REL GENRL Local pastor working to bridge divide between Christians and Muslims

[rhughe13]

Local pastor working to bridge divide between Christians and Muslims

HARVEST, Ala. — An international foundation that strives to bridge inter-religious gaps released a study showing that Evangelical Christian and Muslim relations is the greatest inter-religiou…

whnt.com

Posted 5:51 pm, January 14, 2020, by Christine Mitchell, Updated at 05:59PM, January 14, 2020

HARVEST, Ala. -- An international foundation that strives to bridge inter-religious gaps released a study showing that Evangelical Christian and Muslim relations is the greatest inter-religious challenge in America today.

Pastor Jason Parks, senior pastor at Refuge Church in Harvest and Athens, has been appointed by the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding to assist in improving the relations between these two religious groups -- not just here in north Alabama, but throughout the country.

"I think that in our culture today sometimes we criticize what we don’t understand," Parks said.

While on a religious freedom mission in Azerbaijan he saw inter-religious relationships working well, and it captivated him.

"People that maybe did not believe the same thing, maybe their beliefs were extremely different, but we still want to be friends, and we still want to have a relationship with each other," he said.

Pastor Parks will help Christian pastors and Muslim imams and their faith communities around the country connect. For example, just this past Sunday, a group of local church leaders went to the Huntsville Islamic Center and gathered with leaders there, asking hard questions and getting to know each other.

“There’s just not a relationship between Muslims and Evangelicals, and we want to try to bridge that gap and try to foster those relationships," Parks said.

Polls show that there is optimism on both sides of of this religious gap that the divide between Evangelicals and Muslims can be narrowed.

“At the end of the day it’s important that we treat people, like people, and we love them the way our faith says we should," Parks said.

 

[Ogre]

Evangelical Christian and Muslim relations is the greatest inter-religious challenge in America today.

Gee, I wonder why.

 

[teneo]

Given than Islam requires its adherents to kill anyone who refuses to convert and none of the variants of Christianity require that, he’s got his work cut out for him. Seems like history might offer some clues about what to expect here.

 

[Gercarson]

"I think that in our culture today sometimes we criticize what we don’t understand,"
I think in our politically correct and stupid culture of today we will NOT accept the fact that Islam has ONE goal - to convert or kill ALL infidels. This is a wonderful way for muslims to convert and line up those to kill. This man is stupid beyond words.

 

[Blacknarwhal]

Poor schlub. He means well but he just doesn't understand what he's dealing with.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

What does light (Christianity) have to do with darkness (Islam)? They can never be equally yoked. It will never work.

 

[rhughe13]

Moving into a small town near you. I'm not sure what this idiot has missed in Europe. Facebook replies are fun to watch in our local area. There aren't as many Christians down South as you might think.

 

[Marthanoir]

CHRISLAM

 

[NoDandy]

Poor schlub. He means well but he just doesn't understand what he's dealing with.

Yeah !!!

Can you say " He is a SNOWFLAKE ?? "

Next we hear of him, he will be found on the lawn in front of his church, his head mounted on a Pike .

If he is that delusional, his congregation should get a clue, and move to another church !!!!

 

[naturallysweet]

Let me guess. The Muslims shown up a and claim that we all worship the same god, with Islam just being a middle eastern version of Christianity. The pastor nods and smiles. Then slowly the imams start bashing Christians, Christianity, American, and western civilization. Islam is of course blameless and great!

There can be no peace between Islam and Christianity. They have no golden rule and a command to lie to non believers.

 

[Blacknarwhal]

Yeah !!!

Can you say " He is a SNOWFLAKE ?? "

Next we hear of him, he will be found on the lawn in front of his church, his head mounted on a Pike .

If he is that delusional, his congregation should get a clue, and move to another church !!!!

I don't think he's a "snowflake" so much as he is taking the command to be a peacemaker to heart. You remember that one, right? Part of the Sermon on the Mount, even. Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. "

Like I figured, the problem is that he thinks this is just Buddhism or something else that doesn't agree with us, but isn't specifically out to kill us all. He doesn't appreciate the existential threat Islam poses to Christianity.

 

[CaryC]

I don't think he's a "snowflake" so much as he is taking the command to be a peacemaker to heart. You remember that one, right? Part of the Sermon on the Mount, even. Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. "

Like I figured, the problem is that he thinks this is just Buddhism or something else that doesn't agree with us, but isn't specifically out to kill us all. He doesn't appreciate the existential threat Islam poses to Christianity.

