How would this make YOU feel?

[nickybr38]

Say, for example, a group of Hindu believers approached your church and asked if they could rent a room for their prayer meetings. Or a group of Wiccans. Or a group of Muslims. Or any non-Christian group. Now, your church says yes and these meetings become a regular weekly thing. How would you feel?

This question is inspired by a real life event but I don’t want to get too specific. I just found it odd that a Christian church was allowing a non-Christian religion to practice prayer meetings within their ‘temple’ and when NONE of the parishioners objected I found myself wondering how you guys here would feel if this happened in your church.

 

[Soldier_X]

Oh wow! That is a slap in the face to our Lord, and I would not be able to return to that church in good conscience. I would also advise inquirers to avoid visiting that church. God did not have any interest whatsoever in worshipers of false gods in the Bible, and it is beyond ridiculous to think that He doesn’t mind it these days - as if He changes.

 

[Dokimas]

Say, for example, a group of Hindu believers approached your church and asked if they could rent a room for their prayer meetings. Or a group of Wiccans. Or a group of Muslims. Or any non-Christian group. Now, your church says yes and these meetings become a regular weekly thing. How would you feel?

This question is inspired by a real life event but I don’t want to get too specific. I just found it odd that a Christian church was allowing a non-Christian religion to practice prayer meetings within their ‘temple’ and when NONE of the parishioners objected I found myself wondering how you guys here would feel if this happened in your church.

I’m not sure it is good or right to open a church to non-Christians for their use. Invite them to experience your worship; that’s good.

 

[cheese_sdc]

As I go to a Unitarian Universalist Church, we would not have a problem with this at all.

 

[JonNC]

Say, for example, a group of Hindu believers approached your church and asked if they could rent a room for their prayer meetings. Or a group of Wiccans. Or a group of Muslims. Or any non-Christian group. Now, your church says yes and these meetings become a regular weekly thing. How would you feel?

This question is inspired by a real life event but I don’t want to get too specific. I just found it odd that a Christian church was allowing a non-Christian religion to practice prayer meetings within their ‘temple’ and when NONE of the parishioners objected I found myself wondering how you guys here would feel if this happened in your church.

As a church elder, I would be opposed to this.

Jon

 

[nickybr38]

I have to admit I was equally surprised that this group wanted to practice their religion in the Christian church as I was by the church agreeing to let it happen. :\

What a confusing situation. I mean, on the one hand it’s nice that two different religions can get along but on the other these are two opposing religions! They each teach that the other is a heathen so it made me go;

 

[gmcbroom]

Actually its the perfect question. Remember if are Christian you are the Church. Oh sure, some buildings have a rich in historical and Ritualistic significance. But, remember what Jesus said," If they destroyed the Temple, in 3 days he would raise it up." He was talking about us. In the early days of the church they preached in synagogues and houses among the faithful not the cathedrals of today.
As for allowing another religion to practice in your church building remember Jesus’s second greatest commandment was to love your neighbor as you love yourself. So it would be appropriate to let them rent the room. It’s an act of charity. Now, if they were profaning it in someway, or if it caused a huge scandal it would have to be stopped. But other than those two things it shouldn’t be a problem.

 

[Publisher]

Say, for example, a group of Hindu believers approached your church and asked if they could rent a room for their prayer meetings. Or a group of Wiccans. Or a group of Muslims. Or any non-Christian group. Now, your church says yes and these meetings become a regular weekly thing. How would you feel?

This question is inspired by a real life event but I don’t want to get too specific. I just found it odd that a Christian church was allowing a non-Christian religion to practice prayer meetings within their ‘temple’ and when NONE of the parishioners objected I found myself wondering how you guys here would feel if this happened in your church.

I don’t believe Christians have a monopoly on Truth. We have allowed other faiths to meet for a time at our Meetinghouse. The Meetinghouse is made of wood, brick and mortar…God’s Church is made of flesh and blood…His Holy Temple breathes air and eats food…nothing is sacred about a space…only the people who attend are sacred.

There is nothing “sacred” about the building…the people are what makes any place sacred…not the place. The Light Within seeks to make Himself known to all men.

 

[Soldier_X]

Actually its the perfect question. Remember if are Christian you are the Church. Oh sure, some buildings have a rich in historical and Ritualistic significance. But, remember what Jesus said," If they destroyed the Temple, in 3 days he would raise it up." He was talking about us. In the early days of the church they preached in synagogues and houses among the faithful not the cathedrals of today.
As for allowing another religion to practice in your church building remember Jesus’s second greatest commandment was to love your neighbor as you love yourself. So it would be appropriate to let them rent the room. It’s an act of charity. Now, if they were profaning it in someway, or if it caused a huge scandal it would have to be stopped. But other than those two things it shouldn’t be a problem.

