COMMON DENOMINATOR ISLAM:

World's future hinges on peace between faiths, Islamic scholars tell Pope (Martin Hodgson, October 11, 2007, Guardian Unlimited)

More than 130 prominent Islamic scholars have written to Christian leaders around the world, calling for greater understanding between the two religions and warning that the world's future may depend on peaceful relations between Muslims and Christians.

Pope Benedict XVI and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, have been sent copies of the document, which focuses on the shared beliefs of the religions, such as the worship of one god, and the requirement to live in peace with one's neighbours.

The letter says: "Muslims and Christians together make up well over half of the world's population. Without peace and justice between these two religious communities, there can be no meaningful peace in the world. The future of the world depends on peace between Muslims and Christians."

The 29-page document argues that the basis for this understanding can be found in the religions' common principles: "Love of the One God, and love of the neighbour."

Supporting their argument with quotations from both the Bible and the Koran, the signatories say that Mohammed was told the same truths that had already been revealed to previous Christian and Jewish prophets, including Jesus.

All the Reformation consists of is reducing Islam to those shared truths, which is why Shi'ism--which already has more commonalities with Judaism/Christianity than Sunni Islam--has been the primary beneficiary so far.

Posted by Orrin Judd at October 11, 2007 7:26 AM