German Catholics Urge Full Rights To Muslims

[SisterJennifer]

Asalaamu alikum and Peace be with you all,

I've been trying to stay out of this one, but now I'd like to share a bit of my own experiance:

Like Dan, I attended Catholic school my entire education (12 years) and my Children were attending the same Catholic school until about 3 years ago. Of course, I took the classes when the time came for their 1st confession, communion, and in addition took a Bible study which I quit about 31/2 years ago. One thing I noticed about the "spin" they put on confession was something different than the way they taught it when I was a child. When I was young, we were told that if ANYONE dies without being confessed the sould is damned to hell. My children were taught a nice happy thing about the prodical son, no mention of hell at all. Also, it was taught to them by the same priest who taught it to me. The entire approach from one generation to the next could not have been more different. From fire and Brimstone, to a rose garden.

As for Christians believing Muslims may also go to heaven, well I was told upon taking my children out of school: "God have mercy on your damned soul." In addition to the many Church members who told me I will rot in hell, and the Priest I grew up with who refused to look at me, much less return my greeting. I come from a small town. To be fair, the principal of the school (one of my teachers as a child) wished me the best of luck, said he could see that I was happy and therefore was happy for me too. He was incredibly understanding.

I'm not saying this is the common attitude of all Catholics, I know that it isn't. This is just one personal experiance. I am not attacking your faith either Michelle, I think you are a descent and thoughtful person, and that is what is important.

Peace