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The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob ...

I realize that most people here do not consider themselves to be people of faith, but I cannot let go of something I heard this morning. So, please bear with me or, if you prefer, just skip this one...

Those of us who do follow the Abrahamic traditions share much. We share a faith in the one true God, the Creator of all that is seen and unseen. We believe He has revealed His will to us through the Prophets. We have much in common. More, I believe, than our differences.

The leader of my Church, Pope Leo, recently visited the Blue Mosque (the Sultan Ahmed Mosque) in Istanbul. I have also been there. It is beautiful. It is spiritual. It is transcendent. And, while there, I prayed. Pope Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis, also prayed when visiting the Blue Mosque. Pope Leo chose not to pray while there or with the Iman's at all. As a Roman Catholic, I am disappointed.

With all that is happening in the world today, he chose to focus in that moment on differences rather than similarities.

I don't want to be too critical of Pope Leo. He is new and I don't really know much about him. But in this act, to pray or not to pray in a "different" house of God, I think we can see and draw lesson. For me, I will always choose to strive for unity and understanding, not divisiveness.

✝☦☪✡
sarabee1995
31-35, F
87 replies 160 views Nov 29, 2025
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peterlee · M Best Comment
I once prayed with a group of Buddhists. I felt very uncomfortable there. They had gods, that left me cold.

But on another occasion when I was having difficulty at work, the Islamic members of my team prayed for me in their homes. That was uplifting.

Jesus was accessible to a Samarian, not quite pure, and a Roman officer, far from Jewish.

As Christians we build bridges where we can. We should be able to pray anywhere in God’s creation.
+ 4 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025 · Edited: 3 mths ago
sarabee1995 · 31-35, F
@peterlee Thank you for this.

In 2022, as a Lieutenant working for the Office of the Naval Attaché, I was in the southern Caucases and had an opportunity to meet with a local "leader" and his family. He wanted to start with a prayer and, as was their tradition, men and women had to separate. My team stayed with him and I prayed with his wife, mother, and daughters. We prayed for peace, for continued good health, for joy, and for successful talks. I found them so very beautiful in their faith and in their sincerity in welcoming me. 😌
+ 4 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
Pretzel · 70-79, M
I'm not Catholic nor am I religious but I understand his decision.

His teachings have taught him that approach to God is only through Jesus Crist while the Islamic faith sees him as a prophet but not Mediator.

He would no doubt find it offensive not to include Jesus in the prayer while the Islamic might offended if he did.

But that doens't prevent them from working together toward peace.
+ 4 · Reply · Translate · Nov 29, 2025
sarabee1995 · 31-35, F
@BohoBabe No. It is most definitely not ever a sin to pray.
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
BohoBabe · M
@sarabee1995 In Catholicism, it's a sin to go to a non-catholic temple specifically to pray. If you happen to find yourself in a Protestant church, you can pray and it's not a sin. But going to a Protestant church in order to pray or do the rituals of that religion, that's considered a sin according to the Catholic Church. It's really more about going to a non-catholic temple in order to engage in "heretical" rituals.
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025 · Edited: 3 mths ago
sarabee1995 · 31-35, F
@BohoBabe Well, yes, of course. I think just about any faith on earth objects when it's members engage in the traditions, rituals, and practices of other faiths.
+ 0 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
Livingwell · 61-69, M
I agree with you Sara. Not sure why he wouldn't pray his prayers in a different house. One thing I have found interesting is the concept of one God. Each religion believes in this concept. But each choose their own God. Why not choose to accept that he may go by different names but he is the same God. I use "him" but I would think God transcends the concept of gender as he represents all mankind.
+ 2 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
@Livingwell the belief in one God descends from Abraham, there are eastern religions that have other origins. They are just as real religions as ours. I has always amazed me that almost every ethnic tradition seems to share some similarities as to the origin of the world and human life, and also a massive flood.
+ 2 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
sarabee1995 · 31-35, F
@Livingwell A point of clarification if I may ... The Abrahamic faiths (those descended or derived from Abraham and Isaac and Jacob - Judaism, Christianity, & Islam) are monotheistic: hold a belief in the one true God (the God of Abraham). The vast majority of the rest of the world religions are polytheistic.

