An Imam, a Pastor and a dream

Sakeenah · Jan 4, 2017

Hi

An Irving Muslim imam and a Dallas pastor are reflecting on their friendship to send a message of hope to their community, finding a common ground for understanding amid rising intolerance.

They believe that reaching out and finding ways to be connected to people makes us better people.The Imam and pastor have been friends for years they spoke at each other's houses of worship hoping to lead by example.

What are your thoughts is this a good way of creating tolerance and understanding?
And does reaching out to others make us better people?

YmirGF · Jan 4, 2017

Sakeenah said:
Hi

An Irving Muslim imam and a Dallas pastor are reflecting on their friendship to send a message of hope to their community, finding a common ground for understanding amid rising intolerance.

They believe that reaching out and finding ways to be connected to people makes us better people.The Imam and pastor have been friends for years they spoke at each other's houses of worship hoping to lead by example.

What are your thoughts is this a good way of creating tolerance and understanding?
And does reaching out to others make us better people?

That slogan didn't work out too well for these two.

Perhaps the good imam and pastor should find a better slogan.

buddhist · Jan 5, 2017

Tolerance is good - as long as differences are acknowledged and respected both ways, and that those differences are not hidden, whitewashed, or denied.

Sakeenah · Jan 5, 2017

YmirGF said:
That slogan didn't work out too well for these two.

Perhaps the good imam and pastor should find a better slogan.

It's not the slogan that matters

Sakeenah · Jan 5, 2017

buddhist said:
Tolerance is good - as long as differences are acknowledged and respected both ways, and that those differences are not hidden, whitewashed, or denied.

I agree, the differences should be respected both ways.

Sunstone · Jan 5, 2017

Sakeenah said:
Hi

Hi there!

What are your thoughts is this a good way of creating tolerance and understanding?

I think it's an especially positive thing. I don't see any downside to it at all. And I think friendships are probably the very best way to promote tolerance and understanding.

And does reaching out to others make us better people?

It would certainly seem to make a better world.

BSM1 · Jan 5, 2017

Sakeenah said:
Hi

An Irving Muslim imam and a Dallas pastor are reflecting on their friendship to send a message of hope to their community, finding a common ground for understanding amid rising intolerance.

They believe that reaching out and finding ways to be connected to people makes us better people.The Imam and pastor have been friends for years they spoke at each other's houses of worship hoping to lead by example.

What are your thoughts is this a good way of creating tolerance and understanding?
And does reaching out to others make us better people?

What understanding? What tolerance? These are two men that, if pressed, would have to condemn each others beliefs to be true to their faiths. Tolerance and understanding can only come when you completely toss out your agendas. This is simply window dressing at best.

Sunstone · Jan 5, 2017

BSM1 said:
What understanding? What tolerance? These are two men that, if pressed, would have to condemn each others beliefs to be true to their faiths. Tolerance and understanding can only come when you completely toss out your agendas. This is simply window dressing at best.

Can you criticize someone's beliefs without losing respect, understanding, or tolerance for them as a person? I certainly hope so, because I have long respected you despite that you're beliefs are radically differ from mine and, consequently, are totally screwed up.

BSM1 · Jan 5, 2017

Sunstone said:
Can you criticize someone's beliefs without losing respect, understanding, or tolerance for them as a person? I certainly hope so, because I have long respected you despite that you're beliefs are radically differ from mine and, consequently, are totally screwed up.

I am flattered by your kind words but that wasn't the point i was trying to make. Both these guys, by their own admission, have committed their entire being to answering to a "higher power". If so instructed (real or imagined) by this 'power' to destroy the others belief system then they would have no choice but to obey. You see this in the radical side of both-if not all- religions mentioned. I'm saying if they would simply face each other as two guys with no religious restraints, then maybe the understanding and tolerance will be more real. You and I are perfect examples. I understand, respect, tolerate, and even like you as a person even though I can tell from some of your ideas that you've been held underwater way too long more than once in your life.

Sakeenah · Jan 5, 2017

BSM1 said:
What understanding? What tolerance? These are two men that, if pressed, would have to condemn each others beliefs to be true to their faiths. Tolerance and understanding can only come when you completely toss out your agendas. This is simply window dressing at best.

Interesting perspective but I disagree I think two religious people can connect,understand and tolerate each other just like two non religious people can if they focus on what they have in common and respect each others differences. . Why do you assume they have agendas?

jeager106 · Jan 5, 2017

Sakeenah said:
Hi
I asked two specific questions. Do you think what the pastor and Imam are doing is something positive, does it create tolerance and understanding between people.

My other question was does reaching out to others who do not share the same beliefs make us better people.

This is an interfaith discussion so I would like to ask you to please stay on topic.If you are looking for a debate, debate section is that way -->

The Imam and pastor are absolutely doing something positive.
Reaching out to others who do not share the same beliefs should
be basic to all religions.
It's a shame it isn't in many cases.
If we must have religion it would be desirable to all have the same
God and religion.
What a wonderful way to unite mankind.
Mankind could still worship but worship the same "god' and ask for the
same gifts to benefit fellow man.

