I am considering becoming a follower of Islam do you think I should?

Question

I know this ultimately is my decision and I will not be swayed by opinions and I will follow my heart to the right decision even though I only 15.

The reason I want to switch is because in Christian mass I sit there and I am not captivated at all but I have started watching documentaries about Islam and learning about the Qu'ran. I want to come into possession of a Qu'ran because I know reading it will ultimately help me make a decision.

I also find Islam attractive because of the obvious joy and contentment the religion brings to its followers and inspires in them a love of Allah that I have not seen Christians portray for God.

I know Islam is submission to Allah and involves a lot of personal sacrifice like fasting at Ramadan etc but it seems strangely tempting.

What do you think? Please do not be mean or cynical this is a close and improtant decision I may make.

It is also a hard decision because my mother will not like the idea. She is an incredibly devout Catholic Christian.

Answer 1

no.

Answer 2

Ah, no. Since you are only 15, you should sit on this for a few years.   You have to be sure, before you make a life altering decision like that.

Did you know that in many Muslim countries, leaving Islam is punishable by death.

Answer 3

well, it is not my decision whether you do or not. i think you should at least try it out if you are curious about it. experience it for yourself, then decide if you want to keep the belief or not.

Answer 4

If you want to be a sheep, I don't think any of us care what colour you choose.

Answer 5

You should do alot of research before deciding something like that....We all must follow our own paths......Do what makes you feel the closest to the Creator....Look at all religions...You might also decide to be more spiritual and less religious...Religion only serves to divide people but if it helps you be a better person and feel closer to God then so be it....Good Luck on your spiritiual journey

Answer 6

Whatever you decide, others will have to respect you.  What can they do about it?  I myself am a protestant Christian and I don't get much (-if anything-) out of normal services.  I go to the Salvation Army in Sheffield and (I don't mean to be rude of disrespectful) but I think alot of the stuff is meant or directed to older people, using old language and generally not relevant to me.

Every year there is an annual week-long event called YSCA - Yorkshire School of Christian Arts.  It is organised by two God-Loving and devoted people and their team of Christians.  YSCA is a divisional event that is held at various bording schools around Yorkshire.  YSCA is for 12 - 21 year olds and is focused and devoted to bringing the good news of Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit to us.  You have to go the the Salvation Army somewhere in Yorkshire to go, but I'm not here to invite you to it.  I'm here to tell you how it has changed my life.

Every year I go to YSCA feeling my normal bluesy self, but as the long days pass, something changes in me.  I don't know what it is.  I think it's because you have no breaks in the week, only an hour and a half free time a day, otherwise you life it completely devoted to God your heavenly Dad.

Don't forget also that a lot of people's sterotypical view of Christians is a dull and boring, old-fashioned golden oldie that only speaks in middle-english.  BUT WE'RE NOT!! I'm only 13/14 and I don't think like that at all.  I think that a Christian has to be loving, caring, kind, gentle, smiling, humble, full of praise, devoted, and young at heart.

Christians submit their life to God, as Muslims do to Allah.

And who says that Christians don't sacrifice anything for God our Father?! How many children are/were mocked or bullied at school for having a belief?  How many men/women in foreign countries such as China have such strong belief that they are whipped, tortured, imprisioned and KILLED for what they are so passionate about.

You can dedicate your life to God in different ways to those of Muslims.  God and Jesus have always said to 'love your neighbour as yourself', and to 'du unto man as you would have them do unto you'.  If you don't want people on your doorstep to die in hunger and thirst for food and water, righeousness and peace, then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!! A lot of us aren't up for that challenge and so choose to help others in smaller, yet still as powerful ways.  Even if it's tidying up the kitchen after dinner.  SHOWING SOMEONE ELSE YOU CARE!!

If you don' like traditional Catholic worship, worship God in your own way.  Through being yourself, telling others about him, dance, music, instruments, song, drama, THROUGH LIVING DAY TO DAY IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT HE IS YOUR SAVIOUR AND THAT HE SAVED YOU FROM A LIFE NOT WORTH LIVING.

