What do you think of members of the US military that convert to Islam?

Question

I've know of more stories than the one I will post but this is just an example for those that demand proof.

http://www.talkleft.com/story/2005/07/03/400/20937
full story here: http://www.mathaba.net/0_index.shtml?x=492059

I am curious what everyone thinks...please comment

savagenationarmydude - I've heard your point but to be honest, how often does one go out on a battle field anymore? Dropping bombs on homes by way of a plane can look like terrorism too. I say wars should be fought out in the middle of nowhere--face to face!

HUMANOLIVE---you asked for ANOTHER STORY...so here it is: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/96224_converts19.shtml

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=73624

http://thetruereligion.org/modules/xfsection/article.php?articleid=175

jp, I understand but I have met ppl in the military who have converted to Islam.

you can look them up at http://findarticles.com/ --I use it sometimes to check on articles

jp, thanks for the links--I liked them. I have seen other articles through major news sources but I didn't keep them (or lost them) and when I try to search for things now with islam, convert, soldier etc...you just get war things...not any personal stories. LOL --ahh the internet, makes some things easier and others a lot harder ;)

Answer 1

Considering the fact that any intelligent person realizes that this war is about money, control, and oil - NOT RELIGION - it doesn't surprise me. Islam didn't cause this war, it didn't even truly cause the "sectarian violence" (which is more cultural/class-based than anything).

Not to mention the fact that there are Muslims who support the war and Muslims who were already part of the military! If a US soldier converts, perhaps he got more out of being in Iraq than anyone expected. So be it.

Answer 2

When I was in the army, I knew 2 guys who where Muslim, but more nominally and neither converts. We had a lot of terps who were American Iraqi muslims.....

The problem with the articles you posted is they seem suspect....My bs alarm went off, too much did not make sense.
Reading it from my point of view, it just looks made up, another Lee Tucker flash disk kinda thing


edit:
Ya, I'm sure, It is no big deal really. There are muslim chaplains too. In fact in general I think it is a good thing, I wish there were more, a civil affairs officer who can go pray with the local sheik would be an asset.
Most of my terps were great guys, like Abbas.

If someone just had a spiritual thing and converted to islam after talking with abbas a lolt, ok great.
If some crazy guy in the platoon became muslim, because he thinks the mujahadeen are awesome...no I don't want him behind me.


I just think those 1st 2 articles are too suspect.
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One thing to mention about the second one: Under general order #1, mosques and holy sites are protected, and may not even be entered..........However if the mosque is being used as cover to shoot RPGs and store weapons, it stops being a mosque. "The whole I converted to Islam because of the greateness of the mujahadeen, who I'm fighting...they are so great blah blah"......a bit suspect. Plus the people seemed to be composites of other stories, and no ranks where mentioned or any way to verify them.....so I would loose the first 2.

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Here is a better artical, the otherone had names a bit confused and mixed up, this is the doctor that wass mentioned:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/05/03/60II/main615303.shtml

http://www.adelaideinstitute.org/Dissenters/ashrawi_morals.htm

It is a cool story, he should not have disobied general order 1, but it is a cute story. Reminded me of a story....... for another time.


here is another artical you might like: http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=14

Answer 3

I had a coworker that converted to Islam while he was serving in Iraq, every morning he would pray. I did not like him as a person, he was a jerk. That is not how I feel about all service men that convert to Islam though.

I don't know, I am a skeptic by nature and have doubts regarding the authenticity of any religion and as such I have a hard time trying to understand why anyone would believe in a religion. I do not take pleasure in saying this, but I can only assume that they are gullible.

Answer 4

It's actually relatively rare, although it does happen. The current situations where deployed soldiers are located hardly make best possible image of Islam to make them want to convert, sufficed to say. I knew a few Muslims while I was in the service--including while I was deployed; they're like anyone else. One was an idiot, another was very smart and successful (although he insisted on using the most obnoxious alarm clock I'd ever heard). Others I've known were just fine... just like I've known good and bad Christians, good and bad Wiccans, good and bad atheists, etc. in the military. Being of a particular faith doesn't make you better or worse than anybody else; being an idiot, however, does.

:->

Answer 5

once you're attempting to do something good, there are going to be those trials. your loved ones is in all likelihood no longer likely to like it and that i understand its no longer basic, yet you gotta do the nicely suited factor. you may attempt to reason with them and clarify why Islam is the fact. deal with your mothers and dads with excellence. it extremely is a commandment from Allah. whether they're propose to you, you've admire. appropriate to militia, you're no longer meant to grant your allegiance to everybody different than Allah and his messenger. I pretty advise you attempt to seem into yet another profession. Have endurance! Verily Allah is with people who're affected person. Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullah ( could the peace, reward, and mercy of Allah be upon you)

Answer 6

Since they are fighting for our first amendment rights amongst others, why would I care? The only time it would be a concern is if they tossed a grenade in with other sleeping soldiers.

edited to add.

You want wars to be fought in the middle of nowhere and face to face? CAn you please get real??? It doesn't work that way. Go educate yourself at strategy page or read michael yon. Or go talk to a veteran or two.

Answer 7

I am friends with a former Marine who became Muslim.

He is probably the most exemplary Muslim I know, knowledgeable, intelligent, devout, and unbiased by culture.

Insha'Allah, may the journeys of converts be a living testament to the beauty of Islam.

Answer 8

What scarers me about the guy converting is that one day now, he could possibily wan to kill his own country men, and to me that is ironic considering that the people of Iraq say they will die for their country, so whos side is the guy really on. I respect any mans decision for religion, but I dont like it and think that when judgment day comes, he will get whats his. Musilims are filled with hatred and anger, I just hope he vents in the right way. God bless his soul.

Answer 9

This country was founded on the beliefs of freedom of religion, and the military has fought & died for that right. If members of the U.S. military decide that Islam is the religion for them and want to convert, it is their decision, no one else's.

Answer 10

It's their choice. There are bunches of secular Muslims in Turkey, and a large portion (something like 40-60%) of Muslims in the USA consider themselves US-citizens first and Muslims second....compared to less than 10% of Muslims in Britain that consider themselves Brits and Muslims second.