I Was Forced To Accept Islam - Religion - Nairaland
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| I Was Forced To Accept Islam by heykims(m): 6:27am On Jun 08, 2015 |
I never aspired to be a Muslim. I didn’t even want to be a Christian. The whole concept of ‘organized religion’ was distasteful. I sought to use my mind, not resort to some ancient book for assistance in living my life. If you had offered me millions of dollars to join one faith or another, I would have declined. One of my preferred authors was Bertrand Russell, who maintained that religion is little more than superstition and generally harmful to people, despite any positive effects that it might have. He believed that religion and the religious outlook serve to inhibit knowledge and promote fear and dependency, in addition to being accountable for much of our world's wars, persecution, and misery. I remember laughing out loud while reading “Hey, Is That You God?” By Dr. Pasqual Schievella, in which he derided the concept of God through satirical dialogue. It all seemed so logical. Thinkers like us were surely above religious devotees, I thought smugly. But, for me, it wasn’t enough to just think I was better off without religion. I wanted to systematically prove religions were no more than a hoax. I purposefully set out to do just that. Yet, here I am. Muslim. Sure, I made the declaration of faith, but the choice I had was really no choice at all. Essentially, I was compelled - forced to accept Islam. Interestingly, in my talks with followers of religions, especially those other than Islam, I have often noticed that they clearly desire to believe. As if, no matter how many contradictions or errors are pointed out in their scriptures, they brush them aside and maintain their unquestioning faith. Rarely do I ever find that the scriptures themselves convinced them, but rather they decided to have faith, and then the studies began after that decision, if at all. They knew what they believed, either by having been raised upon it, or like a friend of mine told me, “Islam seems foreign, so I never looked into it. Christianity is more familiar and convenient, because most of the people around me are Christian. So when I was seeking God, I chose Christianity.” Personally, I never considered myself to be seeking God, but if I had, the last place I think I would have looked would have been in an old book, or a building, or a person. Some people, who decide to believe in something at the outset, may then develop selective vision when it comes to learning the faith they’ve chosen. I had also decided to believe something; I chose to believe that religions were simply fabricated delusions of grandeur. In actuality this notion was not built on hard facts, it was an assumption. I had no evidence. When I undertook reading the religious books, I was not biased towards them, but my intentions were to look for flaws. This approach helped me manage to maintain a fair amount of objectivity. My paperback translation of the Quran had been acquired for free. I didn’t even stop to chat with the MSA students standing at the table stacked with books. I curtly asked, “Is it free?” When they replied in the affirmative, I grabbed one and continued on my way. I had no interest in them, only the free book to assist me in accomplishing my goal of debasing religions once and for all. But, as I read that Quran; as its cover became worn and its pages tattered, I became more and more subdued. It was distinct from the other religious books I had also collected. I could understand it easily. It was clear. A friend of mine once began ranting about how God in Islam is angry and vengeful. I came to its defense without even realizing it, opening it up and easily flipping to one of the many pages that said, “Surely, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” It was if the Quran was speaking to me directly - responding to my life. It was an “old book” but somehow, it was entirely relevant. Something about its cadence and imagery and the way it communicated to me intimately; It was exquisite beauty I hadn’t really felt before, reminiscent only of the moments I had spent out west, staring out over a seemingly endless desert landscape. I found it exhilarating; comparable to the way it felt running barefoot in the sand under the stars with powerful waves crashing at my side. The Quran was appealing to my intellect. Offering me signs and then telling me to think, to ponder and consider. It rejected the notion of blind faith, but encouraged reason and intelligence. It directed humanity towards goodness, recognition of the Creator, plus moderation, kindness, and humility. After some time, and life-changing experiences my interest intensified. I began reading other books about Islam. I found that the Quran contained prophecies, as did many of the hadiths . I found that the prophet Muhammad was corrected several times in the Quran. This seemed strange if he had in fact, been its author. I had begun walking down a new path. Led by the amazing Quran, paired with the beautiful paradigm of devotion; the Prophet Muhammad. This man showed no signs of being a liar. Praying through the nights, asking forgiveness of his oppressors, encouraging kindness. Refusing wealth and power and persevering with the pure message of devotion to God alone, he endured unfathomable hardship. It was all so uncomplicated, easy to understand. We’ve been created; all this intricacy and diversity could not pop out of nothing. So follow the One who created us - Simple. I remember the warm artificial lighting in my apartment and the weight of the air on the night I read this verse: {Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We split them asunder and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?