What do you think about the amount of old christian churches that are being converted into mosques?

Question

I'm not racist, in fact I'm not even a christian. Everyone should be allowed to practice their own faith and build places of worship.
But... I have noticed that a few old churches in the area I live have now become mosques or other non christian buildings and I find myself wondering why the church as a body was allowing this to happen here. If a group of christians got together and wanted to convert an old mosque into a church in another country would it be allowed?
All views on this subject are welcome.

Answer 1

I think they should be turned into nightclubs.

Answer 2

I think this is very ironic. A muslim religion using a Christian, blessed building. I am appalled by it, and yes you're right, the muslims would not allow a mosque to be used for anything other than what it was designed for. There is an industrial estate not too far from where I live and a 'unit' has been converted into a mosque, it's ridiculous. There should be a limit to how many of these buildings are converted in this way. If more people attended church on a regular basis then these buildings would not be left empty and they could continue to serve the community in the way they were designed. If you've never attended church, just try it once, you may be surprised!

Answer 3

Designating a building as church or mosque has no bearing at all.It is the use which determines its importance or sanctity.If church building is no more in its use and muslims take the opportunity to acquire this building for mosque, then what is the problem?Since the christains desanctified their own place of worship, it means they did not consider it the belonging to God but cosidered it to be personal belonging.Look at the Babury mosque issue, this place was not in use as muslim's mosque since long;some Hindu invented the idea that it was birth place/temple of Ram and the conflict started.What glory was earned by indian people with this erruption.In fact the idea of a mosque is that it is a place of worship for the belivers in one God.Since so many stupidities are associated with worships of idols and ghosts, the worshippers are likely to lose concentration;as such should not take place.How can you stop somebody worshipping idols and spirits in mosques or churches which are desserted since long.Look into the history of jewish temples of Palestine!

Answer 4

To this last question... Possibly...



Things are changing the world over. People are becoming more open with the exception of a few hot spots, of which we all know and for which to change the spiritual centers of those areas would be foolish no matter what be the respective religion.



Your lead question is not a 'question' of whether you are racist or Christian or not. It is a sane question and more important, a confirmation that you are a human being and sensitive -- rightly so.



Often these old churches have served the purposes for which they were established. Comes now a fresh vortex in each case of the high Spiritual flow fashioning life into forms according to the now new states of awareness.



Do not be alarmed by this, for this is perfectly healthy and is the very edict made and put out to sustain of neutrality in the collective consciousnesses...



This goes beyond mere "tolerance," which is a well outdated ideal. It does not work.



Tell me, would you want someone you love to merely 'tolerate' you...



Of course not !



Souls today 'are' indeed allowing others their alloted worships; therefore, new forms are now being facilitated, working in conjunction with all life and blessed by the Most High.



We are not alone. Fear not, for each of these respective religions are themselves re-fashioning themselves.



You should fear if and only if you did not see these changes you now observe. Do you see?

Answer 5

An Outrage --- There are Far, Far to many Mosques and Islamic Religious Centres , where as we know from recent Television Progarmmes and Newspaper Articles, Death to the Infidel -- the Non Believers openly Preached ----and Radicals are Recruited -- Better that these "Redundant" Churches are Demolished and Replaced with a "Non Religious" Building -- "When in Rome" To those that Don,t Like it ---"GET OUT"

Answer 6

I have never been inside a mosque but an ex Methodist Church a mile or so from where I live which has become a mosque has the foundation stones on the outside whitewashed. Presumably because they said " To the Glory of God"

Answer 7

Some churches have outstanding beauty or significant historical fact. Less people use these churches now which were once a valuable and necassary part of the community. If these buidings are saved from demolition by modifying there use for a good cause then so be it (AMEN). Remeber it is the congregation that make the church.

Answer 8

Christians are losing churches and as the numbers drop try to understand that this is why the world is going down hill,for as the numbers fall the devil has less to fight and so can cause havoc. but when all looks losted then the Lord will come in power,he will take the few saints left then destroy the world. You can still fight the devil and should,other religions if they can ask them selves why theirs is growing: the devil only has a go at those on the Lords side.So to do anything else would would be self destroying.

