Since it's slow - let's start a discussion

AuntFlo

Thoughts on American women converting to Islam?

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/26/17897741-not-brainwashed-american-women-who-converted-to-islam-speak-out?ocid=msnhp&pos=1

I have a cousin who has recently converted, and I just don't get it.  I admit to not knowing enough about it.  Also, I don't understand why anyone would convert to any religion, so there's that.

TheMrsC23

I agree with you Flo.  I don't know enough about it, but any religious 'conversion' is not something that makes sense to me. 

Besides, like, my dad becoming a Catholic when we were kids because we were all being brought up Catholic (as agreed upon by my parents).  But he was raised Episcopalian, so it wasn't much of a conversion.

I'm pretty disillusioned by a lot of organized religion.  I identify as being Christian and I do believe in Jesus.  But all the judgement, the way women are treated as second class (or worse), the hypocrisy, not protecting the weakest, most vulnerable members (looking at YOU, Catholics), the wanting (begging for) money, and many other things have turned me off to wanting to find a church.  On Sunday morning I make time for Reverend Sheets and Sister Sleeping-in.

AuntFlo

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_since-its-slow-lets-start-a-discussion?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:b64a094d-b459-4711-99b1-f1799e340515Post:eb7be2c5-e2b1-4695-83ae-62e5c20fa2e8">Re: Since it's slow - let's start a discussion</a>:
[QUOTE].  On Sunday morning I make time for Reverend Sheets and Sister Sleeping-in.
Posted by TheMrsC23[/QUOTE]

<div>I call it Bedside Baptist or St. Mary of the Springs.</div>

fmbyo

Reverend Sheets sounds like a male stripper name. I'm picturing a guy in just the collar and a g-string.

But really - I'm fine with it in a "hey if it's right for you" kind of way, but I've never understood organized religion, so it's hard to wrap my brain around ever converting to any organized faith.

*Barbie*

I was raised Cathloic but would consider myself (agnostic?) apathetic towards organized religion.

the only thing i find interesting about organized religions is why people would want to continue partipate in ones that were super cult-ish and weird (like FLDS or scientology or Jehovah's Witnesses) 

i don't understand the whole religious conversion thing.

DG1

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_since-its-slow-lets-start-a-discussion?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:b64a094d-b459-4711-99b1-f1799e340515Post:a7a5e590-ee78-4641-bf6a-80a3029bedb5">Re: Since it's slow - let's start a discussion</a>:
[QUOTE]I was raised Cathloic but would consider myself (agnostic?) apathetic towards organized religion. the only thing i find interesting about organized religions is why people would want to continue partipate in ones that were super cult-ish and weird (like FLDS or scientology or Jehovah's Witnesses)  i don't understand the whole religious conversion thing.
Posted by *Barbie*[/QUOTE]

<div>Come on. Catholicism is just as cultish as any other religion. </div>

VarunaTT

I think it's all a racket and horrid, but that's nothing new.

I don't really think Islam is worse in it's treatment of women.  Hell, someone linked me to a Christian pastor the other day who said he carried his wife around the house to remind her that he was stronger than her and the head of the house.  All I could hear was, "I'M THE DECIDER".  

zsazsa-stl

People crave structure, order, rules, and purpose.  Sometimes for good and sometimes for bad, but religion can provide that.

**O-Face**

I hate the be THAT guy, but isn't the purpose of part of being in a religious group or "religious" to bring others to that faith?

We can't all be in ONE group.  And islam is no more "brainwashy" that any other group.

