New Trend

Hi all, I really appreciate participating in your forum and will start my posting with new information.
After the tragic attack on 9/11 and the war on terrorism, Islam remain the fastest-growing religion in America and in the world although religion is no longer dominates everyday life in Western society.

http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9704/14/egypt.islam/
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2001/n10042001_200110043.html

"Islam is the fastest-growing religion in America, a guide and pillar of stability for many of our people..." Hillary Rodman Clinton, Los Angeles Times, May 31, 1996, p.3
http://www.themodernreligion.com/convert/am.htm

Famous people too:
Singer "Cat Stevens" Oh, baby, baby it's a wild world, story as told him:
http://catstevens.com/discography/people/00001.html

It's a free country. As long as the government doesn't start forcing people to be Muslim under pain of death I really don't care. What a man chooses to be his God is really none of my business. I would hope that the same man would allow me the same respect.

From what I've heard from different people who have converted to Islam, there are a few main reasons for most conversions:


1. Muslims and Christians agree that God is self-existent.* This means that He does not derive his existence from anyone.*also they both believe in Jesus, love him, and honor him. In fact, no Muslim can be a Muslim unless he or she believes in Jesus, on whom be peace.

The Quran teach that Jesus is prophet or messenger from Allah and not a God so Quran denies the divinity of Jesus.The Qur'an says that Jesus was born of a virgin, that he spoke while he was still only a baby, that he healed the blind and the leper by God's leave, and that he raised the dead by God's leave.


2. Islam is a religious lifestyle, not just a quick Sunday morning church visit and a label. Although some Christians do pray before each meal and spend much time with their Bible, etc.many don't in the USA. Islam is something that can't be shunted into a few spare hours. You pray five times a day. Your dress code is affected; even your food choices are explained in the Qur'an. Many converts like it because they feel actively involved and as if they are truly religious.Some people also studied Buddhism, flirted with Roman Catholicism or spent time with Quakers, but ultimately found them lacking.


3. For women, it is a big and welcome change from the "in your face" sexuality of western culture. Women are not required by the Qur'an to veil. They are required to dress modestly and it is *recommended* that they cover their hair. However, most do veil and some go farther with niquab (the face screen) or other traditional clothes. Women dressed like this consider themselves marked as religious women, not easy dates. They don't get hit on. No one gawks at their bodies. They are clearly off limits sexually and many that I personally know say it is liberating not to have to conform to western standards of sexy dress, makeup and spending so much time and money on appearance. You buy a five-dollar hijab, put your hair in a ponytail and cover, wear long skirt and a tunic shirt -you're set.


4. Islam is also growing because many people are not satisfied with Christianity. They feel it is too liberal, too fluid and changes for the culture. Islam on the other hand is more rigid and does not as a whole allow much for modern changes and the whims of society. Many like it because they feel other religions have loose standards.

A person like me who is unfamiliar with Islamic teachings might be surprised to hear that Islam does not rely upon blind faith to make its case, but rather, encourages to use minds. For example, the Qur'an invites to ponder upon the wonders of creation, and challenges with intellectual arguments. Further study of the Qur'an demonstrates that sound reasoning and scientific knowledge confirm rather than contradict authentic revelation and its ability to satisfy the intellect whilst bringing peace to the soul.

That's what I got from the new Muslimah's group at Yahoo, Islamway women's board and a few other friends of mine. Stats taken by many college groups say that women convert 4 times more often then men.

I don't understand.

I don't think Islam is a 'New Trend'. I'd also be interested to know how the increase breaks down, is it immigrants or conversions?

Are you pro or anti Islam? Did you post this in hopes of alarming non-Muslims, or in hopes of some of us converting?

Reading the links, this bit made me laugh hard:

"This phenomenon indicates that Islam is truly a religion from God (Allah). It is unreasonable to think that so many American converted to Islam without careful consideration and deep contemplation before concluding that Islam is true. "

It's also unreasonable to think that a civilised and educated/aware society would re-elect a cretin to run the country, but they did (or at least he took power). Maybe George W. Bush has also been sent by Allah?

'Truth' is subjective. Your truth is not mine, and mine is not yours. I do not have a 'God'...

Originally Posted by: zreynoldspI'd also be interested to know how the increase breaks down, is it immigrants or conversions?

I'm pretty sure it's largely from people being 'born into' it.

