But other churches do use 'Allah'

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/99140
Malaysian Christian | Feb 26, 09 4:37pm

I refer to the letter "Other Christian denominations not using 'Allah'" (http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/99055). See below.

The writer’s allegation that the Malaysian Catholic Church hides ulterior motives vis a vis the use of the word ‘Allah’ in the Herald magazine is, at best, a conjecture not grounded on facts.

Here I would like to invite readers to consider the writer’s allegations and the replies. Judge for yourselves:

1. ‘The decision to use the word 'Allah' can only mean that the Church, which is in a competition with other Catholic denominations including America's Church of the Latter Day Saints, or the Mormons to enlist new members, is trying to target Muslims in this country.’

While we cannot determine how the writer came to his conclusion, perhaps he should take cognisance of the fact that the Herald magazine is only meant for Catholics. It is not for sale to the general public.

A rather feeble way of trying to propagate the faith among the masses if ever the writer’s allegation is true.

2). ‘For instance, since the Catholic Church believes in the 'Trinity' ie, God, the Holy Son and the Holy Ghost, is it going to use the term 'Anak Allah' for the ‘Son of God’?’

To answer this question, one has to only refer to the Alkitab, which is the BM/Indonesian translation of the Bible. ‘Anak Allah’ is the BM/Indonesian translation of the term ‘Son of God’.

3. ‘The Muslims here may find it quite palatable if the Orthodox Church of Russia, Serbia, Greece, Cyprus or Romania want to use the word ‘Allah’ because these churches do not believe in the concept of the Trinity’.

If the writer were to do a little homework, he would realise that the doctrine of the Trinity is an integral part of the Orthodox Church. Try telling otherwise to any Orthodox Church member!

4. ‘I believe the Orthodox Church also believes in the Unitary of God and regards other Catholic denominations as ‘deviant teachings’.’

I’m not sure what the writer means by his use of ‘the Unitary of God’. If the writer is referring to Unitarianism, then he’ll be pleased to know that both the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church are in agreement in rejecting such belief.

As for the name-calling alleged to by the writer, I believe such an issue, if it exists, plagues other religions too, no?

5. ‘I would also want to ask the Malaysian Catholic Church if whether the word ‘Allah’ is being used by all Catholic countries like Ireland, France, Italy and all the Catholic churches in the US, UK, Australia and those in Latin America. Hello, I don't think so.’

Neither do I. God is referred to in the language used by the people. In Malaysia, the people of Sabah and Sarawak especially, have long used ‘Allah’ for God in Scripture and worship, way before the formation of Malaysia.

6. ‘If the Catholic Church of Malaysia still wants to pursue this matter, have they consulted other Catholics and also the Pope because all the Catholic teachings must come from the Vatican.’

The writer could enquire of Catholic Church in Malaysia and enlighten the rest of us, yes?

7. ‘And finally, if the Anglicans, the Methodists, the Southern Baptists, the Mormons, the Lutherans, and the myriad of other Christian denominations are not using the word ‘Allah’ for God, why are Malaysia's Catholics insisting on using it?’

For the writer’s benefit, not only do the Bahasa Malaysia-speaking Catholics use the word ‘Allah’ for God, but so do the BM-speaking members of the Anglican, Methodist, BCCM and SIB churches.

Why deny the right of these peace-loving Malaysians to use the word ‘Allah’ when it is not exclusive to Muslims even in the Middle East? Palatable or not, it is something to chew on.

Other Christian denominations not using 'Allah'
Saad Hashim | Feb 25, 09 4:08pm

With regards to Malaysia's Catholic Church wanting to use the term 'Allah' for God in its mouthpiece, the Herald, I must say that the organisation's intention is far from godly and Muslim organisations have every reason to get angry.

The decision to use the word 'Allah' can only mean that the Church, which is in a competition with other Catholic denominations including America's Church of the Latter Day Saints, or the Mormons to enlist new members, is trying to target Muslims in this country.

My question is does the Catholic Church realise that by insisting on the word ‘Allah’ for God, it is going to get into a deeper muddle.

For instance, since the Catholic Church believes in the 'Trinity' ie, God, the Holy Son and the Holy Ghost, is it going to use the term 'Anak Allah' for the ‘Son of God’?

The Muslims here may find it quite palatable if the Orthodox Church of Russia, Serbia, Greece, Cyprus or Romania want to use the word ‘Allah’ because these churches do not believe in the concept of the Trinity.

I believe the Orthodox Church also believes in the Unitary of God and regards other Catholic denominations as ‘deviant teachings’.

I would also want to ask the Malaysian Catholic Church if whether the word ‘Allah’ is being used by all Catholic countries like Ireland, France, Italy and all the Catholic churches in the US, UK, Australia and those in Latin America. Hello, I don't think so.

If the Catholic Church of Malaysia still wants to pursue this matter, have they consulted other Catholics and also the Pope because all the Catholic teachings must come from the Vatican.

And finally, if the Anglicans, the Methodists, the Southern Baptists, the Mormons, the Lutherans, and the myriad of other Christian denominations are not using the word ‘Allah’ for God, why are Malaysia's Catholics insisting on using it?