common with progressive Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists than I do with certain people in my own tradition, with fundamentalist Christians,” Hall declared. “The part of Christianity I stand with is the part in which we can live with ambiguity and with pluralism.”

Several groups and high profile public figures expressed concerns in advance of the Friday event.

“It’s sad to see a church open its doors to the worship of anything other than the One True God of the Bible who sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to earth to save us from our sins,” wrote Evangelist Franklin Graham on his Facebook page. “Jesus was clear when He said, ‘I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’ (John 14:6)”.

The Center for Security Policy (CSP) in Washington, DC released a letter to Hall and copied to the Bishop of the Diocese of Washington, the Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, urging them not to allow the prayer service to go forward.

CSP signers cited “… the nature of the sponsors, their traditional service and the occasion” to be problematic due to documented connections between many of the groups and the Muslim Brotherhood, leading to concerns that the event would “be a highly symbolic demonstration of Islamic supremacism.”

  1. Comment by crusader2010 on November 14, 2014 at 3:09 pm

    Why? They want to and do kill Christians.

  2. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 17, 2014 at 8:42 am

    And Christians want to, and do kill, Muslims!
    See where that gets us all?
    Don’t stoke the fire. Don’t fuel the flames using the olive branch.
    Be above all that, and prove that Jesus wasn’t crazy to Love thy neighbor.
    Don’t try to convert him, just love him!

  3. Comment by ed-words on November 17, 2014 at 9:14 am

    Islam has been around for more than 1400 years. They are not tree-hugging one-world New Age airheads, they are KILLERS. You Woodstock fossils think you can toke and smile your way to world peace – doesn’t work that way. Inviting Muslims to pray inside a church only makes them despise these appeasement idiots even more. Appeasement doesn’t work with Islam, it’s a religion of hate and violence, starting with Muhammad. You and your gay friends are delusional if you think acting inclusive means that these people will return the favor. When they start lopping heads, gays will be at the top of their list.

    Read some history. Reality leads to conservatism, not liberalism, which is a psychosis.

  4. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 17, 2014 at 9:33 am

    Your position on these matters makes me glad you and I don’t belong to the same Religion or Philosophy!

    Nobody will get along as long as you refuse to make the first move.
    “Turn the other cheek” comes to mind.

    And however you wish to describe my “type” (ie: Woodstock, Fossil, Toker, Appeaser) doesn’t diminish the importance of my position.

    Thanks for the exchange.

  5. Comment by Kate Williams on November 18, 2014 at 9:33 am

    Yeah, this is just a bunch of “let’s all hold hands and sing Kuumbaya” nonsense. But it’s dangerous.

  6. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 18, 2014 at 11:19 am

    “Reality leads to Conservatism, not Liberalism…” Hmm?!

    Is there proof of that?

    I’m guessing your Muslim friends agree with your assessment?

  7. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 20, 2014 at 3:03 am

    TO: MarcoPolo

    M.P. ~~~ “And Christians want to, and do kill, Muslims!”

    K.V. ~~~ Not in an equal sense as you would have us believe ! We all understand what the kill ratio is !!

    ***********************************

    K.V. ~~~ It is obvious you are manipulating a concept by not revealing the Biblical truths that are inherent and contextual in these words when you stated: “Be above all that, and prove that Jesus wasn’t crazy to Love thy neighbor. Don’t try to convert him, just love him!”

    I hope you understand that we can love the soul of everyone as Christ did and gave Himself up for those souls for the forgiveness of their sins and to enjoy eternity with Him in perfect, sinless, bliss. The other side of the coin, that you omitted, is that God does not condone or overlook sin. His perfect justice demands payment for sin which, without Christ, will condemn unforgiven sinners to a place of eternal suffering. God wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth … forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ.

    MATTHEW 28 ” … an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him: 36 “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?”

    37 He (Jesus) said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”

    Practicing Christians understand their role while on this temporal globe:

    Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” MATTHEW 28:18

  8. Comment by eMatters2 on November 14, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    Good thing the Bible never said anything about being unequally yoked!

    The “Islam and Christianity worship the same God” lie of the “Christian” Left is so transparently false you can refute it in a single Tweet: Denying Jesus’ deity is a heresy in Christianity. Affirming it is a blasphemy in Islam. #notthesame

  9. Comment by Dusty H on November 14, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    Today was the first step for the “National Cathedral” to become the “National Mosque”, and the quiet jihad continues.

  10. Comment by binks webelf on November 14, 2014 at 6:06 pm

    http://steynian.wordpress.com/2014/11/14/behind-the-headline/

  11. Comment by mikeg on November 14, 2014 at 7:13 pm

    Sorta looks like a meeting of gay guys.

  12. Comment by BishopAndrewGeralesGentry on November 15, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    that is just plain stupid not to mention offensive come on!

  13. Comment by Namyriah on November 16, 2014 at 9:13 am

    What’s “offensive”? Pointing out that gay men spend a lot of their lives – the most important part – down on all fours? Nothing stupid about stating facts.

  14. Comment by BishopAndrewGeralesGentry on November 16, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    You sir are a moron and obviously in great need of therapy! Following the wisdom of a Yiddish proverb that teaches us that arguing with a fool makes one of yourself I will conclude any further communication lest I be thought a fool by doing so. I can only pray that you come to know Jesus soon before it is too late!

  15. Comment by Brad F on November 16, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    Wow, such eloquence from the Left.
    Throw out the words “stupidity” and “moron” with nothing to back them up.
    Pretty much the taunts of a 2nd grader on the playground, “Hey, you are really STOOPID!” That’s telling ’em, “bishop.”

  16. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 17, 2014 at 8:39 am

    Stupidity is made evident to the world…though not so much to the one who is stupid.
    Namyriah made a comment that had no edifying merit, and was offensive regarding gay men. Why such snide comments regarding another human being?

  17. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 20, 2014 at 4:36 am

    TO: Bishop Gentry

    YOU STATED: “I will conclude any further communication lest I be thought a fool by doing so.”

    ME: It’s too late for that !!

    BTW: Who is the original fool?

  18. Comment by Julene Devoe on November 15, 2014 at 7:16 pm

    LOL
    It stuck me as funny that the Episcopagans would mock Christians being down on the floor as “Holy Rollers,” yet they invite Muslims in to pray in their usual posture.

  19. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 17, 2014 at 8:33 am

    The absurdity of your comment begs the question: “Do you walk to school, or carry your lunch?”
    Of course the Muslim prayers are on the floor. Not too different from praying on one’s knees. A posture of supplication and reverence for both religions.

    Whether Episcopalians would mock Christians, is just petty snarkiness. Let’s show some of that “good ol’ Christian hospitality”!

    The sky won’t crash in on our heads!

  20. Comment by Walhei on November 14, 2014 at 7:15 pm

    This is a great victory for Satan! The people who run this Cathedral believe you can compromise with evil. They believe, if you are nice to Muslims, they will be nice to you. Not so! This is a victory for Islam.
    This elevates a false religion, and gives it authority! Very bad deal for Christians.
    Muslims would act just like ISIS, if they had the power! But as a minority they must bide there time, make inroads, into places of Power. Then when the time is right, these same people, who speak of Peace and coexistence will turn on those who befriended them!
    Islam has operated like this since it’s inception.
    Lie and Deceive! Remember! It is not a sin, in Islam, to lie and deceive, to move Islam forward. Those are satanic ideas.

  21. Comment by Bob and Darlene Wagner on November 14, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    The beautiful gardens at the side of the church will make a perfect spot for DC’s own chop-chop square. It will be easy for the mutaawa, religious poli

  22. Comment by Sam Miller on November 14, 2014 at 8:23 pm

    Outrageous!
    Who are “enlightened” idiots that thought that was a good idea?

