Can a Muslim attend Midnight Mass?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Muslim here. Why aren't you comfortable with it? What's the concern?

As in I'm muslim and don't believe Jesus is son of God. Will it be against my faith to attend a church service where he will be referred to as such?

Only baptized and confirmed Catholics can participate in the part where people can get up and get in line to eat the bread and drink a sip of wine. But that's a short part of the whole service. I'm not catholic and I've been to mass many times. It's fine.

Plus, I think it's universal that both muslims and catholics believe Jesus was the son of Mary and the holy spirit. People say "son of god" because the holy spirit comes from god, and because oftentimes people call god "the Father" to everybody in the world, sort of like saying "allah." But nobody believes god was somehow the biological father of jesus like with sperm or anything like that.

In fact, you will probably hear the "Our Father" prayer at some point. It was written before Jesus and Christianity "Our Father, who art in heaven . . . " Basically says may god's will be done on earth, and please help us not to be tempted to do evil.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In Muslim countries with Christian minorities, heads of state or their representatives routinely attend church services on holidays like Christmas and Easter to show solidarity and respect for these minorities. I guess OP's family is not from one of those countries. :/

Good point I forgot to add. Also guessing the OP is not from an Arab country where Muslims attending important Christian services is routine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Muslim here. Why aren't you comfortable with it? What's the concern?

As in I'm muslim and don't believe Jesus is son of God. Will it be against my faith to attend a church service where he will be referred to as such?

Only baptized and confirmed Catholics can participate in the part where people can get up and get in line to eat the bread and drink a sip of wine. But that's a short part of the whole service. I'm not catholic and I've been to mass many times. It's fine.

Plus, I think it's universal that both muslims and catholics believe Jesus was the son of Mary and the holy spirit. People say "son of god" because the holy spirit comes from god, and because oftentimes people call god "the Father" to everybody in the world, sort of like saying "allah." But nobody believes god was somehow the biological father of jesus like with sperm or anything like that.

In fact, you will probably hear the "Our Father" prayer at some point. It was written before Jesus and Christianity "Our Father, who art in heaven . . . " Basically says may god's will be done on earth, and please help us not to be tempted to do evil.

Oops wait im sorry - I think Jesus taught this prayer. My bad. But still, the Bible long before Jesus calls God the father.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In Muslim countries with Christian minorities, heads of state or their representatives routinely attend church services on holidays like Christmas and Easter to show solidarity and respect for these minorities. I guess OP's family is not from one of those countries. :/

This is obnoxious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your title seems to be asking is it ok for religous purposes tk attend a mass of another faith.
I'm not sure why you and your boyfriend have had religous discussions like you later share that you do, but don't know the basics of his religion or yours that this is fine.
I agree with the others that this lack of basic communication about religion needs to be corrected before you consider marriage. I understand that you say he is not practicing now but his family is, and children/marriage can change things.
I'm not sure that your current way of not talking about much to try to be respectful (or however you phrased it) is working if you need to come to an anonymous forum to ask his question.
Good luck to you both!

Ask your imam.

My priest was unsure if I could attend a service at a Sikh temple. A friend was moving back to India and asked me to attend. I asked my priest. My priest asked the Bishop. The bishop said yes and outlined what I could/could not do: could remove my shoes; could cover my hair; could not eat the food sacrificed to the gurus. I went and had a great cultural experience. My friend moved to India without our relationship ending on a sour note.

I just googled it and it probably is haaram to attend the Midnight Mass simply because there will be images (https://islamqa.info/en/111832). Even if the parish doesn't have stained glass windows, there will be a crucifix, Stations of the Cross, and some religious statuary. A non-Catholic, non-Orthodox, i.e. Protestant church without any images would be fine, it seems. If you are observant, explain to your bf why you cannot go. Of course, if you are really observant, you probably would not have a bf at all, let alone a Catholic one.

So muslims cannot attend any weddings in Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopalian and some other mainstream protestant churches either?

They cannot tour places like St. Patrick's in NYC or the Sistine Chapel?

I answered above--this is not mainstream Islam. It is very fundamentalist and not in keeping at all with the long traditions of the Middle East deep and respectful relationships between Muslims and Christians. As I have written earlier, in some areas the custom even today is for a Muslim tribe to be allied with a Christian one, and I gave the example of the head of the Muslim tribe taking part in the ordination rites of members of the Christian tribe who become priests.

What countries have Muslim tribes and Christian tribes? That is interesting.

My DH is Jordanian and is from a Christian tribe formally allied to a Muslim tribe. It is a very longstanding custom there that every Christian tribe is allied to a Muslim tribe, an arrangement that helps prevent sectarian violence. Tribalism factors into many everyday events. For example, if a man from his tribe wishes to seek the hand of a woman, his family would send a delegation to the house of the woman that includes members of their Muslim allies.

There are Christian tribes throughout the Levant, but I believe the custom of Christian-Muslim tribal alliances is strongest in Jordan. It has come under strain in recent years owing to the large numbers of refugees unfamiliar with these arrangements that Jordan has taken in over the past many decades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In Muslim countries with Christian minorities, heads of state or their representatives routinely attend church services on holidays like Christmas and Easter to show solidarity and respect for these minorities. I guess OP's family is not from one of those countries. :/

This is obnoxious.

