Interfaith dialogues have at the root a desire to form more peaceful relationships, oftentimes between Muslims and Christians. This effort on the part of both sides is to have better understanding between each group. While the sentiment is valid, there are some serious problems that arise from interfaith dialogue.
When it comes to Islam and Christianity, the goal of the Muslim is often to show that Islam is a peaceful religion, and to diffuse negative stereotypes that Christians may have regarding Islam. On the side of the Christians, there really isn’t much of a clear need to defend the faith, as by its nature, the teaching of Christ are of peace.
Both faiths have people who are great people and non-violent. Both have stupid people. It is not about the people though. This is important. It is about what the texts teach who the character and nature of the central figure.
The bottom line is that the texts of Islam teach violence. Muslims are quick to point out Quran 2:252 that there is no compulsion in religion according to that text. But they fail to mention that this text has been abrogated by later texts that teach violence. In fact, the most violent chapter is Surah (chapter) 9 which is the last chapter of Muhammad’s life and his “great commission.”
Here’s a sample from that chapter:
“But once the Sacred Months have passed, kill the polytheists ˹who violated their treaties˺ wherever you find them, capture them, besiege them, and lie in wait for them on every way. But if they repent, perform prayers, and pay alms-tax, then set them free. Indeed, Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Quran 9:5).
“Fight those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day, nor comply with what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, nor embrace the religion of truth from among those who were given the Scripture, until they pay the tax, willingly submitting, fully humbled” (Quran 9:29).
This is only a sample of more than 100+ instructions on violence. Muslims will justify these and say that Christians just do not know the background and historical context, that these were just battles. But there are multiple problems.
1) Taqiyya (ta-KEY-ya), lying to defend Islam is forgivable. You never know when lies are being told or if someone just does not know better.
2) These are the final marching orders of Muhammad.
3) In 9:29 it says to force unbelievers to pay the Jizya, which is the unbelievers subjugation tax. And when does the jizya end? Not until Jesus returns according to the hadith (Sahih al-Bukhari 2476).
4) If anyone thinks that there is not violence, then why is it the death penalty to leave Islam? All the texts are very clear on this in the hadith and all scholars agree to this.
5) If Islam is so peaceful, why does anyone who tries to have meaningful dialogue about Islam get so many death threats that they could be published in hard back?
Islam teaches violence.
“Allah has indeed purchased from the believers their lives and wealth in exchange for Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah and kill or are killed” (Quran 9:111).
Here’s the problem with interfaith dialogues. It is trying to present Islam in a way that it is not.
But worse than this is the responsibility incumbent upon the Christian.
1) Is it the role of the Christian to just “get along” with everyone? Or is it to preach the gospel? If Paul and the apostles were all about just playing nice with the masses, then why were they all killed so brutally? The gospel truth of the gospel uncompromised was what mattered. It was delivered in love, but truth was not watered down. The apostles were clear and they called for repentance. Such language invited their death.
2) Light and darkness cannot co-exist. Can you image for a minute Elijah who had a showdown with the prophets of Baal about pagan worship having an interfaith dialogue? So that everyone could just get along nicely?
Granted, this was Israel and they were a covenant people. Elijah had every right to confront his fellow Israelities as they were a people dedicated to God. He didn’t just go to Egypt or Assyria and knock down all their altars. But when there was cultural invasion, he did not have gatherings to talk about how everyone can worship anything and everything and all get along. You have your child sacrifice and we will worship Yahweh. Not at all!
Interfaith dialogue is all about “save your life” Christianity, and “Jesus is all about love and getting along.” But if this were fully true, he would never have been killed.
Don’t fall into the trap of interfaith dialogues. Their goal is to present a reality that does not exist in the texts. Yes, we are to love one another. But Islam is not something that the Christian can accept. We can love one another, absolutely. But truth does not co-mingle with false teaching.