 Panel rejects proposal that 'Muslims, Jews and Christians worship the same God' By Craig M. Kibler The Layman Online Monday, June 19, 2006
The Committee on Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations overwhelmingly voted (34-10-1) to delete that language from an overture proposed by the Presbytery of Newton and, instead, to recommend that commissioners "affirm the current mandate of the Office of Interfaith Relations to promote the common effort of Christians, Muslims and Jews to work together for peace, justice, and righteousness." The presbytery's original proposal included the following two points: "1. Affirm a common Abrahamic heritage among the three faiths -- Christianity, Islam and Judaism -- to accept the principle of unity and harmony among them and to encourage all congregations to do the same. "2. Accept and proclaim that Muslims, Jews and Christians worship the same God -- the God worshiped by Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Moses, Mary, Jesus, and Muhammad -- and ask the one true God to bless efforts in dialog, building bridges of harmony, and fighting violence and terror." In its rationale, the presbytery said that one of its churches had completed a mission study that states, "We are called to work for reconciliation, peace and justice for all God's children. Members of that congregation have been involved in People for Peace and Justice, an ad hoc group that has participated in interfaith dialog and initiated several incentives for creating understanding. Those involved have gained a better understanding of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, to wit, that they are all derived from the same Abrahamic roots and that they adhere to many similar tenets, all three religions believing in one true God, professing adherence to the same commandments and desiring to live in peace and harmony." The presbytery said that it "accepts these principles espoused by one of its churches and wishes to promote them throughout the Presbyterian denomination. … There is a pressing need for dialog among people of the three monotheistic faiths, to affirm common roots, to explore similarities and differences, to overcome stereotypes, and to promote understanding and harmony." "In a world threatened by war and violence, it can have great impact for Christians, Muslims and Jews to lift up common ethical grounds that enable solidarity for justice, peace and sustainability of creation," the presbytery said. In contrast, the Congregational Ministries Division rejected both of those items. In a comment, it said that the denomination "has already spoken adequately about the basis for dialogue and relations with Jews, Muslims, and persons of other faiths." Saying that the Presbyterian Church (USA) "has consistently maintained the significance of the relationships among these faiths for the whole human family. The Confession of 1967 … is continued good guidance. We must 'approach all religions with openness and respect.'" The Congregational Ministries Division said that, "Islam has always presented a theological challenge to Christians. Similarly, the relationship of Christianity to Judaism, within which it originally took shape, and with which it shares Scripture and much else, has been an ongoing matter for the reflection of the church." "The development of these three faiths, and their different appeals to God's relationship with Abraham in the understanding and articulation of their identities, are certainly intertwined. It is important to look into the interconnections among these faiths with sincerity, and with attention to their historical and theological similarities and differences. However, it is not clear what affirmation of a 'principle of unity and harmony' among Christianity, Judaism, and Islam might entail or assert." |
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