Other religions invited to church to discuss their faith

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Finn

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I recently heard it suggested that other religions - Muslims and Buddhists in this instance - should be invited to church, in order to allow them to discuss their religious beliefs with Catholics. Does anyone else think this is a very strange idea?
 
It depends on who the Catholics are.

Trappists and Benedictine Monks have invited leaders of Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu’s to dialogue with them.

Most Catholics in parishes are too ignorant of their own religion to start opening them up to others.

Jim
 
I think any action which promotes understanding is good. On the other hand, it may not be appropriate to open it up to all members of the parish. For example, I can see where some parents may fear their children might find one of the other religions more desireable than the Catholic faith in which they are being raised.

If done with prudence and wisdom, I think it could be a great thing for the geographical community at large. Learning about where others are “coming from” can lend itself to good things in a lot of different ways.
 
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Why the immediate no? Might you not be strong enough in your faith? This might not be some sort of step towards ecumenism, but it should represent neighbors knowing neighbors. While you might not take on any of their theology, you may learn something from their experience that might apply to yours. Too many people in the US don’t understand that Islam shares a lot of background with Christianity and Judaism. I’ve had some of my best religious discussions with Muslim colleagues I’ve worked with over the years.

Many here complain about atheists ruining the world, so why not engage with those who aren’t atheists? Here’s I think is a great example of what I’m talking about:

The Baptists and the yogis join to fight a pipeline
 
Why the immediate suggestion that someone might be weak in their faith to dislike this idea? This seems like an uncalled for ad hominem rather than a genuine engagement with the idea & the issues it raises.
 
Finn said:
Why the immediate suggestion that someone might be weak in their faith to dislike this idea? This seems like an uncalled for ad hominem rather than a genuine engagement with the idea & the issues it raises.
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Sorry if it felt personal, it was meant as exhortation.
 
We are ecumenical. We won’t bring everyone into the fold with an exclusionary stance.
I am sure they don’t mean in the Mass.

You have heard, so no doubt what you have heard is not accurate
 
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It’s hardly an ‘exclusionary stance’ to question the relative merits of inviting other religions into the churches, in order for them to tell us about their faith. Such terms are too often used as a way to shut down discussion, which would be a shame here, as I’m sure there are strongly held views both in support of and against the idea.

With reference to what I have heard not being accurate: what do you mean?
 
My granddaughter’s 8th grade class (Catholic school) went on a field trip to the Russian Orthodox Church in our city. The priest talked about his Church and showed the kids around, explained all the Icons etc. I’ve talked to this Russian priest before. He’s very friendly and easy to talk with but obviously not fond of the Catholic Church, which was not evident during the class field trip.
 
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It depends on the purpose. If the reason is to truly understand other religions and not try to convert or judge other faiths, then… All groups would have to be clear of the expectations/outcome and not feel threatened or attacked. Our church had a “Who Is My Neighbor” series, but it covered topics such as sex trafficking, drug addiction, same sex attraction, etc. It was truly for understanding.
 
Roseeurekacross said:
We are ecumenical. We won’t bring everyone into the fold with an exclusionary stance.
I am sure they don’t mean in the Mass.

You have heard, so no doubt what you have heard is not accurate
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It actually would be better if folks from other faiths were welcomed at Mass.

With respect to the general idea, it might be important to remember that the average Catholic parish isn’t meant to provide comparative religions courses ala college. These aren’t necessarily bad but they’re not in the purview of the Church, which should be focused on converting non-Catholics.
 
Do you have the actual article and not a hearsay.
You are saying other religions will have representatives in Catholic Mass to discuss their religions. You heard.
 
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I think you’ve misread my post. There is no article. I’ve recently heard it suggested - by parishioners at church - that Muslims and Buddhists should be invited to church, to give talks on their religion.

I don’t think this is a sound idea. There are potential forums where this might be of mutual benefit to all involved, but I don’t believe the church is one of them.

Is there any reason why your responses are framed so aggressively?
 
Finn said:
I think you’ve misread my post. There is no article. I’ve recently heard it suggested - by parishioners at church - that Muslims and Buddhists should be invited to church, to give talks on their religion.

I don’t think this is a sound idea. There are potential forums where this might be of mutual benefit to all involved, but I don’t believe the church is one of them.

Is there any reason why your responses are framed so aggressively?
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If you are reading me aggressively, please don’t. I was questioning the validity of what you heard, suggested. It sounds like gossip and an opportunity to exclude someone or some group, either within your Parish, or without,
How can you verify it.

Should be invited to Church. What does this mean.
 
Many, if not most parishes will have some sort of gathering place and that would be the appropriate place to have such a meeting.

A lot of the issue is dependent on who is the moderator of any discussion. There are a multitude of possibilities for such a discussion; and they do not have to revolve around a large part of the doctrine of the Church to be fruitful. For example, discussion of various programs for the poor; programs for work retraining; programs for addiction are just a couple of topics which are easily broached between different religions. Concepts such as marriage and what that religion views as to what constitutes a good solid marriage does not have to devolve into a debate over the sacramental aspects of it, and all can learn.

And if one wants to get into some of the basics of each religious belief, it would be helpful if a minister or their equivalent could be the presenter. Obviously, the pastor should follow up, not in a belittling way or negative way, but to show how, in following Christ, we have something they do not have.

Again, a lot depends on who the moderator is (should be the pastor) and who the pastor is. Someone on the outer fringes of the Church (and their are a few of them around) might not be the person I would want to listen to.
 
Rather than focus on the differences, why not find the common ground? You might be surprised. No religion preaches violence in its texts, only peace.
 
If by being “invited to church” they would want this done during mass:

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No way.

We had this when I was in high school, a little bit. We had someone else from our high school who was Jewish come and speak to our youth group. It was interesting learning more about Judaism but the overall tone of the discussion was a bit of “I’m okay, you’re okay” and one religion is as good as the other. If there is going to be any discussions I think it should be a debate among knowledgeable adults and moderated as such.
 
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