Also, I agree completely with you that God transcends the concept of gender and the original texts of Scripture support this. He is neither male nor female. We, together, are made in His image.
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
Stephie · 22-25, F
While I am a person of faith, I do not go to church because I do believe that a church is not needed to speak to God.

I have not followed that event in Istanbul but my opinion is that if the leader of a church does not want to pray simply because the leader of another faith is present, then how is humanity expected to settle its differences when it comes to religion.

Pope Leo did a huge disfavor to all those that believe that we can live in peace. There was a lack of goodwill if not something deeper. I am not here to judge the one or other confession or religion. Let's not forget that a great number of wars are primarily wars of religion.

I was in the very same mosque in late 2015, just weeks before the bombing of January 2016.
+ 3 · Reply · Translate · Nov 29, 2025
sarabee1995 · 31-35, F
@Stephie You've been there too? Very cool. I wonder if our footsteps overlapped. 👣👣👣

I do believe that a church is not needed to speak to God.
💯💯💯

if the leader of a church does not want to pray simply because the leader of another faith is present, then how is humanity expected to settle its differences
💯💯💯

I think we are very much in line here. 🫂
+ 0 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
@Stephie the blue mosque 2023




+ 2 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
ThePatientAnarchist · 61-69
Thank you Sara. Though I'm not Catholic so in a sense it isn't my business, I agree with you on this.

Personally I pray in any house of worship I get a chance to. It would be too much to expect the Pope to do so. But --

in a mosque, where there is no issue of idolatry and no deep conflict regarding morality, it would have been generous, and appropriate, for the Pope to pray.

This would be absolutely parallel to the choice of several recent Popes to pray at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, a Jewish holy site. The differences in religion are no more or less.
+ 2 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
sarabee1995 · 31-35, F
@ThePatientAnarchist You are one of the SWeeps I thought of when posting this and I was fairly certain our thoughts would be similar. I like the example of the Western Wall. 🫂
+ 2 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
ThePatientAnarchist · 61-69
@sarabee1995 I am always honoured to be thought of by you.
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M
So you are not aware that not all faiths are the same nor do we worship the same God. As a Christian the minute I start to describe God to a Jew or a Muslim they call a halt and tell me that I am not worshipping the God they worship. Don't get me wrong being one is a nice sentiment but it is not possible if you are to remain true to your own faith. Yes I have gone to mosques and synagogues and no I am not disparaging their faith. I am simply pointing out that they are not the same and can never be the same.
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 29, 2025
SchoolBelle · 61-69, F
Well, no surprise that this paean to unity should stir up such division!

I agree with you that it is a shame if The Holy Father made a deliberate policy-based decision not to pray in the Blue Mosque. I have seen no explanation for this so I talk from ignorance.

He has seemed to be a holy man. I do wonder if he prayed quietly, within himself. Is he concerned that a public expression of unity (or, at least, some commonality) with Islam might alienate the growing right wing Catholic "ultras" in the US. The Church does seem to be attracting some very unChristian recruits.

Even Pontiffs must be wary of splitting their constituency.

And His Holiness did recently pray with that heathen descendant of Henry VIII, who calls himself my King!
+ 2 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
SchoolBelle · 61-69, F
@sarabee1995 Yes, exactly. Pope Francis was exceptional, though I fear his legacy is less than we might have hoped. The conservative weight of the Vatican is difficult to shift.
+ 2 · Reply · Translate · Dec 1, 2025
sarabee1995 · 31-35, F
@SchoolBelle Difficult is not impossible. If a river can cut the Grand Canyon, the the Catholic Church can open and modernize as Francis envisioned.
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Dec 1, 2025
SchoolBelle · 61-69, F
@sarabee1995 I hope and pray you are correct - and in less time than it took to cut the Grand Canyon.
+ 0 · Reply · Translate · Dec 1, 2025
Pfuzylogic · M
As Pope, I see him following the truth as he knows it in his own conscience. There does seem to be difference from Pope to Pope but part of that is what makes us human!
+ 3 · Reply · Translate · Nov 29, 2025
sarabee1995 · 31-35, F
@Pfuzylogic Yes, Very much so. I think I would've enjoyed having tea with Francis and getting to know him. And while I respect Leo's leadership, I don't think (from what I've so far) that he and I would enjoy each other's company. 🤷‍♀
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
Not a matter of unity when you believe religion is about being divisive.

