Attending Places of Worship of Other Faiths

[Sarada]

Speaking of concern over promoting the other religion...

I often find myself wondering what to do when I go to a church as a non-believer (to observe/study or with a friend - I dont go often) and the collection plate comes around.

I don't support the religion on the one hand so it feels wrong to fund it. But on the other hand the people have put on quite a show and it feels wrong not to give them something for it.

that's very generous of you.

 

[wilberhum]

Speaking of concern over promoting the other religion...

I often find myself wondering what to do when I go to a church as a non-believer (to observe/study or with a friend - I dont go often) and the collection plate comes around.

I don't support the religion on the one hand so it feels wrong to fund it. But on the other hand the people have put on quite a show and it feels wrong not to give them something for it.

IMHO If you don't feel comfortable, don't participate. Any one who looks down at that is a bigot.
If you don't feel right about providing financial support, don't. It is not an obligation.

People make big deals out of all thes stuff.

Do what you feel comfortable with. You can sit through the entire service. No need to stand up, knell, or give any verbal or financial support.

If they are deasent people, they will not have a problem, and neither will you.

 

[جوري]

I have attended many simply because I love architecture.. some of these places are brilliant feats of engineering.. I'd advise everyone to see la Sagrada família, though it was never finished.. or to compare some of the works of Bernini and Borromini... rivals, both brilliant in their own rights. I always thought Borromini was more consistent with Islamic style architecture whereas Bernini was just over the top.. but it is purely from an artistic/architectural point of view that I pursue these whenever on vacation.. the theology aspect I prefer to do as private reading, though I have attended catholic school and plenty of mass... I will not reduce this to my religion is better than yours.. but let's just say, I didn't find what I am looking for spiritually/mentally/ and emotionally in other houses of worship and I have frequented few out of interest.. sometimes when the statues are too imposing, I get the sensation I am asphyxiating and feel the need to go outdoors... I like places that are open, and let the light in generally speaking keeping it simple is in concert with my own personal style, but art and architecture are too remarkable and historical to be ignored!
Nice thread Sarada.. thank you
peace!

 

[Sarada]

IMHO If you don't feel comfortable, don't participate. Any one who looks down at that is a bigot.
If you don't feel right about providing financial support, don't. It is not an obligation.

People make big deals out of all thes stuff.

Do what you feel comfortable with. You can sit through the entire service. No need to stand up, knell, or give any verbal or financial support.

If they are deasent people, they will not have a problem, and neither will you.

.

My question to my muslim sisters and brothers, is would minimal participation (as per wilberhum's description) in a mosque be accepted?

 

[جوري]

I don't see how you can participate unless you knew something about the prayers performed.. I think it would be easier to observe... praying in a mosque is quite ritualistic, unless you were attending a sermon...
besides I have never been to a mosque where they handed out a donation box, simply because charity in islam is considered to be a very private act and shouldn't be publicized!

peace!

 

[Sarada]

...I will not reduce this to my religion is better than yours.. but let's just say, I didn't find what I am looking for spiritually/mentally/ and emotionally in other houses of worship and I have frequented few out of interest.. sometimes when the statues are too imposing, I get the sensation I am asphyxiating and feel the need to go outdoors... I like places that are open, and let the light in generally speaking keeping it simple is in concert with my own personal style, but art and architecture are too remarkable and historical to be ignored!
Nice thread Sarada.. thank you
peace!

Thanks for the compliment, PurestAmbrosia,

I also appreciate your not getting into the superiority of one faith over another. I too, find the architecture of and decorations within differing places of worship phenomenal.

I like to see how various people express their love for God.

I too, like open spaces with lots of light when I look for spiritual nourishment. In fact, I prefer the outdoors, whenever I have the chance.

 

[Sarada]

I don't see how you can participate unless you knew something about the prayers performed.. I think it would be easier to observe... praying in a mosque is quite ritualistic, unless you were attending a sermon...
besides I have never been to a mosque where they handed out a donation box, simply because charity in islam is considered to be a very private act and shouldn't be publicized!

peace!

Is it possible, then to just go into a mosque, as a woman, and observe?
What would be the protocol?

 

[جوري]

Is it possible, then to just go into a mosque, as a woman, and observe?
What would be the protocol?

