Last Friday Muslims gathered in a section of the sanctuary in Washington National Cathedral for prayer. Yup, they were in a Christian church for Friday prayers as part of an ecumenical initiative. News that Muslims would be worshipping in a Christian church was predictable. There were protesters outside and nastiness on the internet. A woman yelled out during the actual service, angrily asking why the Muslims couldn't worship in their own mosque, before being escorted out.
http://www.nationalcathedral.org/webcasts/sunday_flv2.html
I both admire this effort and wonder how I feel. I was glad when Bridge St. hosted an multicultural event not long ago at which Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Bahais and Christians were present. I was pleased to attend an open house and meal at the Belleville mosque in August. I would welcome a Muslim guest or guests for dialogue, including in our worship space.
Would I feel the same about making our chapel available, or the sanctuary? In the end, probably, but I would need to work it through. Jesus, who is deeply respected by Muslims and referred to in 93 verses of the Koran would probably be more at ease with Muslims at prayer in a church than the vast majority of Christians, even though Islam didn't exist when he was here on this earth. His response to others was much more elastic than the brittle ways of being we have developed. The child in the photo above looks like a lovely little boy worshipping with his dad. Is that so terrible?
The United Church has taken heat for offering continuing education in Muslim studies at Emmanuel College, my seminary alma mater. Something which would have been unthinkable in the time I was there, but Canadian society has become more pluralistic. Yesterday's heathen foreigners are now the folk next door, so Jesus' injunction to love our neighbours takes on a whole new meaning.
What do you think about the Washington Cathedral initiative? Is it the slippery slope to hell? Did you know about the courses at Emmanuel? How would you feel if this happened in your congregation?
I think dialogue is very important - especially when the majority of our Canadian people, bot religious and non - religious see Muslims as only terrorists - we could stand some education in their faith and the important day to day principles their religion teaches. I also wonder if it would work in our community - we still have "Christian" folk on Facebook and other social networks saying we should not be saying "Happy Holidays" but only "Merry Christmas" at this season... crazy, when you live in a multi-cultural land, and could learn about other faiths' festival at this time of year. (and, let's face it, Christians have done our fair share of terrorizing others over the centuries, too )
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