How would this make YOU feel?

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nickybr38 said:
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.
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I’m suddenly reminded of the last section of 2 Corinthians 6…
 
Lutheranteach said:
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.
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Why do you think it makes God pleased? :confused:
 
PatrickSebast said:
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.
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That’s probably because many Buddhists venerate/worship many Hindu Deities. 🙂
 
Publisher said:
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.
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I’ve only been around for a week on this board but the Quaker guy and the UU people always make the most sense to me. This is just MY opinion of course. I’m going to read up on Quakers and UU. BTW - When you say the “Chris Within” are you talking about something like the Christ Kutastha or Kutastha Chaitanya?
 
Sufjon said:
I’ve only been around for a week on this board but the Quaker guy and the UU people always make the most sense to me. This is just MY opinion of course. I’m going to read up on Quakers and UU. BTW - When you say the “Chris Within” are you talking about something like the Christ Kutastha or Kutastha Chaitanya?
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He’s referring to a Quaker saying that goes back to the founder of Quakerism, George Fox (d. 1691), though similarities to Indian traditions is obviously visible.
 
Lutheranteach said:
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.
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Well said, “love your neighbor as yourself” is one of the Bibles most repeated commands (8 times)
 
Publisher said:
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.
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The Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ and it is a sacred place, reserved for the spirit of reverence for the Trinity, Blessed Mother and the Saints. And you are welcome to follow Christ and encouraged to do so. But within that spirit

To preach anything but whats in line to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church which he gave to Peter. Simply isn’t accepted within the Catholic Church.

Your entitled to your opinion and belief. Simply don’t voice it in Christs Church though. There are places such as this forum where you can put your very belief to the test, and see if hold water. The Catholic Church isn’t that place.
 
nickybr38 said:
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.
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If they’re renting the parish multi-function hall, no problem.

If they’re renting the church itself, no way.

I always respect their places of worship. Once I was in Singapore and we were outside a Hindu temple. My friend wanted to go in out of curiosity. I was curious too but I said we don’t know their norms and practices and we might offend them if we did something wrong. Better to keep away.

In Hong Kong I have visited the big outdoor Buddha and the Po Lin Monestary a few times. In the monestary there’s this place of worship with big golden statues of the Buddha. Its an open space, but I don’t dare step inside. I even feel bad posing and taking pictures around that area even though its wide open (walls fold open when the temple is open). Its because I don’t know much about Buddhisim and I fear I may offend other people with what I do.

I hope that people of other faith would teach Catholic churches that way too. I don’t expect anyone, even out of ignorance, to just walk onto the altar and start snapping photos, much less worshipping on our space.
 
Sufjon said:
I’ve only been around for a week on this board but the Quaker guy and the UU people always make the most sense to me. This is just MY opinion of course. I’m going to read up on Quakers and UU. BTW - When you say the “Chris Within” are you talking about something like the Christ Kutastha or Kutastha Chaitanya?
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In John 1:9, he spoke of " 9The true light that **gives light to every man **was coming into the world." Friends believe that there is a “Principle” that is pure and holy that resides within each of us…we bear within us “That of God”. Some may call this Light the Holy Spirit…others “Inner Light”…“Inner Word”…this Light Within, if followed…cultivated…listened to will lead us to God.

God’s Holy Temple…His Church is not found in a building, temple, or mosque made by human hands…His Church…His People are the choice Temple of His Presence. Humanity bears within it the “Thumbprint of God”.

There are no “sacred spaces” any longer…such as the Temple of Jerusalem where God’s Presence…His Shekianah…rested…His Shekianah now rests, resides in the human heart.

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. "Acts 17:23-25

Our Meetinghouses are plain and simple…they serve a purpose…they house the Church on First Day meeting for worship…but a field…or forest…or school room…or rented hall all serve the same purpose…there is nothing sacred about bricks and mortar and wood.
 
I can’t believe I’m writing this but I am. It seems that the correct answer lies with the with each individuals religion or Christian group. If one’s denomination allows for it then there is no harm in doing it. If they don’t then its a problem. I went back and read 2 cor 6. it seems quite specific. It’s not a good idea. So when I have what I consider a contradiction in scripture (ie Jesus’s 2nd greatest commandment VS. 2 Cor 6) I must go to tradition to solve it. In this case I didn’t have to go far someone posted it here on this thread the description of desecration edifaces and such.
In the end, since I’m catholic I must go with tradition even if I’m not a fan of the answer. So you’re all seeing me do an about face. I won’t like it but I will accept it.

So to answer the Thread," How would this make YOU feel?" my answer is SAD.
 
GaryTaylor said:
The Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ and it is a sacred place, reserved for the spirit of reverence for the Trinity, Blessed Mother and the Saints. And you are welcome to follow Christ and encouraged to do so. But within that spirit

To preach anything but whats in line to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church which he gave to Peter. Simply isn’t accepted within the Catholic Church.