Think how many versions of just catholicism there is throughout the whole world.

There are 24 distinct Catholic Churches worldwide, which include the Latin (or Roman) Catholic Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, all of which are in communion with the Pope. Each of these Churches has its own traditions and liturgical practices while sharing the same core beliefs.


That is just the distinct versions of only Catholicism.

24 distinct divisions!

Yeah I am all for unity! How about humanity unity instead?

I have a strong suspicion that we are all humans! 😆

Yet who is for certain with AI's lurking! 😈
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 29, 2025 · Edited: 3 mths ago
jehova · 36-40, M
It does seem counterproductive to go to a house of worship and not say at least a minor prayer or two. Could be he was just had appointments to keep? But regardless the pope should strive for unification within religion and humanity.
The world is vastly in need of that (common ground) at the moment
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Dec 2, 2025 · Edited: 3 mths ago
Adstar · 56-60, M
If you're a adherent to the catholic religion you will submit to the leadership of the Pope because true catholics believe the pope is infallible in regards to religious issues.. So you have no freedom to be disappointed in the pope deciding not to pray with the imams.. Being disappointed is in fact an act of rebellion against the man you supposedly should believe in Gods representative on earth..

As a Christian i would not prostitute myself to the false religion of islam by praying with imams in a mosque.. Christianity is an exclusive belief system that declares that there is only ONE way to eternal reconciliation with God and that is through believing The LORD Jesus and trusting 100% in the Atonement He secured on the cross for the forgiveness of ones sins..

You don't want to be too critical of pope leo ??? If you where a true catholic you would have nothing but absolute support for pope leo in all his religious doings.. So what are you??? A smorgasbord catholic...

A mosque is NOT a House of God... It is a house of satan, No one should play the spiritual harlot and visit a mosque..

If you truly strive for understanding then understand that islam is a satanic deception leading people to the eternal lake of fire along with your own confessed harlot religion catholicism..
+ 2 · Reply · Translate · Nov 29, 2025
KiwiBird · 36-40, F
@sarabee1995 Very gracious and Christian like reply.
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
peterlee · M
@Adstar Behave.

Show some respect and dignity.

You, like the rest of us, rely on God’s Grace.
+ 2 · Reply · Translate · Dec 1, 2025 · Edited: 3 mths ago
sarabee1995 · 31-35, F
@KiwiBird Thank you.

@peterlee Thank you, again. And, yes, we rely every day on the Grace of God in so many ways. 😌
+ 0 · Reply · Translate · Dec 1, 2025
BritishFailedAesthetic · M
I have never met a Muslim that believes God is a Trinity and that Christ (God the Son) died on the cross for our sins.
+ 0 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
Adstar · 56-60, M
@BritishFailedAesthetic Islam teaches that Jesus is not the Son of God.. They call this teaching Shirk which is a very serious unforgivable sin in the Quran.. The Quran also teaches that Jesus never died on the cross.. So they say that the Atonement of Jesus is also a false doctrine.. One of the attributes of allah in the quran is the he is greatest of decievers.. They say he made someone look like Jesus and had that person executed in Jesus place.. Yet they also proclaim that one person dying for another person is wrong.. They say Jesus dying for our sins is an false doctrine..
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025 · Edited: 3 mths ago
BritishFailedAesthetic · M
@Adstar I know. It's a completely seperate God.

[media=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpc4ygCQePM]
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
Adstar · 56-60, M
@BritishFailedAesthetic (1 John 2:22-23) "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. {23} Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also."
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
BiasForAction · M
Beautifully expressed
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 29, 2025
MartinTheFirst · 26-30, M
I think you mean well, but that you're somewhat confused. How do you unify evil with good? There is nothing that God hates more than false religion.