Why?

[Anonymous]

I am Muslim and have been often with my BFF growing up. I didn't take communion, I just waited in the pews. I love at the end when you turn to everyone and say Peace Be Upon You -- it is literally the same greeting one says to other Muslims. There is a lot in common, and the rituals are interesting. Go. And talk to your BF about how each of you views your own faith and how you'd like to see the other's faith treated/acknowledged by each of you. This is important stuff if you plan to stay together and take it to the next level!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In Muslim countries with Christian minorities, heads of state or their representatives routinely attend church services on holidays like Christmas and Easter to show solidarity and respect for these minorities. I guess OP's family is not from one of those countries. :/

This is obnoxious.

Why?

Not that poster, but it's assuming that a Muslim must be from somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In Muslim countries with Christian minorities, heads of state or their representatives routinely attend church services on holidays like Christmas and Easter to show solidarity and respect for these minorities. I guess OP's family is not from one of those countries. :/

This is obnoxious.

Why?

Not that poster, but it's assuming that a Muslim must be from somewhere else.

Not any of the PPs on this post, but most Muslims from families several generations in the US are more relaxed about running elbows with Christianity than OP sounds. She herself may be US born, but she is probably second generation at most.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In Muslim countries with Christian minorities, heads of state or their representatives routinely attend church services on holidays like Christmas and Easter to show solidarity and respect for these minorities. I guess OP's family is not from one of those countries. :/

This is obnoxious.

Why?

Not that poster, but it's assuming that a Muslim must be from somewhere else.

Not any of the PPs on this post, but most Muslims from families several generations in the US are more relaxed about running elbows with Christianity than OP sounds. She herself may be US born, but she is probably second generation at most.

If she is, she should know most Muslims would be very uncomfortable with a Muslim girl dating/marrying anyone other than a Muslim. That is a much bigger deal than attending a Christian service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Muslim here. Why aren't you comfortable with it? What's the concern?

As in I'm muslim and don't believe Jesus is son of God. Will it be against my faith to attend a church service where he will be referred to as such?

Only baptized and confirmed Catholics can participate in the part where people can get up and get in line to eat the bread and drink a sip of wine. But that's a short part of the whole service. I'm not catholic and I've been to mass many times. It's fine.

Plus, I think it's universal that both muslims and catholics believe Jesus was the son of Mary and the holy spirit. People say "son of god" because the holy spirit comes from god, and because oftentimes people call god "the Father" to everybody in the world, sort of like saying "allah." But nobody believes god was somehow the biological father of jesus like with sperm or anything like that.

It is plainly obvious you are not Catholic so please refrain from explaining the faith to others. You have a lot of the fundamentals blatantly wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Muslim here. Why aren't you comfortable with it? What's the concern?

As in I'm muslim and don't believe Jesus is son of God. Will it be against my faith to attend a church service where he will be referred to as such?

Only baptized and confirmed Catholics can participate in the part where people can get up and get in line to eat the bread and drink a sip of wine. But that's a short part of the whole service. I'm not catholic and I've been to mass many times. It's fine.

Plus, I think it's universal that both muslims and catholics believe Jesus was the son of Mary and the holy spirit. People say "son of god" because the holy spirit comes from god, and because oftentimes people call god "the Father" to everybody in the world, sort of like saying "allah." But nobody believes god was somehow the biological father of jesus like with sperm or anything like that.

It is plainly obvious you are not Catholic so please refrain from explaining the faith to others. You have a lot of the fundamentals blatantly wrong.

Everything said above is in line with Catholic beliefs - mary is mother of god, Jesus is conceived of the holy spirit without any mention of sperm from god.

[Anonymous]

You can attend Mass as long as you just attend and not actually participate in any ritual.

However - and I say this with all my kindness - what kind of Muslim are you that you are not comfortable attending Mass but comfortable dating (haram) a Christian man (double super mega haram)? Your boundaries are shaped very weirdly. I think any imam fielding your question will first tell you that you can't be dating, least of all a Christian guy, and deal with any mass questions last.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can attend Mass as long as you just attend and not actually participate in any ritual.

However - and I say this with all my kindness - what kind of Muslim are you that you are not comfortable attending Mass but comfortable dating (haram) a Christian man (double super mega haram)? Your boundaries are shaped very weirdly. I think any imam fielding your question will first tell you that you can't be dating, least of all a Christian guy, and deal with any mass questions last.

So muslim women are not allowed to date?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can attend Mass as long as you just attend and not actually participate in any ritual.

However - and I say this with all my kindness - what kind of Muslim are you that you are not comfortable attending Mass but comfortable dating (haram) a Christian man (double super mega haram)? Your boundaries are shaped very weirdly. I think any imam fielding your question will first tell you that you can't be dating, least of all a Christian guy, and deal with any mass questions last.

So Muslim women are not allowed to date?

Conservatives think that, because it can lead to sex. But many Muslims are OK with it. Some require chaparones. In some countries, the engagement period is the dating period. But most Muslims I know here date. But it's a more chaste version of dating than what you'd generally think of. And of course some date just like everyone else.