You're second paragraph is essentially the meaning of a snowflake isn't it? Like gays supporting Islam.

 

[Hfcomms]

Poor schlub. He means well but he just doesn't understand what he's dealing with.

Might as well try to bridge the divide between fire and water. They are incompatible with each other.

 

[homepark]

Hey, you wanna see a juxtaposition, try Orthodox Christianity and Islam. We have a loooooong history of repression under Islamic rule. Lordy!

 

[dstraito]

No

There is no bridge

They are mutually incompatible

Besides, Islam is a political system

 

[pinkelsteinsmom]

Most American Christian churches are nothing more than blab it and grab it glee clubs which don't even teach true salvation. Now they want to hold hands with Satan and show Satan and YOU that he's an O.K. guy, just needs a little love. Warning fellow Christians, the Poop has already put together the NEW world orders new church, this is it.

For all that do not understand the power of Rome, watch the series the Tudors on netflix, God used the jawbone of an Ass for his purposes as well as Henry the VIII to free us from this evil entity that is still behind the scenes taking Christ out of the Church and destroying America with millions of invaders, not to mention their salting the earth with sodomy.

 

[bbbuddy]

How do you " bridge the gap" between good and evil?

At what distance from both is there common ground?

 

[Blacknarwhal]

You're second paragraph is essentially the meaning of a snowflake isn't it? Like gays supporting Islam.

Webster's notes that the newest definition of "snowflake" is "an overly sensitive person." So no, this pastor doesn't seem to qualify. He's misguided, yes, and probably fatally so if he sticks to this path. But he's not being overly sensitive.

No, 'Snowflake' as a Slang Term Did Not Begin with 'Fight Club'

The lost history of 'snowflake'

www.merriam-webster.com

 

[Blacknarwhal]

Might as well try to bridge the divide between fire and water. They are incompatible with each other.

I know that, and you know that, but not everyone does. That's why I called him "poor schlub." He's got the best of intentions but he doesn't know what he's dealing with.

 

[Marthanoir]

How do you " bridge the gap" between good and evil?

.338 lapua magnum

 

[CaryC]

Webster's notes that the newest definition of "snowflake" is "an overly sensitive person." So no, this pastor doesn't seem to qualify. He's misguided, yes, and probably fatally so if he sticks to this path. But he's not being overly sensitive.

No, 'Snowflake' as a Slang Term Did Not Begin with 'Fight Club'

The lost history of 'snowflake'

www.merriam-webster.com

While not being in Webster's I think an over rated, thus inflated importance of one's self, also qualifies. And that is what he is, thinks. Meaning his idea's to him are not only unique, but matter more than, not only reality, but the Bible which he should be preaching.

And was my meaning in my reply. Gay's for Islam.

 

[Blacknarwhal]

While not being in Webster's I think an over rated, thus inflated importance of one's self, also qualifies. And that is what he is, thinks. Meaning his idea's to him are not only unique, but matter more than, not only reality, but the Bible which he should be preaching.

And was my meaning in my reply. Gay's for Islam.

I'm less convinced on that point; not every wrong, well-meaning person who's trying to advance peace automatically qualifies as a snowflake.

 

[CaryC]

While you may be right on the snowflake, he's not advancing peace. He doesn't speak for the majority of Christians, and he's not talking to the Mullahs.

One person sitting at a peace table does not mean peace is on the table.

Thousands of people Christian and Muslim over the last 1500 years would beg to differ, and this guy thinks he can do it? Yeah right.

The other thing is, he is attempting to "bridge a gap". Christianity and Islam are diametrically opposed to one another. The gap cannot be bridged. It's along the lines of bridging the gap between the free enterprise system, and socialism.

Him coming from a basically Baptist background, and a Phd. from a seminary, if I spent some time listening to him his message would be all about God is love all under the liberal wing of the Baptist Denomination. Never mentioning His wrath, repentance, sin, or the devil.

I would also note I don't go around wanting to kill Muslims, but I don't try to convert them either. Nothing about Christianity is a secret these days, if they want to know anything they can ask, I will answer. So far none have.

 

[Dozdoats]

So sad. And there are people who believe themselves Christians who will listen to him, too. But is IS close to Athens ...

 

[Blue 5]

I don't seek peace with jihadis, because they do not seek peace with us. Instead, I seek distance from them. I want them out of my community and out of my nation.

 

[Macgyver]

Must be just some sort of money laundering business or tax scam.

Never going to work.

