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"Some problems are so big you have to team tackle them," evangelical megachurch pastor Rick Warren addressed the annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).
Warren said Muslims and Christians should be partners in working to end what he calls "the five global giants" of war, poverty, corruption, disease, and illiteracy.
Warren, founder of Saddleback Community Church in Orange County, California, is the author of The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. His willingness to show support for U.S. Muslims is a huge gain for the community, which has endured intense scrutiny since 9/11.
Warren acknowledged the controversy during his 20-minute speech.
"It's easier to be an extremist of any kind because then you only have one group of people mad at you," he said. "But if you actually try to build relationships — like invite an evangelical pastor to your gathering — you'll get criticized for it. So will I."
In his speech, Warren also urged Muslims and Christians to speak out against stereotyping of any group and to respect each other even while disagreeing. Addressing Muslims who "have been in America for many generations now," he urged them to help "the newcomers learn what it means to be American."
Based in Plainfield, Indiana, ISNA is an umbrella organization for Muslim groups across the country. The annual convention, now in its 46th year, regularly draws more than 30,000 people for lectures, prayer, and socializing.
Many in the crowd were drawn to the session by prominent Muslim scholars such as Sheik Hamza Yusuf of the Zaytuna Institute in Berkeley, California.
Ann Zahra, 42, said she had never heard of Warren before Saturday but agreed with much of his speech. "The basics are the same," said Zahra, of McLean, Va. "No religion teaches cruelty or disrespect or hatred."
Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God?
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AP Religion Writer Rachel Zoll contributed to this report.
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1 comment:
Carolyn from FL said:
In a message dated 7/6/2009 10:51:39 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Tschuckman writes:
I was just talking about this with some of my friends today. I find it really pathetic that there are no pastors (maybe a handful) who are either willing or knowledgeable to speak against guys like Warren. He says he won't proselytize when he speaks to people- because he loves them. Well- that's not love as he is condemning them to hell by not speaking the truth of Jesus. These guys have incredible opportunities given them by the publicity and huge churches and platforms, but they deny Christ every time- it is up to us wee little people who have no way of sharing except our own computers and out and about times. It is horrible that such people will be doomed to hell because men who have the means (warren, osteen etc.) will not glorify Jesus- only themselves. It is sad that we- meaning you and others who go out day to day and do it one on one, but I think Jesus is pleased by this even if it is such a smaller effort. Think of the widow's mite Tom- when she gave all she had, and the Pharisees gave lots more. We are like the widow- we don't have much, but we do SO MUCH more than those who have been given much more. Does that make sense? I knew Jan and a hand full of others would speak out- and I am grateful for them speaking the truth, even though it will be offensive to those who's ears like being tickled by these false prophets! God Bless you Tom!
Carolyn
“Jesus does not say, ‘Come to me, all you who have learned how to concentrate in prayer, whose minds no longer wander, and I will give you rest.’ No, Jesus opens his arms to his needy children and says, ‘Come to me, all who are weary and heaven-laden, and I will give you rest.’
The criteria for coming to Jesus is messiness. Come overwhelmed with life. Come with your wandering mind. Come messy.”
—Paul Miller, A Praying Life
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