VarunaTT

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_since-its-slow-lets-start-a-discussion?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:b64a094d-b459-4711-99b1-f1799e340515Post:737def13-beef-45ee-9e38-382e4b148462">Re: Since it's slow - let's start a discussion</a>:
[QUOTE]People crave structure, order, rules, and purpose.
Posted by zsazsa-stl[/QUOTE]

<div>Society provides struture, order and rules w/out religion needed.</div><div>
</div><div>I'll give you purpose.  I don't think people should need religion to find their purpose, but to each his own.  
</div>

*Barbie*

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_since-its-slow-lets-start-a-discussion?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:b64a094d-b459-4711-99b1-f1799e340515Post:99a00a81-fb45-4533-9de7-ba128b936aa3">Re: Since it's slow - let's start a discussion</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Since it's slow - let's start a discussion : Come on. Catholicism is just as cultish as any other religion. 
Posted by DG1[/QUOTE]<div>probably. maybe "extreme" would be a better word?</div><div>
</div><div>

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zsazsa-stl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_since-its-slow-lets-start-a-discussion?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:47Discussion:b64a094d-b459-4711-99b1-f1799e340515Post:cbd5fa0f-0468-4744-a632-8caf03174195">Re: Since it's slow - let's start a discussion</a>:
[QUOTE]I hate the be THAT guy, but<strong> isn't the purpose of part of being in a religious group or "religious" to bring others to that faith?</strong> We can't all be in ONE group.  And islam is no more "brainwashy" that any other group.
Posted by **O-Face**[/QUOTE]

I don't think it is..  Those that do feel that is their primary purpose are vocal about it, so it's easy to think that is they way all religions are, but not even all Christians believe that (at least not in the same way).  And I think it is far from the primary purpose. 

I can't speak at all for other faiths, but regarding Christianity, the Bible says that the most important commandment is to Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind.  The second is to love your neighbor.  I guess it can be argued that part of loving your God and your neighbor is to get those two together.  Some people think that should be done by knocking on doors and threatening hell.  Others think it is better to live your life in the way that Christ would want and let his love be shared with others in that way, no threats required.  There is also the Great Commission and all that, but I have never heard it argued by leaders that I respect that it should trump the commandments.

Many Christians also do not believe in a single pathway to heaven/whatever or "one right path." 

zsazsa-stl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_since-its-slow-lets-start-a-discussion?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:47Discussion:b64a094d-b459-4711-99b1-f1799e340515Post:7e9de677-58f8-4af9-81f3-0861a44152d2">Re: Since it's slow - let's start a discussion</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Since it's slow - let's start a discussion : Society provides struture, order and rules w/out religion needed. I'll give you purpose.  I don't think people should need religion to find their purpose, but to each his own.  
Posted by VarunaTT[/QUOTE]

Sure, you shouldn't NEED it.  But for some of us it makes it a heck of a lot easier.  Americans are lazy, you know. :)

Chipmunk415

I was raised in a half Irish Catholic, half Irish Protestant house. (yeah, my head did quite a bit of spinning- Exorcist style, if you listened to my elderly great great Auntie Bridget mutter in her thick accent). Went to an Episcopalian Church with my mother, got CCD from my dad (who went to a VERY Jesuit college in the 60s).

I consider myself a Christian, but don't feel the need for regular attendance at any given church. My faith is between God and me, though there are times when my faith has stumbled, and I've sought out church fellowship and support while I get through the rough patches.

FI and I will not be marrying in a church, nor will we likely be married by a priest, minister, etc. If I feel that is something I really want, he says he will be fine with it. He doesn't like to ID as Christian, due to a horrible experience with a minister, but we both believe in God, believe He approaches different folks in different ways, and believe that we will be together in the next life as well.


Edit- reading back through my post, I realized some could think my FI was attacked by a minister or similar. Not quite. FI's mom died in a car accident when he was 16 (today's actually the anniversary). FI was a bit of a problem kid at this time after his parents' divorce, and the minister officiating his mom's funeral went up to him at the end of the service and blamed him for his mother's death. When he finally told me, I asked the name of the minister so I could go deck that jerk in the jaw. Based on that experience, I don't blame Jason for being uncomfortable with having a preist or minister as the officiant. We're going with a notary from my office who is a good friend of mine and has done lovely services before.