To not want to be a Muslim

[Lostagain]

Ok so I am a Muslim, have 2 dd and married dh is a convert to Islam....
Anyway from a young age I have had a strong pull towards Christianity or aspects of it. I don't believe Jesus is the son of god, but do believe he will return again etc.
Is it a cultural thing? I was born and brought up in the uk, went to a cofe school for a few years then we went to a inner city which was full of Asians- I am Asian but it was horrible, I hated it. Despite this I still sang on the school choir, certain people were horrified at the time, but my mum supported me. In my teens i went a bit religion mad and started wearing a headscarf etc- didn't last long,
i love Christmas and Easter, I sing hymms when I'm washing up i've been to a few church's in my time, funerals weddings etc and to be honest it's so peaceful there.
I have been to mosques it was ok,actually I couldn't wait to get out of there....Maybe it's a language barrier
I haven't spoken to anyone about this as it is such a big thing -changed my name on mn but sometimes I just don't want to be a Muslim. I want to bring up my children with faith and I struggle to explain the Muslim faith.

I'm sure there is the odd sentence in the above which makes sense :)

Is islam not glamorous enough for you? what a stupid starement to make, stop bullying the OP if she wants to leave this religion which she does not feel comfortable in it is her right, and she does not have to research it to leave it. Follow your heart OP

Lostagain Posters who are telling you leaving this religion is punishable by death, are not worth listening to. Discuss it with your husband and family and live your life the way you see fit. Dont let other posters scare you and bully you into doing anything you dont want to do.

Also OP there are course such as Christianity Explored that your local Church may have that are for non-Christians who want to learn a bit more and want to ask questions. Good luck

Thunderbirdago

I think you can find extreme fundermentalists in any religion. Lots of religions have the opinon that if you are not a muslim/ christian or believe X, Y or Z you will be dammned.

In the UK changing religion is not punishable by death. If the OP does get death threats then I recommned she goes to the police asap. In the UK we have progressed since the days when people were burnt at the the stake for being catholic/ protestant or supposely a witch.

I think you had some good advice and I hope you find what is right for you

I suggest that you read up about your religion, as muslims DO believe in the return of Jesus (peace be upon him)! Unlike christainity muslims do not believe that jesus was part of the trinity and they do not believe in the crucification, but one of the major signs of judgement day will be the return of Jesus.

Here is a link to some basic info; english.islamway.com/

Islam teaches that there is no compulsion in religion, so to go with something that you don't believe in is pointless. However, you don't seem to know much about islam so really do look into it first.

I converted to islam 14 years ago and have never been happier :-)

I'm pretty sure the OP knows about the Islam religion.

When I have faith wobbles I usually seek out someone to talk to. I went to a catholic priest (I am a catholic) and talking to him about faith and religion really helped.

This is a huge problem to shoulder alone. Do you have a Muslim friend that you trust whom you could confide in?

How about a bit of time set aside for you to pray and examine your heart?

You really do need to talk to someone though, preferably a Muslim and a Christian to discuss the aspects of each faith and to explore how you are feeling.

It could be a simple case of wanting to belong and feeling that there is more of a community within the Christian faith because those are the people you associate with more. Only by exploring this in more depth will you get your answer.

And I agree with the others. Years ago Christians were martyred and witches burnt at the stake. People all over the world are still killed for belonging to the 'wrong' religion. This has nothing to do with religion and a loving God but everything to do with peoples prejudices. Don't let prejudice poison your heart, instead open it up to the love of God.

Good luck OP.

You can go to chirch if you like. Nobody is going to question your belief, or ask you if you are a true Christian or whatever. You're free to explore, wheather you want to stay Muslim or not.

I wouldn't talk about it in public, though. It leaves you open to all sorts of abuse. And you will definitely get all sorts of people trying to impose their religious views on you.

I would second the advice to do some reading about Islam and to try spending some quiet time reaching out to God. Contemplating God's creation, looking at nature are also good ways of attaining a nearness to God. Take your time and view it as a journey, rather then something to be decided rapidly.

take things slowly and do the bits that call to you. I am muslim but dont go near mosques. Mainly cos women are confined to dank basements. Perhaps its ritual and singing you are looking for?
I dont know any person of faith you hasnt gone through a crisis. Sometimes they become athiest for a bit or permanently. Sometimes they change faiths, othertimes they find renewed faith. One day at a time.

