Alban Institute explores questions of a post 9/11 Christian faith and how congregations interact or not with their Muslim neighbors:
Ten years after 9/11, many Americans are alarmed by Islam’s presence. A Gallup survey reveals that nearly half of all Americans admit to being prejudiced against Muslims and their faith. A Lifeway survey concludes that half of all Protestant clergy believe Islam is evil. Popular blogs and commentaries clearly fan these flames. But troubling questions remain for many Americans: what is the truth about Islam and can Muslims be trusted?
The questions are not academic, nor removed from daily life. The number of Muslims in the United States is growing and may number as high as 5 million. Muslims are also dispersing, bringing Islam to American cities and towns where there has been little presence. Increasingly, Muslims, Christians, Jews, and people of all faiths encounter one another at work, at school, and in daily life. Understanding and trust between faiths has become an issue of acute importance. Did 9/11 instill lasting suspicion, or could the observance of its tenth anniversary encourage needed efforts to build interfaith cooperation?
… Islam is in the news daily. Books and articles on Islam shower the public and sell sufficiently that publishers bring out more. But prejudice continues and congregations remain disengaged. To address fear and prejudice, and to extend their emphasis on mission, congregations could promote understanding that builds cooperation. They could educate people about what Muslims believe and what trends are shaping Islam. How are Muslims similar to Christians and Jews? How are they different? What is the shape of Islam in America? How can local cooperation be built so that people of different faiths can build a better community?
Fresh resources are needed for mission with Muslims and people of all faiths. I am working with the Alban Institute to create such a resource in time for the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Your input and insights into the ways you and your congregations have engaged Islam—or not—will help make this resource responsive to the needs of congregations willing to take on this important subject.
What does “mission” mean in your congregation? Has there been fresh emphasis on mission in recent years?
Are you aware of increasing religious difference in your community? How have you responded?
What steps could your congregation take to encourage understanding and cooperation with Muslims and with people of other faiths?
Comments welcome on the Alban Roundtable blog or e-mail Alban Institute