  23. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 17, 2014 at 8:26 am

    And what’s wrong with it, Sam Miller?
    Just asking.

  24. Comment by Kate Williams on November 18, 2014 at 9:37 am

    These people are, by definition, opposed to absolutely everything Christianity stands for.

    Mohammed is dead. Jesus Christ rose from the grave.

    If you can’t figure out the implications of that, then I can’t help you any further. You’re beyond help.

    Or you don’t WANT to understand. You just won’t admit it.

  25. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 18, 2014 at 11:15 am

    Why does it matter whose religious leader survived their fate?
    Resurrection is but one aspect of other religions who share that same phenomenon.

    Not that Jesus wasn’t special… His followers have just decided that there can never be another Prophet with the same purpose…That of bringing Wisdom and Understanding to the world.

    Namaste’

  26. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 24, 2014 at 2:51 am

    YOU STATED: “Why does it matter whose religious leader survived their fate?
    Resurrection is but one aspect of other religions who share that same phenomenon”

    ~~~~~ You are talking foolish again without any credibility!
    Name another “religious leader” who claimed he was God and then rose from death in three days as he promised to prove it !
    Please attempt that without more of you sophistry… please !!!

  27. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 20, 2014 at 1:34 pm

    And many Christians by definition are opposed to absolutely everything Islam stands for!
    …Sound familiar?!

    Muhammad may not be dead in the eyes of a Muslim?
    Where’s your Christian charity and inclusiveness?

  28. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 21, 2014 at 3:53 am

    RE. : “Muhammad may not be dead in the eyes of a Muslim?”

    ~~~~ How many witnesses did M have to testify that he was seen about, especially by 500 at the same time?? Oh,yes….he died !!

  29. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 21, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    It’s discomforting to hear such dismissal of another person’s Deity.
    By acknowledging Muhammad, you’re not worshiping Him.
    Just chill! None of us are going to come out of this alive anyway! And Heaven doesn’t count, since no one has attested to it’s existence yet.

    It’s perfectly fine to believe so, but it’s all speculative hope that there will be some place “better” than this life.
    If you live this Life properly, there needn’t be another crack at it…. here, or in “Heaven”.

  30. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 24, 2014 at 4:09 am

    Where do you come up with these kind of beliefs?? What is your source of reference?? Yourself, or do you rely on other superficial and conceited minds like Helena Blavatsky, Henry Olcott. and Guido von List (and his followers such as Lanz von Liebenfels) who later took up some of Blavatsky’s ideas, mixing her ideology with nationalistic and Nazi fascist ideas that concluded the Teutonics were superior to all other peoples? This kind of addled thinking can lead to some heavy perversion !

    These theosophists have no sound foundation upon which to build their counterfeit “hidden knowledge or wisdom that offers the individual enlightenment and salvation.” Their quest to understand the mysteries of the universe and the bonds that unite the universe, humanity, and the divine are an illusory one if not founded on the Holy Scriptures.

    Your FAITH is only as good as who you put it in !

    Again, where do you come up with these kind of beliefs?? What is your source of reference??

  31. Comment by Greg on November 14, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    Probably the most people they’ve ever had in there for a prayer service since the last few Presidential funerals.

  32. Comment by Beau Jackson on November 16, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    You’re probably right, the Piskies don’t believe in God, so they wouldn’t be doing any praying. When you’ve got one religion that believes firmly in their god and one that doesn’t, guess which one is going to prevail?

  33. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 17, 2014 at 8:06 am

    Both of these religions think they have “The True” religion.
    Guess where that attitude will get you?

  34. Comment by JohnnyAngel Advocacy Group on November 15, 2014 at 4:13 am

    Christian fundamentals are essential to a true Christian. A true Christian does not shy away from PREACHING CHRIST CRUCIFIED !! As far as a National Cathedral, I worship God my way, nobody else can tell me how I should worship. Why is a national cathedral stating the obvious and others cannot see it ? The USA is losing its Christian identity and many including professed Christians see nothing wrong with it. Me…I don’t need a national ANYTHING to worship God.

  35. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 15, 2014 at 6:27 pm

    Don’t forget to blame the Communists, JohnnyAngel!

    C’mon, folks! This is not something to get all riled about!

  36. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 17, 2014 at 4:07 am

    TO: Marco Polo

    This concept would obviously have no meaning for someone who is an atheist or a humanist, yet it has a special claim on the conscience of a Christian.

    By worshiping with Muslims and saying you are worshiping the same God is a stark contradiction. Those who practice this blasphemy are diminishing God’s Word and creating their own “god”.

    In the satanic name of ecumenism, some denominations will take the inspired word of God, which Christ taught and authenticated, dilute it and contaminate it with teachings and doctrines other than Christ’s. This is diametrically opposite of what Christ taught us, i.e.; “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.” ~ MATTHEW 28:19

    What Islam teaches cannot possible be intermingled with Christian teachings and doctrine. Only those who cannot understand this contradiction will, most likely, already have a laissez faire attitude about their soul and their eternal future.

    Saving faith in Jesus Christ is eternally serious! Faith is only as good as WHO you put it in, not WHAT you put it in. God gifted us with His grace in Christ and His words in Scripture that show us the way to eternal life.

    JOHN 6:63 ~ JESUS: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.”

  37. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 17, 2014 at 8:05 am

    Dear Claus,
    Thank you for your exchange.

    The use of the Cathedral isn’t occurring simultaneously. Like any grand structure with as much space to offer, it’s not only a neighborly gesture, but an economic benefit as well.

    I don’t need to be a Christian, or a Muslim to appreciate the similarities and/or differences between religions, but it’s clear to anybody on the sidelines, that for global harmony to stand a chance, we need to learn to share our blessings, rather than denigrating our brother’s faith.

    With your boasting about Jesus’ command to “convert all the world”… It’s not unlike any other religious follower to think their religion is the true and only religion. Don’t you see how that sets up the game of one-upmanship among all peoples?

    There will ALWAYS be people who never “believe”… but that’s not something that is unusual given the vast diversity of human beings, and their entrenched societal edicts. Influences from other ‘tribes’ need not be taken as offensive. Especially if it’s offered in Love.

    “Can’t we all just get along?” …REALLY?!

  38. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 17, 2014 at 10:21 pm

    TO: Marco Polo *********

    I appreciate your reply that spoke in support of the endorsement for peace and understanding. That is always good to hear!

    Below are quotes that have produced some questions:

    “… that for global harmony to stand a chance, we need to learn to share our blessings, rather than denigrating our brother’s faith.” [sic]

    ~~~~~ I assume what you mean by “blessings” are the sundry material blessings we share in God’s creation? Please qualify if I am mistaken.
    “Denigrating” someones faith is not the correct definition for sharing your faith with another individual if you have their permission or as a response to something they stated .

    “There will ALWAYS be people who never “believe”… but that’s not something that is unusual given the vast diversity of human beings, and their entrenched societal edict s.” [sic]

    ~~~~~ “Believing, trusting in, or having faith in” Jesus Christ has no direct relationship or dependency on the”vast diversity of human beings” or on “entrenched societal edicts”.
    Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
    ​ ~ ​ 1 Corinthians 12:3
    * No one can say “Jesus is Lord” and really mean it, believe it, and understand what it means simply by their personal, internal will. It is completely the work of the Holy Spirit within the heart.

    “Influences from other ‘tribes’ need not be taken as offensive.” [sic]

    ~~~~~ I would use the words: [“the doctrines” … from other tribes], rather than “influences” which might be unwelcome in dissimilar sectors.

  39. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 18, 2014 at 9:05 am

    Klaus,
    You correctly interpreted my meaning regarding ‘blessings’.
    Because there are a myriad of similarities between religious sects, it seems that we should capitalize on them, versus finding ways to degrade (or denigrate) another person’s faith.