I know islam is not all about hellfire - can be rammed down your throat thou at times- i did attened islamic studies when i was younger, but the lady teaching couldnt explain half the questions we had ie we regard mary as the most important female in islam but women are treated as rubbish half the time..

You're confusing RELIGION with CULTURE there. Islam, just like any other religion has to be taught with love. If it was rammed down your throat then it is no wonder you are wanting to run away from it.

I think you'll find a lot of women will disagree that women are treated rubbish in Islam. I think again, that's a cultural thing and a lot backward Asian families thrust religion upon their children and make them resent it. Maybe this happened to you? I don't know, but what I do know is that you're trying to make a rash decision which is strange because you know nothing about either religion.

You need to write down what exactly about Islam makes you think you want to leave it, and then do research on this. Go to the library and look up what the 3 main sects of Islam believe in. Maybe your family were orthodox type muslims and were strict?
In my eyes, you can't be Christian if you don't believe in the holy trinity, so alot of reading is to be done by you if you don't want to be "lost again".

I'm a female (unorthadox) Muslim and don't think women are treated as rubbish!

I also grew up celebrating Xmas, Easter etc not so much the religious side but the cultural side (advent calendar, xmas trees, presents, easter eggs etc) and was in Brownies and used to sing at the carol services etc. I also fast during Ramadan etc.

It sounds like you are very confused and it may / not be a cultural rather than religious issue. It might help to talk to your DH especially as he was willing to convert for you.

Ultimately it is your decision and you have to do what is right for you.

Some mosques can be very peaceful, have you been to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul? or even Regents Park Mosque in London? I agree, churches can also be peaceful and beautiful too.

Hi lostagain I am sorry you are feeling confused. I am a practising Muslim but I do like lots of things about Christianity - for example I tell my children that it is fine to celebrate the birth of Jesus (PBUH) at Christmas, even though we do not believe that that was his birthday we can still be happy that he was born.

If I were you I would focus on the five pillars - as others have said, perhaps you need to do some research before making a decision.

I.just want to point out that no threats were made on this thread me, firawla, goth Anne, maumau, sadia, ishop, madmum, kal and all the other Muslims on this thread have not even considered punishment for apostacy a possibility, and have given advice and been supportive, I am sure any one of us would be happy if op would like to pm us for one of us to accompany her to mosque, lecture, or reccomend online stuff to look at, or just listen. It is non Muslims who have brought up apostacy as far as I am aware.

OP, I would start from first principles.

Why do you need to follow any belief system at all?

When you have answered that question, go and seek for your own truth.

First point. Do you still believe in God? I reckon thats the most important question.

Nailak I was going to point that out too, thanks for doing so first!

This thread is a wind up. NO MUSLIM on the planet would talk about Islam like the OP only a non Muslim would.

Stop pressuring the OP, she has made it clear she is not interested in ollowing her current religion at thia time. She my indeed change her mind, or stay resolute. Its amazing how mny people are bullying bombrding the OP trying to get her to change her mind. She is simply saying it my nt be right for her.

I just know this from muslim countries - converting is Very Bad but I am sure you know this.

Maybe speak to another mullah? Discuss your faith with someone who you feel has your ideas and beliefs - there is a wide range out there from the hellbrand to moderate. Maybe you will find a 'home' within your faith. If you explore these avenues and still feel the same, then go and chat to your vicar - they aren't all out to convert souls so you should be able to have a conversation about belief and faith with no strings or drama.

Who are you to say he is a no-muslim and why should she explin to you whether she believes in God or Not. A lot of you are sounding extremely intolerant.

who has tried to get her to change her mind? I think people have been very supportive. My kids are all athiest and I support their choice completely.

errr, thunderbird, she came and asked about how she felt. First question to ask is do you beleieve in god. If the answer is No then religion clearly isnt for you. If yes, then what appeals.
This should probably be in religion/philosophy rather than AIBU