jak2

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.therevival.co.uk/revivali...onversions.htm
http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9704/14/egypt.islam/

"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

Famous people are affected too:

Singer "Cat Stevens" Oh, baby, baby it's a wild world
Hear his story as told him

http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.n...2569BA0007D998

Vincentt

Well, that is because it is a war on terrorism, not a war on Islam.

I don't care if people want to be Islam or Jewish or Christian.

It is funny, because they are all sister religions who worship the same god, although in diffrent ways.

As long as you are blowing people up, or shoting them with rifles, or choping them down with swords... who cares?

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tecoyah

I find the choice of words here quite telling....I suppose one could be affected by faith, if that is what you mean.

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Daniel_

Yusef Islam (Cat Stevens) converted to Islam many years ago - one can hardly relate that to the current goepolitical climate - you might as well suggest that Cassius Clay and Malcolm X are part of the same trend.

(Sorry if I seem to have missed the point you were actually making, but I'm a bit confused about what you are trying to say)

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Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
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jak2

From what I've heard from different friends of mine 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.


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.

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.

maskedrider

Fast growing in PRISON, too, according to some studies. Apparently, part of its appeal is that all Muslims in prison band together to prevent male on male prison rape. Quite a powerful incentive to convert, if you ask me.

analog

I have never, in my 24 years on this planet, met a female* in any stage of her life who thought that idea covering up her entire body, so that she is no longer at all appealing or approachable to men, was a "welcome change". I also would like to know what type of woman says it's "liberating" to not have to "conform to western standards of dress". That, to me, sounds like more of a bullshit cop-out than anything else. So rather than not conforming by wearing a simple pair of jeans and t-shirt and no make-up (which is still very standard and can still be sexy), they'd rather go completely overboard and out of their way to be completely non-conformist by covering themselves head to toe? If that's the reason for the mode of dress, it seems like the wrong reason to celebrate a religion.

That'd be like me saying that, as a Catholic, I wear the cross around my neck because it's really slimming and sets off my eyes, and it's a welcome change from all the heathen bare-necked people of the world.

*A female who didn't hate all men due to a mindset of militant lesbianism, or a complete whack job (to which no modes of behavior can be assumed as real).

Cynthetiq

so it's not as stringent as Christianity... okay.

I'd say it's almost as stringent in all the same aspects as Orthodox Judaism. Okay. Next?

What's the point of the discussion? your OP seems lackidasical in greating a directed discussion.

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I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

World's King

I'm confused...

Are you trying to sell us on joining the Nation of Islam?

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heavy is the head that wears the crown

Charlatan

I think you've got that reversed... the OP is suggesting Islam is *more* stringent than Christianity. Christianity adapts to society and Islam doesn't...

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Cynthetiq

sorry, yes that's what I meant.. but so what, that is my point. Different strokes for different folks.

more to compare it to judaism in it's strictness than christianity.

but still, what's the point of discussion?

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

Glory's Sun

I honestly think this is the first time I've ever heard Christianity described as having loose standards.

raeanna74

To be honest when I wore ultra conservative garb (for a time this was required by family, church, and school where I was) and even wore a headcovering, I still got hit on guys just about as much. It didn't deter men. I DID find that I attracted more of the freaks though and then ones that I wouldn't be the least interested in. Older men (I was 16 and 17 and they were often in their 40's), men with LONG facial hair and dated clothes (dated by decades), as well as many religious fanatics. I never even dated until I was 18 but it wasn't in the least because I didn't get asked - I got asked probably once every other month by complete strangers - even on the street. Even more often by men that I knew. I was never interested in any of them.

I was/am Christian and the clothing required by one church that I once attended and by the Christian college I attended was long skirts, headcoverings(by the church) and no necklines that showed my collar bones. No sleevless shirts, and no more than one set of earrings, no boyshort hair, no pants at all.

__________________
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My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

jak2

Every religion claims to be the fastest growing religion on earth, it justdepends how you measure it.

If you go by how many new places of worship are popping up, then sure Islam will win - Christianity is an established religion, and has so many feckin' churches, that if they built any more, they would probably out number houses.


You 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 fuc.ed up consequences in the last 50 years.

Cynthetiq

Well it's obvious that you are pro-islam of all the Abrahamic faiths, but what's the point of this thread? So far you've not clarified any discussion points or anything making it a discussion.

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

raeanna74

I wonder if the interest in Islam is because people want to know what the extremists who would cause 9/11 believe. When they begin to study Islam, they find out that the extremists have warped the faith that most Muslims hold and they find out that they are attracted to Islam. In a sense it's given Islam a broader exposure to people who would otherwise not even consider it. Does that make sense?

