Dutch bishop: Call God 'Allah' to ease relations

[adam423]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20279326/?GT1=10252

Dutch bishop: Call God 'Allah' to ease relations
Roman Catholic leader stokes already heated debate on religion

AMSTERDAM - A Roman Catholic Bishop in the Netherlands has proposed people of all faiths refer to God as Allah to foster understanding, stoking an already heated debate on religious tolerance in a country with one million Muslims.

Bishop Tiny Muskens, from the southern diocese of Breda, told Dutch television on Monday that God did not mind what he was named and that in Indonesia, where Muskens spent eight years, priests used the word "Allah" while celebrating Mass.

Allah is a very beautiful word for God. Shouldn't we all say that from now on we will name God Allah? ... What does God care what we call him? It is our problem."


IMHO--God cares what we call Him. When Moses asked, God told him I AM.

[J4E]

Ahhhh I don't think so!! Won't be uttering that name!

[true2yeshua]

WONDERFUL NAMES OF OUR WONDERFUL LORD

The Trinity: The Lord, My Shepherd - Ps 23:1
Jesus: A More Excellent Name - Heb 1:4
Jesus: Worthy - Rev 4:11, 5:12
The Father: The God of My Fathers - Ac 24:14
Jesus: A Name Above Every Name - Ph 2:9
Jesus: The Name of Jesus - Col 3:17
The Holy Spirit: The Spirit of the Living God - 2 Cor 3:3
Jesus: The Light - Jn 8:12
Jesus: The Truth - Jn 14:6
The Trinity: His Voice - Ps 18:13
Jesus: The Bread of God - Jn 6:33
Jesus: The Door of the Sheep - Jn 10:7
The Father: The Father of Lights - Jm 1:17
Jesus: The Vine - Jn 15:5
Jesus: The Way - Jn 14:6
The Holy Spirit: Rain - Ps 72:6
Jesus: The Preeminence - Col 1:18
Jesus: Wonderful - Is 9:6
The Trinity: The God of the Beginning (Elohim Kedem) - De 33:27
Jesus: A Column of Smoke - Ex 13:21
Jesus: Precious - 1 Pe 2:7
The Father: The Very God of Peace - 1 Th 5:23
Jesus: Rabbi - Jn 1:38
Jesus: The Lord Jesus Christ - Rev 1:1
The Holy Spirit: Oil - He 1:9
Jesus: Carpenter's Son - Mt 13:55
Jesus: Rabboni - Jn 20:16
The Trinity: The God Who Is Near (Elohim Mikarov) - Jer 23:23-4
Jesus: Savior - Lk 2:11
Jesus: Shiloh - Gen 49:10
The Father: The Father of Mercies - 2 Cor 1:3
Jesus: The Unspeakable Gift - 2 Cor 9:15
Jesus: The Triumphant Lamb - Rev 5:6
The Holy Spirit: A Dove - Mk 1:10
Jesus: The Young Child - Mt 2:11
Jesus: The All and In All - Col 3:11
Jesus: The Light of the City - Rev 21:23
Jesus: The Author of Our Faith - He 12:2
Jesus: A Nazarene - Mt 2:23
The Trinity: The Shadow of the Almighty - Ps 91:1
Jesus: That Spiritual Rock - 1 Cor 10:4
Jesus: The Son of Joseph - Jn 1:45
Jesus: The Rock - Mt 16:18
The Trinity: The King (Jehovah Melek) - Is 6:5
Jesus: The Same Yesterday, Today and Forever - He 13:8
Jesus: Redeemer - Job 19:25
The Father: Creator - Is 40:28
Jesus: The Shadow of a Great Rock - Is 32:2
Jesus: King of Kings and Lord of Lords - Rev 19:16
The Holy Spirit: The Spirit of the Lord God - Is 61:1
Jesus: The Son - Mt 11:27
Jesus: The Word - Jn 1:1
The Trinity: The Unknown God - Ac 17:23
Jesus: The True Vine - Jn 15:1
Jesus: Propitiation - 1 Jn 2:1-2
The Father: God the Father - Gal 1:1
Jesus: The Lamb of God - Jn 1:29
Jesus: The One Who Has the Key of David - Rev 3:7
The Holy Spirit: Dew - Hos 14:5
Jesus: The Lord Who Is, Who Was and Who Is to Come - Rev 1:8
Jesus: The Son of Mary - Mk 6:3
The Trinity: The Lord Is There (Jehovah Shammah) - Ez 48:35
Jesus: Our High Priest - He 5:5
Jesus: The Finisher of Our Faith - He 12:2
The Father: God Our Father - Ro 1:7
Jesus: The Serpent in the Wilderness - Jn 3:14
Jesus: The Child Jesus - Lk 2:27-40
The Holy Spirit: The Hand of God - Ne 2:18
Jesus: The Daysman Between Us - Jo 9:33
Jesus: Prince of Peace - Is 9:6
The Trinity: The Lord of Hosts (Jehovah Sabaoth) - Ps 46:11
Jesus: Resurrection - Jn 11:25
Jesus: Our Passover - 1 Cor 5:7
The Father: One God and Father - Eph 4:6
Jesus: My Beloved Son - Mt 3:17
Jesus: The Sower - Mt 13:3-37
The Holy Spirit: The Down Payment - Eph 1:13-14
Jesus: The Stone Which the Builders Rejected - Ps 118:22
Jesus: The Son of David - Mk 10:47
Jesus: The Firstfruits - 1 Cor 15:20
Jesus: The Beloved - Eph 1:6

