Kix

Just wondering.

For me as an atheist, how can i convert from something I don't believe in to something else I don't believe in?

I can understand it that people do it to get married, but I'm sure it doesn't mean much to them.

So.

Anyone?

Willingly?

Waqs

Hope you got your flame suit on.

Boomhauer

I made below thread recently, it is an article on Arabnews about British women (in Britain) who converted to Islam.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=788192

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Anyone woman converting to Islam is bonkers, or is doing it due marriage pressure.

weasel decentral

Technically I think they say reverted to Islam.
Anyhow if you are atheist surely taking up any religion is ludicrous, never mind Islam.

Stick to the divorced or non virgin Muslim women, they won't ask for marriage before a shag

Kix

Of course, in Islam, everyone is born a muslim aren't they...

What a load of bollocks!

Paracletus

So are christians and jews and hindus and buddhists, as far as I have been bothered to check.

A friend of mine 'converted' recently. As a journo in the middle east hot zones and a future muslim wife, he has no complaints. He just asks around until they cough up an answer for him to give his in laws to be. It is probably the easiest religion to join, and no one seems to bothered about how strictly it is practiced. Just saying you're muslim even gives Americans a chance to survive on the ground in the middle of a bunch of jihadist nutters.

Boomhauer

At the rate London is going , maybee saying one is Muslim will be prudent , in the future. Oh I kid I kid

Norm_uk

I find it to be the most conceited and arrogant tripe ever. Then again it makes immense claims for itself in most respects doesn't it? It invokes prostrate submission as a maxim to it's adherents, and demands deference and respect from non-believers into the bargain (often under threat of fines, imprisonment or death). There is nothing, in it's teachings (a set of obvious and ill-arranged plagiarisms, just as bad as the things it borrowed from) which can begin to justify such arrogance and presumption.

On the subject of the original question, I embraced a gay Muslim man today (who is very confused and in the closet because jail isn't a nice prospect just because you prefer sausage to pie) whilst at an Emirati's house for lunch...not sure if that counts as embracing Islam though.

N.

kimilseung

As an atheist I claim to be a Christian when in Muslim countries and areas. I found saying no religion was greeted with either hostility or just down right confusion and bewilderment.

Do any of you guys own up to your atheism and if so, how does it go down?

Norm_uk

Well, we have self appointed Sharia patrols in a few areas now, engaging in a bit of gay bashing, picking on women in mini-skirts and the like...turning into Newcastle

N.

mathematist

Yvonne Ridley and her choice to accept Islam might be an interesting read, Mohammad Ali and a few others...

I know some who accept the faith for marriage reasons but most, no.

mathematist

Those guys who harassed members of the public were openly told to stop and sermons in Mosques and other lectures emphasised about getting our 'own house in order'

The actions of a handful should not cloud our judgement on this particular matter I say.

Norm_uk

I'm a Christian here too...it's just not worth it with 90% of them as they have not got the benefit of post-Englightenment secularism to tell them non-belief is a choice that doesn't affect them, rather than a heresy worthy of punishment.

N.

Norm_uk

I saw some leaders condemned and my hat goes off to them. I worry if they mean it they will become targets themselves (these people tend kill their own to get them back to a more literal view of scripture).

I also worry some of those leaders are engaging in their own, nicer struggle against the Dar Al Harb (or Dar al Garb if we use Ottoman views of us Western kaffirs).

Of course this is just my opinion...and I certainly don't think we need to judge anyone for anything but their own actions and views.

N.

littlejimmy

I will always remember when I was working in Libya and telling a Libyan colleague I was atheist. He was utterly shocked, saying, "I thought you were such a nice guy!". I told him I still was the same guy, and he seemed to accept that. It was interesting to see that reaction, though. I doubt it would have been so strong if I'd said I was Christian. Still, overall he was a sound bloke. Completely brainwashed, but lovely.