If you have the specific intent of trying to preach Islam to us I'm sorry to say you're going to get a mostly negative reaction on these boards. Not because anyone here is anti-muslim. I for one dislike the thought of anyone hating someone strictly because of thier beliefs. Now to me all religion has good points. Most tell us to live together in harmony don't kill and all that. What I dislike about religion is that it tries in some instances to A) Make decisions for you or B) tries to convince you that you are an evil person. Now I've read the Quran and the Bible. They are for the most part the same book ust worded differently. I take no stock in the truth of either. The morals and teachings in both are invaluable to the human race but these are things that can be taught parent to child now. 2000 years ago they probably did need a book to lay it out for them. It's just not the same today. I hold the same values in those religious texts. It doesn't mean I'm gonna I'm going to church on Sunday or that I'm making a pilgrimage to Mecca anytime soon. It just means that 2000 years of molding the human mind has made it's mark. I know I shouldn't kill or steal but hey I love a good pork chop and I don't care if gay people wanna get married. The bottom line is most of humanity would do fine without organized religion. Most people who are of a certain faith are so mostly because thier parents were before them. Both my parents were Cathlic and I was raised as such and went through the usual trials ie First Holy Communion, Confirmation, etc. As I grew up I realised that my parents had done such a good job raising me that I didn't need religion.

we cannot steer people's personal faith. Islam is now a part of western culture, wheither you like it or not. It's not just for people in prison, or rock stars looking for a new thing. Some people just associate with Islam more than Christianity. That does for the other side of things too - 70% or so of Americans are Christians, and although many don't like that, it's just the way it is. It's a fact, it can't be changed, and those people are entitled to follow their faith. Acts in the name of christianity have been responsible for some pretty ****ed up consequences in the last 70 years

70% Of Americans are Christians? I think not. I think 70% of Americans put a check next to Christian on the census box but maybe and I mean maybe %15 actually go to church and pray and everything. I think your looking at a population that flat out don't really bother with any God.

"2. Islam is a religious lifestyle, not just a quick Sunday morning church visit and a label. Although some Christians do pray before each meal and spend much time with their Bible, etc.many don't in the USA. Islam is something that can't be shunted into a few spare hours. You pray five times a day. Your dress code is affected; even your food choices are explained in the Qur'an. Many converts like it because they feel actively involved and as if they are truly religious.Some people also studied Buddhism, flirted with Roman Catholicism or spent time with Quakers, but ultimately found them lacking."

I know alot of Muslim people, and none of them pray 5 times a day, dress differently or anything else. The Muslims I know smoke weed and drink alcohol, and reject the arcain teaching of their elders. Why would it be important to feel actively religious? Surely you either are or are not, it's not a question of feeling is it?

"4. Islam is also growing because many people are not satisfied with Christianity. They feel it is too liberal, too fluid and changes for the culture. Islam on the other hand is more rigid and does not as a whole allow much for modern changes and the whims of society. Many like it because they feel other religions have loose standards."

I hate that - what we need is some sort of doctrine to restrict people's freedom.... :rolleyes: also see above response, Muslims pick and choose just like the followers of any other faith.

Surely, anyone that goes religion shopping doesn't have true faith. Maybe women convert 4 times more often than men when their partner is Muslim so as to meet the qualifying criteria. From what I know and see, Islam isn't very female friendly.

A very good friend of mine spent her formative years as a slave to the male members of her family, as her religion and society dictate.

Originally Posted by: jolianwe cannot steer people's personal faith. Islam is now a part of western culture, wheither you like it or not. It's not just for people in prison, or rock stars looking for a new thing. Some people just associate with Islam more than Christianity. That does for the other side of things too - 70% or so of Americans are Christians, and although many don't like that, it's just the way it is. It's a fact, it can't be changed, and those people are entitled to follow their faith. Acts in the name of christianity have been responsible for some pretty ****ed up consequences in the last 70 years

Like the atom bomb, religion is something I would 'un-invent' if it were possible. It doesn't do anyone any good.

My original question stands - are you trying to alarm people with anti-islamic tendancies, or to convert us? If I may say so, you've come in a little heavy.... Do you play guitar at all? That's mostly what we have in common around here.... :D

Why did you feel it be necessary to come to a guitar forum to tell us that Islam is taking the world by storm, and that theres nothing we can do about it, as well as blame the Christinas for bad things that happened in history. I'm not Christian or belive in 1 right religion. I have my moral as well as religous beliefs and thats all that matters.

Sorry, but don't expect a warm welcome from me.

I've got pretty much the same feelings as elklandercc and zreynoldsp. I'm not gonna argue, but what's up with this thread.