    I will never dismiss the work, or presence of ‘The Holy Spirit’.
    I have no reason, nor capacity to do so.

  40. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 20, 2014 at 1:48 am

    TO: MarcoPolo

    M. P. ~~ “Because there are a myriad of similarities between religious sects,” [sic]

    K.V. ~~ You are very prone to use generalities without qualifying what you specifically mean. Please explain the “similarities” of the “RELIGIOUS sects” (Christian and Muslim). “RELIGIOUS SECTS” is a direct implication to “BELIEFS”. Everyone knows we all share physical needs…no need to discuss that. Let’s get real ….

    Paramount in this discussion is a correct understanding of what Islam is. Islam is NOT a religion, nor is it a cult. In its fullest form, it is a complete, total, 100% system of life. Islam has religious, legal, political, economic, social, and military components. The “religious” component is a cover-up for all of the other components.

    An excellent rendition of the total extent of Muslim divergency:
    “The militant Muslim is the person who beheads the infidel, while the moderate Muslim holds the feet of the victim.”

    M.P. ~~~ ” [I]t seems that we should capitalize on them, versus finding ways to degrade (or denigrate) another person’s faith.”

    K.V. ~~~ As I stated previously: “”Denigrating” someones faith (as you intimated) is not the correct definition for sharing your faith with another individual if you have their permission or as a response to something they stated” .
    But let me approach this in another way: Degrading another person’s faith is not what God desires. We are talking about “faith” here… not evil practices that God reviles done in the name of a supposed “religion”.

    1 PETER 3:15

    But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

  41. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 20, 2014 at 9:03 am

    Claus, (or is it Klaus, as you abbreviate it in your response?)

    I did not misuse the word denigrate.
    It means to degrade, disrespect, deprecate, belittle… and NOT, share!

    Too often, Christians make blanket statements (generalities) regarding other religions as being less than theirs. I was suggesting that we not denigrate another person’s religion, as it would be un-Christ-like to do so.

    Islam is the RELIGION of the Muslims, a monotheistic faith regarded as revealed through Muhammad as the Prophet of Allah…. seen as the last of the Prophets, building on and perfecting the examples and teachings of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. There are two major branches in Islam: Sunni and Shia.

    In similarity, I was referring to the many religions over time who have Deities who were born of a virgin, were crucified/martyred, and even resurrected. Granted, Muhammad was not Jesus, he was nonetheless an inspiring prophet, whose credibility has since been skewed by some of its adherents.

    You do remember The Crusades, don’t you?
    That didn’t make for good publicity for Christianity after it was over!

    To put Christianity on a pedestal would be wrong as well, since it, much like Islam would seek to become the ONLY religion worldwide, and we know that’s not necessarily a realistic aspiration.

    You are correct in Islam being a multifaceted, all encompassing demand of its adherents. And in my opinion, Christians are expected to be no less strict in their life practices. I simply wish that ALL religions would allow some wiggle room for other people and their differences.

    Thank you for your response.

    Respectfully,
    MacoPolo

    As you pointed out, demonizing another religion is also not something Jesus would teach.

  42. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 20, 2014 at 10:57 pm

    TO: MarcoPolo

    M.P. ~~~ “Too often, Christians make blanket statements (generalities) regarding other religions as being less than theirs. I was suggesting that we not denigrate another person’s religion, a s it would be un-Christ-like to do so”

    K.V. ~~~ Biblical Christians see themselves as imperfect sinners that rely on a perfect, sinless Savior for the forgiveness of their sins.

    Rather than denigrate those who do not believe in Christ for the payment of their sins, we, as Christ’s representatives, show our love to unbelievers by revealing our assurance and peace with God because of the faith we have in Christ. Life has meaning with God’s assurance of forgiveness and His His promise to guide us with the Holy Spirit that will culminate in a a perfect life with Him when we die. Beyond this Gospel message, the Holy Spirit takes over. Only God can change hearts through the message of the Gospel … not people. We are only ambassadors of Christ.

    ◄ 1 Corinthians 12:3

    Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

    ◄ John 14:6 ►

    Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

    JOHN 10:14 [JESUS] “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

    **************************

    M.P. ~~~ [Re. Muslim faith]: … “building on and perfecting the examples and teachings of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.”

    K.V. ~~~ Muslims do NOT rely on the God-Man Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. They teach what is called “work-righteousness”, as do so many others.

    Mankind cannot earn their way into God’s forgiveness … Jesus did that FOR us as our substitute.

    Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

    Titus 3:5-7 He [JESUS] saved us— not by works of righteousness that we had done,but according to His mercy,through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,so that having been justified by His grace,we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.

    ROMANS 3:10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;

    1 PETER 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

    ROMANS 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

    Understanding the will of God, who wants all to be saved, Christians do God’s. We love Him because He first loved us.

    A person may chose to believe in the worldly philosophy of “I’m okay – you’re okay” and that mankind can do away with sin and please God, but that is NOT how God sees it. This is making mockery of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and setting one’s self up as your own God.

    MARK 3:28
    [JESUS] “Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

  43. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 21, 2014 at 9:08 am

    I hear what you are saying Claus, and it’s exactly what I heard while growing up in the Methodist Church.

    I still have questions trying to understand the verse in the gospel of John, specifically, John 10:14.
    “…Lay it down…take it up…”
    What exactly is being taken up?

    Thank you in advance for clarifying that passage.

    Of course Muslims don’t worship Jesus, or seek him as redemption. I’m aware of that, but just because they don’t observe all the tenets of Christendom, doesn’t mean they have no redemption from sin in their own religion.
    As you stated, they seek redemption through “work righteousness” service to others. That certainly would go a long way in any society, whether it gets one into Heaven, maybe not, but it’s a great start.

    I don’t mean to sound blasphemous, but if one lives a life here on Earth that serves the ‘Greater Good’, there need not be any destination such as Heaven after dying.
    Just my opinion.

  44. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 23, 2014 at 3:38 am

    TO: MarcoPolo

    YOU INQUIRED ABOUT: John 10:14-18. “…Lay it down…take it up…” What exactly is being taken up?

    ~~~~~ See verse 17 that tells us “what” Jesus is “laying down” V.17 “I lay down my LIFE—only to take it up again.”

    Verse 18 “I have authority to lay it [life] down and authority to take it [life] up again.”
    * Jesus had the power to give up His life (in our behalf) and to take His life back again (Resurrection) showing that He conquered the power of sin and death for all who believe in Him.

    Muslims have no one to justify them before God…no advocate.
    ACTS 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name [Jesus] under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

    For those who claim they can “earn” their way into heaven or please God by something they have done or have not done, there is only condemnation waiting. Just “trying” or “doing your best” just does not cut it ! God tells us: [JESUS] “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – MATTHEW 5:48.
    No one is perfect, but Jesus was…in our behalf. We get His forgiveness and His perfection through faith in Him.
    There simply is no other way to satisfy God’s perfect and Holy justice.

    GALATIANS 3:10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”

    ROMANS 11: 32 God has found everyone guilty of not obeying Him.. So now He can have mercy on everyone..

    TITUS 3:5 ” (H)e [JESUS] saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his MERCY. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and RENEWAL by the Holy Spirit,

    JOHN 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

  45. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 23, 2014 at 2:35 am

    RE. MarcoPolo’s reply to JohnnyAngel ………..

    Again, you make no sense with your sophomoric playground comments.
    YES …. to those who hold the words of God scared, it IS something to be concerned about !!

  46. Comment by Nate on November 15, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    Just a quick headline change: ‘National Mosque Hosts Muslim Friday Prayers’.

  47. Comment by Fran Brunson on November 15, 2014 at 5:32 pm

    There is something bizarre about a venue catering to both Muslims and homosexuals. I think it’s safe to say which group will eventually oust the other.

