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I'm responding to the OP without reading the thread. My wife has some Muslim relatives, and we've had live-in maids in Indonesia at times. So this is an issue I've faced.
Something to keep in mind is that the evidence seems to be that 'Allah' was a word used by Christians before Muhammad was born in the Arabic speaking world. They still use it. The Al Koran uses the word 'Allah' so a lot of Muslims won't translate the word since they consider it to be the name of the deity. There was a book about 20 years ago that argued that the Sabean pagans called the moon god 'Allah.' Maybe they did. But the Ugarits took the word 'El that would later be used in the Bible, and used it for the head of their pantheon who did things that did not resemble the true God.
The question arises as to whether they worship the same God. They claim to be worshippng the God of Abraham. Think about the Samaritans. If Josephus is right, one of the Samaritan kings named Sanballat hired the high priest's brother, who had kicked him out of the temple service for violating the Biblical priestly regulations by marrying Sanballat's daughter instead of an Israelite virgin or priestly widow. That priest set up a temple in Samaria. They had the first six books of the Bible, modified to make Mt. Gerizim the place of the true temple.
Jesus said 'ye worship ye know not what.' Maybe He was saying they didn't know what they bowed down to. The bowed down in prostration (worshipped) in the wrong direction. But they might have been confused about God, too.
As far as the Islamic concept of God goes, it is not the same as the Christian concept in a lot of ways. On the one hand, they affirm some of the Biblical characters who worshipped God, but they have some of their own mythologies about them. Their writings claim that Allah is the greatest deceiver of all, but Jesus said that Satan is the father of lies. The Al Koran encourages people to verify if it is true by looking at the Torah and/or the gospel. But Islamic teaching contradicts both.
For me, personally, I would definitely not want a Hindu idol in my home, or anyone bowing to idols. I wouldn't try to stop Muslim guests or employees from praying in their room away from other people. They don't set up a statue to bow to it. Honestly, I'd be more concerned with someone setting up a statue of Mary in my home and praying to it. They are trying to pray to the God of Abraham, but they don't have a Biblical concept of God. Plenty of secular Americans who had some exposure to Christianity occasionally pray without having a Biblical concept of God, either. At least they are trying to be closer to God, trying to do what they think God requires, even if they aren't reconciled to God and have a wrong 'concept of God'.
In Indonesia, Christians call God 'Allah' to. It's in the main Bible translation.
Something to keep in mind is that the evidence seems to be that 'Allah' was a word used by Christians before Muhammad was born in the Arabic speaking world. They still use it. The Al Koran uses the word 'Allah' so a lot of Muslims won't translate the word since they consider it to be the name of the deity. There was a book about 20 years ago that argued that the Sabean pagans called the moon god 'Allah.' Maybe they did. But the Ugarits took the word 'El that would later be used in the Bible, and used it for the head of their pantheon who did things that did not resemble the true God.
The question arises as to whether they worship the same God. They claim to be worshippng the God of Abraham. Think about the Samaritans. If Josephus is right, one of the Samaritan kings named Sanballat hired the high priest's brother, who had kicked him out of the temple service for violating the Biblical priestly regulations by marrying Sanballat's daughter instead of an Israelite virgin or priestly widow. That priest set up a temple in Samaria. They had the first six books of the Bible, modified to make Mt. Gerizim the place of the true temple.
Jesus said 'ye worship ye know not what.' Maybe He was saying they didn't know what they bowed down to. The bowed down in prostration (worshipped) in the wrong direction. But they might have been confused about God, too.
As far as the Islamic concept of God goes, it is not the same as the Christian concept in a lot of ways. On the one hand, they affirm some of the Biblical characters who worshipped God, but they have some of their own mythologies about them. Their writings claim that Allah is the greatest deceiver of all, but Jesus said that Satan is the father of lies. The Al Koran encourages people to verify if it is true by looking at the Torah and/or the gospel. But Islamic teaching contradicts both.
For me, personally, I would definitely not want a Hindu idol in my home, or anyone bowing to idols. I wouldn't try to stop Muslim guests or employees from praying in their room away from other people. They don't set up a statue to bow to it. Honestly, I'd be more concerned with someone setting up a statue of Mary in my home and praying to it. They are trying to pray to the God of Abraham, but they don't have a Biblical concept of God. Plenty of secular Americans who had some exposure to Christianity occasionally pray without having a Biblical concept of God, either. At least they are trying to be closer to God, trying to do what they think God requires, even if they aren't reconciled to God and have a wrong 'concept of God'.
