Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Mosque Visit
I visited a mosque a few days ago with a Muslim friend. Here are a few thoughts.
The mosque was plain but nice. Since everyone takes of their shoes at the entrance, it stays fairly tidy. No pictures but many writings from the koran on plates, plaques, etc.
The prayer service was short and quiet. No sermon. We ate dates beforehand. They are really good but you have to watch out for the seeds.
After prayer (I didn't pray with them), we ate. It was good food. The men and women are separated, so if you go to the mosque every day during Ramadan, you could have thirty days of "Guys Night Out".
The people were nice and from all walks of life. It was nice to meet friendly Muslims. They're not all out to get you, Mr. Average American, though I don't think that I impressed a couple of them when I told them I voted for Bush.
There were ways that the visit reminded me of church. One, kids were everywhere, running around and carousing. A couple of kids were sticking their rears in the other's face and laughing. (Oddly enough, the adults did nothing really. It seems to me that Muslims have a different approach to child-rearing.) Two, religion is learned young. Three boys came in at the end of the service. I saw them mouth the prayers and then bow. Of course, it was in a childish way. One boy seemed to smash his head on the ground each time. Quite humorous. Three, food is very important to the fellowship. What Christian can disagree with that?
Overall, it was an interesting experience. I was glad to see a faith in action, done peacefully. All the Muslims I have met here have been nice people. The media gives us too much of the terrorist side! Most, I'd say, are normal people trying to get through life in the best manner possible. Still, Islam is without Christ, the glue that binds Christianity together, the center of truly spiritual worship. And for that, it must be rejected.
The mosque was plain but nice. Since everyone takes of their shoes at the entrance, it stays fairly tidy. No pictures but many writings from the koran on plates, plaques, etc.
The prayer service was short and quiet. No sermon. We ate dates beforehand. They are really good but you have to watch out for the seeds.
After prayer (I didn't pray with them), we ate. It was good food. The men and women are separated, so if you go to the mosque every day during Ramadan, you could have thirty days of "Guys Night Out".
The people were nice and from all walks of life. It was nice to meet friendly Muslims. They're not all out to get you, Mr. Average American, though I don't think that I impressed a couple of them when I told them I voted for Bush.
There were ways that the visit reminded me of church. One, kids were everywhere, running around and carousing. A couple of kids were sticking their rears in the other's face and laughing. (Oddly enough, the adults did nothing really. It seems to me that Muslims have a different approach to child-rearing.) Two, religion is learned young. Three boys came in at the end of the service. I saw them mouth the prayers and then bow. Of course, it was in a childish way. One boy seemed to smash his head on the ground each time. Quite humorous. Three, food is very important to the fellowship. What Christian can disagree with that?
Overall, it was an interesting experience. I was glad to see a faith in action, done peacefully. All the Muslims I have met here have been nice people. The media gives us too much of the terrorist side! Most, I'd say, are normal people trying to get through life in the best manner possible. Still, Islam is without Christ, the glue that binds Christianity together, the center of truly spiritual worship. And for that, it must be rejected.
// posted by BLP @ 4:34 PM 
Comments:
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When it is realised that your experience is seen through a very heavy filter it really is quite a reasonable and objective view.
One thing that you have got 100% wrong.
Christ is mentioned in the teachings of Islam. I believe he is ranked as one of the prophets of God (or Allah if you want to use Sanskrit instead of English).
But good on you for being sufficiently open minded that you attended a mosque (something I have not had an invitation to do) and for your description of it. You would be several blocks ahead of most Americans I have "met" who dismiss Islam in much the same way as they regard headhunters.
For that one thing I respect you.
One thing that you have got 100% wrong.
Christ is mentioned in the teachings of Islam. I believe he is ranked as one of the prophets of God (or Allah if you want to use Sanskrit instead of English).
But good on you for being sufficiently open minded that you attended a mosque (something I have not had an invitation to do) and for your description of it. You would be several blocks ahead of most Americans I have "met" who dismiss Islam in much the same way as they regard headhunters.
For that one thing I respect you.
Probligo: When I say that Islam is "without Christ", I don't mean that Jesus isn't mentioned in the Quran or that they deny his existence, etc. But, they do deny his death, burial, and resurrection, his atonement for sins, his deity, etc. etc. By denying who Christ himself said he was and what he would do, they make him a liar and nullify his power and force within their faith. By teaching wrong doctrine concerning Christ, Islam is only another of the world's errant religions. If you get Christ wrong, you've got it all wrong.
That's what I meant!
Don't get me wrong. I love Muslims!
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That's what I meant!
Don't get me wrong. I love Muslims!
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