Critique
of the usual understanding of Islam and
Christianity
I am often asked to review books and
articles dealing with Peace, Muslim-Christian Dialogue; and on Justice and
Solidarity with the poor.
In the critique that I usually make, is
simply to be attentive, over again, to the differences, nuances, and the actual
reality on the ground of our two-faith communities. It is only through being attentive to these
that we are able to capture the REAL THING!
First, writers and speakers, often, present a “bookish” and
“traditional” and usually “off the mark” understanding of faith-communities,
and in particular of Islam. Through the
years beginning with the studies and researches of the most maligned experts
often called “Orientalists”, Islam’s many images and facets have been revealed
to the West.
Same as in any religion, Islam is NOT MONOLITHIC as many people
understand it. The diversities and the
shapes and shades of interpretations as well as the “living” of Islam by the
Muslims vary not only from country to country but also from individual to
individuals. Even in the Catholic Church
with its clear understanding and theology of Church’s magisterium, diversities
abound, not only in particular churches but also in the Universal Church, after
all, the Universal Church is composed of the many diverse local churches
worldwide…
Second, people need to distinguish between the core message of
religions (e.g. Islam, Christianity, etc.) from the Islamic Empire/Islamic rule
or Christendom or Christian Empires.
There are aberrations in Islamic Empire/rule as there are aberrations in
Christendom as well… But people of good will and experts do NOT judge religions
by the aberrations of its members, governors or even by their pseudo experts.
Third, the controversial theological understanding of JUST war by
religions (Islam, Judaism and Christianity lies at the center of the
misunderstanding of the religious core message.
Christianity after two millennia of reflection has begun questioning
this medieval postulate. The
contemporary Pontiffs (from Pope Pius XI to Pope Francis) have all abhor not
only the concept of just war but also the practice of capital punishment. Today, JUST WAR and CAPITAL PUNISHMENT are
NOT consistent with the evangelical position of pro life.
Fourth, Islam as true of any religions has a long history of
Spirituality and mystical traditions. Giants like Frs. Charles de Foucauld and
Louis Massignon have regained their Catholic faith and became witnesses of
Jesus’ Love and Hospitality by traveling the way of Islam. I, myself, have travelled that route, all my
life and the journey with Muslim friends and comrades has shaped the person I have
become.
Both in the past and in our contemporary times, there are good
stories of dialogue, friendly relations as well as cooperation and partnership
between our two faiths. There are also
wars and hostilities, this we acknowledge as painful legacy in our
relationship, yet we are invited, ever anew, to rise from this bitterness and
pain, and retrieve the core message of our faiths – the Love of God and the
Love of neighbors.
Fifth, in the language of Vatican II’s document, Nostra Aetate,
no.3, “the Church encourages all people of good will to forget the past that
has been marred by conflict and mutual hostility… rather we should focus in our
common heritage - the One GOD who speaks to us, the theology of Mercy and
Compassion, Fasting and Almsgiving, and even the person of Mary”.
There are more than enough convergences in our faith communities
that we can be partners and stakeholders for peace and genuine development of
our common humanity. The said document is a MUST reading for anyone who wishes
to engage in interreligious relations. The real “Magna Carta” for the
interreligious dialogue is the document, DIALOGUE AND PROCLAMATION, jointly
promulgated by the Sacred Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and
the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
Fr. Eliseo :Jun” Mercado, OMI
#Badaliyya-Philippines
February 7, 2019
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