  48. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 15, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    Where Fran Brunson, is there any reference to homosexuals?

  49. Comment by Brad F on November 16, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    It’s fairly well known that the Washington Cathedral attracts a lot of homosexuals. They hate Christianity, but they think the building is pretty. Apparently they don’t contribute money to it, because the Cathedral charges tourists $10 just to walk through it.

  50. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 16, 2014 at 6:51 pm

    If they walk through it’s doors, I’m assuming they pay the $10, like everybody else. So I assume by that, they’re “contributing”.
    They DO have a point, the place is definitely pretty!

    Don’t you think, hate is a strong choice of word to use while broad-brushing an entire section of society?
    I have many LGBT friends that do not hate Christanity. They wonder why the Church doesn’t recognize them, but they don’t HATE Christianity.

  51. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 20, 2014 at 3:12 am

    … but they certainly DESPISE them !!

  52. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 15, 2014 at 6:24 pm

    FINALLY! A gesture that personifies the Christian sense of love, respect and compassion!
    Except for the many comments on this thread that suggest otherwise. And to think, we should be taught to share! Well, that’s exactly what’s happening in this case… not a silent attempt to sneak in, then kill everyone. Sheesh! C’mon people, are you not willing to share your “Holy” space? Really?!

  53. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on December 2, 2014 at 12:41 am

    TO: MarcoPolo ….

    You are awful quick to discredit Christians. Wherever there is advantage to band together in the face of physical adversity, hardship, and for the protection of everyone, you will see those of all beliefs working together for a common goal, but this in no way is an example of ecumenicalism or the sharing of beliefs that are diametrically opposed.

    *****************************

    Images of solidarity as Christians join hands to protect Muslims as they pray during Cairo protests

    By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
    UPDATED: 12:46 EST, 3 February 2011

    Striking photos of unity have emerged from the chaos in Egypt as Christian protesters stood together to protect Muslims as they prayed.

    A group of Christians joined hands and faced out surrounding hundreds of Muslims protesters left vulnerable as they knelt in prayer.

  54. Comment by MarcoPolo on December 2, 2014 at 7:59 am

    The article pointed out a gesture of sharing between the two religions, so my judgement of the subsequent comments, that seemed anything but conciliatory, was meant to be critical of Christians.
    Unless we all try to bridge the gap between religious tenets, we will surely perish. I know, you’ll say, the Islamists will NEVER compromise their religious tenets!
    But then, neither will Christians. So everybody loses!

  55. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on December 2, 2014 at 5:23 pm

    TO: MarcoPolo ………..

    YOU STATED: …”so my judgement of the subsequent comments, that seemed anything but conciliatory, was meant to be critical of Christians.”

    REPLY: Your “judgements” are not bases on what was said. Your presuppositions, based on your assumption that people working together toward a common physical goal, is an automatic attestation that they somehow are integrated in their religious beliefs.

    In essence, you stated that the comments were “meant to be critical of Christians.” I would like to see you explain HOW any comments were construed to imply an enticement of annoyance, as you made “judgement”.

    I might add that you are straying more widely in your attempts to refute truths that run counter to your ethos. It is becoming an exercise in futility as you and I come from different worlds… I have a loving God who gives me direction in life and a sure hope of an eternal life with Him. To date, it would seem, that you do not.

    What may be standing in the way is a trust in finite human theories that have no sound foundation upon which to build their counterfeit “hidden knowledge or wisdom that offers the individual enlightenment and salvation.” Their quest to understand the mysteries of the universe and the bonds that unite the universe, humanity, and the divine are an illusory one if not founded on the absolute authority of the Holy Scriptures.
    The HIPSTER CULTURE is a spiritually unhealthy one. It occludes the mind that may give rise to “finding yourself making amazing discoveries that are light years ahead of everyone else’s thinking.” You are tempted to believe that deep down you’ve cottoned onto something that really matters and that it makes sense but others are not convinced because it’s the “great unknown” and a form of indifference and detachment. It may even convince you to “rest easy” and be determined in your knowledge that some day, others will come round to your discovery.
    This a delusion from the “God of this Age”, the “Deceiver”, “Father of Lies”, Satan,
    We all need a filter for our mental pabulum … God’s Word found in the Scriptures.

    If one happens to be a hipster at an older age,you might find that as you age you get less bothered and upset about the way the world works, or doesn’t work, probably means you’re a.) not so keen to be labeled anything , b.) not in need of belonging to any sub-culture, and/or c.) less angry than you used to be. It’s quite possible you’re also very discreetly steering the rudder of your own teens going through “issues” and you’re less than keen to adopt more of the same for yourself.

  56. Comment by MarcoPolo on December 2, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    I’d love to share my thoughts with you, Claus, but I can’t really understand much of what you just wrote. Which reminds me… maybe it’s Happy Hour already?

    For the record, I don’t expect ANYONE to think, or believe the same as I do. That would be quite unnecessary. I’m sufficiently happy hearing from you and others about how important it’s suppose to be, that I be made to believe the way you do.

    Entertaining and occasionally enlightening!

  57. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on December 2, 2014 at 7:16 pm

    TO: MarcoPolo ….

    YOU WROTE: … ” I can’t really understand much of what you just wrote.”

    REPLY: It’s probably just unconscious denial. That is your choice.
    I must admit that I see you as a “hipster” by what you write and also by your former photo. It is a good fit. That was a large part of my explanation of why we have our differences and also the reasons for our different beliefs. It was explicit with enough reference to be palpable. I was surprised that you did not respond to any of that to either deny or confirm.

    YOU WROTE: …”I’m sufficiently happy hearing from you and others about how important it’s suppose to be that I be made to believe the way you do.”

    REPLY: This is very amenable of you. With that in mind, I hope you will be disposed to answering some questions that I posed below that could be viewed as analytical. In the same token, I am willing to do the same for you.

    RE. “MADE to believe???” You should know that no one can be MADE to believe anything that goes against their natural will !

    I also find it enlightening to hear of your beliefs and your world view. It would be more enlightening if I understood how you came to your conclusions concerning who God is and how He relates to you in your life, knowing that you had background in the Christian faith based on what is taught in the Bible.. What were the events in your life that diverted you and sent you down a different path?

  58. Comment by MarcoPolo on December 3, 2014 at 8:24 pm

    Sorry for any confusion.

    I think we both probably agree that there are benefits to sharing one’s space, but maybe not Holy space!

    And so, the article suggests that if the Muslims were to have their prayers in the Transept of the Church and NOT the Nave, that the “threshold of no return” would not have been passed or violated.
    Therefore, no Muslim could technically lay claim to the entire space/structure for Muhammad.

    Whether some Muslims would consider the gesture as an accomplishment of Islamic supremacy, is just a “Pissing War” of egos.
    Sure, some religions take such extremes. But they’re usually just the Fundamentalists.
    Any wonder why I’m skeptical of any religion’s fundamentalists, or even Orthodoxy?

    I believe that what the article meant to convey, was, that cohabiting groups CAN succeed, but there will be delicate intracacies in the process.

    To your question about what might have “turned” me away from the system of God worship that you and many others embrace: I truly believe I worship the same “God”, “Spirit”, “Source Of All Being”, that you do!

    I just don’t get too wrapped up over some of the literary records from so long ago. I’m not dismissing the written Gospel, I’m simply recognizing that it’s compilation is complicated. And the last few thousand years have provided an exponential wealth of evidence that provokes clear reasoning of the details, and generalities.

    No harm, no foul? I didn’t intend to aggravate or place judgement. I just want to hear all sources, and decide for myself what is right for me.

    Thanks!

    And I suppose being regarded as a “Hipster” isn’t defaming my character at all, so Thanks!

  59. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on December 4, 2014 at 2:22 am

    TO: MarcoPolo..

