First Info

salim2

Although religion is no longer dominates everyday life in Western society, Islam becomes the fastest-growing religion in America and in the world?


A NATION CHALLENGED: AMERICAN MUSLIMS; Islam Attracts Converts By the Thousand, Drawn Before and After Attacks
By JODI WILGOREN
Source: The New York Times: October 22, 2001, Monday
Section: National Desk

http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/3016/fastest.htm

"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" Hear his story as told him
http://www.islamtomorrow.net/converts/yusuf_islam.htm

Karoma

*peep*





*peep*









(be vewy quiet.. i'm hunting .. THE POINT..)

salim2

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. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.


This is an example:


Why Are Women Turning to Islam
At a time when Islam is faced with hostile media coverage particularly where the status of women in Islam is concerned, it may be quite surprising to learn that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, and even more ironic to discover that the majority of converts to Islam are WOMEN.
The status of women is society is neither a new issue nor is it a fully settled one, and where Islam is mentioned, for many the term 'Muslim Women' prompts images of exhausted mothers chained to the stove, 'victims' suppressed in a life of indoctrination, frantic to be westernized and so on. Others will go to great lengths to explain how the hijaab is an obstacle, clouding the mind, and comment that female converts are either brainwashed, stupid or traitors to their sex. I reject such accusations and pose to them the following question: why is it that so many women who have been born and brought in the so called 'civilized' societies of Europe and America are willing to reject their 'liberty' and 'independence' to embrace a religion that supposedly oppresses them and is widely assumed to be prejudicial to them?
As a Christian convert to Islam, I can only present my personal experience and reasons for rejecting the 'freedom' that women claim to have in this society in favor of the only Religion that truly liberates women by giving us a status and position, which is completely unique when compared with that of non-Muslim counterparts. Before coming to Islam, I had strong feminist tendencies and recognized that where the women was concerned, a lot of shuffling around had been going on, yet without being able to pin her on the social map. The problem was ongoing: new 'women's issues' being raised without the previous ones being satisfactorily resolved. Like the many women who shared my background, I would accuse Islam of being a sexist religion, discriminating, oppressing and giving men the greater privileges. All this coming from a person who did not even know Islam, one who had been blinded due to ignorance and had accepted this deliberately distorted definition of Islam.

However, despite my criticisms of Islam, inwardly I wasn't satisfied with my own status as a woman in this society. It seemed to me that society would define such terms as 'liberty' and 'freedom' and then these definitions were accepted by women without us even attempting to question or challenge them. There was clearly a great contradiction between what women were told in theory and what actually happens in practice. The more I pondered, the greater emptiness I felt within. I was slowly beginning to reach a stage where my dissatisfaction with my status as a women in this society, was really a reflection of my greater dissatisfaction with society itself. Everything seemed to be degenerating backwards, despite the claims that the 2000 was going to be the decade of success and prosperity. Something vital seemed to be missing from my life and nothing would fill this vacuum. Being a Christian did not do anything for me, and I began to question the validity of only remembering God one day a week - Sundays! As with many other Christians too, I had become disillusioned with the hypocrisy of the Church and was becoming increasingly unhappy with the concept of Trinity and the deification of Jesus. Eventually, I began to look into Islam. At first, I was only interested in looking at those issues, which specifically dealt with women. I was surprised. What I read and learned taught me a lot about myself as a woman, and also about where the real oppression of women lies: in every other system and way of life outside of Islam. Muslim women have been given their rights in every aspect of the religion with clear definitions of their role in society - as had men - with no injustice against either of them. As Allah says: Whoever does deeds of righteousness, be they male or female, and have faith, they will enter paradise and not the least injustice will be done to them [Nisaa 4:124]
So having amended my misconceptions about the true status of women in Islam, I was now looking further. I wanted to find that thing which was going to fill the vacuum in my life. My attention was drawn towards the beliefs and practices of Islam. It was only through establishing the fundamentals that I would understand where to turn and what to prioritize. These are often the areas, which receive little attention or controversy in society, and when studying the Islamic Creed, it becomes clear why this is the case: such concise, faultless and wholly comprehensive details cannot be found elsewhere.

UnrealQueen

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/archive/thread/189187-1.html

BuffyBot

Eventually, I began to look into Islam.

Eventually, I began to look at porn. I didn't come to a completely inappropriate board and post very long posts about it though.

Hobbes

Originally posted by UnrealQueen
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/archive/thread/189187-1.html

Intresting.

Rabies

That same post was posted across loads of other message boards :dunno:

salim2, are you getting paid commision for every new member you convert to Islam.

SheroN

I tried islam once, but i found it a little too spicey for my liking.

salim2

I don't outbid on Islam. Islam a brilliant religion by itself and doesn't need any preaching or missionary work or me.
This phenomenon indicates that Islam is truly a religion from God . It is unreasonable to think that so many American converted to Islam without careful consideration and deep contemplation. before concluding that Islam is true. These Americans came from different classes, races and walks of life. They include scientists, professors, philosophers, journalists, doctors, nurses, teachers, artists, lawmakers, chefs, laborers, and every other sort of person imaginable.

Hobbes

If it doesn't need any preaching then why are you doing it?

Clearly you doubt its powers.

Asok

Azeeeeeeez!