 

[Seeker22]

Hey preacher, go play with rattlesnakes, they're safer.

 

[ShadowMan]

When you are dealing with a CULT who's primary goal is to KILL and/or ENSLAVE you why would you want to bridge a gap between you and them?!?!?

Seriously you figgen morons!! READ THEIR DAMN BOOK!! Then you'll know to stay the HELL AWAY FROM THEM!! There can be no 'meeting of the minds' when THEY WANT YOU DEAD! or converted over to their CULT....but mostly, they want you dead.

 

[straightstreet]

How do you " bridge the gap" between good and evil?

At what distance from both is there common ground?

Correct! Jesus is the only ONE who can bridge the gap. He's the only one that changes hearts and lives. Islam, Muhammad does neither.

 

[vestige]

OP:
"People that maybe did not believe the same thing, maybe their beliefs were extremely different, but we still want to be friends, and we still want to have a relationship with each other," he said.


I will defer to Ragnarok for elaboration on the OP but I tried this with a small copperhead snake when I was a kid. Didn't work at all. Had to kill the snake.

 

[Kathy in FL]

They would do much better first talking to people who convert from Islam to Christianity. They would gain a valuable insight and be less likely to be taken in.

 

[JF&P]

Islam is FAKE NEWS....there is no allah as he was a figment of Mohammeds imagination....but satan has picked up the tab and now Islam has become a political system bent on fullfilling the deep states agenda. (Divide and conquer)

There will not and can not be a reconciliation between Islam and Christ....but it (islam) serves as a warning to those of us that are paying attention that the end times are HERE....Pray that the Holy Spirit invades the hearts and minds of the muzzies....as that is THEIR ONLY CHANCE at eternity....Otherwise they are all doomed come JUDGEMENT DAY!!!!

 

[ShadowMan]

Armageddon will be the final battle between Good and Evil.....it will be between Christianity and islam. All because Abraham couldn't wait for God's promise to come true.

 

[Ractivist]

Islam is FAKE NEWS....there is no allah as he was a figment of Mohammeds imagination....but satan has picked up the tab and now Islam has become a political system bent on fullfilling the deep states agenda. (Divide and conquer)

There will not and can not be a reconciliation between Islam and Christ....but it (islam) serves as a warning to those of us that are paying attention that the end times are HERE....Pray that the Holy Spirit invades the hearts and minds of the muzzies....as that is THEIR ONLY CHANCE at eternity....Otherwise they are all doomed come JUDGEMENT DAY!!!!

You sound much like my pastor. I sound much like those who say it is a losing proposition, or at the least, a dangerous one..... I don't cross paths with muslims, nor do I intend to. But, if I did, I go historical on em.....and point out the political aspect, and the pathetic prophet they hold in such high esteem.........puke...

 

[MinnesotaSmith]

Given than Islam requires its adherents to kill anyone who refuses to convert and none of the variants of Christianity require that, he’s got his work cut out for him. Seems like history might offer some clues about what to expect here.

Yeah. His choices are surrender/serve as a slave/poverty/lifelong tyranny/oblivion, flee, or make total war against the Muslims. Guess we know which of the three he's picked.

 

[Ragnarok]

This "pastor" is an idiot...

"I think that in our culture today sometimes we criticize what we don’t understand," Parks said.

Please... Tell me all about Islam... I can't wait.

 

[Ragnarok]

I don't think he's a "snowflake" so much as he is taking the command to be a peacemaker to heart. You remember that one, right? Part of the Sermon on the Mount, even. Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. "

Like I figured, the problem is that he thinks this is just Buddhism or something else that doesn't agree with us, but isn't specifically out to kill us all. He doesn't appreciate the existential threat Islam poses to Christianity.

If he doesn't understand, he should learn before telling others that they are wrong...

"I think that in our culture today sometimes we criticize what we don’t understand," Parks said.

He has no business instructing others on what Islam is all about. If ANY belief system deserves criticism it is Islam.

 

[Ragnarok]

I know that, and you know that, but not everyone does. That's why I called him "poor schlub." He's got the best of intentions but he doesn't know what he's dealing with.

Which is fine...

If it is just him.

BUT, he is leading a church full of people who look to him for guidance and care of the soul.

He has a responsibility to know what he is talking about before he leads his flock over a cliff...

And, THEY have a responsibility to call out the pastor if he is wrong.

 

[Rabbit]

If this guy is truly a Christian his job is to convert not to go along to get along.

 

[TammyinWI]

Which means that Christian principles will be compromised.