    YOU WROTE: ” I truly believe I worship the same “God”, “Spirit”, “Source Of All Being”, that you do!”

    REPLY: Everyone in their heart, whether they admit it or not, knows there is a “God”, “Spirit”, “Source Of All Being”, “Supreme Being”, etc., but that only confirms the fact that we are accountable to this God for the sins we have committed and that God will exact justice for those sins. No one can find an excuse – we are all guilty. . ROMANS 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

    If this is all we knew about God, there would be nothing to look forward to after death but eternal punishment for our sins. He made that very clear.

    Now comes the part where, I believe, we differ concerning how God stepped in with His love, mercy, and grace to satisfy His justice and redeemed us. By the grace of God, I believe and trust in Jesus Christ, God incarnate, for the forgiveness of my sins because He paid for them in full, as He did for the total of all mankind.

    Do YOU believe in this God of perfect justice and perfect love in Jesus Christ? Do YOU believe that you have been justified and redeemed by Jesus Christ?

    YOU STATED: “I am not dismissing the written Gospel, I’m simply recognizing that it’s compilation is complicated.”

    As you can see, the Gospel is NOT complicated, nor is it’s “compilation”. Christian antagonists have used this lame attack since the morning when Christ rose from the grave!

    Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
    Those who reject Christ will not be able to stand before God and successfully plead their own case on their own merits. Only the perfect, sinless Son of God is qualified for that job!

    Without Christ we have “dismissed” the Gospel (the Good News).

    Essentially, it all comes down to what the Apostle Paul observed:
    ACTS 28:23 “When they had appointed a day for him, (Paul) they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening ohe expounded to them, testifying to pthe kingdom of God andqtrying to convince them about Jesus rboth from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 Andssome were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: t“The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

    26 u“ ‘Go to this people, and say,

    v“You will indeed hear but never understand,

    and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

    27 wFor this people’s heart has grown dull,

    and with their ears they can barely hear,

    and their eyes they have closed;

    lest they should see with their eyes

    and hear with their ears

    and understand with their heart

    and xturn, and I would heal them.’

  60. Comment by MarcoPolo on December 4, 2014 at 9:10 am

    Well, that was quite an expatiation!

    I appreciate your testimony, Claus, but I do see where our beliefs diverge.

    For the sake of discussion, let’s say that every book in the Bible was a compilation (there’s that word again) of influences that were gleaned by disparate individuals, like for instance the book of Daniel was a contribution from a guy who was very perceptive, and could “read the writing on the wall”.
    Does his story alone, make the entire Gospel, no!
    But if you realize that EVERY religion has parables and prophecies among their Holy writ, then what makes one religion “better” than the others?

    I jest, but consider that apostle Peter (Saint, to some) was ‘given’ the keys to Heaven, yet he was made to stand outside the gates! So he’s technically the “Bouncer”? And not given admission himself? Sorry for playing with your prophets, but this whole campaign of Religion has gotten blown out of proportion.

    My faith in God, isn’t dependent upon ancient texts, or Holy hearsay. The purity of Truth is in itself the beauty of it all.

    I can’t endorse any one particular religion for having “figured it out” , so I wander, and wonder, content in my current existence, knowing that I have connection to others through exchanges as rich as ours.

    Thank you.

  61. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on December 4, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    TO: MarcoPolo ………

    YOU PRESENTED A VERY PERSPICUOUS SUMMATION: “I can’t endorse any one particular religion for having “figured it out” , so I wander, and wonder, content in my current existence, knowing that I have connection to others through exchanges as rich as ours.
    Thank you.”

    ​REPLY: I truly respect what you have said and, for some reason, I have a strong feeling you will arrive at where you need to be.

    Continue your Diogenean search for honesty and truth. Please don’t forget to give ample attention to the wisest “man” who told us that He was “the way, the TRUTH, and the life.”​

    “It takes a wise man to discover a wise man.” ~ Diogenes

  62. Comment by MarcoPolo on December 4, 2014 at 10:19 pm

    Your departing words are possibly the most kind that I’ve heard, so I Thank you.
    The wise man of whom you speak, has always been present in my life, so I’ll be well advised to listen.

    Thank you, Claus.

    Sincerely,
    MarcoPolo

  63. Comment by MarcoPolo on December 4, 2014 at 10:34 am

    Funny, I wrote what I thought was a reasoned response…only to not see it posted!
    I’ll try again later.

  64. Comment by MarcoPolo on December 2, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    Yes, Claus, I agree that the article is inended to show that different religions can share space.
    I wasn’t assuming that it would be an ecumenical exchange…However, I still think it would be a good idea.

    If only to list the similarities between other religions, and then chart it, to better display to the world the commonalities.

    Always moving forward!

  65. Comment by Rev. Bruce D McCabe on November 15, 2014 at 8:11 pm

    This is sadly a sign of the ” End Times ” and a next step towards a One World Religion!
    Look at what is happening to Christians all over the world, It will soon be a crime to profess your Christian Faith! The Bible is very clear on matters such as this, We NEVER Compromise our Christian Beliefs, Or our Teachings about our Lord And Savior ” JESUS CHRIST ”
    Stand Firm in Your Faith in God and Our Savior,.and you will not be misled.
    Blessings!

  66. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 17, 2014 at 2:06 pm

    Dear Reverend,
    The Quaran demands the same thing from it’s followers…so where does that get us?
    • An inevitable conflict?
    • A compromise?
    • A World War-III ?

    If every religion could just back off, on the paranoid speech, we might start to understand one another, and possibly not kill everyone in the process!

  67. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 20, 2014 at 4:24 am

    TO: MarcoPolo

    I seems a bit more than insolent to compare the Qur’an with the Holy Scriptures !!

    The Islam religion began some 600 years after Christ when Muhammad, a questionable merchant from Mecca, proclaimed himself a prophet of Allah. Muslim accounts say it began when Muhammad claimed that Gabriel appeared to him in the cave Hira near Mecca, reciting to him the first verses thus beginning the revelation of the Qur’an. Dubious speculation about the Quran is common.

    Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, authenticated all of the Scriptures, created the universe, stated that He was God, died on a cross to save sinners, rose from death after three days, as He said He would, and asended to heaven where He now reigns in glory.

    Which of the two has authority concerning life, death and spiritual matters ?

  68. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 20, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    Dear Claus,

    You’ve scolded me for stating generalities without factual backing, so, I must let you know that you’re doing the very same thing.

    Your description of Muhammad’s enlightenment being speculative, is no less, and no more convincing than when Moses encountered the burning bush. All speculative!

    Jesus (your Christ) was also a prophet whose enlightenment was also from God (according to the Bible, which is but one more ancient text that espouses the faith of its followers called Christians).

    Choose any Deity, and you will discover that they (almost) all start with a human- being, encountering a supernatural moment, or visage.

    This is not necessarily bad, it just points out that there are many similarities among many of the world’s ancient religions.

    Who knows how humans will treat such spiritual trappings in another two-thousand years? All I know, is that it would be interesting to see how many opinions of today might seem quite bizarre in retrospection…Including mine!

    BTW, I am by no means suggesting that you, or any Christian OR Muslim denounce their faith!
    I’m only trying to know why each follower is so insistent that THEIR Deity is better than any other?

  69. Comment by Dusty H on November 20, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    Enough Marco, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus Christ! It’s simple: Jesus is the (only) way, the (only) truth, and the (only) life. There is NO salvation but through Him. Islam is evil; the very antithesis of Christianity. We cannot and will not co-exist with evil, because such co-existence would equate to acceptance and/or approval. What is upsetting many faithful Christians about Muslim prayers at this Cathedral is that it’s a victory for Satan. The command of Christ is to spread the Gospel through all the Earth; our mission IS to make disciples of Christ for the the transformation of the world. It’s the purpose for the existence of the true Church.

