What exactly the Muslim group was trying to say (i.e., if they were trying to deny the Trinity or not) is kind of hard to say; in any event, it is wise of the WEA to point out the issue. True interfaith dialogue, like any other dialogue, can only work if both sides are honest about what the issues between them are.
God bless.

At least there is an attempt to understand and talk about the differences in the Evangelical and Muslim beliefs. They will never agree on the issue of the Trinity or lack of it. It really makes no difference if they agree on how to worship “God” just so they don’t start proclaiming the superiority of their religions with hate resulting.
As to the statement to the Jewish people: “It is out of our profound respect for Jewish people that we seek to share the good news of Jesus Christ with them, and encourage others to do the same, for we believe that salvation is only found in Jesus, the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the World.”
Did it ever occur to them (the Evangelicals) that if a Jew wanted to be a Christian, he/she would seek out a church? There is certainly enough information about in books, the internet, and in the churches themselves if someone wants to leave the Jewish way of life. Why does someone have to give the information unsolicited? It still amazes me that some Christians (this article it is the Evangelicals) feel it is their duty to tell others that they only way to true happiness is through their Jesus. It is so not true that the only way to happiness is with a Jesus (lots of fellows named that in some cultures). I know I’m happy, and I’m not the only one.

Then there’s this whole inane idea of “salvation”. A lot of Christians no doubt raise their children to think they need to be “saved”. What a terrible thing to do to a child, to make it think it deserves eternal torture. And what a terrible thing to do to a child to make it believe in a god for which there is zero proof. Damage its spirit and damage its mind. No wonder we have so many people problems.
But yes, talking is better than not talking and usually talking clearly is better than beating around a bush.

Jesus said:
MAT 7:6 ¶ Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

It is no great trick to point out the differences. The real choice cut is the places of similarity. That the MEA went to the differences first – as did the original call – deflates my hope for the event. However, there is still some air/breath/spirit in this project.
Caritas,
Is that a graceless attempt to characterize other groups as undeserving? I think that many of the conservative groups are as undeserving of the pearls of Jesus and other prophets. It is better to be graceful, Caritas, and receive people as they are, not as you wish them to be.
“But yes, talking is better than not talking and usually talking clearly is better than beating around a bush.” saith nnmns. And it is better than waiting for another burning bush!
” It really makes no difference if they agree on how to worship “God” just so they don’t start proclaiming the superiority of their religions with hate resulting”; the prophesy of pagansister. These are words to eat of sustenance and strength! Lets hope they are there for coffee hour, breakfast and dinner!

“True interfaith dialogue, like any other dialogue, can only work if both sides are honest about what the issues between them are.”
Love that Joey. And talking clearly and plainly is the best method of communication.
“MAT 7:6 ¶ Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
This, on the other hand, needs some explaining. I guess it’s implying that dogs and pigs aren’t holy and will not appreciate the gifts.
Maybe, Caritas, you should see what kind of gifts swine and canine have to offer you. One is quite loyal, the other quite intelligent. Then make sure you don’t trample on them or turn against them.

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
Highly imperfect advice. First, dogs wouldn’t know or care what’s “holy” (people have a big problem with that, too) and while I’ve never cast pearls before swine (or anything else) I’ve cast corn before swine and they were excited and showed no sign of turning on me. Maybe the point is that hogs would get upset if you gave them something they at first thought would be food but wasn’t. Pearls would be expensive objects to use to test that; I’d recommend stones. And as an allegory you might consider that your Bible quote might at first sight seem of value to some people but it really isn’t of value since it’s silly advice.

I think Caritas is saying don’t waste your time with those who won’t appreciate your offerings.
Funny. I think that happens a lot on these boards.

Ah, it would have been so much simpler if he’d just said that.

Dialogue is fine. But I only want to talk to those people who do not want to destroy(if they can’t convert say, to Islam) infidels. I want all to come to Jesus Christ. I agree that there is plenty of information available to the Jew and Muslim. We as followers of Christ must let those who seek come to a safe place in our churches that will allow them to explore and understand why Jesus is the Way. Why? Because He said so . . . and it has been confirmed!
Please assume from me all the appropriate disclaimers: One being, that there are wonderful people outside of Orthodox Christianity. I invite them all to come to know my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

“Because He said so . . . and it has been confirmed!”
Ok, I’m curious about this. You probably don’t believe everyone who makes extravagant and silly claims but you believe that one. Is it because you were taught to do so at your mother’s knee? If so your mother owes you an apology for taking away your ability to think rationally.
And what’s this confirmation?
And what’s this “Savior” about? If your mother also taught you you are basically bad and need “saving” she really owes you an apology!

And then there’s “Lord”. America rebelled because it didn’t want a king (and didn’t want to pay taxes) but you voluntarily submit to an imaginary “Lord”. Well I guess it’s easier since you get to pick and choose whatever of his purported instructions you care to follow.

“understanding” how other people believe in their faith, or lack of faith (for example, those pesky atheists), is NOTHING without the willingness to respect other peoples’ rights to hold those different beliefs and simply live and let live.
This “confirmed” claptrap is just beyong belief.
Why do so many Christians think they have the right and obligation to tell everyone else “YOU’RE WRONG!!!!” when it comes to belief? How arrogant can you get?! What if I started telling Christians that their belief is really idolatry and a total mistinterpretation of the Commandments they supposedly hold so dear? I bet that would not get a friendly reception, even if they “understood” that this is what I (just for sake of argument) believe.
Even American Idol is getting into the act, and should perhaps be renamed “Christian Idol”. Last night, Ryan Seacrest introduced a group song that was supposed to be a tribute to God, but the second line started talking about Jesus. I had to change the channel.