Answer 9

That is why America is great. We allow this to occur. The building isn't special its the people that God comes to. The converted ones here into bars, so a mosque isnt any worse. The population density in those areas have changed, so there is a new Church somewhere that the people went to.

Answer 10

It is sad to see. but when this happens to a Christian church where say Muslims move in, The Holy Spirit moves out so therefore it just becomes a building. The former Christian members more or less have moved to another church and carry on. I can't see a Christian group moving into a Mosques any how.

Answer 11

i do not know if a mosque would be allowed to be converted to a church in another country and i suspect it would be allowed in an islamic country as many islamic countries are under islamic law but i personally do not mind mosques being set up anywhere they are temples of a faith and although it saddens me as a christian that christian churches will no longer be used for their intended purpouse i see no problem with it

Answer 12

All I can say is that some old church buildings are lovely old buildings. What is the point of allowing them to fall into disrepair and become a liability for the owners when someone else is happy to move in and use it! Simple answer, but to me this is simple. It is not about racism or picking on muslims. It is about a reflection on society and how use of buildings change.

Answer 13

It's still a house of god - the same god if you believe in all that. What's the problem? And the reason that churches are turning into mosques is because christian church attendance is falling and muslim mosque attendance is rising.

Answer 14

It is a travesty!!! I don't think that, if the tables were turned, we would be 'allowed' to turn a mosque into a christian church!!!

In Britain we have a whole set of rules and customs about different parts of our lives. Due to the socially constructed Political Correctness, we attempt not to say or do anything that will cause offence in order to try and be a tolerant and accepting nation.

When we are abroad we try to have some respect for other people’s customs. So we expect those who come here as visitors or residents equally to respect our traditions and way of life. However, the majority of them do not. They flaunt, preach and force their belief systems and traditions whilst continuing to speak in their native language without making any attempts to learn ours. It is not expected that they abandon their customs etc, but it is with respect that we would want them to make an effort to honour our homeland by making an effort to integrate with us. Everyone but the British is ‘protected’ under a mask of Political Correctness. British people are insulted without consequence, and are restricted from practising their religion. Yet we are drowned in a diversity of cultures, religions and beliefs, and some can seem to be offensive and alien to us. British people’s experience of these in their own communities leads them to be suspicious of the un-known, antagonistic; and a few to be racist. Diversity does not work under these conditions. This is why I agreed with a High Court ruling to say no to a young woman’s demands to flout her school’s rules by insisting on wearing a hijab. We need a set of rules to be put into place that will enable Britain to hold on to its identity and traditions. As David Blunkett professed: ‘It is the acceptance of the rules that makes any society function. It holds people together and provides the glue for social cohesion. Anything goes leads to everything going. And what will go is our sense of belonging, our identity and our willingness to whole-heartedly welcome difference and diversity.’

Answer 15

It's a building. Do you get upset if an old Taco Bell gets transformed into a McDonalds. Why waste materials to build a new building if there's a good one there. Also, I hate to tell you this, but in Constantanople, this happened. All the old churches were converted into mosques. If you believe in god, then believe in god and worship him, not a building.

Answer 16

Well we as Muslims, have the highest growth rate in America. That is due to conversion, by God's will of course.



We also are required to pray 5 times a Day, not just once a week, so we are making better use of the space.



In our prayers we say this,



[001.001] In the Name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.



[001.002] All the praises and thanks be to God, the Lord of the of all that exists).



[001.003] The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.



[001.004] The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)



[001.005] You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).



[001.006] Guide us to the Straight Way



[001.007] The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray.



We praise God!



Peace Be With You

Answer 17

I'm Catholic-Christian, and I agree with you. If we wanted to convert a mosgue into a church, people would be all over us.

Answer 18

its just a building, i know of old theaters that were converted into churches. its just a shell. thomas

Answer 19

Mythology always finds a home.