  70. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 20, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    Dear Dusty,
    You are exhibiting pride and boastfulness. Isn’t that a sin?

    Why is it so difficult to get any kind of extrapolative conversation with Fundamentalist Christians about faith and fallacy?

    If you were born in the middle-east, and raised as a Muslim, would you not believe that Muhammad was the true God?
    (You don’t have to answer that question out loud for fear of being heard by God). And that’s my point. If it weren’t for the geographic aspect of one’s home, would one be devout to a different God?

    I think your position is honorable to the extent that you are fervently loyal. But so too, is the individual born of another place, and another religion.
    That doesn’t make the other person WRONG, it just make them different from you!

    Let’s not escalate the tension between our religions…Let’s do what we can to bring them together like a family of adopted and orphaned kids.

    A family has its differences, and its quarrels, but LOVE prevails. And THAT’S what Jesus taught us to do!

    I don’t see how sharing the Cathedral serves Satan.
    If you think so, then you think so, but that doesn’t make it true!

  71. Comment by Dusty H on November 21, 2014 at 10:18 am

    Pride? No. Boastfulness? No. Passion for Christ? Yes. Islam is WRONG because God’s Holy Word reveals it’s WRONG, not me.

    Christian Love should never promote, condone, or enable sinful practice. Worshiping the false god Allah is blasphemy.

  72. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 21, 2014 at 10:27 am

    So according to you, ALL people who worship ANY God other than Jesus’ Dad, are guilty of blasphemy?
    Wow! That includes more people than are Christian! Billions actually!

    You are perpetuating the problem of Religious superiority.
    Sad that you’re not willing to see that.

    Namaste’, Dusty H.

  73. Comment by Dusty H on November 21, 2014 at 3:22 pm

    Yes! That is why that is why we have missions and evangelism: to save the lost from sure and certain damnation. We must spread the Gospel across the entire Earth, without regard for our own safety. Christ IS risen, Christ WILL come again. He WILL judge the nations.

    It has nothing to do with superiority, it has to do with the Truth.

  74. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 21, 2014 at 3:51 pm

    Just consider what you have said, and realize that the fundamental Islamist feels the same way!
    That attitude has NO good ending at all!
    Unless you’re seeking Armageddon, I suggest a more peaceful, and reasonable approach to cohabitation on such a small planet.

    Don’t assume that everybody else needs YOUR religion over their own!
    Leave the BILLIONS of people who worship a different Deity than you, to their own religion…PLEASE?!

    Have you met anyone who has died and been damned to Hell? I don’t think so!
    Let it go, my friend. It’s okay!

  75. Comment by Dusty H on November 21, 2014 at 5:06 pm

    I don’t seek Armageddon. Armageddon (or the Final Judgment) is already a preordained fact as prophesied in the Holy Scriptures.

    You say: “the fundamentalist Islamist feels the same way!” No, they don’t. The end goal of Islam is total World domination and enslavement under Sharia Law; ISIS is pure undiluted Islam. Christians aren’t beheading Muslims.

    You’ve clearly heard the Word of God and rejected it.

  76. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 21, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    Whether you seek Armageddon or not, your apparent hatred for Islam is enough to incite it.

    It will be people like you that bring the end upon us.

    Good luck!

  77. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 24, 2014 at 2:42 am

    YOU STATED: “It will be people like you that bring the end upon us”

    ~~~~~ False. GOD will bring the “end” in His good and perfect time. Then all the world will be judged based on their trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.

    MATTHEW 24:35

    JESUS: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
    36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
    40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
    42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

  78. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 24, 2014 at 5:53 pm

    Claus,

    I can appreciate the Biblical scriptures for their guidance to mankind over the millennia, and by the apparent description in Matthew 24:40, One of every two (paraphrasing) will be taken.
    So, does that suggest that only fifty percent of the population will be left behind?
    My quandary regarding the specifics of that Gospel, is more realistic. Let me explain.
    Given the entire population of the Earth (currently almost 7-Billion),
    of those, perhaps one-third are Christian… so will Christ’s return leave 100% of the other religious followers, taking half of the Christians, and leaving the other half?

    According to the Bible, (and please correct me where I am wrong) the Rapture, or Second Coming of Christ will mark the end of the Earth as we know it?

    I think the “End” will probably be the cause of Man, and not the Divine Interruptus that the Bible states.

    We do live in interesting times!

    Thanks.

  79. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 25, 2014 at 4:00 am

    ​There is no need to get hung up on numbers, like the 50% saved.

    ​The safest and accepted method of reading Scripture is where one takes the words of the text in their ordinary sense but allows for the use of symbolic and poetic language IF other parts of the Bible endorse it.
    God is very clear when He tells us that there will be more that will not be saved than that are saved. 50% is not a majority. It is not difficult to see when God speaks to us in allegorical terms, and this is one of them. As another example; we see symbolic language when God talks about the 1000 years in Revelations and 144,000 being saved. Basically these numbers represent “large mulitples”. Bear in mind that the Apocalypse has become a happy hunting ground for some religious cultists who seek biblical support for their peculiar doctrines.

  80. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 24, 2014 at 2:27 am

    YOU INQUIRED: “Have you met anyone who has died and been damned to Hell?” [sic]

    ~~~~~ That is out of human purview. But we have what is even better….the word of God that opens a window to this truth.

    Luke 16:19-31

    JESUS: “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

    22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

    25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

    27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

    29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

    30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

    31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ *

    * This also supports the truth: … “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.” – I CORINTHIANS 12:3

  81. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 24, 2014 at 2:07 am

    TO: MarcoPolo

    YOU STATED: “So according to you, ALL people who worship ANY God other than Jesus’ Dad, are guilty of blasphemy? Wow! That includes more people than are Christian! Billions actually!” [sic]

    ~~~~~ You are closer to the truth than you realize !

    MATTHEW 7:13 JESUS: ““Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

    JOHN 10:9 JESUS:
    I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved.
    ****************************
    YOU STATED: “You are perpetuating the problem of Religious superiority.”

    ~~~~~ Not accurate. You will have to take your accusation up with God ! He has ABSOLUTE authority as the creator of all things, the author of life, and the Savior who conquered death for all who trust in Him.

    MATTHEW 28:18 JESUS: ““All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

    Jesus’ resurrection from death SHOULD remove all doubt of that !

  82. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 24, 2014 at 1:39 am

    TO: MarcoPolo

    Permit me to reply to your comment: “If you were born in the middle-east, and raised as a Muslim, would you not believe that Muhammad was the true God?”

    ~~~~~ To suggest anything else would initially seem counterintuitive, yet, there is more to faith than the influences of environment. The only element that has the power, through God the Holy Spirit, to change a heart is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are many examples in the Bible and history where hearts have been changed even in the most adverse settings that would naturally curtail that possibility.
    Then there are those who claim allegiance to the predominant doctrine of their surroundings but do so out of fear, ambition, or only to please someone.
    Christians are enjoined in bringing Christ’s Gospel to wherever it is welcomed … even if only one soul is called to faith.
    SEE: Luke 15:1-7 JESUS: … “there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons …

  83. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 21, 2014 at 3:40 am

    TO: MarcoPolo

    The following are statements you made that I will reply to at the end:

    … Moses encountered the burning bush. All speculative!

    … the Bible, which is but one more ancient text that espouses the faith of its followers called Christians).

    … Choose any Deity, and you will discover that they (almost) all start with a human- being, encountering a supernatural moment

    … there are many similarities among many of the world’s ancient religions.

    MY REPLY: I can respond to all of these comments with a single fact:

    Jesus Christ was God In The Flesh. He claimed He was God and proved it by His many miracles, especially his bringing dead bodies back to life. Lazarus had been dead for four days and already was presenting an odor.