BSM1 · Jan 5, 2017

Sakeenah said:
Interesting perspective but I disagree I think two religious people can connect,understand and tolerate each other just like two non religious people can if they focus on what they have in common and respect each others differences. . Why do you assume they have agendas?

Seriously? We're not talking about two guys meeting in a bar after work, we're talking about two dyed-in-the-wool religiousos whose main purpose in life is to further their calling. What greater agenda could there be? If either of their "Gods" called them to smite the other, could they refuse?

Tumah · Jan 5, 2017

BSM1 said:
Seriously? We're not talking about two guys meeting in a bar after work, we're talking about two dyed-in-the-wool religiousos whose main purpose in life is to further their calling. What greater agenda could there be? If either of their "Gods" called them to smite the other, could they refuse?

Why do you need to ask that about two different religions? Let's say either of them were commanded to kill their own sibling? Could they refuse? Does that mean its impossible for a religious person to love his sibling?

But some hypothetical is not the point. The point is that they believe they weren't commanded to do such a thing. And so there is room for them to have feelings of brotherhood. And rather than using the differences in their religion as a reason for feud, they used the similarities in their religion as an impetus for connection,

BSM1 · Jan 5, 2017

Tumah said:
Why do you need to ask that about two different religions? Let's say either of them were commanded to kill their own sibling? Could they refuse? Does that mean its impossible for a religious person to love his sibling?

But some hypothetical is not the point. The point is that they believe they weren't commanded to do such a thing. And so there is room for them to have feelings of brotherhood. And rather than using the differences in their religion as a reason for feud, they used the similarities in their religion as an impetus for connection,

I think the point is that the only reason everyone's getting all misty-eyed over this story comes from the fact that one of these guys is a Muslim and one is a Methodist. It really has nothing to do with two human beings reaching a normal level of common sense, this is two conflicting religions acting as if they will always share warm and fuzzy thoughts. If this were two guys on the same bowling league then I doubt if you would hear anything about their cooperation.

Tumah · Jan 5, 2017

BSM1 said:
I think the point is that the only reason everyone's getting all misty-eyed over this story comes from the fact that one of these guys is a Muslim and one is a Methodist. It really has nothing to do with two human beings reaching a normal level of common sense, this is two conflicting religions acting as if they will always share warm and fuzzy thoughts. If this were two guys on the same bowling league then I doubt if you would hear anything about their cooperation.

That's true, but that's the point. It is two conflicting religions and they are getting along.
If it would be a Russian and Ukrainian sitting down for a bottle of vodka, it would be true as well. And pictures of Israelis and Palestinians getting along are always poignant. The fact that they have differences between them and were able to overcome them is an accomplishment and it is worth noting.

BSM1 · Jan 5, 2017

Tumah said:
That's true, but that's the point. It is two conflicting religions and they are getting along.
If it would be a Russian and Ukrainian sitting down for a bottle of vodka, it would be true as well. And pictures of Israelis and Palestinians getting along are always poignant. The fact that they have differences between them and were able to overcome them is an accomplishment and it is worth noting.

I understand your point and I am really not trying to split hairs, but both these men serve a higher master. Because they really cannot separate themselves from their faith, there may come a time when they are forced to chose between their secular altruism and their spiritual commitment. If they would both step totally out of character to achieve goodness then this may have some lasting effect.

Sakeenah · Jan 5, 2017

BSM1 said:
I understand your point and I am really not trying to split hairs, but both these men serve a higher master. Because they really cannot separate themselves from their faith, there may come a time when they are forced to chose between their secular altruism and their spiritual commitment. If they would both step totally out of character to achieve goodness then this may have some lasting effect.

You said " there may come a time that they are forced to chose between their secular altruism and their spiritual commitment."
Why would they focus on something that may or may not happen, when they are able to work on building bridges in the present.

BSM1 · Jan 5, 2017

Sakeenah said:
You said " there may come a time that they are forced to chose between their secular altruism and their spiritual commitment."
Why would they focus on something that may or may not happen, when they are able to work on building bridges in the present.

Bridges built on sand are "iffy" at best. How about if both these guys renounce their religions, join hands and sing "Kumbaya", and go out in the world and really do something meaningful.

Sakeenah · Jan 8, 2017

BSM1 said:
Bridges built on sand are "iffy" at best. How about if both these guys renounce their religions, join hands and sing "Kumbaya", and go out in the world and really do something meaningful.

That's your opinion..They are joining hands and doing something meaningful. They don't have to renounce their religion to make a positive change. True tolerance, understanding is in our ability to reach unity in diversity.

"Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilisation." (Ghandi)

Servant_of_the_One1 · Jan 8, 2017

Reaching out makes us a better humans. I have non-muslim friends who i respect for whatever they believe.

We shouldnt be isolated out of fear.

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