I knew there was a reason I never watched “Idol”.

eastcoastlady,
I have missed your posts. And you know what, even as a minister I have to agree that much of what is being painted as “christian” is idle idolatry. It is usually what precedes some sort of horrendous event in history in the name of “faith”.
Actually, a lot of the problem is evident in ecube’s posting. The overuse of “my” and other first person references is a telling attribute of many “christians”. Basically I have seen mostly variations on “I want you to be like me”.
Ya know the funny thing is 1,000 years before Jesus God tried t convince the Hebrews that they really did not want a king. They are troublesome and prone to mischief. But God gave in and the people got Saul, then David. God was right. When Jesus came the people all wanted him to be king. His response was kings are troublesome and prone to mischief. Their king was killed, even Pilate said so – Jesus was right. Even as stories of Jesus return filtered through the population, he did not want the title king. Now, there are continual cries to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. My response is, kings or lords are troublesome and prone to mischief. Most of the characters on the religious scene certainly fit the description of king. I guess we continue not to be right.
God created us quite able to recognize Good & Evil and to choose accordingly and appropriately. Neither a mediator (priest) or infallible leader (savior, pope, or cultic hero) is useful or necessary. They too are troublesome and prone to mischief. The message here is wake up, grow up, get with the program, and take responsibility for your own choices.

“The message here is wake up, grow up, get with the program, and take responsibility for your own choices.”
There’s a religious message I could get behind.

“The message here is wake up, grow up, get with the program and take responsibility for your own choices.” jestrfyl
yes, agreed nnmns. A good religious message.

Re. Matthew 7:6 and ensuing comments.
I selected this verse because all of the elements reasonably fit the situation. It is hardly necessary to articulate the correlations.
I posted it however without comment.
Any debate with what this verse means is not with me but with Christ Jesus who is the author.

Actually, no one knows who was the author. Assuming there was a Jesus, was someone following him around writing down everything he said? Is that recorded in your Bible? And what about all the people who transcribed over and over and did their own editing and adding and subtracting? And what about the people who decided what books to put in the Bible and what ones to toss out?
No, Caritas, you are under a common misunderstanding that the Bible is an accurate representation of some events various thousands of years ago. It is not. It’s a mix of fables and folk history and claims used to start a religion. And the sooner people realize that the better off we will all be.
Oh, and some people find dogs and swine to be insulting. I don’t know whether you chose it for that reason or even realized it, but you might want to be more thoughtful next time.

“Re. Matthew 7:6 and ensuing comments.
I selected this verse because all of the elements reasonably fit the situation. It is hardly necessary to articulate the correlations.” wrote Caritas
Quotes without context are nothing. Simple math – nothing doubled, squared, repeated, or exploded, is still nothing.
Are you equating a few of us with unclean, unkosher animals. (Dogs are the symbol of loyalty and even St Jerome is known by a pig.) Jesus rendered laws of kosher invalid, so that can’t be it. Is this a pearl to be trampled? Pearls are an irritation in the stomach of an ugly crustacean (also unkosher). Assume we are all bears of little brain and you are the enlightened master. Strike a match and tell us what you mean. Just because it is in the Gospel does not mean it is historical. To whom does Matthew say Jesus is speaking? What was their response?

Oops. The comments above from 12:21 am are mine. I simply forgot to fill in the preceding blocks. Sorry.

Jest,
Thank you for your kind comments and for missing me…
God created us quite able to recognize Good & Evil and to choose accordingly and appropriately…The message here is wake up, grow up, get with the program, and take responsibility for your own choices.
Fantastic comment. That’s a very Torah-ish point of view. You’d make a good Jew….

ecl,
You might be amused to know that on B’net’s own survey of “what faith are you” I come out as a Jewish Quaker. Personally I continue to believe I am a reformed neo-logistic unadorned Frisbeeterian – but that is another story. I actually enjoy reading the Talmud (though I love reading the ToRaH and working through all the layers and complexities) and find incredible wisdom and some great dry humor there. If ever I get the chance I hope to serve the Fifth Third Congregational Church of Chelm (Hasidics – and some of our fellow posters here – might get the joke)
Welcome back!!

Fifth Third Congregational Church of Chelm
Just watch out for the golem.
Jest, you are a treasure.
I actually saw a bank recently that had “Fifth Third” in its name – not kidding!

I now abut the bank. My daughter declared with unequivical certainty that should could never trust a bank that has an improper fraction for its name (though I know it is actually the product of a merger of two bank names).
I though we might let Golem be our director of music.

I know abut the bank. My daughter declared with unequivical certainty that should could never trust a bank that has an improper fraction for its name (though I know it is actually the product of a merger of two bank names).
Had no idea about that.
TTYL.

I have just been connected to yuor interreligious discussion site which I find interesting. I will soon be a verulent contributor. Congratulation and thank you.

Welcome Danfuloti Kado Guga!

Looking forward to your posts, Danfuloti Kado Guga.