Ask a Muslim

[Eran of Arcadia]

I hope she doesn't mind me answering on her behalf. Lina believes in evolution as you do. She finds my view of random chance to be incompatible. If God is behind everything, God being behind evolution makes sense.

I think.

You're right and you know it!

Ah, I see. So you are more or less a "theistic evolutionist", you just don't think it is truly random (which may be more of a philosophical than scientific point).

 

[viz]

Your first question is a loaded one. I believe the world would be peaceful if everyone believed the same thing to the letter. I also believe it stagnates humanity (the renaissance came after the Protestant split). I like the world as it is, but in my heart, I believe it is in people's best interest to follow my faith. I would only encourage conversion if someone came to me.

Yes. Had I been born and raised in Saudi Arabia, I don't think I would have these views

I do not believe western society influencing my beliefs is a bad thing. Islam extends from Morocco to Indonesia, but there are different cultures throughout. What is believed in Afghanistan about women doesn't hold up next door in Iran (in Iran, women can wear makeup, vote, file for divorce...).

Certainly. Without questioning, I believe I deny part of my humanity.

Yes I have. I was an atheist for a long time but I'm happier as I am now. I don't blame anyone but myself for falling away (and maybe my biology teacher )

Thanks for your answers, my questions where indeed intended to bring out honesty and you certainly provided that for which I sincerely applaud.

Your last statement in response to my final question is fascinating, I would like to follow up with a few more questions:

Where you brought up as a muslim before loosing faith, you mention that your mother is Lebanese, is she also a muslim?

If so, was it this prior understanding of islam and your bond with your mother/family that lead you back to islam after your time without believing in god?

Alternatively, is there something in your understanding of islam that holds it in a truer light when compared to other religions, if so what is that?

 

[ironduck]

I tried to bring up the post: I'm quite sure you said something like "I'm religious but ..."

Sadly, putting your name and 'religious' into the search function didn't help much

Are you sure it doesn't read 'I'm not religious, but..'? At least, that's what I would have wanted to write.. otherwise it's a typo

I'm not religious.

 

[Katheryn]

I'n not sure how anyone could do anything except applaud your approach to your faith.

I just wish there were more like you! I wish it were the trend to become more moderate. Why is it, do you suppose, that the trend is to become more and more conservative as Muslims? Why do you think the pendulum is swinging to radicalization? Why do we see countries tightening up Sharia instead of loosening it?

 

[Swedishguy]

Why are your islamic comments so much like Katheryn's christians comments? (IMO)

 

[Neomega]

You gonna watch Little Mosque on the Prairie?


Thanks for the thread.

 

[Homie]

Thx for your replies to most of my questions. But you didn't answer this one:
What is your favorite surah?

Also, I noticed that you didn't answer ssrt's question, but rather steared clear of it by saying that all religions have a violent past. But that is not what he asked, I will post it again for you and bold the last question which remain to be answered:

How do you feel about the way that Muhammad spread Islam?

Of course, I mean by the sword. I know that Muslims generally revere Muhammad as the greatest prophet. Can you, therefore, truly condemn the extremists of your faith in the Middle-East when they appear to be following by example the legacy left behind by the greatest prophet of God?

 

[Homie]

So basically: If Mohammed did it, can you blame those who follow his example?

 

[JonnyB]

I have bad knees, are muslims required to pray kneeling on the ground at times? Or are you allowed to stand at the back if it's uncomfortable?

 

[Smidlee]

I do not like violence, but I don't believe our history is any more violent than any other in humanity. Just because Christ said to turn the other cheek and Christians ignored this doesn't excuse Christianity.

But then is it Christianity? Crusades was very violent yet this was long after the fact (Church was established for centuries even with the Roman Empire against them). Crusades would have happen with or without the church as Roman Empire (what left of it) was coming unglued thus the lust for power in the human heart took over.

 

[Sidhe]

So basically: If Mohammed did it, can you blame those who follow his example?

Alot less violentlly than Christianity, in Muslim countries, he fought more than a few wars, but he was actually a great diplomat who sought to absorb rather than kill. Same can't be said for Christianity, of course after his death , Muslims kind of went off on an a few more jaunts than maybe they should. But Mohammeds wars although bloody were remarkablly less bloody than ours(Christianity) To achieve the same ends. And considering his faith basically was built on conversion, it's actually more than a little remarkable.

