U.S. Muslims and Mormons share deepening ties (Jesus Christ, translation)

[TashaN]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

Come now, Abu, if these dialogues stick to common areas while blithely ignoring the rather important differences, then these dialogues will remain highly superficial. Islam does not even allow for the possibility of a Joseph Smith so, you must forgive me if I see some rather self-serving alterior motives behind this.

What kind of motives? to convert the other *entire* group? lol Oh please!

I know what you are trying to do. You just enjoy seeing people from different faiths fight, and when you see them live in harmony, your defense will fall and your arguments against them will fail to hold water. Just for the record, the LDS belief is one of the most faiths i noticed that we muslims have in common with, and i don't even live in America. How about those who live in America seeing that people have put them at the same corner to enjoy kicking them at. I also noticed that they are amongst the most devout and humble people i ever met on the internet since i can't meet you guys in real life.

Find something else to play with, Paul.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

Come now, Abu, if these dialogues stick to common areas while blithely ignoring the rather important differences, then these dialogues will remain highly superficial. Islam does not even allow for the possibility of a Joseph Smith so, you must forgive me if I see some rather self-serving alterior motives behind this.

Paul, what exactly do you see these self-serving motives as being? And are the LDS guilty of the same motives or just the Muslims?

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by Abu Khalid

What kind of motives?

My guess is that part of it would be to repair the horrendous image problem that Muslim, in general, have. There may be nothing sinister in that, but I do find it fascinating that they would focus on Mormon's who are the Black sheep in the Christian family. Mutual estrangement, perhaps? It wouldn't be quite so curious if say, they had reached out to Anglican Christians, Evangelical Christians or Catholics as they are more "main stream"

Originally Posted by Abu Khalid

to convert the other *entire* group? lol Oh please!

I can understand why you are rolling your eyes at your own suggestion. I haven't said that, now, have I? I think it would be rather unlikely that Muslims would be able to convert Mormons however.

Originally Posted by Abu Khalid

I know what you are trying to do.

I would suggest that you haven't the faintest idea "what I am trying to do", my dear friend.

Originally Posted by Abu Khalid

You just enjoy seeing people from different faiths fight,

Um, now you are just being silly.

Originally Posted by Abu Khalid

and when you see them live in harmony, your defense will fall and your arguments against them will fail to hold water.

Having superficial relationships between religions isn't all that impressive Abu.

Originally Posted by Abu Khalid

Just for the record, the LDS belief is one of the most faiths i noticed that we muslims have in common with, and i don't even live in America. How about those who live in America seeing that people have put them at the same corner to enjoy kicking them at.

I think I understand you although your wording is a bit shoddy. C'mon, Abu, basically all religions have the same or similar moral ethics, so that is a no-brainer. What I am saying is that for a deeper, truly meaningful interaction, the differences should be faced head on... to get them out of the way... THEN, if anyone is REALLY interested in hanging out with each other, I think that could be the beginning of real friendships and meaningful interactions. Ignoring the differences, ignores what makes each unique.

Originally Posted by Abu Khalid

I also noticed that they are amongst the most devout and humble people i ever met on the internet since i can't meet you guys in real life.

Yes, they are, and I am very fond on them. I am just concerned that they are being used. Sue me.

Originally Posted by Abu Khalid

Find something else to play with, Paul.

I am not playing, Abu... I am perfectly serious. Nice to see you are thinking so deeply, about what I am saying, that you can discern that I am merely "toying" with people.

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

Paul, what exactly do you see these self-serving motives as being?

Hiya Kathryn, I covered one concern in my response to Abu. In short, I am concerned that the outreach by the American Muslims is simply a attempt the shore up the horrendous "image problem" that Islam currently enjoys.

Originally Posted by Katzpur

And are the LDS guilty of the same motives or just the Muslims?

Heavens, no. The last time I checked Mormon's had a pretty wholesome "apple pie" image. My thinking is that American Muslims wish to garner some of that for themselves. "Apple pie" by association, if you will.

[Popeyesays]

Paul,

I have a few questions:

1) Is it a crime for American Muslim communities to seek to repair the reputation that Islam has amongst the more knee-jerk American opinion?

2) Why is it wrong for two religious communities to seek ways to act advantageously together while recognizing the differences they have as well as the similarities?

3) Why do two religious organizations have to agree on every little thing to seek to do good together?

Regards,
Scott

[kai]

Originally Posted by Popeyesays

Paul,

I have a few questions:

1) Is it a crime for American Muslim communities to seek to repair the reputation that Islam has amongst the more knee-jerk American opinion?
of course its not a crime but would be better served from within showing us adifferent peacefull face of Islam

2) Why is it wrong for two religious communities to seek ways to act advantageously together while recognizing the differences they have as well as the similarities? that depends on the advantages and the motives

3) Why do two religious organizations have to agree on every little thing to seek to do good together?
Its not the little things we are talking about is it Scott! oh i forgot most of the Christian beleif system is a quirk to you anyway
Regards,
Scott

well as none of us are involved in this meeting of minds its pointless raking it over , it will run its course and maybe Muslims and Mormons will do something constructve together that may help others as much as it helps themselves.

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by Popeyesays

1) Is it a crime for American Muslim communities to seek to repair the reputation that Islam has amongst the more knee-jerk American opinion?

*sigh* Scott the "knee-jerk" American opinion as you so eloquently put it is hardly an American sentiment alone. I would go so far as to say that people on your side of the fence, who have deep reverence and respect for Islam, but curiously are not Muslims, so one wonders just how deep that respect actually goes, are in a rather distinct minority.

Given the fact that a group of American Islamic "scholars" recently met with the Dalai Lama to seek guidence on how they could correct their "image problem" is indicative of the fact that this is not just my perception. From my side of the fence, I am simply making observations. Would you have that become a indictable offense against political correctness?

Originally Posted by Popeyesays

2) Why is it wrong for two religious communities to seek ways to act advantageously together while recognizing the differences they have as well as the similarities?

Who said it is wrong? Those are your words, Scott. As you said, yourself, and as I said to Abu, if the differneces are met HEAD ON, if anyone is left with a lasting desire to continue discussions, THEN some interesting progress could be made. Sweeping those differences under the rug in the spirit of mutual hugs is, in my view, merely window dressing.

Originally Posted by Popeyesays

3) Why do two religious organizations have to agree on every little thing to seek to do good together?

Who said they did? I am saying that it is like visiting a lawyer and writing a contract, it is only reasonable to read the fine print before commiting oneself to the contract. My thinking is that as long as the MAJOR, and I mean, MAJOR differences are ignored the result will remain a very superficial relationship. There is nothing inherently wrong with that, I suppose, but it does make one wonder why they would bother in the first place. Again, I am just concerned that the Mormon's are being used and may be too nice a group of people to recognize the fact. The responses in this thread as well as in PM's from several Mormons simply underscores what I am saying.