Posted on 02/05/2008 6:46:37 AM PST by 2banana
November 10, 2007
Muslim Issues
AMERICAN ISLAMIC FELLOWSHIP
By Melissa Robinson
ATLANTA -- Four years ago, while studying French, Italian and women’s studies as an undergraduate at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, I accepted Islam by taking “shahada,” or the declaration of faith, during Ramadan, proclaiming that there is one God and Mohammad was a prophet of God. I had spent three years studying various religions and belief systems before taking this important step in my spiritual journey. I was moved by Sufi poets and the beauty of a faith that allowed for pluralism. I enjoyed the sense of unity that came with performing rituals alongside other Muslims. I was thrilled to discover a belief system that was not at odds with scientific knowledge. The Islam I came to know allowed for diversity in interpretation and encouraged the pursuit of knowledge and critical thinking. I have grown so much in my faith since that time and am proud to call myself Muslim.
Earlier this year, I moved to Atlanta with my husband and was excited to visit the various mosques in the area. I had hoped to find a supportive and open-minded community in which I would feel at home. However, like everywhere else, it seemed the extremists were always the loudest and carried most of the weight. It did not bode well that every mosque I visited practiced strict gender segregation. As a feminist with a minor in women’s studies, I have never found this sort of restriction necessary or beneficial. During a study circle called a ‘halaqa’, at a mosque in north Atlanta I was told music was ‘haram,’ or forbidden. As a fan of bluegrass, classic rock, reggae, hip-hop, jazz, folk, pop, opera and just about any other musical style, I found this edict impossible to swallow.
I was also told that because Arabic is not my native language, I was not qualified to interpret religious text. Finally, on one of the holiest days of the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Fitr, the day celebrating the end of the month-long fast during Ramadan, my good friend, Kelly Wentworth attended the congregational prayer at of one of the largest mosques in Atlanta. The sermon vilified the ‘West.’ The imam, or religious leader, told the congregation that Islam is incompatible with ‘Western’ values, and the ‘West’ is a corruption. My friend returned home that night incensed. After all, she and I are the 'West' and were inspired by our 'Western' ideas to choose Islam. In all of my studies, Islam was the one faith most compatible with so-called ‘Western’ thought. It is because I live in the ‘West’ that I have the freedom to practice Islam. I do not feel the need to choose between my spiritual path and 'Western' values. Both Islam and the 'West' are integral parts of who I am. Needless to say, I was disappointed and frustrated.
But I thought that "western civilization" was a bad thing!
What is her argument here?
That there are no Christian poets?
That Christianity does not allow pluralism?
That Christians do not perform rites together in groups?
That Christianity is incompatible with scientific research?
That Christianity does not permit diversity in theological interpretation?
That Christianity discourages education?
That Christianity discourages critical thinking?
Her "reasoning" for her embrace of Islam is nonsensical and seems more an irrational rejection of Christianity than an informed conversion to something else.
Have you read “The P.I.G. to Islam and the Crusades”?
Just about finished with it myself.
This poor wittle feminist has been brainwashed into the idea that the White Man is the cause of all evil in the world,
and that little brown muslims are peaceful and simply have to lash out at the oppression of the EWM (Eeeeevil White Male).
No, never heard of that.
Along with other groups now.
Westerners who rebel against Mommy and Daddy tend to make up their own versions of exotic foreign religions.
Precisely. Hillary hated her father. So, she will likely be elected President and the rest of us have to suffer because Hillary hated her father and found comfort in Communism.
Hill, how about see a psychiatrist and sparing the rest of us your Papa hatred? I even volunteer to pay for your treatment! I am a Republican and believe that private donations should be used for social problems rather than the government. Call me Hill!
This woman is LOST, as are so many in our country now. She bounces from the “religion” of feminism, to Islam, probably with a few stops at Environmentalism or Wicca on the way. The present ethos of our modern society is that Religion/spirituality is viewed as a buffet. Take a few morsels from whatever is spread out on the table.
She traded the truth for a lie. She traded the light for the darkness. She traded the one and only son of God and the Messiah for a false prophet named Mohammed and his demonic book the Koran. Now she belongs to the devil. Very sad.
If people want on or off this list, please let me know.
Well of course shge's an idiot...she actually went to college and paid in the neighborhood of $100K to minor in Woman's Studies.
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