Hmmm.

Here’s the link:

http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=26&story_id=37774

1. d10 Says:
   March 22nd, 2007 at 9:08 am

   You know, this is an interesting topic, and to be honest, I think it’s wise thought-provoking (i have adam’s password ) what this church has done. I’m not arguing that there’s a biblical precedent for this type of giving, but perhaps as individual believers, there’s value in this type gift.

   I think you can view it as an act of reconciliation between two groups that are often somewhat at odds. I could see meaningful relationships between individuals and organizations emerging as a result of something like this.

   On my way to Georgia Tech, I drive by 2 mosques and probably 6 churches. It’s somewhat sad to me that most of the churches are much nicer than the mosques. But now, a new mosque is being built in downtown Atlanta, and I love driving by it every day. The architecture is beautiful, it’s a wonderful cultural addition to our city, and I can only imagine the pride that many Muslims feel when they see it. In a way I’m very happy for them, that they can have a facility like this.

   Personally, I am very eager to visit it and see it as an opportunity for making new friends and learning about their faith. A mosque is more than just a place of worship to followers of Islam – it’s the epicenter of the community and THE place to spend time together.

   Perhaps the concerns are over whether such a gift is a validation of an alternative belief system. I can understand that although I don’t see it that way.

   Thanks for posting this Marc.

2. Marc Says:
   March 22nd, 2007 at 12:57 pm

   d10, thanks a lot for making me think today. I thought I was going to make it to lunch without having to do any of that.

   I have read some of your postings and some of your comments here and respect what you have to say. With that I will say I am a little confused about your comment here on this one. I think you may actually be downplaying what the gift is going towards, a place of worship. This is a gift that specifically is helping others to walk closer with each other in their belief system, a belief system that Christians do not embrace. I am saying belief system not people, we must embrace all people. I do however think that I hear your heart; love others, go into their world, build friendships with a hope and desire for Christ to be lifted up and desired. That is what I think I am reading and reading into, I may be wrong so let me know.

   If a mosque is even at the least a place of worship, which the one I visited in Birmingham showed me it was intensive in worship, then should we not at least in some way see giving to the building of a place that will be used for worship not exactly wise. Loving is always wise and good. I think going to other places of worship to build friendships for His glory, in the name of Jesus is good and pleasing to God. I am more familiar with Buddhist temples than mosques and can say that it is more than just architecture, it is purposeful interwoven physical symbols of faith, just about everything guides the worshipper in what they believe, although the visitors may be unaware. The reason it becomes an epicenter is built around a common shared faith, a place of comfort and likeness. This does not mean that all are sincere and fully committed worshippers, but they understand where they are and who they are. The friendly men at the mosque I visited were very clear with me that I need to think twice about Jesus and learn with them. I was encouraged by their zeal, that I need to be zealous with telling others about my King Jesus.

   What about the building of epicenters in the Old Testament around Baal and a golden calf, was it good to contribute goods to the building of such things?

   I think we need to think of how we can love and reach out to other faiths without mudding the waters with what could very much appear as approving of those faiths.

   We all do the same things, we give to what we approve of.

   Yes, when it comes to what we believe, we are not at somewhat of odds, we do not agree. Our ultimate goal, although many today would disagree, is to have reconciliation with others so that they may be reconciled to Christ. How we do this must show others that we care, love, and respect them as God’s children, without even hinting that we embrace and commend their faith.

   any thoughts?

3. d10 Says:
   March 22nd, 2007 at 3:31 pm

   Marc- You share some wonderful thoughts. I appreciate that you obviously tried very hard to understand what I was getting at without assuming I was agreeing with an alternative belief system or something.

   At the end of the day, I think I agree with everything you said, that in essence it would be supporting something that is intended for growing and cultivating belief in a system incompatible with our own. So from that perspective, I understand and share the concern about financially supporting the construction of a mosque.

   I guess where I get hung up sometimes is, in general, how we’re supposed to relate with other institutions on a more cultural level. For instance, I don’t believe most large and public mosques in the US promote extremism or that they are a threat to our security. In fact, I believe that the presence of a mosque in a community is (or at least should be) a positive thing for that community, faith aside. And I believe if that mosque has a relationship with a local church, the benefit to the community could be even more so (speaking from a social perspective). At least from a moral perspective, Islam is very socially conservative alongside evangelical Christian types.

   Admittedly, I know what I’m saying could be perceived as a slippery slope perspective, but I’m just thinking out loud, shooting from the hip if you will.

   At the end of the day, I can’t say if an amount of social benefit outweighs the spiritual ramifications of being perceived as endorsing a belief system other than Christianity, and I probably wouldn’t give money toward it anyway personally. To be honest I’m not a big supporter in general of churches constructing buildings (being a housechurch guy). That’s just my personal conviction, not trying to be critical.

   But yeah, in my original comment, when I said that particular church was wise, all I really meant was that it seems like a gift like that would speak loud in creating an avenue for relationships that can show Christ. I’ll admit “wise” wasn’t the best word to use.

   So, perhaps a good place to turn in this discussion is: how does a church or christians in general take proactive steps in reconciliation with an differing-faith community in their neighborhood? and, what drastic steps exist (on par with giving money) which wouldn’t validate the different belief system?