[true2yeshua]

WONDERFUL NAMES OF OUR WONDERFUL LORD (Cont'd)

The Trinity: The Lord, My Shepherd - Ps 23:1
Jesus: A More Excellent Name - Heb 1:4
Jesus: Worthy - Rev 4:11, 5:12
The Father: The God of My Fathers - Ac 24:14
Jesus: A Name Above Every Name - Ph 2:9
Jesus: The Name of Jesus - Col 3:17
The Holy Spirit: The Spirit of the Living God - 2 Cor 3:3
Jesus: The Light - Jn 8:12
Jesus: The Truth - Jn 14:6
The Trinity: His Voice - Ps 18:13
Jesus: The Bread of God - Jn 6:33
Jesus: The Door of the Sheep - Jn 10:7
The Father: The Father of Lights - Jm 1:17
Jesus: The Vine - Jn 15:5
Jesus: The Way - Jn 14:6
The Holy Spirit: Rain - Ps 72:6
Jesus: The Preeminence - Col 1:18
Jesus: Wonderful - Is 9:6
The Trinity: The God of the Beginning (Elohim Kedem) - De 33:27
Jesus: A Column of Smoke - Ex 13:21
Jesus: Precious - 1 Pe 2:7
The Father: The Very God of Peace - 1 Th 5:23
Jesus: Rabbi - Jn 1:38
Jesus: The Lord Jesus Christ - Rev 1:1
The Holy Spirit: Oil - He 1:9
Jesus: Carpenter's Son - Mt 13:55
Jesus: Rabboni - Jn 20:16
The Trinity: The God Who Is Near (Elohim Mikarov) - Jer 23:23-4
Jesus: Savior - Lk 2:11
Jesus: Shiloh - Gen 49:10
The Father: The Father of Mercies - 2 Cor 1:3
Jesus: The Unspeakable Gift - 2 Cor 9:15
Jesus: The Triumphant Lamb - Rev 5:6
The Holy Spirit: A Dove - Mk 1:10
Jesus: The Young Child - Mt 2:11
Jesus: The All and In All - Col 3:11
Jesus: The Light of the City - Rev 21:23
Jesus: The Author of Our Faith - He 12:2
Jesus: A Nazarene - Mt 2:23
The Trinity: The Shadow of the Almighty - Ps 91:1
Jesus: That Spiritual Rock - 1 Cor 10:4
Jesus: The Son of Joseph - Jn 1:45
Jesus: The Rock - Mt 16:18
The Trinity: The King (Jehovah Melek) - Is 6:5
Jesus: The Same Yesterday, Today and Forever - He 13:8
Jesus: Redeemer - Job 19:25
The Father: Creator - Is 40:28
Jesus: The Shadow of a Great Rock - Is 32:2
Jesus: King of Kings and Lord of Lords - Rev 19:16
The Holy Spirit: The Spirit of the Lord God - Is 61:1
Jesus: The Son - Mt 11:27
Jesus: The Word - Jn 1:1
The Trinity: The Unknown God - Ac 17:23
Jesus: The True Vine - Jn 15:1
Jesus: Propitiation - 1 Jn 2:1-2
The Father: God the Father - Gal 1:1
Jesus: The Lamb of God - Jn 1:29
Jesus: The One Who Has the Key of David - Rev 3:7
The Holy Spirit: Dew - Hos 14:5
Jesus: The Lord Who Is, Who Was and Who Is to Come - Rev 1:8
Jesus: The Son of Mary - Mk 6:3
The Trinity: The Lord Is There (Jehovah Shammah) - Ez 48:35
Jesus: Our High Priest - He 5:5
Jesus: The Finisher of Our Faith - He 12:2
The Father: God Our Father - Ro 1:7
Jesus: The Serpent in the Wilderness - Jn 3:14
Jesus: The Child Jesus - Lk 2:27-40
The Holy Spirit: The Hand of God - Ne 2:18
Jesus: The Daysman Between Us - Jo 9:33
Jesus: Prince of Peace - Is 9:6
The Trinity: The Lord of Hosts (Jehovah Sabaoth) - Ps 46:11
Jesus: Resurrection - Jn 11:25
Jesus: Our Passover - 1 Cor 5:7
The Father: One God and Father - Eph 4:6
Jesus: My Beloved Son - Mt 3:17
Jesus: The Sower - Mt 13:3-37
The Holy Spirit: The Down Payment - Eph 1:13-14
Jesus: The Stone Which the Builders Rejected - Ps 118:22
Jesus: The Son of David - Mk 10:47
Jesus: The Firstfruits - 1 Cor 15:20
Jesus: The Beloved - Eph 1:6
Jesus: LORD (Kurios) - Jn 13:13

Anyhow, point made. Nowhere in scripture is Our Father referred to by the name given Him by Islam.