Psalm 149:1

Hallelujah! Sing to God a brand-new song, praise him in the company of all who love him. Let all Israel celebrate their Sovereign Creator, Zion's children exult in their King. Let them praise his name in dance; strike up the band and make great music! And why? Because God delights in his people, festoons plain folk with salvation garlands!

MAY THE LORD JESUS WHO DIED FOR YOU AND FOR ME BE WITH YOU NOW AND FOREVERMORE.         AMEN!!!!

but always remember; freedom in Christ; freedom to;

say yes

say no

not living up to expectations

be yourself

worship in your own way

be your own person

be individual

go against the flow

be different

stand out

love

hate

offer peace

to be

to live

free to love the Lord Jesus Christ

Answer 7

The most important thing to take into consideration is that fact that it is only Allah who guides . So, if you desire guidance to all truth, the One to ask is the One Above. If you are sincere, and honest with Him, then there can be no doubt that He will always guide the sincere to the Right Path.

There are some who do not want to be guided. Rather, they prefer to make up their own way or religion that suits them and makes them feel all warm and fuzzy. Naturally, that would not be acceptable to the One who is to be worshiped (Almighty God). That would be someone making up what they like and expecting the Lord of the Universe to accept it even though He has already ordained what it is that He wants from the people as worship to Him without partners

Answer 8

As a former muslim..whos been to mecca and done the pilgrimage.

No.

If you yearn for spirituality, try buddhism..but it has loopholes too..not as many as Islam..but its way better.

Answer 9

As a revert to Islam 4 years ago myself i totally understand what you are saying.

Go to any book store and you can buy a quran, google it and you can see it on-line, go to a mosque and ask to read one for free.....

Read and like you said make your own mind up. That is what I did.

I grew up in a multi cultural city in the UK had ever race and faith as neighbors, class mates, family friends and always have know, lived with and been friends with Muslims. But i can say the same about Christians, Catholics, Hindu's, Sikhs, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews and many atheist too.

The muslims i knew growing up where always welcoming and kind and generous. Playing in friends homes as a child who where muslims there parents where nothing but welcoming, warm people. I was always made feel comfortable and welcome any time.

My parents would be invited to neighbors weddings etc and always came and shared food with us at Ramadan etc and really included us as friends and neighbors in their lives.

That was it. That was my knowledge of Muslims.

Over the years I was raised Protestant, my mother became a born again christian, as a teenager I became the obligatory atheist, later became a spiritualist and then started to wonder again about Islam.

I was curious bought a Quran and started to read if all these stereotypes i had read in the media could be true because they where not describing a single Muslim I grew up with.

I never witnessed any oppression of the women, I never saw them teaching hate or being radical, I as a protestant child was never anything but welcome in there home as where my parents. I though well let me read first hand.

And of course reading the Quran changed my life. Not just that but i asked Muslim friends a million questions, why does this verse say this, how can that be right? And of course once explained all made perfect sence.

I went to Islamic web sites (ones of a reputable source of course) and grew to love Islam more and more.

Then one day reading the Quran i read Allah say "Trust in me" and that was it. I got a lump in my throat, and my heart started to pound. It was like Allah literally opened my heart to Islam and in that second I said to myself, "i am going to become a muslim".

I knew there would be big changes in my life and i knew I had a lot to learn but as an Imam and friends told me that comes with time, dont worry be patient. And that is what I did.

Four years ago I took my Shahada and it was the best desicion I ever made and I know I will never leave Islam, thats it for me till the day I die.

I know what your saying about your mother but it is your life and talk to her explain how you feel. Respect your mother and give her time to absorb what your feeling. We all stand alone on Judgement day after all, no one is his brothers keeper, and I can say because I am a mother that your not your mothers keeper either.

You have to do what you feel is right for you. That might be Islam, it might not be Islam but you have to live in the knowledge that you are living your life in your own truth.

In Islam we are taught to respect our mother after God and who then shall it be? Your mother. Then who Your mother. Then who? Your mother. Then who? Your father.

Who says women are oppressed in Islam Lol......

But seriously give your mother some patience and time and dont be quick to judge her if she does not understand how you feel.