But if a building is dedicated and consecrated for the worship of the Triune God, it is awful to do such a thing. What if they were Baal worshipers? What if they were part of the “Caesar is Lord” cult? Where do you draw the line? How can you overlook Christ’s first and greatest commandment in the interest of your personal interpretation of his second commandment?

 

[Soldier_X]

I don’t believe Christians have a monopoly on Truth. We have allowed other faiths to meet for a time at our Meetinghouse. The Meetinghouse is made of wood, brick and mortar…God’s Church is made of flesh and blood…His Holy Temple breathes air and eats food…nothing is sacred about a space…only the people who attend are sacred.

There is nothing “sacred” about the building…the people are what makes any place sacred…not the place. The Light Within seeks to make Himself known to all men.

I would respectfully differ; it seems like the Holy Spirit, and the presence of Christ, make a place sacred. Not the people. We are but unworthy servants.

 

[Publisher]

I would respectfully differ; it seems like the Holy Spirit, and the presence of Christ, make a place sacred. Not the people. We are but unworthy servants.

Christ and the Holy Spirit do not dwell in buildings made of stones…but in our hearts and in our midst when we gather in His Name…We are a holy nation of priests…“Be holy as I am holy”…Yep…it is Christ Within the People of God that sanctifies…not the building.

 

[UniversalistGuy]

There is nothing “sacred” about the building…the people are what makes any place sacred…not the place. The Light Within seeks to make Himself known to all men.

Doesn’t the building get dedicated or consecrated or something when it’s first opened?

 

[gmcbroom]

Excellent point Soldier X. However, That would entail that I would be worshipping their deity(s) putting them on an equal footing with God. I’m not. I would merely be letting them rent a room. So in the end it really comes down to one word scandal. If the parish voted on it and approved it then they wouldn’t see a scandal thus it would be fine. Remember, we ourselves were the upstarts too in the beginning. I’m sure there were some Jews that took offense at the early church as it was beginning by lecturing and teaching in their synagogues. Peace Charity and Faith.

 

[SedesDomi]

It depends upon the type of church. Some Protestant churches are really not much more than ‘meeting houses’, so I wouldn’t see a problem in that case.

Other churches are more ‘temple-like’, like the Catholic and Orthodox communities. That might be more problematic, because, for instance, a Hindu Temple would never allow non-Hindus to worship there; and neither would the Jews allow non-Jews inside the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. A ‘temple’ is a very different place than a ‘meeting house’.

 

[Publisher]

Doesn’t the building get dedicated or consecrated or something when it’s first opened?

For Friends, our Meetinghouses are for all people to seek the Light. There are no sacred spaces…all of Creation is sacred and is filled with the Presence of God…God indwell His People…not buildings made with hands.

 

[Milesius]

If they are worshipping in the actual church then the church is desecrated.

"Causes of Desecration. The law of the church recognizes four causes for the desecration or violation of a church:…

(3) The impious and sordid use of the church. Approved canonists consider as impious: acts contrary to the virtue of religion, like the exercise of heretical or superstitious worship…" (pp. 33-34)"

The Church Edifice and its Appointments ~ Monsignor Harold E. Collins

So I would feel pretty appalled.

 

[Soldier_X]

And there’s our answer. Thank you very much.

 

[Lutheranteach]

I wouldn’t think twice about it. How would you feel if the local Catholic Church burned and a mosque, temple, or other Christian church in the area said you were more than welcome to use their building to conduct mass until your church was rebuilt or repaired. I think such cooperation makes God very pleased.

 

[St_Francis]

I don’t believe Christians have a monopoly on Truth. We have allowed other faiths to meet for a time at our Meetinghouse. The Meetinghouse is made of wood, brick and mortar…God’s Church is made of flesh and blood…His Holy Temple breathes air and eats food…nothing is sacred about a space…only the people who attend are sacred.

There is nothing “sacred” about the building…the people are what makes any place sacred…not the place. The Light Within seeks to make Himself known to all men.

You capitilized Truth, so I assume you are referring to what God has revealed. We Catholics understand that the fullness of revelation is contained in Catholic teaching.

Moreover, we believe that the Real Presence of Christ is in the church building, in the tabernacle. Buildings are specially consecrated to be Catholic churches.

 

[PatrickSebast]

It depends upon the type of church. Some Protestant churches are really not much more than ‘meeting houses’, so I wouldn’t see a problem in that case.

Other churches are more ‘temple-like’, like the Catholic and Orthodox communities. That might be more problematic, because, for instance, a Hindu Temple would never allow non-Hindus to worship there; and neither would the Jews allow non-Jews inside the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. A ‘temple’ is a very different place than a ‘meeting house’.

There are actually a lot of Hindu temples in Asia that are very open to Buddhist guests. There are temples that were actually funded as joint ventures between the two faiths as well.