[WordsAplenty]

Assalam Alaikoum! So... why did you revert to Islam? What is your background?

I, for one, was born into a Baptist family. We were mainly Christian in name only. We went to church on Easter and Christmas and read the Bible sporadically. I was always curious about other beliefs; I read about everything from Judaism to shamanism. Although I found aspects of each religion interesting, nothing felt quite right.

Then, I met my future husband at work. For some reason he started talking to me about Islam. He gave me several books and the phone number of a Muslimah. I started talking to her and going to halaqas. The first time I went to a mosque, everything clicked. Although I couldn't understand most of what was said, it spoke to me. Something inside just felt right. I felt at peace for the first time in my life. After several months I said my shahada.

So... what's your story?

[margem63]

I'm so glad that you so quickly felt at peace with Islam. I also was just one of those who became religious when they needed something. All of a sudden then, I never forgot to pray! Islam truly gives you such understanding of who we are and what we are doing here. I never felt that comfortable as a Christian because I was never really sure who I was praying to. I never felt in my heart that Jesus was God. When I met my husband (muslim)I found it so awesome that he knew more about my religion than me. I would say, "Oh no, that can't be so " and would run to look it up and sure enough he was right! When I met his Dad again Iwas in awe listening to him recite the Koran (without reading it). This religion was SO in the heart of these people that they could memorize the whole book! I have never met a pastor, minister or what have you, who could do that! I knew then that there had to be something to this! watching the Hajj on tv is amazing as well. I hope one day to be able to be part of that. (inshallah) I began to read and read and read some more. There are some things that I'm still trying to grasp or understand but for the most part, this religion is such a way of life. There is no forgetting God, or only calling upon him in times of trouble. He is the center of our every day. A lot of people think that God is there to do for us when we are actually here to do for him. I am at such peace with myself now.

[WordsAplenty]

Originally Posted by margem63

When I met my husband (muslim)I found it so awesome that he knew more about my religion than me. I would say, "Oh no, that can't be so " and would run to look it up and sure enough he was right!

You know, my husband is the same way-- he actually taught me quite a few things about Christianity. But then, that's not too surprising since Islam is actually just a continuation of Judaism and Christianity.

How did your family take your decision? Did some of your family become Muslim, too?

[margem63]

How did your family take your decision? Did some of your family become Muslim, too?[/quote]
Well, I live about 4 hours away from my Mom and my (only) sister. My Dad lives in Florida. You probably know where I'm headed with this - i haven't actually told them yet.
They know that I follow Muslim customs and Holidays because of my children. Even in the beginning when I was still "Christian" I made the decision to raise them in one faith. There really is no way you could do both since Islam is such a complete way of life. I have never actually said "I'm Muslim" to them. It does bother me and I know I should be proud and happy but this is a big hurdle for me. My sister definetely has a problem with me not being part of her Christmas. She tends to go all out and expects me to also. It's funny though, for her it's more about missing out on the holidays than it is about God and worrying that I'm not getting into heaven if I don't follow Christ and all that.
My Mom simply said to me at one point that our religion was good enough for our family for generations why do I have to raise my kids different. I still don't think that she gets it though. I have to always remind her not to send them short skimpy clothes, and not to ask them if they have a boyfriend in school (my oldest is 9!) and stuff like that. I don't cover my head (at this point) but I make it a point to be modest and to raise my girls like that also.
Now since 9/11 and all the things said about women in Islam, it's made it harder for me. I pray that Allah (pbuh) gives me the guidance and courage to just come out with it already. It's almost like having to tell them that I'm gay or something! Isn't that a shame? It shouldn't be like that for me.

[WordsAplenty]

Originally Posted by margem63

Well, I live about 4 hours away from my Mom and my (only) sister. My Dad lives in Florida.

You're soooo lucky! I wish I lived 4 hours away from my mom. Just kidding... sort of. My mom is right down the road and it is a little close for comfort. She makes no secret of her dislike of my husband... our religion... our way of life.

There really is no way you could do both since Islam is such a complete way of life.

