Why after 9/11 people still convert to islam?

[sith123]

my posts on another thread suggested this question to me.

[jomifl]

amen to that

[sandyRoe]

Lets not be descending to an argumentum ad hominem level.

[naomi24]

^^ Funny how such requests do not appear in all instances. ;o)

[jomifl]

Sandy, no point in defending the indefensible. At least Keyplus's penchant for shooting himself in the foot means that he is no danger to any one else.

[sandyRoe]

Somebody posted a display of debating tactics the other day and 'ad hominem' was mentioned. It's a phrase I've never used before, and doubt if I ever will again, so I jumped at the chance to use it here when the opportunity presented itself. :-)

[birdie1971]

There are two types of people that convert to Islam: spouses and the spiritually disillusioned / vulnerable.

The first type – spouses – convert to Islam because they think it's a necessity in order to marry. Their partner is a muslim so in order to be accepted by the adoptive family, it is expected that the non-muslim 'converts'. The person 'converting' isn't necessarily too familiar with the rites and rituals of the Islamic faith but they want to be with their chosen partner and so go through the motions in an effort to integrate. These people, as 'sandyRoe' recently and succinctly put it, are, “... more interested in the singer than the song.”.

The second type – the spiritually disillusioned / vulnerable – join faiths such as Islam because they want certainty in their lives. They want unequivocal answers and cast-iron certainties and that is precisely what they get with Islam - a hard-core religion, certain in its message and unwavering in its treatment of those who stand against it. It also helps if the person in question is largely uneducated and vulnerable in some emotional way.

[FredPuli43]

Why did they convert to Islam before 9/11 ? For the same reason they converted after it. It's no more essential for them to believe what followers of al Qaeda believe than for any member of another faith to believe what followers of some sect in that faith believe.If some Christians believe its their duty to God and His church to bomb an abortion clinic, it does not follow that that is a true interpretation of holy books or any other article of faith. So it is with Islam.

[beso]

FredPuli43 // If some Christians believe its their duty to God and His church to bomb an abortion clinic, it does not follow that that is a true interpretation of holy books or any other article of faith.//

Not a matter of interpretation at all. The Old Testament is quite explicit about the need to murder those who do not follow the tenets of the one true faith. God ordered the Hebrews to massacre over thirty tribes and they fell out with Him when they failed to complete the genocide and kept some of them as slaves.

[sith123]

birdie, if anyone here is disillusioned. ..its you.

So everyone who converts to islam is mad and disillusioned. that tells me a lot about your mental state.

[jomifl]

Sith, Birdie didn't say that everyone who converts to islam is either mad or disillusioned, not all converts are given a choice.
Why does it matter to you that there are other muslims, is it because you need the reassurance that you belong to a large herd?

[naomi24]

^^ They don't talk about the many people who are leaving Islam.

[boxtops]

..because most of them were first indoctrinated to believe that if they turn their back on Islam, they'll go to hell....?

Jomifl, point taken about "suiting needs" - but at least one person I know turned to Islam because they couldn't stand the hierarchy in the Christian churches, they wanted to be able to speak to God direct, not through intermediaries e.g the Virgin Mary.

Tambo - "When the news broadcasts were filmed in arab states, I remember that shrill tongue-tremble scream of burka clad women. Isn't that a scream of joy & celebration ?" - not necessarily, they make the same noise at funerals and when they are deeply distressed. I've seen it.

[naomi24]

Boxy, //..because most of them were first indoctrinated to believe that if they turn their back on Islam, they'll go to hell....?//

That's not why they don't talk about the numbers of people leaving Islam. They don't talk about it because they won't admit that people DO leave Islam. They're in denial.

//they wanted to be able to speak to God direct, not through intermediaries e.g the Virgin Mary.//

They could have left the Catholic church and joined another. Islam isn't the only other option.

Just out of interest, why do you always defend Islam? I don't see you defending other religions.

[naomi24]

Sandy, //so I jumped at the chance to use it here when the opportunity presented itself. //

Delayed reaction, eh?

[boxtops]

I'll defend anyone's right to follow whatever faith they want to, naomi - I suppose I discuss Islam on here because it's always the religion in the frontline. Nobody ever talks abot Buddhism or Rastafarianism. I don't think I "defend" it, so much as comment from my own perspective - I've had a lot of exposure to Muslim culture in my life (as have many others on here). I know lots of Muslims but I don't know anyone who doesn't live their lives peaceably.

The Virgin Mary was just an e.g. - that person didn't like Christianity at all.

[naomi24]

Boxy, I can understand you defending the right of people to believe as they will, but you make excuses for Islam. Any unsavoury practice you instantly designate as 'cultural', when in fact it is religious. Islam is not beyond reproach, but you seem to be as desperate as our resident Muslims to show it only in a favourable light. That's what I don't understand.

[boxtops]

Well - it does't come over as I mean it to, this end, then, Naomi !

It's true that I do try to distinguish the difference between cultural habits (irrespective of religion) and those which are undertaken at the exhortation of any religion. I don't see that as apologist at all, only IMO many people don't see a distinction between the two.

I'm not desperate in the slightest - all theological and cultural discussion interests me, you read me wrong if you read otherwise.

[naomi24]

Boxy, I don't think I do read it wrong - you certainly come across as an apologist. On this thread, for example, despite the evidence provided, you insisted that female circumcision is not a religious issue, but a cultural one. I just don't understand why.

http://www.theanswerb.../Question1127039.html

08:48 Thu 26th Apr 2012

[boxtops]

Understood, I've responded on the other thread. I know where I stand and it obviously doesn't come across well in my responses. I'll say no more.

[naomi24]

Boxy, I've no intention of falling out with you - I don't think that's the way either of us work. I'm just trying to understand why you never criticise Islam's failings - that's all.