The word “allah” has been co-opted to mean the god of Islam. I cannot imagine why any Christian would want to use that word! In a completely different scale, it is the same reason why I don’t fly a confederate flag in my front yard; I live in an area of the country where rednecks and, yes, the clan have co-opted the confederate flag. But seriously, would you call the Lord Allah and risk have people misunderstand Who you are talking about?
“But seriously, would you call the Lord Allah and risk have people misunderstand Who you are talking about?”
I’m thinking that if I was at a Mass in any of the Eastern Churches or other Christian groups that use arabic, I certainly wouldn’t be confused.
But if I was confused, and asked, I would hope they would explain the deal to me in charity. Likewise if I was an arabic speaker and used the term around those who aren’t used to arabic speakers, I would hope any would ask for clarification with charity. And I hope I would reply to them charity, expalining that this is what arabic Christians use, and used before Islam.
I don’t see how one group should get to define what term another group uses for God. Especially if there is a longer tradition of using it for the one expected to change.
Freegards