2 Corinthians 14 Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? 15 Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Beʹli·al?*Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: “I will reside among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 17 “‘Therefore, get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah,* ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’”; “‘and I will take you in.’” 18 “‘And I will become a father to you, and you will become sons and daughters to me,’ says Jehovah, the Almighty.”
+ 0 · Reply · Translate · Nov 29, 2025
KiwiBird · 36-40, F
@MartinTheFirst However both Muslim and Christian and those of the Jewish faith all believe in the same God and that is not in dispute here.

+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 29, 2025
MartinTheFirst · 26-30, M
@KiwiBird If I take the first chapter of a book and then start writing fanfic about it for the rest of the book, is it the same book or a new book? If I take a character and start changing it completely, is it the same character or a new character?

Saying that your argument cant be argued isn't an effective way of making an argument.
+ 0 · Reply · Translate · Nov 29, 2025
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
A few weeks ago he chose to pray with King Charles III, head of the Protestant Church of England. Which is something that some of his recent predecessors would not have done.
+ 2 · Reply · Translate · Nov 29, 2025
sarabee1995 · 31-35, F
@SunshineGirl Yes, the church is evolving. Francis would've had no problem praying with Charles
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
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TexChik · F
@sarabee1995 Like Neville Chamberlain diplomacy? When they are over here, killing our federal officers in DC and making bomb threats in Fort Worth, TX, it's time they got the hell out of the US. Either by force or voluntarily. They are dangerous and threaten the Constitution.
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
sarabee1995 · 31-35, F
@TexChik No, not like Neville Chamberlain at all, although I did write a paper on him some years back.

"They"???

Who is "they"?

Is it all Afghanis?

Or only the Afghanis who worked for us to help the US mission succeed?

Or is it the Afghanis who fled their homeland knowing they and their families would be slaughtered for helping us?

Who is "they"?
+ 0 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
TexChik · F
@sarabee1995 I wrote a paper in school about Chamberlain, too. All of those Afghans let in during the Biden administration who have overstayed their visas. Like most of Europe had found out, Muslims are too dangerous and too demanding. Demanding that they be allowed to practice Sharia Law in the US will never be acceptable. Attempting to set up a Sharia City in Texas, my county, actually, was very brazen and led me to think they had approval from the Biden administration. Our Governor shut it down , and Trump had his back .

They? Yes all Afghans in the US : If they are not citizens, they go. If they are citizens but send money to or openly support terrorist organizations, they go. They can rattle their sabers and shoot each other back in Afghanistan.
+ 2 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
BohoBabe · M
The official stance of the Catholic Church is that going to a different religious house to pray is heresy, it's been that way going back to the ancient days.
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 29, 2025
BohoBabe · M
@sarabee1995 I literally know more about everything than everyone.
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
sarabee1995 · 31-35, F
@BohoBabe Lol, we must have attended the same schools because I often find myself of a similar mind! 🤣🤣🤣
+ 0 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
BohoBabe · M
@sarabee1995
+ 0 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
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sarabee1995 · 31-35, F
@jshm2 Why do you think Leo will be the last Pope?
+ 0 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
emiliya · 26-30, F
You people don't know what you are talking about.
+ 0 · Reply · Translate · Dec 2, 2025
SchoolBelle · 61-69, F
@emiliya It's ok, you don't have to make it any more obvious.
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Dec 3, 2025
emiliya · 26-30, F
@SchoolBelle I forgot what you said prior. Make what obvious? What are you going on about?
+ 1 · Reply · Translate · Dec 5, 2025
emiliya · 26-30, F
@KiwiBird Orthodox and Catholic are brothers in Christ. Did you know this is why Pope Leo went to Constantinople? I suppose not. Blue Mosque was afterthought. He went to see Orthodox.
+ 0 · Reply · Translate · Dec 6, 2025
JoyfulSilence · 51-55, M
+ 2 · Reply · Translate · Nov 29, 2025
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sarabee1995 · 31-35, F
@Diotrephes He was human and as imperfect as any of us. He is not the role model. The role model is the big guy. 😌
+ 0 · Reply · Translate · Nov 30, 2025
 
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