You make a great point here. This is something non-Muslims don't understand. My mom has said, "Why can't the kids be both?" Islam is not a part-time religion. You can't compartmentalize your religion with Islam-- it is all-encompassing. I mean, the Koran, Sunnah, and Hadith give guidelines on EVERYTHING-- how and what to eat, what to wear, how to worship, who to worship, how to greet neighbors, and on and on. It is truly a way of life. There is just no way to be both. Especially since the worship of Jesus (pbuh) is so central to Christianity and Islam is based on the worship of God (Allah) alone.

It's funny though, for her it's more about missing out on the holidays than it is about God and worrying that I'm not getting into heaven if I don't follow Christ and all that.

For me family, too. My mom loves to spend and spend on Christmas (I think it's a bit show offy) and she's upset that we aren't there for the gifts. I've told her that Christmas should be about Jesus and honoring him and that we would feel like hypocrites celebrating that when we don't worship him. You know what she said? "That's okay-- Jesus won't be there!" Well, to me... Jesus SHOULD be there. I think you're doing something wrong if you can separate Jesus from Christmas.

[margem63]

It wasn't exactly a coincidence that I moved 4 hours away! I figured this way I was far enough for her not to effect me so much but close enough that I can get back there easily for an emergency!
I guess we have a lot in common with our families as far as Holidays go as well. I guess it would bother me more if they were serious church going Christians who truly believed in their book and trying to follow it and all that, but being that they only know religion when they need it and don't even take their high Holy days seriously, what they say doesn't mean much to me. You know what I mean?
We have recently been thinking about moving to Morocco for a while. It's just been hard here this year with the kids. They are having such bad influences and then they have all the school stuff to deal with and celebrating holidays in school and now my third grader is having mandatory flute lessons in music (which I know is kind of looked at in different ways in Islam) but my husband prefers they not have music lessons. but I feel like I already pull them out at Halloween, Christmas Parties, Easter Parties (even though they call them winter and spring parties!) I just hate to add this on top of it. They don't get it yet and being the only Muslims in the school doesn't help!
Well I could go on and on about that forever! IT's great having someone to share these things with that gets it!
Thanks for listening!

[matlee123]

I've been reading your threads and found out something about myself. I am a Christian. Although I was raised in the faith, I never embraced it until I became an adult. You mention that Islam is an entire way of life. Christianity is supposed to be that way as well, but so many of us get so busy living life our own way that we forget (sadly) to read the Bible and pray. I think it's time to do that regularly. May the peace of God be with you all.

[WordsAplenty]

Thanks, Leisa. I know what you mean. It's too easy sometimes to compartmentalize our religion and keep it separate from every thing else. I think we should all strive to live our faiths, to make them a part of everything we say, think, and do.

[MJ7]

Originally Posted by matlee123

I've been reading your threads and found out something about myself. I am a Christian. Although I was raised in the faith, I never embraced it until I became an adult. You mention that Islam is an entire way of life. Christianity is supposed to be that way as well, but so many of us get so busy living life our own way that we forget (sadly) to read the Bible and pray. I think it's time to do that regularly. May the peace of God be with you all.

I found the same thing. I find the Muslim religion interesting. The purpose of Christianity is not about being religious and I think that's where many people who claim to have been Christians and have left it as a religion don't understand. It's a faith. Like margem63 talked of her religion and faith clicking, that's what happened to me with Christianity. When I stopped just calling myself a "Christian" but really submited my heart, and read the word, prayed and really listened to God, things in my life changed drastically. Like some of you here are sharing about non-believers not understanding, that's how many of us devout Christians feel so it's interesting to hear that. I don't personally have the confussion of who Christ is or who I'm praying to. I have a tremendous joy and peace in my faith. I have a Savior who loves me and truly feel Him with me. I just wanted to share this perspecitive here that even though I'm of a different faith, I can understand some of the feelings described here.
MJ

[margem63]

MJ - Sorry for the (really) late reply! I'm suppose to get an email when there is a post to this thread and believe it or not I just got one this morning!
Anyway, It's great to hear that from you!
You are right that the Bible and Jesus gave us rules to live by.The fact that so many people don't follow those rules is where Christianity seems to lose it's importance and that's a shame. It's great to see that even though people have different beliefs the core of us is basically the same!
God Bless!
margem7