[Wally]

But is not a god mentioned who has the character of Allah?

What god savored the sacrifices of children?
What god enslaved women as prostitutes?
What god denies Jesus his rightful throne?

His name is Baal, Molech, Astarte, Astoreth(feminine forms)

The daughters of Allah(the moon god) are pleased ther father has such a following.

But then, haven't we who have the truth, been poor stewards?
Forgive us Lord, heal our land, opend our blind eyes, and revive us again!

[CatholicConvert]

With all due respect this is an ignorant thread. I hope all of you understand that "Allah" means God in arabic. Arab christians call God "Allah." "Arabic-speakers of all faiths, including Christians and Jews, use the word "Allah" to mean "God". The Muslim and Christian Arabs of today have no other word for 'God' than 'Allah'," (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allah). So basically the issue at hand is whether it is acceptable to use God's name in another language with the purpose of fostering peace and understanding?

[SharpSabre]

In the Western world, Allah is equated to the god of muslims.

[Chris]

With all due respect this is an ignorant thread. I hope all of you understand that "Allah" means God in arabic. Arab christians call God "Allah." "Arabic-speakers of all faiths, including Christians and Jews, use the word "Allah" to mean "God". The Muslim and Christian Arabs of today have no other word for 'God' than 'Allah'," (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allah). So basically the issue at hand is whether it is acceptable to use God's name in another language with the purpose of fostering peace and understanding?

Getting past the "word play" of the issue, the main purpose of this thread is to bring to light that the RCC finds it acceptable to make the Allah of the Koran equal with the God of the Bible simply for the sake of getting along. The two are definitely not the same, and it is an insult to the God of the Bible to make them one and the same. :ohno

[ATYCLB]

With all due respect this is an ignorant thread. I hope all of you understand that "Allah" means God in arabic. Arab christians call God "Allah." "Arabic-speakers of all faiths, including Christians and Jews, use the word "Allah" to mean "God". The Muslim and Christian Arabs of today have no other word for 'God' than 'Allah'," (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allah). So basically the issue at hand is whether it is acceptable to use God's name in another language with the purpose of fostering peace and understanding?

"The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator,
in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham,
and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."
Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly states that Muslims acknowledge
"the Creator" and that they and Christians adore "the one" God.

The Catechism is clear that the RCC believes that Muslims and Christians
believe in the same God.

However, Allah makes it very clear that he and the Christian God are not the same:

"The Jews call 'Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah.
That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of
old used to say. Allah's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth!"
(Qur'an 9:30)

"Say: Praise be to Allah, Who begets no son, Who has no partner in [His] dominion
and Who [needs] none to protect Him from humiliation;' And Magnify Him with all
magnificence."
(al-Isra' 17/111)

"Allah did not beget a son; Nor is there any god along with Him; Otherwise each god
would have taken away what he had created and some of them would have lorded over
others. May Allah, Be Glorified above all that they allege. He knows what is hidden and
what is exposed. May He Be Exalted over all that they ascribe as partners [to Him]."
(al-Mu'minun 23/91-92)

Allah clearly states that he has no son. Allah is clear that Jesus was nothing more
than a prophet.

2 Corinthians 11:4 tells us:

"For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye
receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have
not accepted, ye might well bear with him."

Muslims reject the true Jesus and what the Gospels teach us. They embrace
"another Jesus" and "another gospel".

Islam . . . Allah . . . preaches another Jesus.

The RCC clearly bears with him.

The RCC is either completely ignorant of the differences between Allah and the one
true God, the Creator . . . or it is intentionally being deceptive.

So, CatholicConvert, do you and Muslims worship and adore the same God . . . the one,
merciful God, the Creator, mankind's judge on the last day?

Is Allah your god? Your creator? Your judge on the last day?

[CatholicConvert]

To answer your questions: I worship the Holy Trinity. That is: God (Allah, Dios, Dei, Dieu, Yahweh, Gott, ect.) the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. My judge is the Lord Jesus Christ who will come to judge the living and the dead. The Holy Catholic Church (just like all Protestants) believes that there are no prophets after Jesus Christ who was the fulfillment of all the prophecies. Therefore, the Church regards Muhammad as a false prophet, just like Joseph Smith.

However, God is not only our creator, he created every person in the whole world. The Muslim world spiritually yearns for God to be revealed to them. That is Jesus Christ who is the face of God. It is our job as Christians to reveal Jesus Christ to the Muslim world. I'm not saying I would do the same in his position, but you can make a strong case that by calling God "Allah", we do a betetr job of revealing Jesus Christ as the Son of God to the Muslim community.

In Peace and Love