__________________
"Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama
My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

Cynthetiq

I've met many converts to islam in the 1980s. Today I've met only 1 since 9/11, and he converted from judaism because he married a young islamic woman, much to the dismay of the family members.

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

jak2

raeanna74,

The Christians most likely killed WAY more protestants, Jews and 'Indian's in South America. Also, North Americans killing the natives and all that. Islam also has its extremists. I don't see what's your point.

I personally believe that all the hate comes from the media. some americans are so ignorant and gullible that they allow the media to decieve them. Its always "a sucide bomber killed this many" and "violent palestinian boys throw rocks" but if we look at the bigger picture its a rock against a tank, apache helicopters, grenades and the list goes on. From this view it is quite simple to see the injustice.

things like 9/11 happen daily in palestine only like 10X more inhuman all due to american funds..

So your post shows a complete and dangerous lack of comprehension. Islam is a religion, not a terrorist group. The media classifies Muslims as "terrorists," "highjackers" and "kidnappers." So why would anyone even look at Islam? Why are so many priests and preachers going to Islam?

David Karesh was a Christian, shall we ban all Christian momentous?
When you compare all of Islam to these terrorists, you essentially say every Sunday clothed bible reading Christian is a Branch Dividian fundamentalist. The linking of such actions to Islam or the Qur’an is incorrect. Rather, such inhumane actions clearly contradict the teachings of Islam - just as the bombing at Oklahoma City by Timothy McVeigh and the killings that occurred at Abraham Mosque, Hebron - Philistine by Dr. Baruch Goldstein clearly contradict the teachings of Christianity and Judaism, respectively.

I found this in one of the Islamic sites:
The Holy Quran


[5:32] Whoever kills a soul, unless for a soul, or for corruption done in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one; it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.


Surah 60. Al-Mumtahana

[60:8] - Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just..

[60:9] - Allah only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for (your) faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support (others) in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in these circumstances), that do wrong..

AL-Amaidah [5:82] Strongest among men in enmity to the Believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the Believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant.

[5:83] And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth: they pray: "Our Lord! We believe; write us down among the witnesses.

jak2

I don't outbid on Islam. Islam a brilliant religion by itself and doesn't need any preaching or missionary work or me.

I really don’t like misunderstanding of my intentions in this post .It is not an assault on Christianity or any other religion. It is indispensable for me to look for the truth and study comparative religion because if I would like to know whether a religion is true or false, I should not depend on my emotions, feelings, or traditions. Rather, I should depend on my reason and intellect. When God sent the prophets, He supported them with miracles and evidences, which proved that they were truly prophets, send by God and that the religion they came with was true.

We cay say there are so many sects, cults, religions, philosophies, and movements in the world, all of which claim to be the right way or the only true path to God. How can one determine which one is correct or if, in fact, all are correct? The method by which the answer can be found is to clear away the superficial differences in the teachings of the various claimants to the ultimate truth, and identify the central object of worship to which they call, directly or indirectly. Can we either claim that all men are Gods or that specific men were God or that nature is God or that God is a figment of man's imagination.


It may be argued that all religions teach good things so why should it matter which one we follow. I made some searching and I couldn’t find a sharp answer but I found something interesting stated in the Koran:
Creation-worship is the greatest sin that man can commit because it contradicts the very purpose of his creation. Man was created to worship Allah alone, consequently, the worship of creation, which is the essence of idolatry, is the only unforgivable sin. One who dies in this state of idolatry has sealed his fate in the next life. This is not an opinion, but a revealed fact stated by Allah in his final revelation to man

"Verily Allah will not forgive the joining of partners with Him, but He may forgive (sins) less than that for whom so ever He wishes"(Soorah An- Nisaa 4:48 and 116)

Buddha was a reformer who introduced a number of humanistic principles to the religion of India. He did not claim to be God nor did he suggest to his followers that he be an object of worship. Yet, today most Buddhists who are to be found outside of India have taken him to be God and prostrate to idols made in their perception of his likeness.

God revealed a holy book to Jesus called the Injeel, some parts of which may be still available in the teachings of God to Jesus in the New Testament. But this does not mean that the Bible we have today because it is not the original scriptures that were revealed by God. They underwent alterations, additions, and omissions. This was also said by the Committee charged with revising The Holy Bible (Revised Standard Version). This Committee consisted of thirty-two scholars who served as members of the Committee. They secured the review and counsel of an Advisory Board of fifty representatives of the co-operating denominations. The Committee said in the Preface to The Holy Bible (Revised Standard Version), p. iv, “Sometimes it is evident that the text has suffered in transmission, but none of the versions provides a satisfactory restoration. Here we can only follow the best judgment of competent scholars as to the most probable reconstruction of the original text.
The Committee also said in the Preface, p. vii, Notes are added which indicate significant variations, additions, or omissions in the ancient authorities (Mt 9.34; Mk 3.16; 7.4; Lk 24.32, 51, etc.).

