Pope prays in Arabic for first time

I am less concerned about his language choice and more concerned about who he prays to.

 

I see it as a gesture, not a sign of surrender.

 

Great, the pope is speaking in tongues....

 

lol nice one

 

Why is this news " " worthy?

 

Because it implies that Muslims worship God and not a god unless extreme care was taken in the translating. If I remember right several months ago the pope made some comments that opened himself up to such scrutiny as he did imply that very thing.

Is there a transcript and translation of the prayer? I would be interested to know how the pope referred to God, or....god.

 

Wow, that's an incredible leap. The article says Arabic speakers, not Muslims. There are Arabic-speaking Christians, you know... Furthermore, are you suggesting that the Pope (or any other Christian leader) should not pray for Muslims? It would seem to me an evangelical Christian would encourage everyone he or she knows to pray for the salvation of everyone.

Incidentally, which word is it you think that Arabic Christians use when referring to God?

 

I'd like to see a transcript, as well.

 

I'm more concerned with our government's bipartisan policy of arming our enemies. Those enemies who are known to be Islamic extremists.

Guess that makes me the lone stranger around here again huh?

 

So he can speak in tongues?

 

Yes, there are Arabic speaking Christians. The issue is the normal use of the word allah for God, or is it like the Muslim use of allah for a god. That is the issue.


If you would like to back up and reread what I actually wrote I never said anything about not praying FOR people. The issue is who he is praying TO. Don't be so dishonest as to create a problem that isn't even there. That does not edify anyone and does nothing to foster discussion.

There is a very real movement to convince us that all people who pray are praying to God, or at least the same god. That is the real core of the matter in this thread and what we are concerned about.

Also of concern is the praying with an imam. Would you pray with a buddhist, a satanist, or a mormon like the pope did here?

 

Oh dear Lord!!!!:tear:

 

So, where is the rub that the Pope prays for Arabic speaking Christians in their own language? [Incidentally, his prayer did not use "Allah" but a word more like our "Lord"]

So much gossip has surrounded topics like this among Christians.

The English word "God" is "Gott" in German; "Dieu" in French; "Allah" in Arabic; etc.

One Arabic Christian student was particularly upset by ignorant people who claim he is praying to a different God when he uses the Arabic, "Allah."

 

Which word did he use if not allah?

 

I found an interesting discussion on an issue related to this here:

http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=1062878


The word choice does matter. As a Christian we do not want to ever imply that Islam worships the one true God, but a false god. We do not want to suggest in anyway that everyone prays to God and the only difference is in the name we choose to call Him.

 

So then, to be consistent, you say that the Jewish people do not worship the same God as Christians? There is a big difference between whether people worship a false god or whether they have a false understanding regarding God.

 

What Shodan and Ryan said. Maltese Christians (we have a family of Maltese in our Bible study group), who speak an Arabic-derived language, use the word Alla for God. They are thoroughly Trinitarian and orthodox in their beliefs.