Posted on 05/12/2009 5:16:38 PM PDT by americanophile
Jerusalem – Ma’an/Agencies – Benedict XVI became the first pope in history to enter the iconic Dome of the Rock Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City, amid heavy security on Tuesday morning.
Before the pope arrived Palestinian politicians and clerics held a meeting with cardinals who accompanied Benedict on his tour of the Holy Land in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which includes the Dome of the Rock.
The pope was then welcomed at the entrance of the mosque by the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Mohammed Hussein, according to AFP.
In his address to the Mufti, Benedict spoke about the unity of the three monotheistic religions, beginning with the Arabic greeting "Asalamu Alaikum!" (Peace be upon you!).
“Undivided love for the One God and charity towards ones neighbor thus become the fulcrum around which all else turns. This is why we work untiringly to safeguard human hearts from hatred, anger or vengeance,” said the pope, according to the text of his prepared remarks.
Israeli authorities imposed intensive restrictions and security measures around the Old City of Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque preparing to for the pontiff’s visit to Al-Aqsa and the Wailing Wall, one of the holiest sites in Judaism.
The pontiff is also scheduled to meet with Israel’s two senior rabbis in the Heichel Shlomo Synagogue in Jerusalem.
Benedict will visit the Church of the Dormition where Jesus is believed to have shared the last supper with his disciplines. Then he will have lunch in the Latin Patriarchate Cathedral with members of the Catholic Churches Council in the Holy Land.
He is implying that the Muslims believe that they are worshiping the Christian God.
Sickening.
You don’t worship the true God by default. Worshiping a god of your own imagination (Allah) is idolatry.
You wrote:
“It’s a recent (as in post 1940) creation to justify attacks on Jews in Israel.”
Actually it has been believed by Muslims for centuries. It was also known in the western world too that that was the Muslim belief. Hence, it ended up in Pickthall’s translation of the Qur’an - and he died BEFORE 1940. Muslims changed their beliefs to transfer the “Furthermost mosque” from a heavenly place to Jerusalem sometime after they built the Dome of the Rock mosque. Still, that was only a 1000 years ago.
841 The Church's relationship with the Muslims. "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."330
Also see The Catechism on Islam
It matters a great deal if this pope, who I have presumed to be a Christian man, believes that the god of Islam is the God of Christianity. He made at least two references, once to "the One God," and another to "one god." My ears hear possible equivocation, and I want to get at the truth of the matter.
Enough with the allusions to what Muslims believe. Muslim beliefs have been thrust upon us in one form or another for many years now. They do not believe in the same god as my God, that much has become clear, to me at least.
What did this pope mean, and what does he believe, that is the question that is raised by his statements in Israel, and it's the question I've asked.
This pope is Catholic and I gave you reference to what Catholics believe on that matter: “together with us [the Muslim] adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day”.
Thank you for clarifying the Catholic position on the matter.
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