Joint Muslim Catholic Release

[kevinfraser]

I can’t understand the significance of this joint release. Help…

"Therefore, I announce here, that Pax Christi USA, a grassroots movement reaching more than half a million Catholics here in the US, will offer as a gesture of political resistance and spiritual solidarity, our intention this year to keep the Ramadan fast so foundational to our Muslim sisters and brothers. "
paxchristiusa.org/news_statements_more.asp?id=1054

"Continuing Bray stated, “The world seems to forget that it was a little more than a decade ago when thousands of Muslims were murdered using the guise of religion in Bosnia. Nevertheless, the Pope has apologized; the useless violence needs to stop; the extremists, condemned and ignored, and good people of faith need to continue building bridges of understanding and cooperation that foster a more peaceful and just world.”
masnet.org/takeaction.asp?id=3765

How do we make sense out of this?

Forgive me, after this past week, I think I’m just a little cross-eyed from it all.

 

[Dale_M]

Pax Christi:

I do think that it is appropriate and important, given the manifestations of violence in the wake of that statement, to be here today in solidarity with my Muslim sisters and brothers, to express my own sincere conviction that violence in every form must be condemned.

Both Pax Christi and the Muslim American Society are condemning violence in all of its forms. I think this is what we, as human beings, rightly desire. So it is a step in the right direction. It is sometimes said that actions speak louder than words, but sometimes the words need to come first.

Pax Christi’s willingness to share in the Ramadan fast is a concrete act which shows that they desire dialogue and have open hearts to that dialogue.

At least, that is how I understand it.

 

[bones_IV]

Both Pax Christi and the Muslim American Society are condemning violence in all of its forms. I think this is what we, as human beings, rightly desire. So it is a step in the right direction. It is sometimes said that actions speak louder than words, but sometimes the words need to come first.

Pax Christi’s willingness to share in the Ramadan fast is a concrete act which shows that they desire dialogue and have open hearts to that dialogue.

At least, that is how I understand it.

It’s more like appeasement to me. Look at this statement by David Robinson, director of Pax Christi said, "“The statement by Pope Benedict last week included a reference to an ancient characterization of Islam that I personally find very regrettable.”

 

[Caesar]

Liberals

 

[gilliam]

This is silly, do they even know what Ramadan is all about? Ramadan celebrates the “recitation” of the Koran to Mohammad. The Koran is heresy. What are these people dong? Catholics don’t believe in the Koran and should not be fasting to honor the fact that this heresy started.

What are the odds of Muslims giving up anything for Lent?

Come on people! We are Catholics. We believe Christ is the Son of God. Either we seriously practice our religion or we don’t.

 

[bones_IV]

Liberals

Tell me about it. All you have to do is look at the review that Catholicculture.org gives of Pax Christi’s website.

 

[Jeanette_L]

What exactly do they mean to join in a Ramadan fast? I don’t think as Christians we can participate in a Muslim religious act, can we? We don’t believe in the symbolism of the fast in the same manner that the Muslims do, so it would in essance be somewhat dishonest, wouldn’t it?

I could see it if it was stated that the Catholics would join the Jews and the Muslims in fasting and prayer during this time and not lose the Christian meaning of the fast.

Maybe I’m being picky, but I have a problem in identifying my worship and prayer practices with those of Muslims, they just aren’t the same and I’m not sure we should blurr things in this manner for the sake of appeasement.

Am I wrong? Christ never seemed to compromise in such a manner. When St. Paul said that he became all things to all people to save a few, I don’t think he meant that he would worship other than as a Christian.

 

[MichaelTDoyle]

This is silly, do they even know what Ramadan is all about? Ramadan celebrates the “recitation” of the Koran to Mohammad. The Koran is heresy. What are these people dong? Catholics don’t believe in the Koran and should not be fasting to honor the fact that this heresy started.

What are the odds of Muslims giving up anything for Lent?

Come on people! We are Catholics. We believe Christ is the Son of God. Either we seriously practice our religion or we don’t.

Thank you. I really thought I was going psychobananas when I read that OP. Now either we are both psychobananas or they are. Do the bishops know about such a heretical act? These Catholics need serious counseling.

 

[bones_IV]

Thank you. I really thought I was going psychobananas when I read that OP. Now either we are both psychobananas or they are. Do the bishops know about such a heretical act? These Catholics need serious counseling.

These people are apostates period.

Look at the review of their website from Catholicculture if this tells you anything.

RATINGS
Fidelity: DANGER! || Resources: Poor || Useability: Excellent
First Evaluated: 09/28/00 Last Updated: 06/03/06

DESCRIPTION
According to their mission statement Pax Christi USA “rejects war, preparations for war, and every form of violence and domination. It advocates primacy of conscience, economic and social justice, and respect for creation. . . . Pax Christi USA works toward a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world.” Unfortunately, their version of violence and domination is often at odds with the Church and her teachings. They seem to care more about finding common ground with abortionists and the gay rights lobby than about working for true peace.

STRENGTHS
None Reported.

WEAKNESSES
· Mission statement includes language to give serious Catholics pause. (Fidelity)
Example(s)
· Several articles encourage Pax Christi members to lobby to overturn the ban on the homosexual ministry of dissident New Ways Ministry founders, Sr. Jeannine Gramick and Fr. Robert Nugent. (Fidelity)
Example(s)
· Among the dozens of articles opposing war and capital punishment there is only one on Pax Christi’s abortion stand, supporting the “seamless garment” approach. (Fidelity)
Example(s)
· Many unorthodox Catholic, Protestant, and secular links (Fidelity)

Enough said.