Cyber Knight,
It is not a case of what I or other Catholics believe, but what the Catholic Church attests to be true. Everyone has free will and can think for him or herself, but we must also recognize the collective wisdom of the church and defer to Her wisdom. The quote I provided is not simply an opinion by someone at the Vatican, but a valid and legimate directive from the Catholic Church that is to be used as the norm for teaching the faith.
Fox,
This has nothing to do with political correctness. I also struggle with this issue. As
I have stated many times in many different posts Christianity and Islam have many, many fundamental differences and I am quite skeptical of the claim Islam is a peaceful religion. However as I stated above I will defer to the wisdom of the Catholic Church who, in its authority from Jesus and under the direction of the Holy Spirit, have made the determination that Muslims do worship the God of Abraham.
If I refuse to accept this authority then I might as well be non-denominational and lose forever the fullness of the Christian faith.
hdbarton,
I know Jesus is God and I know Faith101 does not believe Jesus is God, so I am not in perfect agreement with her though I hope God is merciful to her as she is a person of good faith.
You are continuing to claim (or so I have interpreted from your posts) that Muslims do not worship the God of Abraham, which is contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church. You also continue to state how Christians and Muslims do not worship the same God and Muslims refuse to accept Jesus as God. I am a true monotheist; there is only one God. I do not know if Muslim worship God, Satan or some figment of imagination, but I do know the Catholic Church has plainly stated that the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator. By obeying this teaching of the Catholic Church I have not “stumbled into idolatry”. Also, as I have reminded you earlier, Jews do not accept Jesus as God either. Do they worship a different God? (I am hopeful that you will accept my invitation to address the God of the Jews.) Of course not, but by your criteria, they must.
Pagans? Allow me to remind you that by definition a pagan is not a Christian, Jew or Muslim, unless you want to go with the more strict definition which states all non-Christians are pagans. If you wish to use the later, then why does not the Church state “…first place amongst whom are the Jews…”?
So, if based upon the fact that I acknowledge Jesus as the Son of the Living God, know there is only one God and support the directives of the Catholic Church, which includes the teaching that salvation if through the grace of God alone and that we should not assume in our own arrogance that we can determine who will or will not go to hell than by all means sir condemn me.
Peace to you all and may we all remember to love one another as Jesus loves us.
George