Good luck in finding your true path in life. For a 15 year old boy you seem very smart and I applaud you for not being your run of the mill out drinking, smoking getting with girls etc etc like so many teens are today. Whatever your choice keep on thinking outside the box, it will serve you well in life.

Peace to you.

Answer 10

besm Allah

I am scholar of faith, I can answer all your questions [if I can]

ya_shami_yahoo.ca

read Holy Quraan translations from

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/002.qm...

Answer 11

Move to a new church non RC and see the difference... the church you are in probably does not enable you to grow ... I'm in a church where I am the limit, even the sky does not hold me back ,so please TALK TO JESUS  BEFORE YOU REGRET YOU DECISION( I'm not shouting or yelling at you  just emphasizing a point!)...

a concerned child of Jehovah God!

If I knew what country you are in I would recommend a church for you I would do the home work for you and locate a Spirit filled Jesus Christ serving church

Answer 12

Eh, you want to convert (sure, fine), but you haven't read the Qu'ran... Huh!!! It's online why not?

ps i don't mean to be cynical but that is my honest knee jerk response.

Answer 13

No, try atheism.

Answer 14

Yes why not. If you have studied enough I think you should. Don't pay attention to the propaganda against Muslims, just choose the way that you think is the best. People will one day realize that the real Islam differs  from what they watch on TV.

Good Luck

Answer 15

Well, it's your choice, but I have yet to see one reason why one should follow any religion at all. If there isn't a reason, why follow?

Answer 16

I think at 15 you should keep learning as much as you can about religion and spirituality in general before making any decisions regarding what to follow.

Answer 17

Well, ultimately it is your choice. If you are truly interested in Islam and it impacts you in some profound way, study up on it some more. Don't just jump into something. Your mother won't be happy about it at all, but its not her choice to make. If you become more educated about Islam, you can better explain why you chose it and understand why yourself. Good luck.  

Answer 18

I think you are considering Islam for the wrong reasons, you should not consider Islam because you are not happy with Christian mass; do not expect to be "captivated" in the Friday sermon either, you may be in the first few weeks or even months and then you get used to it and it's not new any more. Praying is NOT a rock concert.

I do realize that the Muslim relationship with God differs than that of a Christian but you should also keep in mind that it also involves more hard work (well, not hard, but compared to Christianity it would seem hard).

As a Muslim, my advice would be: do not become a Muslim unless you believe in its main tenants. I do, however, invite you to explore it but when you do become a Muslim, it should be because you believe that there is no God but Allah and that Mohammed is his messenger - not because you are escaping the options you already have.

You should also be aware that many Muslims do not follow Islam, some not at all and other follow parts and neglect others – do not confuse Muslims with Islam, it’s like saying “it’s OK to get a divorce in Catholism because so many Catholics are divorced”. Actually, the number of Muslims that know very little about Islam is much more than those that actually know their religion.

Answer 19

No

Answer 20

I would like to say  DON'T to it just to annoy your mother!

It is normal being interested in things because you're a young man that is learning about the surrounding world. Maybe you would want to put off such a decision for some years. Also, talk to a Catholic priest or an Episcopalian, Lutheran or Methodist pastor.

Islam has nothing that improves on Christianity, That guy Mohammed made up a religion copying pieces from the Jewish and the Christian religion. He copied badly and understood badly. The Quran is only an imitation holy book. I have read an English translation and found it utterly ugly and lacking of spirituality.

Answer 21

I dare to say 15 is old enough to choose a religion, even a controversial one, especially among Catholic households. I was 14 when I switched to paganism from  Catholic.  There are many aspects to the Muslim faith I also find attractive and about 30 years ago a Muslim girl gave me the best of the best descriptions when she said,"We are all flowers in Allah's garden."  Do get yourself a copy of the Qu'ran, attend services when possible at a nearby mosque and learn something of the Arab culture so you will become more comfortable about making friends in your expanded multi-cultural life.  I have met some helpful contacts in the YA Ramadan section willing to answer my questions as well and don't be at all surprised to learn whether you pray to Allah, God or Jehovah, he's the same guy, just a different language.  If Islam is your true faith, Allah will certainly guide you from haram (unbeliever input) as well as harm.

Answer 22

If you have to ask for the opinion on this site, you're probably not ready to convert to anything.

