Poll: Why shouldn't I convert to Islam?

[Delicious]

Are you seriously asking the internet to decide your faith?

 

[Ghostkai]

Prove me wrong.

And for the record, yes, Islam is a peaceful religion in essence, however, modern preachings of hate etc. make me sick, and I can't stand it.(I live in the UK, where places of worship have people who preach hate [see point 3] )

So, you're just going to take the words of a few extremists and use them to judge 2 bilion people? Hey you know what, I just heard the preachings of the Westboro Baptist Church, I'm now going to go out on a limb and say all Christians are a bunch of jerks and assholes.

Oh, and I would like to see the passage of the Quran that states that you should stone Jews.

I said it was preached, not written in the holy texts. Of which I was informed of by a friend of mine, who goes to the place of worship in South Harrow (tis in London, where I live).
They were also told that Women should not only be in burka's, but should only have one eye shown, as with two eyes on display, they can be seen as alluring, and may "tempt a man to rape her".

You also seem to miss the point where I acknowledge the merits of it being a peaceful religion. My point is that the "extremist" portions, are being tolerated and taught in the "normal" portions. Until thats cracked down on, my opinion won't change.

 

[ace_of_something]

I'm thinking about following Islam but my friends keep telling me not to. When I ask them to give me three reasons not to, they can't think of anything. So I am essentially looking for three reasons I should not become a Muslim.

1)Because joining a religion just to spite your friends is stupid in general.
2) Disrespectful to those of said religion that are truely faithful.
3) I can't spell mohammad half the time.

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

Prove me wrong.

And for the record, yes, Islam is a peaceful religion in essence, however, modern preachings of hate etc. make me sick, and I can't stand it.(I live in the UK, where places of worship have people who preach hate [see point 3] )

So, you're just going to take the words of a few extremists and use them to judge 2 bilion people? Hey you know what, I just heard the preachings of the Westboro Baptist Church, I'm now going to go out on a limb and say all Christians are a bunch of jerks and assholes.

Oh, and I would like to see the passage of the Quran that states that you should stone Jews.

I said it was preached, not written in the holy texts. Of which I was informed of by a friend of mine, who goes to the place of worship in South Harrow (tis in London, where I live).
They were also told that Women should not only be in burka's, but should only have one eye shown, as with two eyes on display, they can be seen as alluring, and may "tempt a man to rape her".

You also seem to miss the point where I acknowledge the merits of it being a peaceful religion. My point is that the "extremist" portions, are being tolerated and taught in the "normal" portions. Until thats cracked down on, my opinion won't change.

Rationalize it any way you want.

 

[sneakypenguin]

Gotta ask why you want to follow it first.
Can't say I agree with the religion to put it bluntly, anything in which women are regulated to 2nd tier citizens isn't my cup of tea.

Have you looked at any Western religion? We're all pretty much the same patriarchal bastards.

Some of them put on airs: "Oh, no. Of course we respect you. We need to study to be holy, you're doing that just by being pregnant, barefoot, in the kitchen." That always sort of bugged me.

Not saying Christianity is always better, but just taking baptist methodist and such, that women are on equal ground as men.

You think, maybe, there might be "reform" sects of Islam? I mean, it's not like there's just one type of Christianity or Judaism. We're all, traditionally, very patriarchal. Why put all of Islam in the patriarchal bin, while excluding the more progressive bits of Christianity?

Partially from my experience with it those that are progressive in islam that i've met are generally non practitioners, and looking at the traditional muslim country vs western Christianity. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, afganistan all "islamic" countries and all treat women as lessers than the western European and North American traditionally "christian" countries.

Not to say there aren't muslims that are for equal rights etc etc, just like i'm sure there are Christian sects that hold the view that women=kitchen, babies, and housework.

But as a whole western christianity is much much more progressive than eastern islam.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

Don't you have to be born into Islam?
No wait, that's Judaism and Hinduism.

If you want to, do it. I honestly don't care.

 

[Jamous]

Are you seriously asking the internet to decide your faith?

Well at the very least it could be amusing...

 

[Eyeheartpie]

Never said they spoke for them all, however, in many places of worships, young muslims are influenced to hate those different. While i'm not saying "all Islam" supports it. You can't tell me they don't know whats being preached in their places of worship.

Seriously, you need to stop thinking of Islam as the religion of the Middle East, and think worldwide. Just because some places of worship in a backwards part of the world teach hate BY NO MEANS means that the rest of the Islamic world approves. How the hell is someone in the US or the UK supposed to stop some preacher in a mosque in the middle of the Palestinian war zone from preaching hate to a young kid who just had his parents, grandparent, brothers, sisters, etc killed?

Broaden your mind, stop thinking of what you see on Fox as representative of the whole Islamic world.

 

[isay]

Its your life.

 

[Jamous]

Not Islamophobia, my opinion. Which the OP asked for.
I hate all religions equally.

Why hate? Just ridicule. It's FAR more entertaining watching them dance.

 

[S.H.A.R.P.]

