Meetings for better understanding

Recently I had an opportunity to put a question to Imam Mumtaz, the Imam of Streatham mosque, regarding the Muslim view of the sinlessness of the prophets. The Imam seemed to admit that, from an absolute standpoint, everyone is a sinner. This was the first time I had had an opportunity to speak face-to-face with a South London Imam.

Unfortunately, confrontation is a frequent feature of Christian-Muslim encounter. Therefore, opportunities for such discussion in a friendly atmosphere are rare. Real communication often just does not happen.

Both Islam and Christianity are missionary religions. Christians are obligated by the Great Commission to share the gospel with the unsaved. Muslims are compelled by the responsibilities of da'wah (Islamic mission) to seek the conversion of non-Muslims. This is especially true in the West, since Islamic law forbids long-term residence outside the Muslim world unless those Muslims living in a non-Muslim state engage in da'wah. Younger Muslims in Britainn are particularly eager to share their faith.

Middle way

Large meetinngs have the advantage of allowing people who might be interested in 'the other side' to hear the facts without being concerned what others might say if they saw a Christian entering a Muslim house, or a Muslim turning up at a church. Accordingly, Muslims and Christians do have organised debates about issues such as the true divine revelation, the deity of Christ, or even whether Britain should be an Islamic state. But, while in many ways such events have their uses, the problem nearly always attached to them is the degree of heated controversy they frequently engender. On the other hand, inter-faith dialogue always runs the risk of obscuring the differences between the religions, and implying that all roads lead to God. Clearly, then, there is a need for a forum where Christians and Muslims can meet in large numbers to hear what the other community believes without succumbing on the one hand to liberal ecumenism or on the other deteriorating to a shouting match. A middle way has long been needed to facilitate more intelligent discussions and understanding of the very real differences between Islam and Christianity.

That middle way is attempted by those organising forums called Meetings for Better Understanding (MBUs). MBUs have been successful in North America, and more recently here in Britain. These are not debates. Any public criticism of either the Muslim or Christian religion is not encouraged since that would lead to unproductive arguments. Neither are they ecumenical dialogues, in that the aim is not for either side to compromise its message or mix the two faiths. Rather, MBUs promote a mutual comprehension of what Muslims and Christians believe. These meetings enable the two communities to encounter one another in a relaxed context of friendship and learning. They acknowledge the missionary nature of both Christianity and Islam, but see that as no bar to dialogue leading to enhanced mutual understanding.

How it works

Speakers from both communities address the meeting for about 30 minutes on the same, agreed-upon topic. A 30-minute question-and-answer period is held after both speakers have presented their messages. Questions, which may be directed to one or both of the speakers, are to be kept on the topic and are not to be statements of the views of the questioners. Each speaker may follow up on the answer of the other speaker once. Other questions that are of personal interest, but are not related to the topic, may be discussed in individual conversations after the formal sessions. For each meeting the host group selects a moderator whose role is to ensure that the above guidelines are followed. There is ample time after the formal meeting for people attending the meeting to meet personally with members of the other faith. Meetings can vary in frequency, but once a month is suggested. Topics are classified as 'theological' or 'social', so a topic like, 'Who is Jesus Christ?' would be 'theological', whereas 'Marriage, divorce, and remarriage' would be 'social'. The areas for discussion can be alternated for maximum breadth of interest.

Council attention

ABC (Association for Biblical Christianity) has been utlising this method for some years. For example, in Slough, these meetings have been held for three years and have seen great numbers attending, including local councillors and an MP. The meetings have caught the attention of the local council to the extent that they provide funding each year to help defray the costs of the food served after each meeting!

In Tooting, meetings have also been fruitful. Comparing different types of 'outreach methods' such as debate, dialogue, door-to-door visitations among London Muslims, MBUs have proved far better and encouraging, because they involve a non-threateninng environment. Participants have expressed their appreciation for meeting one another. Unlike other public religious assemblies of members belonging to the two faiths, there has always been a friendly ambience. Many misunderstandings have been removed on both sides. This has resulted in more openness for relationships. Perhaps the best thing is that Muslims willingly come to listen to what the Bible has to say on chosen topics. After all, the Imam, their local leader, has given his approval to the gatherings. Numerous times, team members have gone away with several addresses to follow up.

More Christians needed

The practical outworking of the MBUs suggests that it is a major way forward. It does not preclude other methods of outreach, but so often house-to-house knockinng is met with a quickly-shut door, whereas MBUs allow one to get over the threshold. Debates enable Christian doctrines to be presented, but MBUs guarantee them a better (and a quieter) hearing. The elements of fear and defensiveness are dispelled by this kind of Muslim-Christian encounter. Initially the meetings require a church to contact a local mosque to suggest the meetings and explain the motivation behind them - that is, to encourage 'community cohesion' (an 'in' phrase in contemporary community relations) and better relations at the local level between evangelical Christians and Muslims through a more adequate understandinng of what the other believes.

So far, Christians attending these meetings have nearly always been outnumbered by Muslims and Muslims are reluctant to have more meetings witth so few Christians in attendance. Therefore, it is important for Christians to get involved to make MBUs work. I certainly found my visit to Streatham very stimulatinng, very broadening and very worthwhile.

If anyone would like to start MBUs in their area, the WTUK is happy to help with advice. ABC can be contacted via email at admin@biblicalchristianity.freeserve.co.uk or by traditional mail at: ABC, PO Box 805, SLOUGH, Berkshire, SL1 2GX.

Mike Taylor

© Evangelicals Now - January 2005
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