    Jesus died on a cross and rose from death after three days as He promised.

    He confirmed that all of the Scriptures were God-breathed.

    Who conquered death? Who is the final authority? Jesus Christ ! His is the ONLY tomb that is empty among all the pretenders !

    **********************
    YOU STATED: “Who knows how humans will treat such spiritual trappings in another two-thousand years?” [sic]

    ~~~~ No different than they do now! There will always be Christian antagonists, yet, as Jesus promised: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35

    **********************
    YOU ASKED: “I’m only trying to know why each follower is so insistent that THEIR Deity is better than any other?” [sic]

    ~~~~ The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from death !

    ​ THERE ARE ONLY TWO RELIGIONS
    ​ ! ​One makes US responsible
    ​for making thing
    s​ right with God; the other affirms that GOD has made all things right through JESUS. The former makes any realistic hope of heaven impossible. The latter opens heaven to everyone.

    Other Religions = DO
    Christianity = DONE

  84. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 21, 2014 at 9:19 am

    I can see that you are not going to see my point, even for the sake of argument.

    Not that I would expect any equivocation of your faith, but rather an acknowledgement that other religions feel just as strongly, and sincerely about their faith.

    These differences shouldn’t make for strife among humans, but sadly, it does.

    Keep the (your) faith!

  85. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 24, 2014 at 12:58 am

    TO: MarcoPolo

    RE. …”acknowledgement that other religions feel just as strongly, and sincerely about their faith.
    These differences shouldn’t make for strife among humans” [sic]

    ~~~~~ I agree. We can all get along if ones belief and religious practice does not take a MILITANT position against others in order to invalidate them.

  86. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 24, 2014 at 7:39 am

    Precisely! I completely agree.

  87. Comment by FW Ken on November 15, 2014 at 10:38 pm

    Interesting that the Muslims denounce violence, but no one seems to pick up on it. Considering that Muslims in the Philippines rebuilt a Catholic Church after it was destroyed, perhaps it’s not the end of things if Christians show some neighborliness.

    Now, it would have been better had a non-consecrated space had been used, but it’s been a few years since that matters in that room, I think. Considering the dean’s theology and all.

    Still, loving our neighbor and praying for those who persecute us are not options for Christians, and are not synonymous with syncretism.

  88. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on December 2, 2014 at 12:43 am

    TO: FW Ken …

    The reciprocal is also true; Christians also give aid to other people.
    Wherever there is advantage to band together in the face of physical adversity, hardship, and for the protection of everyone, you will see those of all beliefs working together for a common goal, but this in no way is an example of ecumenicalism or the sharing of beliefs that are diametrically opposed.

    *****************************

    Images of solidarity as Christians join hands to protect Muslims as they pray during Cairo protests

    By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
    UPDATED: 12:46 EST, 3 February 2011

    Striking photos of unity have emerged from the chaos in Egypt as Christian protesters stood together to protect Muslims as they prayed.

    A group of Christians joined hands and faced out surrounding hundreds of Muslims protesters left vulnerable as they knelt in prayer.

  89. Comment by FW Ken on December 2, 2014 at 1:06 am

    Absolutely. There was also the case of a Muslim women protecting a nun and two other Catholic women from a mob. I’ve read that Christians have helped build mosques as well.

    Thank you for the reference on the Christians protecting the

  90. Comment by Rev. Richard McLeon on November 16, 2014 at 9:14 am

    Sadly, re-inventing God in your own image or mindset is the heart of heresy. Our Lord said, “I AM, the way the truth and the light.”. Too many “enlightened” clergy have forgotton that. Fortunately, most Episcopalians are faithful to the true gospel and find this a pathetic attempt to weaken the church and the nation
    through social gospel.

  91. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 17, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    Reverend Richard McLeon,

    How is sharing the Sanctuary going to weaken the faith of either religion?

    Territoriality is just the start of trouble. Let’s get beyond that stigma.

  92. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 20, 2014 at 3:29 am

    Let’s not kid ourselves; this is just another satanic ploy and a subtle “thin edge of the wedge” on the road to ecumenicalism.

    Dilution is not purity !

    2 Corinthians 6:14
    Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

  93. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 20, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    Thanks for sharing the Gospel:
    2 Corinthians 6:14.
    By definition, associating with contrasting faiths can either be met with acceptance, or derision…or even dilution as you stated. But why would that matter, if many different religions share many of the same principles of truth, compassion and charity?

    I think there is no better way to share differing faiths, than by placing them in contact with one another. Either we all learn to get along, or we’re doomed!

    “Dilution is not purity”
    True! But how realistic is it to sustain purity, if the end goal is salvation?
    Surely, a man seeking a bride who is not a virgin, does not lose any qualities in his bride than existed before her chastity was altered. She might even be an asset, given her experience.

    Further more, as an Artist, I’ve discovered you can’t appreciate light without dark… and the same is to be said for the opposite. Contrast needs to be present in order to determine a value of any color.
    Light, Dark…two ends of the light spectrum. Who would want it any other way?

    Life is good! May you continue in good health.

  94. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 21, 2014 at 2:05 am

    TO: MarcoPolo

    YOU STATED: “I think there is no better way to share differing faiths, than by placing them in contact with one another. Either we all learn to get along, or we’re doomed!” [sic]

    ~~~~ Your statement qualifies as a logical fallacy … a moral equivalence. It seeks to draw comparisons between different, unrelated things, to make a point that one is just as bad as the other, i.e.; not infusing different beliefs and not “getting along”.

    The discerning purpose of “sharing faiths”or “contacting” them is to somehow make concessions to promote compatibility. If that were not so, what would be the point of reiterating opposing beliefs? Making concessions may be an acceptable practice in politics, but never in matters concerning God’s Word !
    Attempting to combine separate beliefs into a single or unified entity amounts to pure hypocrisy and contempt for the truth.

    Everyone can get along if we abide by the laws of the land.

    *****************************

    YOU STATED: ” But how realistic is it to sustain purity, if the end goal is salvation?” [sic]

    ~~~~ Biblical orthodoxy and purity IS realistic and can be sustained by not allowing it to be corrupted by human fraudulence and deceptiveness. The importance of this cannot be overly stated when the end goal IS the salvation of souls !!
    The Old and New Testaments comprise a unity of understanding of God’s intentions in human history. They contain God’s blueprint for our salvation and our lives, and is predicated on the redemption of the souls of mankind in the vicarious work of Jesus Christ — God incarnate who conquered death!

  95. Comment by Michael C on November 22, 2014 at 10:27 am

    If you feel that religions should share their houses of worship with other religions, go tell Muslims to share their mosques with Jews.

    let us know how that works out – if you come back alive, that is.

    Lefties are picky about who you scold – no one but Christians.

  96. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 22, 2014 at 10:44 am

    Yes, that would indeed be my objective.

    I never said it would be easy!
    Whether it’s plausible is yet another story, but it apparently is a problem even for Christians to consider in their own houses of worship.

    I was raised Christian, so I think I’m “allowed” to pick on that particular religion just out of familiarity.

    Doesn’t the idea of sharing religious space sound like a Christian gesture?

  97. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 23, 2014 at 2:27 am

    TO: MarcoPolo

    YOU STATED: “Doesn’t the idea of sharing religious space sound like a Christian gesture?”

    ~~~~~ NO ! Not with those who do not follow what the Scriptures teach !

    You are up to your usual sophistry and more false reasoning again! Some people’s affability is more deadly than the violence of coarser souls.

    What would be the point of a “gesture” like this? It would benefit no one, but it WOULD speak volumes demonstrating opposition to the words of Scripture that guide us:

    2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial ? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them,and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate”.

