I am a convert to Islam and it's contentious! Around me are questions as to sincerity from Muslims who protect the honor of their brothers. Around me are questions from the religious majority to say it isn't allowed and thus invalid. I have to face all of this every day and nearly every time I pray.
I had grave misgivings about my religious upbringing when the nun that was teaching us told us that if you weren't Catholic you'd go to hell. And I thought...what about all those Chinese people?
That nun's Catholic education was deficient. The Church's position has long been that while there can be no salvation outside the Catholic Church, non-Christians, Chinese or otherwise, who have never heard of Jesus, or who have, but are unable to accept Catholicism because they've been raised in another tradition, through no fault of their own, can go to heaven,assuming they reject the faithe. in good conscience, It's called invincible ignorance. Don't Be Ignorant About Invincible Ignorance! Ignorance—Invincible and Vincible as Pope Pius IX explained in Quanto Conficiamur Moerore: "It is known to us and to you that those who are in invincible ignorance of our most holy religion, but who observe carefully the natural law, and the precepts graven by God upon the hearts of all men, and who being disposed to obey God lead an honest and upright life, may, aided by the light of divine grace, attain to eternal life; for God who sees clearly, searches and knows the heart, the disposition, the thoughts and intentions of each, in his supreme mercy and goodness by no means permits that anyone suffer eternal punishment, who has not of his own free will fallen into sin." Even atheists? According to Pope Francis, "Yes".Pope tells atheists: You don't have to believe in God to go to heaven "The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone!" the Pope quoted the priest as saying. "Father, the atheists?," the skeptical Catholic responded. "Even the atheists. Everyone!" the priest replied, and added: "We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there."
I don't understand what this thread is about. The poll options are vaguely stated. Are you asking if we have buyer's remorse for leaving our childhood faith? Not me. Best thing I ever did!
I think I meant them to be rhetorical in frustration. We can use report to oust the poll if it's pedantic or presumptuous and also if it's not useful. My tragic several years have been sort of marred not by indecision but by a campaign against me. It would seem there are lots of attempts to have me readdress my decision. Couldn't I just return to my old hat and leave the new one? Well, how many times should I decide? It's been a difficult process and though still a significantly rewarding outcome that I know I won't regret, and especially having been a part of a very religious immediate and extended family it feels very normal to me. I don't need it to keep the poll, but those were the thoughts I wanted to present. I guess it's actually misuse of the poll option but i thought too maybe familiar terms for others who are asked to question their own decision. Sometimes a campaign becomes an inquisition. I don't want to soul search and am happy as a Muslim! To make me re-assess is not really appropriate I think. I don't want to think about it that much, and forcing me to choose in any given moment has drawn me to wonder why people cannot accept me having made this my new home. I'm grateful for the interaction here though, and thank @scratcho, @Tishomingo and @MeAgain for including me!
I guess it feels like I have two souls. I can be casual, which if it is spontaneity and reaction, it isn't healthy for my spiritual side. Or I can stop and pray hard and know Allah and follow Quran, or some variation depending on interpretation. I feel very good about being devoted to Allah and Islam! I guess that is worth sharing. But I do other things too. Do they contrast or conflict? Does someone ask me "one or the other"? There is a notion that (and not just me but more generally) there are hypocrites. I think my faith is genuine, but I fall into the 'hypocrite' category. I hope and I pray, but that may invalidate my intentions. And like any good book, I pick it back up and it feels rewarding.