} (Quran 21:30 ) My mind was split asunder when I read this. It was the Big Bang – suddenly not just a theory… And every living thing from water… wasn’t that what scientists had just discovered? I was astonished. It was the most exciting and yet frightening time of my life. I read and studied and double-checked book after book until one night I sat in my library at Pratt Institute, staring wide-eyed at the piles of open books. My mouth must have been dropped open slightly. I couldn’t believe what was happening. I realized I had in front of me, the truth. The truth I had been so sure did not exist. Now what? There were only two choices and one was no choice at all. I could not deny what I had discovered, ignoring it and going on with my life as before, though I did consider it briefly. That left only one option. I knew I had to accept it, because the only alternative was denying truth. - Danielle LoDuca http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/understanding-islam/islam-and-the-world/worldview/486925-i-was-forced-to-accept-islam.html 3 Likes 3 Shares
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| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by heykims(m): 6:45am On Jun 08, 2015 |
Danielle LoDuca is a third generation American, raised in a homogeneous, white, suburban community. Although raised as a Catholic, she considered herself agnostic and was disdainful of religion in general until she chose Islam in 2002. 1 Like 1 Share |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Midegee(m): 6:47am On Jun 08, 2015 |
well if thats the path you believe in no qualms, but remember that there's only one way which is the truth and the light.All other ways are mere shadows of the rightful way. 1 Like |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by jumper524(m): 7:04am On Jun 08, 2015 |
I'm proud to be a muslim 3 Likes |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by heykims(m): 7:25am On Jun 08, 2015 |
heykims:Touching 2 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by onetrack(m): 7:54am On Jun 08, 2015 |
I've read the Quran. The whole thing. I've read many of the hadiths, and also the tafsir (generally Ibn-Kathir, but occasionally others) for certain surahs where the context was not evident. The Quran is not particularly long and only took a week or so to read. I came to the exact opposite conclusion as the woman you cite. The Quran could not have been written by a god; it is a man-made book just like every other book in existence. 3 Likes |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by heykims(m): 8:25am On Jun 08, 2015 |
Each time I read the Quran, I'm always more convinced that it couldn't just be of human source The tone clearly reveals that it is a revelation to someone, not a story like u see in the so called other holy books The poetry presentation especially for those that understand Arabic convinces that it is from a superior authority Quran is the Holy book where the name of the book and religion is proclaimed therein, u can never find d word 'bible' or Christianity' in a bible It is clearly stated that ' I have perfected Islam for u as religion' in d Quran. You can't get a similar statement from other books Islam is d only religion where all followers of the faith worldwide read the same one versioned Book, worship the same way in d same language facing the same place at the same time. Now this can't just be a coincidence.. 5 Likes 3 Shares |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Nobody: 8:32am On Jun 08, 2015 |
Religion leaves a sour taste in the mouth. It is meant for animals,not humans. 1 Like |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by femi4: 8:44pm On Jun 10, 2015 |
heykims:The only religion where they worship dead prophet A religion full of terrorist, violence and extremist. 1 Like |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Nobody: 9:49pm On Jun 10, 2015 |
Dat blood sucking demon called allahh is a slowpoke 2 Likes |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Dollyak(f): 9:57pm On Jun 10, 2015 |
Hopefully everyone find the light in their lives |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Nobody: 12:25am On Jun 11, 2015 |
femi4: Any muslim that comes out and says he worships Muhammad will probably get mugged by muslims. But christians worship jesus, a man who ate, drank and shat just like them. So tell me, who worships a prophet? 3 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Nobody: 12:27am On Jun 11, 2015 |
OREMUSSANCTUS: If you aren't going about shouting camel piss you're busy with other comic acts. I don't blame you, if my parents named me oremu I'd probably be a bitter person too. 1 Like |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Nobody: 12:38am On Jun 11, 2015 |
onetrack: Did you? Did you really? Well if you did, 002:171 Yusufali : The parable of those who reject Faith is as if one were to shout Like a goat-herd, to things that listen to nothing but calls and cries: Deaf, dumb, and blind, they are void of wisdom. Surah 2:26 Lo! Allah disdaineth not to coin the similitude even of a gnat. Those who believe know that it is the truth from their Lord; but those who disbelieve say: What doth Allah wish (to teach) by such a similitude ? He misleadeth many thereby, and He guideth many thereby; and He misleadeth thereby only miscreants; 2 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by femi4: 6:04am On Jun 11, 2015 |
ZoranderGraeme:Yes, he ate and drank with us but you forgot to mention that he did miracles, died, rose again and ascended to heaven. Tell me if that's a mere man |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Nobody: 8:08am On Jun 11, 2015 |
ZoranderGraeme:Not trying to defend him but I just wanted to point out that I think its actually oremus sanctus and its Latin. Oremus means *lets pray* while sanctus would be *holy*. |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Nobody: 11:23am On Jun 11, 2015 |
femi4: Muhammad performed miracles too, he ascended to heaven as well! Jesus (pbuh) was a prophet, just like many before him and Muhammad after him. 1 Like |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Nobody: 11:39am On Jun 11, 2015 |