  98. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 23, 2014 at 11:21 am

    Fine!
    I can see that you and the staunch Christians wish to keep to yourselves and deny other religions an opportunity to come together.
    That virtually guarantees that nothing but division will be perpetuated.

    Nothing is absolute in Religion.
    All the ancient texts, of every religion rely upon what somebody said thousands of years ago, in a language that has many interpretations, and is treated as if the world needs one, over the other!
    How one religion treats another religion is an indicator of whether that religion prospers. And apparently, the Muslims are your “enemy”, so you’d better get out there and start converting them!

  99. Comment by Namyriah on November 22, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    In other words, lefties are cowards.

  100. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 23, 2014 at 11:24 am

    Namyriah, your logic is flawed.
    Lefties are adventurers who don’t shy away from issues that seem daunting.
    An attempt to bring varying religions together is not for cowards. So what does that make you?

  101. Comment by Adeyinka on November 16, 2014 at 1:13 pm

    The muslims should beware of false faith,and ideology.both the bible and the Koran could not be used to promote homosexuality,the same way,that the Episcopalians have done.the muslim faith,does not bow done low,to any graven image.God,the Almighty,knows the innermost thoughts of men.He cannot be mocked or fooled.

  102. Comment by Beau Jackson on November 16, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    Kinda makes you wonder if a few oil-rich Muslims might’ve slipped the Episcopagans a little bit of $$$$ under the table. Given their obvious contempt for Christianity, the Episcopagans’ “inclusiveness” is a joke.

  103. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 17, 2014 at 3:19 pm

    Dear Beau Jackson,

    Why does this seem like a joke?
    Rental, Lease or Purchase…Sharing assets does not undo a religion.
    And if so, then one’s faith wasn’t very strong to begin with.

    This is starting to sound like an ‘old boys club’ conversation, where everybody with snide comments jumps into the fray, whether they have anything intelligent to say or not!

    I know you gents are not that narrow of soul.

  104. Comment by Beau Jackson on November 17, 2014 at 8:32 pm

    Calling me “narrow of soul” is a compliment – I mean, “consider the source.”

    Is this how gay guys try to feel good about who you are – troll Christian blogs, insult straight Christian guys – “Hey, you are BIGOTS and narrow, you’re not inclusive and compassionate like me – nyah!”

    Insult away, dude, all you do is prove what hypocrites left-wingers are – you talk “inclusion,” and all you’re doing is patting yourselves on the back, trying to convince yourselves you’re equal to heterosexuals. Won’t work. The only way men ever feel good about themselves is when they act like men, not when they act like women. No wonder so many gays commit suicide or end up in rehab.

  105. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 17, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    Gee, I thought I was being judicious in my comment. Sorry I touched a nerve, Beau. Seriously, I’m sorry!

    I never assume certain things about people until they reveal their true nature, so therefore, I never made any assumption that you were heterosexual, OR homosexual….
    I just thought you and others were starting to sound like a Mob.
    The same kind of virile amplification that precludes a lynching. Never good!

    Again, Sorry for upsetting you.

  106. Comment by Kate Williams on November 18, 2014 at 9:38 am

    Oh and this hypocrisy doesn’t stop at the gay people. ALL leftists are hypocrites in some form or other.

  107. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 18, 2014 at 2:53 pm

    Kate Williams,
    Please explain to me, (and the rest of the Liberal world), how ALL leftists are hypocrites?
    Criticism is welcome, as long as you can back it up with facts!

  108. Comment by Kate Williams on November 19, 2014 at 2:27 pm

    They criticize people on the right for things they themselves are guilty of. Plus, they do not practice what they preach.

    In the mid 1990s I made the mistake of getting involved with the Unitarian Universalist Church. In 2010 I had an “incident” with one of these people that really opened my eyes to liberal hypocrisy, and in the four years since I left that world, I’ve been watching the liberals and their public statements and I’ve noticed how it just doesn’t line up.

  109. Comment by MarcoPolo on November 19, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    I thank you for your candor, in responding to my query.

    Without asking about your “incident”, I’ll presume it was sufficient to change your perspective for the rest of time?

    If that’s the case, it might be fair to warn you, not to dismiss all Liberals from having a bad moment with just one.

    The Unitarian/Universalists are good people, who might be considered ‘middle of the road’ religion-wise, but nonetheless, good people!

    Sorry for your incident.

  110. Comment by Claus von Stauffenberg on November 20, 2014 at 3:50 am

    TO: MarcoPolo

    Don’t be too smug ! There are a plethora of intelligent comments from those who have NOT resorted to inane generalities and chimerical propositions as a means of rebuttal.

  111. Comment by Ray Bannister on November 16, 2014 at 9:00 pm

    One of the most magnificent churches ever built was the awesome Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. It took centuries of constant warfare with Muslims before the Muslims finally conquered the city and turned the venerable church into a mosque. Lucky Muslims, now they don’t have to fight, the Christians welcome them in. What’s the next step – Christians pre-emptively beheading themselves?

  112. Comment by Greg on November 17, 2014 at 7:24 am

    Love your last question!!! Brilliant.

  113. Comment by MarcoPolo on December 4, 2014 at 10:40 pm

    I believe it was Abraham Lincoln who said: “The best way to defeat your enemy, is to make him your friend.”
    Well, THAT’S turning the other cheek! Right? I mean, really, isn’t that also an intelligent strategy?
    What do you stand to lose from it, Ray Bannister?

    The late Rodney King said: “Can’t we all just learn how to get along?”
    My apologies for paraphrasing.

  114. Comment by Daniel on November 18, 2014 at 6:11 am

    It is legitmate to critique this event but the critique must be based on accurate reporting. Unfortunately this report significantly misquotes the sermon in a way whichis incompatible with basic Christian standards of truthfulness. Ebrahim Rasool did not say that “the group chose not to have prayers in the “main church” (the nave) “lest subsequent generations of Muslims see that as a license to appropriate the church for Islam”. H said “And even as we accept this invitation, we do so with the humility of the
    Caliph Umar—may God be pleased with him—who accepted the offer to pray in a Christian church but was careful not to do so in the main church, lest subsequent generations of Muslims interpreted that as a licence to appropriate the church for Islam.” He did not say “If we don’t stop it at monasteries, they will come after mosques for this or that,” He said : “We are a here to say that the danger and insecurity faced by Christians and other minority religions in the Middle East cannot be tolerated. They cannot be tolerated at the level of principle nor can they be tolerated just because they are not yet destroying mosques.”

    Th sermon as a whole is a critique of violence and terror carried out in the name of Islam. You can read it here. http://www.nationalcathedral.org/worship/sermonTexts/er20141114.shtml

    If what can be veriefied in this IRD report is blatantly inaccurate and misleading how can one believe anything that you. This lack of basic truthfulness and integrity counters any claim you make to write from a Christians perspective.

  115. Comment by Tiger on November 23, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    What a shame the Old Testament prophets weren’t as enlightened and progressive as these sophisticates at the Washington Cathedral. If the prophets had been really cool and hip they should have invited the Moloch worshipers into the Jerusalem temple, set up a nice Moloch idol, get a fire going in it, sacrifice some babies to Moloch. Or better yet, have a nice orgiastic Baal worship session. Considering the religious left’s stance on abortion and sex, they would love it. Come to think of it, they’re much more like Moloch and Baal worshipers than they are Christians.

  116. Comment by Seanny Rotten on November 23, 2014 at 6:31 pm

    I’m going to take a WILD stab in the dark and say they wouldn’t welcome orthodox Anglicans, Christians who believe in gun rights or Christians who are pro-life with the same amount of zeal or enthusiasm as these Muslims backed by Islamist groups.

  117. Comment by Kyle on November 23, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    You are completely right – most of the orthodox Anglicans have already left.

The work of IRD is made possible by your generous contributions.

Receive expert analysis in your inbox.