None.. you just walk in observing the dress code at least in part, and most who attend out of curiosity do..
There is usually a female section.. during the time of the prophet men and women weren't not segregated by walls but I believe now it is for the better anyway, since the men have changed since.
The other day I was out shopping and almost missed asr prayer but luckily there was a small mosque, and so we parked our car, went performed ablution ( if you have ever seen surgeons scrub it is close to that) then we made our noon prayer and left.. it was a saturday so it wasn't too crowded in the women's section, it was uneventful... and non intrusive.. in other words no one will bother you unless you want to be bothered..on fridays if you attend you can listen to the friday sermon and it is lovely.. if you really want to attend where it will make an incredible heart quivering impact I suggest you show up for taraweeh in Ramadan.. there is nothing like it, I really mean that..anyhow, here is how people often perform prayer.. of course this is a distilled look...

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVTT3rBeIrs[/media]
this is short one minute just to give you an idea.. here is the meaning...

Surah 93
The Forenoon ad Dhuha

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

1) CONSIDER the bright morning hours,

وَالضُّحَى {1}​

(2) and the night when it grows still and dark.*

وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَى {2 ​

* The expression "bright morning hours" symbolizes the few and widely-spaced periods of happiness in human life, as contrasted with the much greater length of "the night when it grows still and dark", i.e., the extended periods of sorrow or suffering that, as a rule, overshadow man's existence in this world (cf. 90 : 4).

The further implication is that, as sure as morning follows night, God's mercy is bound to lighten every suffering, either in this world or in the life to come - for God has "willed upon Himself the law of grace and mercy" (6:12 and 54).

(3) Thy Sustainer has not forsaken thee, nor does He scorn thee:*

مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَى {3}​

(4) for, indeed, the life to come will be better for thee than this earlier part [of thy life]!

وَلَلْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ الْأُولَى {4}​

(5) And, indeed, in time will thy Sustainer grant thee [what thy heart desires], and thou shalt be pleased.

وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَى {5} ​

6) Has He not found thee an orphan, and given thee shelter?*أَلَ

مْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَآوَى {6​

(7) And found thee lost on thy way, and guided thee?

وَوَجَدَكَ ضَالًّا فَهَدَى {7 ​

8) And found thee in want, and given thee sufficiency?

8وَوَجَدَكَ عَائِلًا فَأَغْنَى {​

(9) Therefore, the orphan shalt thou never wrong,

فَأَمَّا الْيَتِيمَ فَلَا تَقْهَرْ {9​

(10) and him that seeks [thy] help shalt thou never chide,*

وَأَمَّا السَّائِلَ فَلَا تَنْهَرْ { ​

*The term sa'il denotes" literally, "one who asks", which signifies not only a "beggar" but anyone who asks for help in a difficult situation, whether physical or moral, or even for enlightenment
11) and of thy Sustainer's blessings shalt thou [ever] speak.*

وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ {​

11

so generally we recite from the Quran in all prayers... prayer basically is more a ritual than a supplication... it is wonderful to touch base with your creator all throughout the day-- thanks for reading this

peace!

 

[Abdul-Raouf]

I have been to temples and churches in the past(they are just another place for me) with my non-muslim friends....


But i do not involve in their prayers or services... i distant myself...


I hav gon to to the temples and churches jus to see wats happenin there.. some temples in India have a wonderful architecture(exception to the living being images)... underground tunnels... they were built by Kings.. thousands of years ago..

 

[Sarada]

Thanks for that, PurestAmbrosia, I have always wanted to attend a mosque, and you have encouraged me to do so.

 

[Sarada]

Salaam Purest Ambrosia,

Thanks for the video clip, the prayers and the words were beautiful!

 

[islamic]

WHY to attend a place of worship of Other faiths? WHY? do we go to our places of worship regularly? do we attend Mosque 5 times a day? DO WE ?
look, we first should attend Mosque like it should be, we should perform salat more often there, we should have strong Iman, and if we have this things like we should, we can go in some church or something but WHAT TO DO THERE? we can go and see what the Christians are doing there, how they have changed the religion that Jesus (pbuh) preached to them, how they added things that Jesus (pbuh) never told, never preached, never ...
So, with that intention, with PREVIOUS knowledge of Islam and with PREVIOUS knowledge of how Christianity today is not that "Christianity" that Jesus preached ... with that knowledge, we can attend.
But, we should ALWAYS keep in mind what example we would provide to our CHILDREN. Imagine little Fatima, your child, watching you going into church ... attending church ceremony ..... or sometimes taking her there ... WHAT SHE WILL THINK? she will say: "you know, I saw my mother/father going into church, let me go there ... see what is there ... " ... a little child, find friends there .... those friends invite her at their house ... they start to go in church every Sunday .... WHAT IS WRONG WITH you brother and sisters??
In those places someone else is worshiped, NOT ALLAH but Jesus or some other self proclaimed saint. WE ARE NOT ALLOWED to help those places to be build ... ! why to go there?

