Christian Insanity 2: A 'Christian' Muslim???

Dear Parish Faithful,

This one is so "over the edge," and "beyond the pale," that I am rendered uncharacterstically speechless! Sounds like a hoax, but alas, it is a "true story" as far as I can tell. I will leave in Marty's colorful commentary.

~~~

Dear Fr. Steven - here's a rather irritating news story that someone sent me:

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Reverend Ann Holmes Redding, an Episcopal priest for 20 year, says she became a Muslim last year, but still considers herself a Christian as well.

Redding, who says she accepted Islam after being profoundly moved by Muslim prayers, is to begin teaching the New Testament at Seattle University this fall.

Until recently, she was director of faith formation at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral.

Western Washington Bishop Vincent Warner says he accepts Redding as both an Episcopal priest and a Muslim, and finds the interfaith possibilities exciting.

The 55-year-old Redding says she doesn't feel that she has to resolve the differences between her two faiths -- especially over whether Jesus was God or just a prophet -- and hopes sharing her story can help ease religious tensions.

Notice that she says that "she accepted Islam after being profoundly moved by Muslim prayers." I find it tragically ironic that she was moved by the style of the Muslim prayer - which historically was copied from the Middle Eastern Christians that were contemporaries of Muhammad !!! I see this a more "collateral damage" from the Western Protestant "de-spiritualization" of Christianity. She is identified as a teacher of New Testament - obviously she remains quite unaware of the culture of its time!!!!!

In Christ,
Marty