Why do people reject Islam?

[SplodgeWaddler]

Just curious really. A lovely colleague of mine used to be a Muslim but was quite vocal in telling us she was no longer a Muslim. It was a clear, decisive rejection of the religion and not just a lapse of faith.

Has anyone done similar, I'd love to know your reasons.

There were many Muslim girls at my school, some of whom had massively restricted prospects in life. One girl (who was a bit wild) told us she was worried that she was going to be forced into an arranged marriage. She just didn't come back one day, she was under 16.

Things do seem to have moved on since then though but there still seems to be huge variation.

Um.... Are you seriously asking why a WOMAN might reject Islam? The most oppressive mainstream religion on earth? Is this a trick question?

I agree with you especially the last line.

So make sure your daughters understand the importance of watertight contraception and the available of the MAP. Then they can have enjoyably meaningless sex with whoever they like with some elementary safety precautions.

I work with a fair few Muslim women all in fairly senior positions - very few have childcare worries as live with or in close proximity to their families. Similar with elderly relatives if in this country. Muslim families seem more cohesive although perhaps I am overgeneralising.
Not sure what part the men play in this lifestyle but I am of the generation where white British women did all the child and elderly care which is now changed.

No that's not strictly true they believe God has chosen them and they must answer that call. I know many unhappy nuns who believe they were called to the vocation and must answer God's call, despite not really wanting to or feel they've any agency in that.

Lot of Muslims not following it then.

What about the lashes for being in a room unchaperoned, the stoning of women etc. Against the Muslim faith?

You must live a very different life from me to know lots of nuns let alone lots of unhappy ones. What's the ratio of happy versus unhappy nuns in your experience? How do you know so many?

Well, then dont you think if there are lots not following it then its THEM who are the problem and not the faith in itself if the faith teaches this!

Lashed for being in a room unchaperoned blooming heck that's ridiculous and barbaric never heard of that. Where did you hear that? I cant imagine a woman being whipped repeatedly because she went somewhere and there was no one there with her. Whoever did that is a real creep

I think there's more to it than just not or no longer believing. There's a significant difference between religions that place a lot of demands/restrictions on people and those that don't.

I mean you have answered your own question really with the part about the girl from your school- would you like to be part of a religion where arranged marriage is still practiced?

Yeah, nuns ive met and watched on telly look happy and talk about how theyre settled in life. I do find the whole everyone of them has a special spiritual marriage to Jesus a bit odd but each to their own I suppose. They're not hurting anyone.

But what is it specifically about Islam that encourages large numbers of women to cover up, including their faces?
If they are indeed free to choose, why are they choosing something hardly any other women in other cultures choose?
I know there is a small, fringe group within ultra-Orthodox Judaism where women also cover their faces, but it’s really uncommon.
And then you have countries like Iran where a morality police needs to be in place to make sure women cover their hair properly, so it’s not really a choice for them at all.

Meaningless sex sounds brilliant 👏

I find the morality police to be a bunch of wallies. I cannot imagine walking round and forcing women to wear the hijab. There is no compulsion in islam..

A lot of my Muslim sister friends dont wear hijab. I dont have a go at them. But I encourage them positively that its important and hope they will soon. I dont berate them or slag them off. That wouldn't be good for me or for them. I dont believe in forcing anyone to do anything.

There are lots of things other cultures do, that brits dont do. There are some weird /different and unique cermeonial/cult/family orientated things in all countries/communities and walks of life.

Everyone is different and if a woman wants to wear hijab or she wants to free her hair, thats her choice, her life..... the quran tells us to follow this yes but not all do.

All of this ^ and more...

I can't believe you even have to ask @SplodgeWaddler

That's what I'm asking - are people following the Muslim faith when they physically beat someone for being unchaperoned /adultery (which in some cases seems to be rape) or are they not?

It sounds like you don't think this behaviour is compatable with Islam but it is certainly done under it's name.

But I encourage them positively that its important and hope they will soon.

Why is it important? I thought women were choosing it freely?
You’re not forcing them, but you’re hoping they’ll start wearing it. What if they won’t?
Gentle pressure is still pressure.

"come back to islam as we are all one together as a family unit."

Who are all one together as a family unit?

Your actual family or all Muslims?

I imagine the same as any other religion - which is various reasons. They may dislike the ideology and/or the way it treats different groups of people, it might just not really mean anything to them (as was the case with my sister and Judaism) and they don't wish to carry on all the stuff that goes with it, it could be disassociating yourself from family in that religion and all the expectations that come with it, it could be falling in love with someone of another or no religion and so on.

It’s not about what Brits do. What other culture inspires women to cover their faces (completely voluntarily, as we’re being told)?
If it’s just something some Muslim women choose to do, why aren’t any other women drawn to it?

I don't think this is ' arranged marriage' which happens in lots of cultures. Taking a 16 year old to Pakistan on holiday and marrying her off to some middle aged cousin is forced marriage.

If one of your friends asked you to stop encouraging her to cover, would you?

It goes against, there is nothing that says beat someone up/harm or kill for being unchaperoned. I got out all the time to places on my own or with young children..
As for adultery, you dont get killed for it, no but there can be prison time or public whipping. But saying that, it shows that in islam marriage is very important and having affairs is wrong. This goes for men and women.

Yeah, I dont go on about it every single time. Maybe once I have mentioned when they say soon id like to start embracing the hijab. And id say yes and you are so beautiful im sure you would look so beautiful in one.
Or wheb they introduce themselves to me, they do make a point of saying im a muslim too, maybe you dont know because I dont wear the hijab. Im not going to scrutinise them for it. But simply remind them gently why we wear it and why its important and they agree and say soon, God willing. And we leave it there and talk about other things.