Would you rebuild a Buddhist mosque?

In CLFM today, we had a great discussion.

The question was:

If you heard about a Buddhist mosque that was destroyed in some tragedy, would you take a missions trip down to rebuild it? Thus enabling them to keep worshiping Allah?

Think of an answer first before you hear my answer....


I usually don't get that involved in discussions. I love listening to the different sides. But I was surprised at the answers to this question. The first five people that raised their hands and spoke, said they wouldn't. Their reasons were because, we are called to love and serve God first. So if we rebuild a mosque for another God, we are breaking that commandment. One guy said "I couldn't imagine having Jesus stand by my side and watch me build a mosque for another God".

I was super surprised. When I picture that scene, I would see Jesus being disappointed in us for sitting their and doing nothing to help. I finally raised my hand. I explained that we are called to love God first and others second. We aren't at all worshiping another God by helping them rebuild a mosque. I asked that if those aren't the people we're supposed to be ministering to, then who are we supposed to be ministering to? We are called to show the love of God.

Some people complained that if we built the mosque, we'd be saying that they're god is the right one.

The teacher turned the tables. What if our chapel burned down, and some Buddhists helped us rebuild it? We wouldn't think that they're saying that our God is the right one.

By helping them rebuild their mosque, they'd see something very different and unique about us.

After we discussed, our professor explained the best answer he ever heard. One of his students said they'd rebuild that mosque and it would be the best mosque that he'd ever seen. He'd do everything he can to make that mosque even more better than the last one. So that every time they'd walk in, they'd remember what we did for them. In our professor's 10 steps of evangelism, the first step is to do what you're good at and do it good.

After explaining this he asked how many people would rebuild the mosque, and almost the entire class had raised their hand. Many had changed their mind.

Would you rebuild the mosque?