Why should you? Because you don't need to be part of something organised, in order to believe in something. If you have your own theories about life, and have a set of moral codes you maintain, which are coincidentally similar to some other people's, then that's pretty cool of course. But that doesn't mean that you need to join up with them. Unless you are lonely, and in dire need of a new community of like minded souls.

Seriously. Consider why you want to join. Perhaps your friends can't give any reason why you shouldn't do it. But if you can't give any reason why you should, than you have some thinking ahead. Joining because you can is stupid.

Also, have you read the Koran? I read through it for a small portion. One interesting passage described the need for witnesses for a certain promise or deal being made (not sure at them moment). One male witness was OK. But if no man is available, then you need two woman as witnesses, because apparently one woman is not enough. How about that for equality?

There was some other backward stuff. Would you like to join a religion based (amongst other things) on values created more than a thousand years ago, which are currently thought of as primitive and barbaric?

 

[Ghostkai]

Never said they spoke for them all, however, in many places of worships, young muslims are influenced to hate those different. While i'm not saying "all Islam" supports it. You can't tell me they don't know whats being preached in their places of worship.

You said "Islam preaches..."

You think all devout muslims are gung-ho about stoning Jews? Just because a few preachers, in a xenophobic country, aren't tolerant of people who are different doesn't mean that's the official point of view. Comprende?

A poor turn of phrase on my part. Of course I don't lump them all in together. But when it's preached "when it's ok to beat your wife" or that "women should only have one eye on display so as not to tempt a man to rape her" it's just plain medieval and wrong.

I do understand that it's a peaceful religion, with alot of merits, however, until they clean up the "extremists" inside the public places of worship I can't see it as anything but supporting said preachings (the officals in the area supporting it, not the whole religion).

If the OP decides to go with Islam, then good luck to him, however, he asked for reasons, and I gave my opinion.

 

[eelel]

wtf if you want to so badly than do it

 

[Ghostkai]

Never said they spoke for them all, however, in many places of worships, young muslims are influenced to hate those different. While i'm not saying "all Islam" supports it. You can't tell me they don't know whats being preached in their places of worship.

Seriously, you need to stop thinking of Islam as the religion of the Middle East, and think worldwide. Just because some places of worship in a backwards part of the world teach hate BY NO MEANS means that the rest of the Islamic world approves. How the hell is someone in the US or the UK supposed to stop some preacher in a mosque in the middle of the Palestinian war zone from preaching hate to a young kid who just had his parents, grandparent, brothers, sisters, etc killed?

Broaden your mind, stop thinking of what you see on Fox as representative of the whole Islamic world.

Actually all the examples I gave are being taught here in the UK.

 

[ThrobbingEgo]

Partially from my experience with it those that are progressive in islam that i've met are generally non practitioners, and looking at the traditional muslim country vs western Christianity. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, afganistan all "islamic" countries and all treat women as lessers than the western European and North American traditionally "christian" countries.

Not to say there aren't muslims that are for equal rights etc etc, just like i'm sure there are Christian sects that hold the view that women=kitchen, babies, and housework.

But as a whole western christianity is much much more progressive than eastern islam.

Christianity, as a whole, has also been more secularized. Just by looking at popular culture, Christmas isn't so much about Christ anymore, as it is about Coca-Cola, presents, reindeer and trees.

I'd argue that the more Orthadox you live your life, the more patriarchal you'll be, because women's rights are a fairly modern part of western culture. None of our ancestors really gave women's rights much thought. That aspect of western culture hasn't caught on everywhere yet. No reason to judge all Muslim's as fundies, now, is there?

 

[sneakypenguin]

My point is that the "extremist" portions, are being tolerated and taught in the "normal" portions. Until thats cracked down on, my opinion won't change.

Oh oh I love this point, one reason for my general animosity towards islam is the "normal" sects do not seem to criticize the extremist. Yes they will condemn terrorism or like abhorrent behavior, but nothing like say baptist rage against westboro baptist church. Islam to me seems like the family that tolerates creepy KKK member uncle joe. If I was islamic I would be going nuts trying to separate myself from the extreme position and saying hey they are NOT muslim.

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

You're an idiot for setting up this thread IMO. You're obviously not at all interested in joining Islam, you're just a) trolling for muslim hating responses b) being a badgewhore.
If you really meant to join said religion, the opinion of your friends or any fucking user on the Escapist wouldn't matter a flying shit to you.

And the fact that your username is lenin_117 and you have a Che Guevara avatar doesn't help your case out one little bit.

 

[Valkyira]

This is so stupid. If you really want to convert to Islam, why are you asking us if its a good idea? You are either doing this for attention or to start an argument. It shouldn't matter what other people think. Oh and i hate all religions as they don't to any good they just cause conflict and violence. You should think for yourself then believe in a bedtime story.

 

[Fingerprint]

Swings and roundabouts. Honestly if you truly believe Islam hold the key then go for it. I don't see religion as having any answers myself, but it's you asking the question, not me. The decision is yours choose what you think is right.