 

[IbnAbdulHakim]

IMHO If you don't feel comfortable, don't participate. Any one who looks down at that is a bigot.
If you don't feel right about providing financial support, don't. It is not an obligation.

People make big deals out of all thes stuff.

Do what you feel comfortable with. You can sit through the entire service. No need to stand up, knell, or give any verbal or financial support.

If they are deasent people, they will not have a problem, and neither will you.

to be honest i see nothing wrong in this because at least that way we remain honest and sincere. If we can keep up such values then perhaps when we find a right cause we truelly believe in we can help far more to further that cause..

WHY to attend a place of worship of Other faiths? WHY? do we go to our places of worship regularly? do we attend Mosque 5 times a day? DO WE ?
look, we first should attend Mosque like it should be, we should perform salat more often there, we should have strong Iman, and if we have this things like we should, we can go in some church or something but WHAT TO DO THERE? we can go and see what the Christians are doing there, how they have changed the religion that Jesus (pbuh) preached to them, how they added things that Jesus (pbuh) never told, never preached, never ...

WELL DONE BRO,mashaAllah reps

 

[NoName55]

edit :zip:

 

[wilberhum]

WHY to attend a place of worship of Other faiths?

Why? Maybe a friend is getting married or has died.

Maybe you wish honour a frind for many of the things that are recognized in churches.

Maybe just an act of tollorance.

 

[Amadeus85]

I was once in an orthodox church wwhen i was in Greece this year.I really liked that place. And thats all i think. I didnt attend to any other place of worship of other faiths.Maybe its because in my country there are very few jewish temples and mosques. And i also dont know how i will behave i those places, as all life in go to catholic churche in the nearest town.But going to churches of other christian denominations isnt a problem for me.

 

[wilberhum]

I was once in an orthodox church wwhen i was in Greece this year.I really liked that place. And thats all i think. I didnt attend to any other place of worship of other faiths.Maybe its because in my country there are very few jewish temples and mosques. And i also dont know how i will behave i those places, as all life in go to catholic churche in the nearest town.But going to churches of other christian denominations isnt a problem for me.

If you behave with respect, I can all but gaurentee that you will be treated with respect.

 

[Amadeus85]

If you behave with respect, I can all but gaurentee that you will be treated with respect.

Yes sure i know Wilb. I just mean that i dont like entering places of worship like museums. I know the feeling because i dont feel best when i see hundreds of Japan tourists (and others too ) who come to old and famous churches in Warsaw or Cracow just to make some pics. In Poland at least there are still some people in who pray, but when i was in Vienna this year, the sight of cathedra filled with asian tourists only, didnt make my humour better .

 

[MustafaMc]

I personally have no reservation about attending a special worship service of another faith if I am invited. However, I must admit that since starting to practice Islam again in June 2001 that I have not attended a non-Islamic worship service. I see nothing wrong with occassionally attending a worship service of another faith, but I would not participate by singing, partaking of communion, giving an offering, or saying amen at the end of prayer. My intention would be either building personal relationship or to learn about another religion.

I first learned of the "Hail, Mary" supplication at a Catholic funeral. I attended the funeral out of respect for the deceased husband of the one being buried. I also attended the funeral service of my father in a Baptist church over 5 years ago. I don't consider weddings and funerals to be worship services. Even though songs are sung and prayers are prayed, the stated intention of these services is not to worship God.

 

[Woodrow]

I believe that some of us are giving different meanings to the original question. Attending a worship service of a different faith, should not be a substitute for our own worship. The purpose of attending should not be for the purpose of worship, but be more of a social, educational or Peace purpose. We can make a big error if we see it as a means of worship in our concept of worship.