Converting to Islam

A friend of mine did. He married someone from that tradition and culture and although he’s not particularly ‘religious’ he’s always been a thoughtful, interested and spiritual person, in my experience.

The only noticeable difference in his approach, demeanour and attitude to anything at all was that he gave up alcohol. Made not a jot of difference to me in any way whatsoever. He divorced some years later.

We didn’t engage in any more religiously motivated conversations than before, he didn’t attempt to convert anyone or preach, he didn’t quote the Koran, didn’t profess to believe in heavenly virgins or to radicalise anyone. I know a lot of people will be disappointed by that but there you go

Mind you none of my Muslim aquaintsnces and friends have been in any way more or less inclined to define themselves or their relationships with others entirely via their religious or non religious convictions than any of the Christians of whatever hue I’ve known over the years

The only people who regularly and most vehemently try to influence me or engage with me about such topics are atheists. Usually rabbiting on about how they don’t like to have religion ‘rammed down their throats’.

Hope this helps.
 


Few years back the Mrs and I were in Sunderland General with our son who was just recovering from an operation. Anyway, there was a Muslim family opposite visiting their son. There must have been a dozen family members visiting their child. All of a sudden they bring out loads of parcels and tupperware containers of food. Their Ramadan fast was over for the day. What a spread of food. One of the women invited us over to share some pastries. And we did. Amazing generosity and lovely family to boot. I’ll always remember their lovely attitude towards everyone in the ward that night.
Muslims tend to gain weight during Ramadan rather than lose it, cos of how they like to make special stuff to stuff their faces with once the daily fast ends.
 
Lad at work always does Ramadan. It's his one concession to Islam really.. drinks the remainder of the year.

It is a bugger if it's bang in the summer.. it moves a week a year I think.

He had between ten a d four in the morning to eat last year
 
Cat Stevens? 'No idiot by anyone's stretch of the imagination.

Maybe someone bored with the Western world and Consumerism? Doesn't take a lot to understand why a minority may reject it.

Why does someone become a born again Christian..

Normally a vacuum that they looking to fill.

Some might do that through a hobby...

Others will channel it through religion.
 
Why would someone convert to Islam?

Firstly, I don't think which religion someone converts to matters, so I won't focus on Islam. Even conversion is probably unnecessary, it could just as easily be someone becoming active in their own religion after lapsing.

I imagine when someone becomes deeply religious out of nowhere there could be any number of factors coming into play.

Pick one or more of the below I guess:

-Socially isolated
-Concerns about their own mortality, or a loved one
-Concerns about their morality, maybe they're guilty about something and want to be forgiven.
-Perhaps there have been issues with addiction around alcohol, narcotics, sex, or something else and the rules of a religion help with that.

Ultimately I think all of these things can lead to low satisfaction with quality of life.
 
Why does someone become a born again Christian..

Normally a vacuum that they looking to fill.

Some might do that through a hobby...

Others will channel it through religion.

I reckon a good proportion of this board will be looking for something different, something with a bit of meaning.

Some think Islam is the answer. 'Could be for all I know.

Submitting to one idea doesn't really interest me, but I can see why some would and it certainly doesn't make them idiots.
 
Cat Stevens? 'No idiot by anyone's stretch of the imagination.

Maybe someone bored with the Western world and Consumerism? Doesn't take a lot to understand why a minority may reject it.

Then showed how much of an idiot he is by agreeing with the fatwa against Salman Rushdie.
 
If your'e white and born and bred in a western country - what kind of complete idiot does this?

You might like the mystique of a covered up woman. You may hate alcohol. You might think dogs are wankers. You might believe in Allah....

I have no idea why skin colour is relevant mind.

If you're gonna follow a religion follow one that lets ya drink.

Just do as the extremists do and drink anyway.
 
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