People who have converted to a religion

[alexpolismum]

If you have converted, what was it that convinced you?

What was it that drew you to that particular religion?

I am just curious. I do not follow any religion myself, (despite my MIL's best efforts to convert me!) but I am very interested in beliefs and the spiritual.

Hi

For me it was a feeling of recognition and of 'coming home'. I grew up not being able to reconcile my own beliefs and thoughts with the christianity I was raised in and having had little exposure to other religions it wasn't until I went to uni that I found out that there was a name for what I believed and it was called Islam.

Thankyou for your reply ummadam.

I have been thinking about your post a lot, I was actually quite intrigued. It seemed to me that you were saying that you didn't convert as such, but rather affirmed beliefs you already held by putting a name to them. At first I assumed you meant the general ideals of Islam rather than the stories and precise details. But the more I thought about it, the stranger it seemed.

The way I see it, it's the details that make the difference in a religion, as many religions seem to share general ideals. And it seemed to me that the things that differentiate Islam are not things that you are likely to have always believed. (I speak of course as an outsider, perhaps to a believer it's not as it seems from the outside)

Perhaps I'm reading too much into this, or perhaps I've just got the wrong end of the stick, but you have left me feeling somewhat confused!

lol! don't worry - I usually have that effect on people.

I always had difficulty with the concept of Jesus as a literal son of God. It seemed perfectly plausible to me but didn't seem to be what the bible was saying. I was more comfortable with a personal relationship with God than the idea of a priesthood as intercessionary and had difficulty understanding how religion could change. Either something is true or it isn't - interpretation could change but the basic truth couldn't.

What I found in Islam is all that and a collection of stories that were familiar to me growing up. (Adam and Eve except they BOTH sinned and no concept of original sin, Noah and the ark, Abraham and the sacrifice, Moses, Jesus - all variations on the same stories but variations that rang more true to me.

The details of prayer/fasting etc are the only real differences and I do those because my faith in the rest leads me to trust that God knows what is best for us, even if I disn't understand it to start with. 6 years down the line it is second nature to me and I can feel the benefits to my own wellbeing which reaffirms that.

Does that make more sense?

Thankyou, ummadam. I see what you mean now. Personally, it seems to me that there are more differences than just prayer and fasting, such as the dress code, but I realise that there may be various interpretations on this. From an outside point of view, Islam's version of fasting appears to be not so much a fast as a change of mealtimes to the late evening and very early morning, with a lot of hunger the rest of the time. It seems very difficult to me . What is the reason for it? Is there some symbolism behind it?

asalamaliakum umm adam!!

i think what umm adam was inclining towards around the time of converting is called the 'fitra' which is a natural inclination or disposition to worship the Creator. it is to know that the Creator is the Most High, above His creation. it is to know that He is One, without partner or helper, not needing assistance or aid when originating and sustaining His Creation. the One Who gives everything that we need to survive, yet does not need anything from it: He is Rich, free from all needs. this fitra: everyone is born on fitra, but as the Prophet Muhammad said, " everyone is born on fitra, but then it is the parents that teach ther children to become Christians, Jews or other than that." this fitra is evident in times of great ext ream calamity and need, likewise present in people who would normally attest that their is no God, or who worship other than Him. people instinctivly look up towards the heavens when pleading for some kind of miracle or assitstance when all hope is lost. this is our fitra knowing that our Lord is the Most High, Over His Creation. if the captain of a plane which is plummeting to the ground calls over the tannoy that there is no hope in a safe landing, garanteed all people, wether religious or not, will be praying and pleading their forgivness to some higher power. both these are evidences of our souls recognising this natural disposition that we are a created being, which ultimatly will return to our Lord!

I converted to judaism but it was not really a question of religious beliefs more a wanting to belong.

Sorry. did not really answer your questions. My DH is jewish so I was introduced to the religion through him. Things that attract me are the strong sense of continuity, the importance of family. I also converted for the children I hoped to have.

Thankyou malfoy. I expect there are lots of people who are introduced to a religion through their spouses. Have you found it easy to adjust to? I suppose that once you belong, then the other community members help you to fit in.

It is interesting that despite all the adversity and being scattered round the globe, the Jews have managed to retain such a strong sense of continuity, and were not just assimilated into the various religious communities they lived among.