Beruthiel

lemme guess
you're here to convert us?
lol
considering that 90% of us irish drink, a lot; what are your chances? :dunno:

I don't wish to insult anyone here but in my view, only desperate people take up a religion at this time in their lives, ie, not having it force feed to them since birth - I don't agree with people who take advantage of desperate people.

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

newsflash
most normal women want to dress up and go on 'easy dates' as you put it :rolleyes:

salim2

The natural inclination for religious faith is an integral part of the human essence. This is an indisputable fact of history. All scholars of comparative religion, regardless of their own religious backgrounds, agree that religious belief is a natural human condition. They differ, however about its origins.

It is indispensable for everybody to look for the truth now or later but who guarantee life and how long we are going to live and when the last moment will come. No body knows.
We have all the capabilities and resources to recognize and distinguish using for example the Internet. There will be no excuse for all of us, we will be asked then.

woosaysdan

where do i sign up?:rolleyes:

The Sweeper

Originally posted by salim2
It is unreasonable to think that so many American converted to Islam without careful consideration and deep contemplation.

Actually, I think it's perfectly reasonable to think that large numbers of Americans can be easily persuaded to a particular idea without any consideration or contemplation at all.

Islam is just like every other religion in this world - its teachings are perverted by people who twist meaning to suit themselves, with the excuse that teachings that are over two thousand years old need to be interpreted for modern life.

Mohammed was just a man. No man tells me what to do.

chabsey

Originally posted by salim2
The natural inclination for religious faith is an integral part of the human essence. This is an indisputable fact of history. All scholars of comparative religion, regardless of their own religious backgrounds, agree that religious belief is a natural human condition. They differ, however about its origins.

Actual fact is that all religions are a by-product of the human fear of the unknown, in this case death. Ever since people have been able to conciously consider their existance there has been a fear of that unknown quantity that occurs after death.
For a long time religions were a necessary evil but with the rapid scientific progress we're making it's strange they still survive, and even stranger that they have become so much more evil than necessary.

strawberry

Originally posted by Minesajackdaniels
Mohammed was just a man. No man tells me what to do.

Amen to that

salim2

Some 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.

Cake Fiend

Mohammed is Jesus is Buddha is love is the way

I see it

chabsey

Originally posted by salim2
Some 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."

No I don't think that's what people are saying. But you are right about the media tending to turn the word 'muslim' into something that looks like it'll become roughly akin to 'terrorist'. This obviously must anger the majority of peaceful muslims.

However, I think the main issues here with Islam are the middle-eastern Islamic states like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan that contain many schools that foster and create a certain type of mindset in their pupils. This mindset has nothing to do with being a muslim and more to do with focusing on the west (esp. America) as somehow being 'evil', they simply function using the Koran as a guidebook.

Many people also find these muslim state's attitudes to alcohol, women's freedom and lack of progression where religion is concerned very worrying if not downright repressive.

Then there's people like me who think religion has less to do with truth and more to do with geography. If you were born somewhere else you'd probably grow up thinking something entirely different. If these religions (and I include all of them) are so positive that their message is the correct one, how about letting people grow up and mature before asking them to decide if christianity/islam/whatever is right for them. If a child grows up knowing nothing but the teachings of Islam, of course they're going to believe it's the one true faith. That goes for all religions.

l3rian

adam500... or salim2 whatever your called, take your religious crazy talk to the buddism or christanity section, where it can be suitably ignored

IDM

Well said chabsey. Couldn't agree with you more.
Will post a few of my thoughts once I get them organised...

The Sweeper

Originally posted by salim2
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.

Or alternatively, I can put on my five-dollar JC Penny sweat pants, put my hair in a ponytail, and not cover, and yet, still be set. What an outrageous idea!

Did you know, that in the historical records of torture on women who were deemed to be witches, if the inquisitor were to become sexually aroused while mutilating a woman's genitals in an effort to force a confession, it was seen as part of the ability of the witch to project her powers of seduction upon him?

Is this base, crawling, highly unholy set of instincts part of the reason why Islam likes to dress women up in marquee tents, lest the suggestion of a curvature of a breast fill a man's head with demons and cause him to think sexual thoughts? STONE THE ADULTERESS BITCH!!!

FORGET TERRORISM. I don't associate Islam with terrorism. Terrorists pervert the teachings of religion to their own ends. But, Salim2, you give me one good reason why I should convert to a religion that makes me a slave to other peoples ideas of morality?

salim2

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.beconvinced.com/women/CH_IS.htm

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

Sleepy

Originally posted by salim2
David Karesh was a Christian, shall we ban all Christian momentous?[/B]

Yes. All religeon should be banned and their assets seized by the states in which they reside. Religeon is a dangerous and often evil thing. It slows human progress, kills millions and possesses enough wealth to solve the problems of billions of people. So, yes Christianity should be banned. Along with Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and any other religeon you care to mention.

Tazzle

The Qur'an makes baby jebus cry.

RossFixxxed

Bunch of goddamn crack heads

Religions should not be allowed remotely near the operation of any state or military.

Gordon

Salim2 - are you just a cut and paste troll or can you actually answer anyone's points? ie - give your own argument?

Monty - the one and only

Im getting sick and tired of these Religious advertisement posts...although I thought Salim2 may have been intelligent enough to see nobody here cares...Guess I was wrong.

Locked...