 

[Smidlee]

Alot less violentlly than Christianity, in Muslim countries, he fought more than a few wars, but he was actually a great diplomat who sought to absorb rather than kill. Same can't be said for Christianity, of course after his death , Muslims kind of went off on an a few more jaunts than maybe they should. But Mohammeds wars although bloody were remarkablly less bloody than ours(Christianity) To achieve the same ends. And considering his faith basically was built on conversion, it's actually more than a little remarkable.

Except it's was Christians (as well as Christ) blood that was shed in Christianity. A big difference. Even when the Roman Empire was suppose have converted, It still shed the saint's blood who dared spoke out against the government church.(they were called heretics) Eventually this push churches to England to finally America where we finally got freedom.

 

[Sidhe]

Except it's was Christians (as well as Christ) blood that was shed in Christianity. A big difference.

Indeed I quite agree, Mohammeds conversion of the infidels and polytheists was remarkable, in comparrision ours was a bloodbath, despite the nature of our religion, how we can judge is beyond me? We basically persecuted anyone who wouldn't agree with us, now whilst Muslims might of done a bit of that, they at least had Mohammeds example as a guide, we had Jesus, how does that make sense? Friggin hypocrites.

 

[GenMarshall]

Can we please not have this thread get draged into a Christianity vs. Islam debate please.

 

[ironduck]

Indeed I quite agree, Mohammeds conversion of the infidels and polytheists was remarkable, in comparrision ours was a bloodbath, despite the nature of our religion, how we can judge is beyond me? We basically persecuted anyone who wouldn't agree with us, now whilst Muslims might of done a bit of that, they at least had Mohammeds example as a guide, we had Jesus, how does that make sense? Friggin hypocrites.

But one can easily make the case (I do) that those who shed blood are not real christians or not good christians since they don't follow the example of Jesus.

Similarly one can make the case that muslims who do follow the example of Mohammad (conversion by the sword) are real muslims because they do follow his example.

Of course, being an outsider I don't give a whit what club people belong to, so it's no excuse from my perspective.

 

[Smidlee]

We basically persecuted anyone who wouldn't agree with us, now whilst Muslims might of done a bit of that, they at least had Mohammeds example as a guide, we had Jesus, how does that make sense? Friggin hypocrites.

The Roman Empire was extremely violent even before Christ and in spite of the hope of many in the church still remain just a violent with the church name attach to it. That what amazing about the gospels it reach even barbarians and change many. Again The Crusades would happen just the same without the church as the Roman Empire is well known for it violent and lust for power.

 

[Sidhe]

I'll acceed to to Civ's demand, let's get back on topic, who is the least likely to follow a faith is beside the point.

I didn't say what I said to create division, just said it because it was true, but the truth will ever create division, so I'll refrain from posting anything but questions about Islam, since we're not exploring an argument about who's got the biggest God. Even if they are the same.

 

[Homie]

Alot less violentlly than Christianity, in Muslim countries, he fought more than a few wars, but he was actually a great diplomat who sought to absorb rather than kill. Same can't be said for Christianity, of course after his death , Muslims kind of went off on an a few more jaunts than maybe they should. But Mohammeds wars although bloody were remarkablly less bloody than ours(Christianity) To achieve the same ends. And considering his faith basically was built on conversion, it's actually more than a little remarkable.

First of all, I asked this question (or rather, ssrt did) to muslims, not atheists. Secondly, why compare it to Christianity, AGAIN. That doesn't answer the question, the question isn't even about the violent past of Islam. It is this:

How can you blame the muslim terrorists when they are following the example of Muhammed, the supreme authority in Islam?

Furthermore, Sidhe, your comparisons are criss-crossed, you compare the founder of Islam with the later Christians, saying they (Christians) were more violent. If you are gonna compare (but please don't, that is just evading the question) you need to compare Muhammed with Jesus, or later Christians with later Muslims.

 

[blackheart]

How can you blame the muslim terrorists when they are following the example of Muhammed, the supreme authority in Islam?

That's a loaded question because you assume that they ARE following the example of their prophet, which just is that, an assumption.

Back ontopic: What are your views on the multi-continental entity that Islam has become? Is another Caliph possible in this age?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Another question: it is my understanding that in Islam it is believed that eventually all will be redeemed. Are the implications of that (basically, that although we must struggle to do good, it is not ultimately necessary for the souls of others that they do good, as they will be ultimately, if painfully, redeemed) ever discussed?