Comments

Thank you for these very helpful reports, David. You are providing information that I was interested in having. I rejoice both in the dialogue and in the clear articulation of the differences.

What is "common," as I see it, is not so much a "word" as a focus on God's nature and action in the world. But this respectful exchange is a step forward in educating everyone concerned as to the foundational theological issues involved.

This is fascinating indeed--important and articulate representatives of the two largest (and most competitive) religions in the world talking at the table together with honesty and humility. Admittedly, there is a long way to go. However, this certainly looks like a step in the right direction. It may not be a panacea curing all our ills, but it is a prescription for creating hope. Thanks for your coverage in behalf of those of us not present.

The violent treatment of Jews and Christians in the Middle East and Africa at the hands of Muslims is indeed very close to what can be described as genocide.
There is no comparison to the treatment of Muslims in the West, who are more likely to be treated with fearful deference, fearful for what violence may transpire if Muslims are offended (cartoons, anyone)?

Thanks for this important and well done piece of reporting, CT and David. This conference, and the dialog it represents is indeed very important. It is encouraging that among even relatively conservative Christian leaders, there seems to be a growing realization that this kind of thing is needed and can be productive... that there is more to Christian witness than just attempts to convert others... that deeper understanding, mutual-respect and even cooperation on humanitarian goals are in order when one's "best shot" has not been able to convert the "other."

Perhaps you pop theologians and journalists should spend a bit more time considering political and military history and strategy, and reading Islamic sources (Quran, hadith) and history, than whatever you're doing now. Much of this matter is embedded in these areas, the dictates and doings of early Islam and the more recent practice of Marxist-Leninism.

Do you have any recognition of cause and effect methods of political warfare? Of how a group prepares for revolution and agitates for political power -- using concerted and careful propaganda, repackaging and contextualizing totalitarian ideas into palatable and agreeable bits for public consumption, radicalizing a minority community using collectivist ideas and apocalyptic ethos, strategically using violence to provoke fear and separation, and to foment stages of increasing conflict.

Yale and the Christian interfaith professionals have provided a venue for much of the above. Christians and the West are now put in one "civilizational" grouping -- as interfaith efforts, by definition demand -- and dealt with as a political/religious grouping. And now that grouping (Christians, the West) is charged with guilt and provocation, and an implicit threat is made of increasing and massive violence and upheaval if Islamization is impeded.

What will CT, Yale and Christian interfaith officiants do now? Accept blame and pledge to do differently? Agreeing with Talal's charge will necessitate your identifying the problem as being with other Christians and non-Muslims, individuals or governments, whom you will then move further to speak and act against. This effort will then promote greater division among Christians, and confirm the justification for Muslims that should receive further concession and we must change. If they do not, the pretext was just set by Prince Talal for further Muslim aggression.

You esteemed, eager group surely thought about that right? You read ancient and modern Islamic materials critically, I'm sure. You monitor their internal discussions and try to understand strategies and tactics.

Did you read Prince bin Talal's book, an impressive polemical work against the historic Jesus and orthodox Christianity? If anyone at CT did, you never responded to its arguments, nor noted Talal's agenda when reporting on his interfaith. Instead, he receives a puff piece in CT this summer as a peacemaker and supposed friend of Middle East Christians.

What does this dialogue with Muslim leaders say of and to those many Christian brothers and sisters in the ME and around the world who are suffering under Islam and don't have the freedom to speak. Please wake up before its too late.

A good report and a heartening development. Interesting in the light of the recent arrest of Bosnian Serb "Christian" leader Karadzic on the charge of genocide against Bosnian muslims. A frightening aspect of this arrest is that masses of Serbs protested it and think Karadzic is a hero. Patriotism is noble, or should be, but it readily devolves into hatred of "the other." Then so-called patriotism is nothing but arrogant evil.

Outside the framework of the common "Tree of Life" present in the Common Word, which neither Christians nor Muslims know at present, there will never be sustainable peace either between or within them!

The “Common Word” document in its spirit is helpful, but the verse that this is taken from, Al Umran 64, as it exists in the Qur’an, is actually a rebuke to Jews and Christians for worshipping “more than one God”, and is calling them to come to the “proper” understanding of the unity of God—meaning the Islamic understanding of God, of course. The verse is preceded by verses that expound who the “real” Jesus was, and then followed by more verses calling the Jews and Christians to the truth, rebuking them for “hiding” and“twisting” the truth with their tongues, etc.
But, since Muslim scholars have chosen to disregard the context of the verse and focus only on part of the verse, “a common word,’ then we can all forget the context, I suppose, and come together for mutual understanding.

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Regarding part of the final statement: "In their final statement, participants affirmed their support for freedom of religion and mutual respect, important points for Christians who say Muslim-majority countries curtail rights of religious minorities and for Muslims who accuse Western societies of widespread prejudice against Islam"--
This is pure hypocrisy
I would like to see one Muslim country that does not persecute any Muslim who desires to change his religion. This is a basic violation of the most basic of human freedoms.

The best part of the piece is the response from Youseff! All should open their eyes to the Light of Truth. We will hope, pray and put up with a little rain because it hides our fear of the wrath of the storm. " This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." ( John 3:19 NIV ) You can show compassion and love to all, but what makes an enemy is their contempt and hatred towards you. They do not need to have you agree only to doubt and question what you know to be true.

I would rather be a Muslim in the West than a Christian in most Muslim-majority states. But the rhetotic of some evangelical so-called Christians scares me. Their bigotted views are akin to those of Muslim extremists. If they have their way and turn the United States into an evangelical wasteland, making war for the sake of it, I fear another Holocaust.

But one thing I know is true. The reasons many bigotted Christians use to hate Muslims are the same as were used to hate Jews in the recent past. And Christians have had 7 centres more experience and practice at hating and murdering Jews.

As a Muslim, I am concerned. But I'd be absolutely terrified if I was Jewish.

I hope dialogues such as the one reported here happen more frequently. Thank you for your interesting summary.