My question is do we believe in the information declared in the following sites or not:

THE REAL STORY OF MARY
http://geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/3001/storyofmary.htm

THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS
http://sultan.org/articles/Jesus.html

Who Was Jesus According to Jesus?
http://www.islaminfo.com

IS THE BIBLE GODS WORD?
http://www.jamaat.net/bible/Bible1-3.html

Women in Christianity and Islam
http://www.jamiat.org.za/isinfo/wchristian.html

The Bible - A Closer Look!
http://www.todayislam.com/bible.htm

The Islamic and Christian views of Jesus: a comparison
http://www.soundvision.com/Info/Jesus/inIslam.asp

Christ in Islam
http://home2.swipnet.se/~w-20479/Christ.htm

Mary & Jesus in Quran
http://www.islamworld.net/

Is Jesus the Same as God?
http://home2.swipnet.se/~w-20479/Samegod.htm

None of the Bible’s Writers Believed That Jesus is God
http://www.islam-guide.com/ch3-10-1.htm

Jesus Will Descend at the End of Time
http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=77

http://www.jamaat.net/letters.htm

The Scientific Miracles in the Holy Quran:

http://www.islampedia.com/ijaz/Html/..._All/Index.htm
http://islamicity.com/science/
http://www.islam-guide.com/frm-ch1-1.htm


http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9704/14/egypt.islam/

The so-called freedom of western women and child

http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/act...p=2&item=11769

---------------------------


Islam The Fastest Growing Religion in the World ...Discover Why?
http://www.whyislam.org/discoverwhy.htm

Why are so many women converting to Islam ?
http://geocities.com/Athens/Agora/4229/women.html

Converters to Islam from All religions
http://thetruereligion.org/modules/xfsection/
Veiws of Non-Muslim Scientists about Islam
http://www.islamicmedicine.org/nonmuslim.htm

analog

First of all, you're still confusing the shit out of me. It still reads like an infomercial for Islam. As for the "sites"... half of them are geocities cites that could have been created by a monkey with internet access and a computer for all we know, not even worth glancing at. Most of the others seem like small, independent sites written by God (or Allah, I guess) knows who, and my opinion is likewise. There's no way of verifying what sort of official stance any of these sites have with regard to legitemacy in the eyes of the leaders of the religion of Islam. Also, those that seem to be from reputable news sources have little to do with the topic at hand- like the one about the Violence Against Women Act, titled something about "so-called freedom". It has nothing to do with freedom. It's about women being killed, raped, and abused by men. It has nothing to do with western culture or islam, or anything else mentioned.

This is like if I wrote a thread about catholicism and, to prove my point, gave you URL's for a dozen sites that I authored by myself.

So, to answer your question more directly- No. I don't think anyone would take that list seriously.

Da Munk

I'm confused as to the point of this thread as well. You don't really seem to be trying to generate any discussion, just posting seemingly random information about the Islamic faith and your opinions about it and other religions. It doesn't seem that you're asking for opinions on the matter, or really even listening to what others post. The only post that you seemed to respond to was raeanna's, and that was with a massive misinterpretation of what was posted. I'd like to know the point of this thread and if there is some attempt at generating discussion and not just a brochure on Islam.

moot1337

Can a thread be jacked if there is no thread?

If so, or even if not, I'd like to point out that that was one of the funniest things I've read here, barring Clavus and his tales of a suggestive and questionable nature.

/end nonthreadjack

On a thread related note, is there really anything to prove when it comes to believing in a religion? Who's to say what is right, and what is wrong, anyway? And what evidence do they have, other than slightly different translations of one of the books, and a 'divine urge' to teach that way?

I think that religion should just be believed in (if at all) as you would have it be; that's probably what will be right in the end, as long as you use your sensibility and your ability to interpret what you read in your beliefs...

What kind of creator would measure the merits of his creatures by how well they followed everyone else in their acts of worship? Would it not be 'better' to just believe in the idea of divine perfection, including the perfect ability to forgive our less meaningful acts?

I'm an atheist, but if I believed in anything, that's what it would be.

Cynthetiq

I think I've given you ample time to generate a discussion here as opposed to just site plugging Islamic sites.

This in no way is to be interpreted as bias against Islam but rather Jak2's inability to state his position into a fruitful discussion.

Several members including myself have scratched their heads waiting for you to clarify and direct this into a discussion. I've give ample time and a few posts to help you distill it into a discussion. Since you feel that you don't need to create a discussion but just toss up pro-Islamic links, this thread is now closed.

__________________
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