In Indonesia, Christians call God 'Allah' to. It's in the main Bible translation.
T
Thank you for a reflected and well written response.
I have done a lot of thinking this last week. It is true I have to protect my home and keep it clean from idols. I had a major cleaning some years ago, throwing away everything I found that could be an idol, including jewelry, books and pictures of saints. Because my home is often having guests through Airbnb and Muslim students I have to be more careful and prayerful for all the guests entering here. After I started that, I have got more bookings and more considerate guests. Actually I had a couple here last night through Airbnb, that were born again Christians. Before they left, we prayed together. It was a true blessing.
So. Thank you guys. You made me think. My home is still open for all, but I have to be more careful and prayerful doing that. I have never believed a Christian should just hang out with fellow Christians. We shouldn't live isolated, but be light and salt. Yes. It may occur some conflicts. But I guess that is a part of the deal walking with Christ.
I have done a lot of thinking this last week. It is true I have to protect my home and keep it clean from idols. I had a major cleaning some years ago, throwing away everything I found that could be an idol, including jewelry, books and pictures of saints. Because my home is often having guests through Airbnb and Muslim students I have to be more careful and prayerful for all the guests entering here. After I started that, I have got more bookings and more considerate guests. Actually I had a couple here last night through Airbnb, that were born again Christians. Before they left, we prayed together. It was a true blessing.
So. Thank you guys. You made me think. My home is still open for all, but I have to be more careful and prayerful doing that. I have never believed a Christian should just hang out with fellow Christians. We shouldn't live isolated, but be light and salt. Yes. It may occur some conflicts. But I guess that is a part of the deal walking with Christ.
M
To the OP.I am so inspired by hearing about your wonderful ministry.
Just thought I would encourage you with the following story.
About a year ago I was living in a house with a witch.I had very little control about who moved in with me because it was a housing co op.
She brought many weird objects into the house with her like a chalice, herbs, incense, candles and lots of black furniture.
At first I was horrified when I peered into her room but thankfully she kept them there.
I admit that living with her for three whole years was difficult.
I often prayed for protection when I was alone with her in the house at night.
And I thought that whatever she did behind closed doors would have an effect on the house.
It didn't really.
I only recall one time early in the morning at about 6 am that we had what sounded like drilling on the door.The neighbours heard it too and called the police.It wasn't drilling but a demonic attack because about and hour after it happened ( after I had shrugged it off as one of Old Nick's tricks)
she appeared at my doorway Ashen and visibly shaken.Apparentky she had heard it too and her bed had been vibrating.
Obviously this attack had happened to scare her because over the months I had shared the gospel with her and had gotten her to even listen to some sermons with me.
My point is that even if prayers are sent in your home to this demon moon god....you will be protected.Like I was.
Also to let you know, all the common areas in our house had a great atmosphere.Especially the couch in our living room where I sat studying God's Word.So much so that this flat mate would often ask to sleep there because she felt like there was something " spooky" in her room.So there you go.
Just thought I would encourage you with the following story.
About a year ago I was living in a house with a witch.I had very little control about who moved in with me because it was a housing co op.
She brought many weird objects into the house with her like a chalice, herbs, incense, candles and lots of black furniture.
At first I was horrified when I peered into her room but thankfully she kept them there.
I admit that living with her for three whole years was difficult.
I often prayed for protection when I was alone with her in the house at night.
And I thought that whatever she did behind closed doors would have an effect on the house.
It didn't really.
I only recall one time early in the morning at about 6 am that we had what sounded like drilling on the door.The neighbours heard it too and called the police.It wasn't drilling but a demonic attack because about and hour after it happened ( after I had shrugged it off as one of Old Nick's tricks)
she appeared at my doorway Ashen and visibly shaken.Apparentky she had heard it too and her bed had been vibrating.
Obviously this attack had happened to scare her because over the months I had shared the gospel with her and had gotten her to even listen to some sermons with me.
My point is that even if prayers are sent in your home to this demon moon god....you will be protected.Like I was.
Also to let you know, all the common areas in our house had a great atmosphere.Especially the couch in our living room where I sat studying God's Word.So much so that this flat mate would often ask to sleep there because she felt like there was something " spooky" in her room.So there you go.