Would You Share Your Place Of Worship With Others Of Another Faith?

[Kiki-frog]

Apologies if this has already been discussed here. I did a quick search and couldn't believe that no-one had asked this yet.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/18/aberdeen-muslims-christians-share-church

I've been mulling this story over for a couple of days, and while I think the Christian priest and Muslim imam must be extraordinary people, I wonder what tensions there might be among their respective flocks?

Joint prayers and then providing food for the needy sounds wonderful. But would any of the believers here be prepared to do the same thing? And would you feel obliged to use the opportunity to try to convert others?

[society]

Naomi - I spent some years living with Jews. I've learned some of their prayers and life customs by sitting every Friday around the dinner table at sun down to begin Shabbat, and say the Shabbat prayers. Also, taking part in all the Jewish holidays - whether I care to or not, I had to. From this too I've learned a lot.

On occasions I get into conversation with people of the various faiths. They are always shocked when I start 'belting' out 'their' prayers to demonstrate my knowledge or prove a point. Their reaction always make me smile inside.

I've lived with Muslims, Jews and Christians. I believe I know a bit... :)

[naomi24]

Society, ah, I see. I know what you mean. ;o)

[modeller]

As an atheist I don't care who shares my space but on the TV a group of Christians wouldn't even pray for someone ill of a different faith . So I assume they would have a problem.

[naomi24]

I don't agree with your 'Best Answer'. The question wouldn't arise at all if worship of an imaginary friend wasn't an issue.

[Khandro]

Regarding the Great Mosque of Cordoba; Muslims across Spain are lobbying the Roman Catholic Church to allow them to pray in the complex with the Islamic Council of Spain lodging a formal request with the Vatican, however, Spanish church authorities and the Vatican oppose this move. These battles over the cathedral reflect the contested view of what constitutes Spanish history and Spanish identity.
Recently a fight broke out when a group of Austrian Muslims attempted to pray in there. I have visited it several times and it is essentially a mosque of high order, with a comparatively small Christian church of little architectural significance poking through the roof. Really not much sharing there I'm afraid.

[Khandro]

PS. I think it is a wonderful idea, - invite everybody including atheists.

[starone]

My Sikh friends took me to their temple - it was really lovely. I did not understand the service of course, but the atmosphere was amazing. They made me welcome and accepted me there, they showed me what I was doing wrong (I had to keep my head covered) and afterwards a delicious meal was served for everyone. One or two things were odd, for me, as for instance, shoes had to be left outside and during the service the priest came round and gave everyone some food, which I think was semolina, straight into our hands. Also women sat on the left and men on the right, not together and no seats but sitting straight on to the floor on sheets. But the main thing I liked was their welcome and acceptance of a stranger in their midst. As you will know, I am a dyed-in-the-wool atheist, but still like to know about religions.

[douglas9401]

"Afterall there are fundamental differences between the Muslim faith and christianity - not least Muslims do not beleive that Jesus is the son of god"

Neither do I. Good grief, am I a Muslim?

[naomi24]

Khandro, //Really not much sharing there I'm afraid.//

That brings the Dome of the Rock to mind. Can’t think why.

[naomi24]

Douglas, Muslims don’t believe God fathered Jesus, but they do believe he was born of a virgin who was somehow magically impregnated at the will of Allah - so I’d guess you’re not Muslim. ;o)

[Baldric]

///invite everybody including atheists///

Why on Earth would you do that?

[naomi24]

^^ And what makes him think they'd want to go?

[RATTER15]

I often think I have more respect for these buildings than the normal inhabitants, I could never do anything immoral in there, unlike the liying deceitful people that usually preach there.

[RATTER15]

I would prefer to go into these buildings when they are empty, Im fussy about the company I keep.

[Khandro]

When Bach plays the organ, everyone goes to mass.

[naomi24]

^^ Piffle.

[Kiki-frog]

An interesting range of answers, thank you.

Hospital or airport multi-faith chapels aren't comparable, though, being ultimately owned/run by a hospital trust or an airport authority as a facility for the community they serve, and that community is obviously going to be multi-faith.

Whereas the story here is about a place of worship run by a specific faith group whose priest in charge has taken a rather unusual step. Lots of interesting opinions here, but no one really qualified to answer the actual question itself, i.e. an active worshipper. I suspect it's rather a tough question to address.

[naomi24]

//I suspect it's rather a tough question to address. //

I don't see why. A yes or no is all that's required. I suspect those 'qualified' to answer are simply reluctant to do so.

[Kiki-frog]

^^ LOL.

I suspect a simple yes/no answer would prove highly difficult without justifying it one way or the other, and also without giving the question a lot of thought. Simply because it's not a situation that many worshippers will have encountered, let alone contemplated.

But I do agree that there is a reluctance. For precisely that reason perhaps.

[naomi24]

I suspect that 'yes' would be easy - and rather, erm .... 'Christian'. 'No', on the other hand, demands explanation - hence the silence. Just a suspicion though. ;o)