Do we pray to same God?
Op-ed: Judaism, Christianity have much more in common with each other than either have with Islam
How many times have you heard it said "we all pray to the same god?" These days we are hearing this from a growing number of people. To some degree one can excuse the average person from espousing such a viewpoint, as most people have not read the Bible and are not well schooled in matters of theology or eschatology.
However, what's troubling is that in recent years a growing number of religious leaders are promoting this view. Such a statement strongly suggests the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who Christians and Jews believe in, is the same as Allah, who Muslims believe in. One doesn't have to look very far to discover why this view is problematic.
The "Shahada," which is the statement of faith for the followers of Allah, reads, "there is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet." This statement clearly differentiates Allah from any other "god."
For Christians and Jews no city is more holy than Jerusalem. Mohammed showed reverence for Jerusalem when he was trying to convert the Banu Qurayza Jews to follow Allah. Yet after failing in his conversion effort, he turned his back toward Jerusalem, and never again faced it when praying. Eventually, after breaking a treaty with them to which he was party, he massacred approximately 900 of them in 627 AD.
The Quran, which is the holy book of Allah's followers, says "the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam." As this makes it clear a believer in Allah must follow Islam, one might ask if other religions are tolerated. According to the Quran, "if anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted…" So much for Islam's tolerance of other religions.
The Quran also is highly critical of Christians and Jews. Some quotes include: "Jews and Christians are evil-livers,” "Evil is the handwork of rabbis and priests,” "Don't take Jews or Christians for friends. If you do Allah will consider you to be one of them."
Different values
Fundamental values for Christians and Jews include forgiveness, in addition to prohibitions against lying, adultery, and murder. Fundamental values for Allah's followers sanction judgment (fatwa,) lying (taqiyya,) men having multiple wives, and murder/suicide (martyrdom.)
While anyone is free to leave Christianity or Judaism, if a Muslim leaves the faith, or criticizes Allah, a fatwa is issued for their execution.
These distinctions make it clear Allah is a separate deity, with fundamentally different values, and has nothing in common with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moreover, Allah has disdain for any religion other than Islam, and is highly critical of Christians and Jews.
In spite of these clear distinctions, prominent Christian pastors of American mega churches such as Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in California, and Bill Hybals of Willow Creek Church in Illinois, would have you believe we all pray to the same god.
In fact, this growing sentiment has become the cornerstone of a movement called the "Emergent Church." The movement is promoting common bonds and shared values between Christians, Jews and Muslims. The buzz term for the movement is "Chrislam." Christian Pastors, Jewish rabbis and Muslim imams are breaking bread and worshipping together in an effort to bring naïve believers under the "one god" umbrella.
As most people are not familiar with the theology and eschatology of Christianity, Judaism or Islam, one might excuse their ignorance. However, all pastors and rabbis are required to attend theological institutions where the Bible is taught. Thus, they should be well versed in its fundamental values, theology and eschatology.
They should also understand that Judaism and Christianity have much more in common with each other than either have with Islam. For example, the Hebrew and Christian Bibles are often published in the same book. Yet have you ever seen the Quran and either Bible under one cover?
Religious leaders have a responsibility to uphold the fundamental tenants of the faith they practice. Yet we have leaders such as Rick Warren and Bill Hybals attempting to dilute these very principles; this plays directly into the hands of those who wish to promote the destruction of the United States, and other Western countries.
This is precisely what Muslims are hoping for, because Islam's goal is world dominance. Europe is already being taken over. It seems if leaders such as Warren and Hybals have their way, the day will not be far off when Christians and Jews will look around and wonder where their religious freedom went. They'll also wonder why they see only mosques where churches and synagogues once were.
When this happens, there will only be one god left to pray to, and it will not be the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Dan Calic: writer, advocate, speaker. See additional articles on his Facebook page
