It may be difficult to read because the image here is small, but the text of the upper left side is as follows:
"Dr. Amir Hussain, a Canadian Muslim, is Professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. He teaches courses Islam, world religions, and comparative theology. Presently he is the editor of the Journal of the American Academy of Religion, the premier scholarly journal for the study of religion. Since 2005, he has written over 25 book chapters or scholarly articles about Islam and Muslims.
Workshops: Islam 101
Introduction to Islamic Spirituality"
The Diocesan website also has posted more information about the featured speaker and his workshop here. Actually, at the time of this post it is the only thing posted about the conference, under the heading of "Featured Speaker". From the website, the workshops are described as follows:Introduction to Islamic Spirituality"
"Workshop One: Islam 101
There are roughly the same number of Muslims as Catholics in the world. This workshop will give a basic introduction to Islam. It will go over basic beliefs and practices including the pillars of Islam and the articles of faith for Muslims. We will talk about the beginnings of Islam, including the story of the Prophet Muhammed and the revelation of the Qur'an. We will also talk about the contemporary situations of Muslims in the United States.
Workshop Two: Introduction to Islamic Spirituality
This workshop will build on Islam 101 and go into more detail about Islamic faith and spirituality. We will go more deeply into the 6 articles of faith for Muslims. We will also talk about the importance of intention and beauty for Muslims. Finally, we will examine Sufism, the mystical tradition in Islam."
There are roughly the same number of Muslims as Catholics in the world. This workshop will give a basic introduction to Islam. It will go over basic beliefs and practices including the pillars of Islam and the articles of faith for Muslims. We will talk about the beginnings of Islam, including the story of the Prophet Muhammed and the revelation of the Qur'an. We will also talk about the contemporary situations of Muslims in the United States.
Workshop Two: Introduction to Islamic Spirituality
This workshop will build on Islam 101 and go into more detail about Islamic faith and spirituality. We will go more deeply into the 6 articles of faith for Muslims. We will also talk about the importance of intention and beauty for Muslims. Finally, we will examine Sufism, the mystical tradition in Islam."
The Diocese has chosen a featured speaker for our Catholic conference who is not Catholic, or even Christian, and who is teaching a non-Christian faith. If these Islamic workshops are framed within apologetics (i.e., how to defend Catholicism to Muslims), it could be an understandable choice. But it does not look that way according to the description. Islam is a faith and spirituality that flatly denies the divinity of Christ.
Call to Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, you gave us the One True Faith, and we pray that you will help us to have the strength to share our knowledge with those who have not yet heard the Good News and those who do not understand it. Bless and guide our Bishop, our Priests, and our lay people who work for the Diocese. Help each of them to keep faithful to your Spotless Bride, and to always promote the Faith especially among the Catholics who depend on them for guidance.
Well,Guess I'm not going to the Conference this year. Hopefully nobody else shows up.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is, "Wow."
ReplyDeleteIslam denies the divinity of Christ and His sonship (Allah has no son according to the Koran). It treats Jesus as a mere prophet and Muhammad is more revered than He. I theorize that the "angel" that spoke to Muhammad was none other than Lucifer.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness...how about looking at this as an opportunity to develop an understanding of what is it the Muslim community believes? Once you have a clear understanding of their faith, you will be far better equipped to bring them the Good News. Dismissing or their belief system does not make them go away or change their belief...it just creates further dissension. We are to be peacemakers. Use this opportunity to educate yourselves. And don't forget your true commission here on earth...Matthew 22:37-39.
ReplyDeleteWith regard to the last comment, this would be fine if the Catholic people of the Diocese of Las Vegas were so thoroughly knowledgeable that they didn't need to learn anything more about the Catholic faith and were ready to move on to another level. However, there is terrible ignorance among so many baptized Catholics in the Las Vegas area that I can't imagine how there is really a need for this. There are so many pressing issues where people are ignorant of their faith, such as regard to the beginning and end of life issues or immigration reform. This conference is just another example of what happens in a diocese where there is no authentic bishop.
ReplyDeleteFrank, I couldn't have said it any better myself. Great post.
ReplyDeleteWell I disagree with you, Frank. The most I've ever learned about my faith is when I listened to others talk about theirs. It forced me to go and find out what the tenets of my faith were so that I could speak about them intelligently when questioned. Maybe this will be the opportunity for someone just like me to gain more understanding of the Catholic faith...by the way...Matthew 7:1.
ReplyDeleteWell said, ecks. Islam is *not* a religion, it's an ideology. It's truly the devil's army. As Jesus Himself said, "By their fruits ye shall know them." Who are the Mother Teresas of Islam? The MLK Jrs? Anyone with a passing actual knowledge of Islam can only squirm in their seat and admit that Islam has very little to show for itself except a trail of bloodshed in its wake.
ReplyDeleteWell Done.
ReplyDeleteFor heavens sake, sscar. Really? That's how you learn your faith? Listening to others talk about theirs? I suggest you try and learn about the Catholic Faith before you go on to other "religions".