Your entitled to your opinion and belief. Simply don’t voice it in Christs Church though. There are places such as this forum where you can put your very belief to the test, and see if hold water. The Catholic Church isn’t that place.
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Friend I don’t voice my opinions within the confines of a Catholic church building…I am a member of the Body of Christ, baptized into His Body by His Holy Spirit. What rites and rituals occur within a Catholic church building is a Catholic matter. But the building is not the Church.
 
gmcbroom said:
I can’t believe I’m writing this but I am. It seems that the correct answer lies with the with each individuals religion or Christian group. If one’s denomination allows for it then there is no harm in doing it. If they don’t then its a problem. I went back and read 2 cor 6. it seems quite specific. It’s not a good idea. So when I have what I consider a contradiction in scripture (ie Jesus’s 2nd greatest commandment VS. 2 Cor 6) I must go to tradition to solve it. In this case I didn’t have to go far someone posted it here on this thread the description of desecration edifaces and such.
In the end, since I’m catholic I must go with tradition even if I’m not a fan of the answer. So you’re all seeing me do an about face. I won’t like it but I will accept it.

So to answer the Thread," How would this make YOU feel?" my answer is SAD.
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This post made me smile. Thank you for sharing this little progression.

My initial reaction to the incident described was; WOW, wrong! But then I was a little confused because I was raised ultra-liberal and really as much as my gut reaction tells me it’s a complete desecration my upbringing was telling me it’s so nice that these two can get along.

I suppose, in the end, they could easily worship in their homes. I’m not sure why they felt they had to do so in a church building not their own. And if our local parish burned to the ground we could easily do the same (worship in homes) until a new building was built rather then move to a Mosque or Jewish Temple. Don’t you think?

It’s all hypothetical though. I greatly suspect this is a rare incident not one most will have to handle personally.
 
Publisher said:
nothing is sacred about a space…only the people who attend are sacred.
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This is a common error arising out of the Reformation.

It is clear to see from OT times that there is sacred space, and sacred objects. Jesus reinforced this by teaching that.

**Matt.23
[19] You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? **
Publisher said:
There is nothing “sacred” about the building…the people are what makes any place sacred…not the place.
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Actually, Jesus appears to teach the opposite. However, I don’t disagree with your other statements, that the Church is the Body (people).

Objects like the altar, and buildings where those people gather, when consecrated to God, do become sacred space. It is the divine, though, that makes them sacred, not the people.
 
Publisher said:
There are no “sacred spaces” any longer…such as the Temple of Jerusalem where God’s Presence…His Shekianah…rested.
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Can you share the authority upon which this assertion is based? I don’t see any statement like this in the scripture, leading me to believe it is a tradition of men.
Publisher said:
Code: 
 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. "Acts 17:23-25
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We are not talking about God “living” in the Sacred space, but a space that has been consecrated to Him.
Publisher said:
Code: 
Our Meetinghouses are plain and simple...they serve a purpose...they house the Church on First Day meeting for worship...but a field...or forest...or school room...or rented hall all serve the same purpose...there is nothing sacred about bricks and mortar and wood.
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I agree with you that there is nothing inherintly sacred about the building materials. It is the consecration of what is built to the service of God that makes the difference.
 
guanophore said:
This is a common error arising out of the Reformation.

It is clear to see from OT times that there is sacred space, and sacred objects. Jesus reinforced this by teaching that.

**Matt.23
[19] You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? **

Actually, Jesus appears to teach the opposite. However, I don’t disagree with your other statements, that the Church is the Body (people).

Objects like the altar, and buildings where those people gather, when consecrated to God, do become sacred space. It is the divine, though, that makes them sacred, not the people.
Click to expand...
Jesus was working within the paradigm of Jewish life and thought…which was based on ceremonial rites and rituals of cleansings and offerings. Under the New Covenant such things as “sacred spaces” are no longer in effect. God does not dwell in temples made by human hands.

If there is a sacred space, then it is the fullness of creation itself…not a building…certainly not objects…The fulfillment of every ritual and sacred object was found in Jesus of Nazareth. No table of marble or wood called an “alter” is an alter of any “sacredness”. I understand that is Catholic belief…I understand your church buildings are considered somehow special and holy over and above other man made structures…Friends do not share that belief…it is totally foreign to me…I can understand why people need “holy objects” to utilize…these object only point to the Reality which is Christ…they are not holy…God indwells not temples of stone or wood any longer…but resides in the human heart.

I understand your belief…I don’t embrace it…nor can I in light of Jesus of Nazareth entering our world.
 
Back long before I believed my little brother an active Nation of Islam minister got married in the First African Methodist Episcopal Church. I remember thinking the African part was more important to them, Christians and Muslims, then the Methodist part.
 
I personally don’t know how I would react. But you have to wonder:

If Jesus got angry and chased out the Hewbrew moneychangers just outside the Temple, how would he have felt if the Hight Priest had allowed a Pagan group to convene a meeting there?

Snert
 
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