C'mon guys, Hilary Clinton and Cat Stevens are on board! Where do I sign up?

im catholic, but i havent been within the premise of a church for abt 3 yrs...(note premise)

i have muslim friends who loves alcohol and the occasional bob marley treatment

as for my opinion, religion does set some guidelines to live by in a good way...it tells us not to kill, rape whatever...most (if not all) governments are based on these religious rules....we go to court, we swear to tell the truth so help us God blablabla....politicians say God is with us if u elect me to be the next president....

but, many wars in the past have been faught for the sake of religion...the revolutions in europe? world wars? the fights among protestants and catholics in ireland, etc...(cant think of more examples now)

we look up to a being that is intangible...i think i am my own god....i decide what happens to me...i cud die by throwing myself under the railway tracks at 5pm...or i can choose to be having a beer with some mates at a bar at 5pm..i decide if i want to be sucesful in a carreer..

point is..i dont want to be tied down with all these rules id need to abide by for the sake of a belief that is unsubstantiated to me...even if it is substantiated i wudn let such rules, rule me...but thats me

2 cents

*tristan, i watched the bill hicks video on creationism...good stuff :D

woot

I really don’t like misunderstanding of my intentions; it is not an assault on Christianity or any other religion. In the same time I don't outbid on Islam, it doesn't need any preaching or missionary work or me.

Lets be serious, people know that natural inclination for religious faith is an integral part of the human essence. This is an indisputable fact of history. All scholars of comparative religion, regardless of their own religious backgrounds, agree that religious belief is a natural human condition. They differ, however about its origins.

Therefore it is indispensable for everybody to look for the truth now or later but who guarantee life and how long we are going to live and when the last moment will come. No body knows.

Magicninja,

Try good sources like:

www.islam-guide.com

I find it hard to believe in this day and age that anybody still believes in religion and all that crap that was around 2000 years ago.
Like, gimme a break. There's no such thing as God and there's no great being out there looking down on you. It's just a bunch of made up stories that are used by scam artists to make money off you and push their own causes.
Religion is nothing but a money making, war making scam and we'd all be better off relying on our own intelligence to make decisions instead of sitting around with our hands pressed together praying to the big sky bully.

Originally Posted by: jolianwe cannot steer people's personal faith. Islam is now a part of western culture, wheither you like it or not. It's not just for people in prison, or rock stars looking for a new thing. Some people just associate with Islam more than Christianity. That does for the other side of things too - 70% or so of Americans are Christians, and although many don't like that, it's just the way it is. It's a fact, it can't be changed, and those people are entitled to follow their faith. Acts in the name of christianity have been responsible for some pretty ****ed up consequences in the last 70 years

And the consequences of 9/11 weren't ****ed up? the London underground bombings weren't ****ed up? Islams holier than thou is it??? maybe the reason people are converting is thru fear!? after all, to the rest of the world it seems if islam doesn't like you, it kills you! people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones (or bombs!) every religion has blood on its hands but does God approve?

I gotta say jolian i agree with everybody on this thread thus far, except you! i really don't know why your preaching religion on a guitar forum!

whatever your beliefs, i respect them, even if i don't agree with them, for my part i'm not religious, never have been never will be, as a wise man once said "religion gets in the way of god" but whatever gets people thru the night is alright with me, as long as they don't try to ram it down my throat!

Originally Posted by: schmangeI find it hard to believe in this day and age that anybody still believes in religion and all that crap that was around 2000 years ago.
Like, gimme a break. There's no such thing as God and there's no great being out there looking down on you. It's just a bunch of made up stories that are used by scam artists to make money off you and push their own causes.
Religion is nothing but a money making, war making scam and we'd all be better off relying on our own intelligence to make decisions instead of sitting around with our hands pressed together praying to the big sky bully.

I'm glad opinions are like ass holes, but you just took it a bit too far on that one. :mad:

Originally Posted by: PRSplayaI'm glad opinions are like ass holes, but you just took it a bit too far on that one. :mad:

Sorry, but I don't believe in God anymore than the tooth fairy or Santa Clause. And the only thing religion seems to be good for is giving priests the opportunity to molest children and fanatics to wage wars.

Originally Posted by: schmange...Religion is nothing but a money making, war making scam and we'd all be better off relying on our own intelligence to make decisions instead of sitting around with our hands pressed together praying to the big sky bully.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=schmange]...And the only thing religion seems to be good for is giving priests the opportunity to molest children and fanatics to wage wars.

Yep, with those lines I gotta kinda lean with Eric on this one, even though I'm no advocate for religion either. Cuz I don't think you can throw that blanket on all religion. Many of their genuine "causes" are quite noble, such as counselling/education, health/food support for the less fortunate, and adoption and parenting services to name a few. Sure they have their tv charlatans and possibly sick or violent extremists, but so does the "unfaithful" in probably greater proportions. And without trying to sound egotistical (because I know I'm not that smart), I think most of the world's population isn't that smart, or at the very least very educated, so making their own impulsive decisions may not always be the best idea. Religion can at least give a certain framework of common sense to those masses that might otherwise be lacking. So I definitely don't think wars, or molestations, or scam artists would disappear if religion went away...probably the opposite at this point in human evolution anyways.