ZoranderGraeme:I heard d mad man asked his followers to drink camel pizz Dat man was indeed a mad soul MuhamMAD |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Nobody: 11:41am On Jun 11, 2015 |
OREMUSSANCTUS: I told you many times before, camel urine is a delicacy, one I enjoy very much myself. 1 Like |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by onetrack(m): 11:45am On Jun 11, 2015 |
ZoranderGraeme: What a petty god. talk is cheap. |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Nobody: 11:47am On Jun 11, 2015 |
ZoranderGraeme: Were re ooo |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Nobody: 12:02pm On Jun 11, 2015 |
onetrack: Sahih International And of the people is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge and follows every rebellious devil. Allaah also Says what means: "And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say: 'Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?' They will say: 'Yes, but the word [i.e. decree] of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers.'" [Quran 39: 71] Allaah also Says what means: "And for those who disbelieved in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and wretched is the destination. When they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils up. It almost bursts with rage. Every time a company is thrown into it, its keepers ask them: ‘Did there not come to you a warner?'" [Quran 67: 6-8] O you who believe! seek help with patient Perseverance and Prayer: for Allah is with those who patiently persevere. [2: Al-Baqara-153] "Verily, to Us will be their return: -Then verily, for Us will be their Reckoning." ( Surat Al-Ghashiah, Verses 25 and 26) 3:9 (Asad) "O our Sustainer! Verily, Thou wilt gather mankind together to witness the Day about [the coming of] which there is no doubt: verily, God never fails to fulfil His promise." - 3:106 (Asad) on the Day [of Judgment] when some faces will shine [with happiness] and some faces will be dark [with grief]. And as for those with faces darkened, [they shall be told:] "Did you deny the truth after having attained to faith? Taste, then, this suffering for having denied the truth!" - 1 Like |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by femi4: 12:27pm On Jun 11, 2015 |
ZoranderGraeme:MM dies but did not rise from the dead. Perhaps you want to tell me about his resurrection |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Nobody: 12:39pm On Jun 11, 2015 |
femi4: 4:156-159 "That they rejected Faith; That they uttered against Mary A grave false charge; That they said (in boast): 'We killed Christ Jesus The son of Mary, The Messenger of Allah.' But they killed him not, Nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjunction to follow, for of a surety they killed him not. Nay, Allah raised him up Unto Himself; and Allah Is Exalted in Power, Wise. And there is none of the people of the book (Jews and Christians) But must believe in him (Jesus) Before his death; And on the Day of Judgment He (Jesus) will be a witness Against them." Sahih International He it is who gives life and causes death; and when He decrees a matter, He but says to it, "Be," and it is. 40:68 The denial, furthermore, is in perfect agreement with the logic of the Qur’an. The Biblical stories reproduced in it (e.g., Job, Moses, Joseph etc.) and the episodes relating to the history of the beginning of Islam demonstrate that it is "God's practice" (sunnat Allah) to make faith triumph finally over the forces of evil and adversity. "So truly with hardship comes ease", (XCIV, 5, 6). For Jesus to die on the cross would have meant the triumph of his executioners; but the Quran asserts that they undoubtedly failed: "Assuredly God will defend those who believe"; (XXII, 49). He confounds the plots of the enemies of Christ (III, 54). 1 Like |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by jcross19: 1:14pm On Jun 11, 2015 |
ZoranderGraeme:why quoting from the book of cock and bull with terrorism manual. To hell with allah. |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by MrRainBigxtorm(m): 1:23pm On Jun 11, 2015 |
heykims: Not coincidence indeed... That is the same my village tribesmen are worshipping their gods as well... Islam is not the true religion, check it's foundation and you'll see that' it's a reformation of an old movement rest m that was in existence even before Muhammad.... |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Nobody: 1:31pm On Jun 11, 2015 |
jcross19: "Say: 'O People of the Book (i.e., Jews and Christians)! Come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah.' If then they turn back, say ye: 'Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will).' (The Noble Quran, 3:64)" Those who annoy Allah and His Messenger - Allah has cursed them in this World and in the Hereafter, and has prepared for them a humiliating Punishment. — Quran 33:57 2 Likes 3 Shares |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Nobody: 1:32pm On Jun 11, 2015 |
MrRainBigxtorm: Your tribes men pray towards the same direction? At the same time? What do you mean by it's the reformation of an old movement? 2 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by 9jaforlife: 5:39pm On Jun 11, 2015 |
ZoranderGraeme:  1 Like |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by AllNaijaBlogger(m): 9:17pm On Jun 11, 2015 |
ZoranderGraeme: OREMUSSANCTUS:  |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by Nobody: 9:31pm On Jun 11, 2015 |
ZoranderGraeme:U nid a bottle of chilled camel pizz as prescribed by muhaMMAD How abt d splitting of d moon by dat mad man called muhamMAD |
| Re: I Was Forced To Accept Islam by onetrack(m): 9:31am On Jun 12, 2015 |
ZoranderGraeme: It's not Allah talking because he doesn't exist. It's Muhammad. And he's wrong. |
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