Turning Muslim in Texas

BBC TV Channel 4 web site ^ | Jan. 10, 2004 | BBC TV Channel 4

[JeepInMazar]

Turning Muslim in Texas

	Praying in Texas

George W Bush may be backed by Christian fundamentalists but in his home state of Texas, Islam is the latest big draw. The Bible belt is transferring its allegiance to the Qur’an because, for many erstwhile Christians, believe it or not, the church is too liberal.

Eric was a Baptist preacher before he became a Muslim 14 years ago. Now he prays five times a day – even in the middle of watching a football game. His wife, Karen, also a convert, is covered from head to toe in the traditional Muslim burka. Islam, says Eric, ‘is everything I wanted Christianity to be’. His mother has found it hard to come to terms with her son’s conversion and believes he will return to the Christian faith: ‘Then he will be a dynamic preacher.’ Eric says: ‘Maybe some day she’ll embrace Islam.’

Women are also becoming followers of Muhamed. Yasmine (previously Mindy) arranged a marriage for herself and has three children. Islam, she says is ‘the solution to a lot of the prevailing evils: drugs, adultery, fornication…’ Converts often see the religious laws more clearly than those who have been brought up as Muslims and Yasmine can spot a mistake at 20 paces. She believes that she has a unique opportunity to help people who are born into the religion get back to the fundamentals.

Catherine has been a Muslim for two weeks. She came from a privileged background – private school followed by a career in PR. Now the established Muslim women guide her through the purification rituals as she washes before prayer and removes her nail varnish.

David is the only white Muslim in his little town on Route 66. He believes his new religion makes him a better American and, far from undermining liberties, gives the individual more rights. He had an arranged marriage and his wife, who was born a Muslim, was shocked by the strictness with which he insists they live their lives. His family – a white man with his wife and daughter dressed in their hijabs (headscarves) –are stared in the streets and supermarkets of their one-horse town.

There are 400,000 Muslims in Texas alone and Islam is the fastest growing religion in the USA. Since 9/11 there have been more converts to Islam than ever. Eric believes that people are trying to understand Muslims and want to learn about their religion. Yasmine says: ‘America should not be afraid. If it would be better Muslims were the majority. If a child asks me: “Who made this leaf?” I say, “Allah. Allah made everything.”’

[RightWingAtheist]

All fundamentalists are alike...but to a liberal, some are more acceptable than others.

[js1138]

This is a personality disorder, not a religion. Shame on them for exploiting the mentally handicapped.

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[WackyKat]

America should not be afraid. If it would be better Muslims were the majority.

Those two statements are in direct contradiction to one another, aren't they ?

If a child asks me: “Who made this leaf?” I say, “Allah. Allah made everything.”’

I hope this helps those who think Creationism should be taught in the public schools understand exactly why public schools should not get involved in religion.

Do you think they''ll be able to teach "God made everything" without teaching "Allah made everything", also?

[Dallas59]

Yasmine says: ‘America should not be afraid. If it would be better Muslims were the majority. If a child asks me: “Who made this leaf?” I say, “Allah. Allah made everything.”

Yes, Yasmine...I am very afraid of Islam.

[Jason_b]

...arranged a marriage for herself...

I thought the whole point of an arranged marriage is that you don't arrange your own, your parents choose someone. Silly me.

[Dallas59]

[highlander_UW]

An American convert to Islam within the last 2 weeks has no clue what they've just adopted. First off, if they change their minds they are under a death sentence.

[jolie560]

..."the religion get back to the fundamentals"....

Islam has already gotten back to its 'fundamentals'---kiliing infidels and thereby guarranteeing themselves a place in Allah's heaven.

That is not a religion--that is a cult.

[Capt. Tom]

She believes that she has a unique opportunity to help people who are born into the religion get back to the fundamentals.

Osama and the Wahaabis have been trying that; but there are a lot of moderates who won't change back to the fundamentals.

Maybe if the Wahaabi's get the upper hand the moderates will see the light.

Allah is not your father's God.-tom

[WackyKat]

...arranged a marriage for herself...

The woman's obviously an idiot, which explains the conversion

[small voice in the wilderness]

Yasmine (previously Mindy)

Yeah, I guess Mindy just doesn't have the ring to that a Rhahem(hockinglugiesound)bahjah al-jahhem has. Bet she still says "Howdy, y'allah", though.

[StatesEnemy]

Now he prays five times a day – even in the middle of watching a football game

Ya so... ?

[Jason_b]

"Do you think they''ll be able to teach "God made everything" without teaching "Allah made everything", also?"

I prefer to hear God made things. Allah is what Arabs call God. They consider it His proper name just as Jews consider God's proper name to be YHWH. I'm not sure why God would need a proper name. Names distinguish members of a group. My name is Jason, so you know I am not someone else. God is not a member of a group so why does he need the proper name?
With the Greek gods I can see, Zeus, Thor, Mercury, you need Proper names. But for the I AM THAT I AM, the Alpha and Omega what's the point?

One thing I hear from muslims is they obsess that the koran is the same today as the day it was originally written. They think that is a big deal. Why? They marvel that this 1600 year old document has not been changed or edited. Isn't the Torah much much older and the same? I believe the Jews have preserved the Torah for what is more like 4,000 years or so unless I'm gravely mistaken.

[WackyKat]

First off, if they change their minds they are under a death sentence.

A poster here who lives in Texas I believe said there was a recent incident in her town in which a young man who had converted to Christianity from Islam was shot to death in a public place by his cousin as punishment.

[truth_seeker]

This guy has a history. He's drawn to the emerging fad "outsider' fringe positions.

1992 was big Perot supporter.

1996 sat election out as a protest. "Not voting" as a vote.

2000 was for Nader. Believe Bush stole the election.

2004 has converted to Islam.

[Guillermo]

The Koran insists on a Theocracy, the Bible does not.

So, learn a little bit before you say "All Fundamentalists are the same."

[RLK]

Mentally crippled insecure people finding security in an institution which sanctifies being crippled.

[nightdriver]

"Eric was a Baptist preacher before he became a Muslim 14 years ago."

Maybe so, but he was never a Christian.

It's a sign that God is getting things in order to wrap up the age. This is part of the "strong delusion" promised in the Bible.