Answer 23

It's not a joy when you realize that in northern latitudes in summer, you have to wake up at 2:30, 3 a.m. for "pre-dawn prayers".  The primitive religion from the desert made certain assumptions about the behaviour of the Sun which don't hold in other parts of the world.  You're also going to be wasting a half-hour praying to empty air, 5 times a day, thus robbing 15% of your waking life that others don't have to do.  That means you fall behind in studies, don't achieve as much as other humans.  That is proven from polls of educational levels of Muslims vs. the non-Muslims who surround them.  Hope you like driving a taxi...

Also you may end up fanaticized to kill non-Muslims, such as converts like John Walker the shoe-bomber tried to do.  No Muslim can presume to love Allah because Allah is impersonal and unknowable, and for the same reason, a Muslim commits a sacrilege if he says he is assured by Allah of redemption and Eternal Life because Allah is not bound to human "bargains."  No Muslim is allowed to say he has an assurance of salvation, no matter what he does; all he has is the possibility that Muhammad will plead for his case like a lawyer on Judgment Day, but Allah still decides if you go in the Recycling Pit or not.  That seems to me like less of a deal than you get in Christianity.  Plus, it's not even sure that Allah is really God, maybe just a demon who made use of a meteorite that fell in the desert (all meteorites are easier to find in the desert than in any place with trees and brush) and used it to deceive the desert-dwellers into treating it as holy, in a set of pagan beliefs which are still followed at the core of Islam.  You can do far better than pointing to a piece of rock and worshipping it, following in the path of despotic desert sheikhs desperate for anything "supernatural" although meteorites are explainable now.  Isn't God supposed to be everywhere?  So why face Mecca and Mecca alone to pray?  Doesn't that sound like idolatry, a pagan religion deceiving millions by putting on a face of monotheism?

Answer 24

Why do you wanna be a sheep?

Answer 25

Go for it. I was lost and depressed until i discovered the real beauty of Islam. If you're asking for advice, I really do recommend you to fulfill your soul with its beauty. Besides, you will still love Jesus and respect him as a Muslim.

Answer 26

Dumb and all though Catholicism is, the number of mentally ill church leaders is a lot lower than Islam. Islam is closer to a cult than christianity although I guess St. Paul was potentially as dangerous an unstable mind as the Prophet Mohammed...but luckily for us Paul was just a little obsessed with sexual morality and content to stop there instead of getting into violent preaching. Mohammed is really a cult leader in a sixth century context like Jim Jones or David Corish or that guy Smith that founded the Mormons. Initially, his illness, like Pauls was productive and he filled a religious gap caused by the annhialation of the Gnostic Christian Cult and he was an important catalyst in stopping christianity turning nasty(ier). But, his illness seems to have been Bipolar and he has a sort of depressive phase where the laws get more oppressive and bellicose and anti-woman in his later life...this sadly is the fuel of fundamental Islam, the type your newfound interest in Islam would eventually lead you to.

In reality, if you go and read the Gospels and get a good book by the likes of Geza Vermes and forget all your catholic nonsense about local saints and martyrs and popes you'll find a very liberating message from Jesus basically telling you NOT TO BE TOO SERIOUS ABOUT RELIGION:) ....don't be an extremist, instead see how your everyday normal life can be a simple relationship with God where you are kind to others and do things to help other people or strengthen their human rights. Thus, instead of a kingdom of God like scenario that many Islamic states are set up as, you would only spend a bit of the day in prayer and a lot of the day building a happy family or being a good worker or science researcher or teacher or doctor etc. That's why the West is so advanced...instead of creating a type of cult state devoted to God, Jesus showed us how to seperate God and State: " Give unto caesar ...give unto God" . In an Islamic republic foreign expertise is usually imported and a lot of the people are kept as religious peasant classes unoccupied in modern labour and with a limited Religious bent education...in otherwords stuck in the 6th century forever! Contrast this with the original scientists, astronomers, doctors, surgeons, philosophers who flourished in the middle east prior to Islam. Time basically stood still.:)

Answer 27

I would consider a serious study of its history before making any rash decisions.

tGod bless