I am a practicing Roman Catholic but I'm thinking about converting to Islam?

Question

There are so many flaws that I am just now starting to see in Christianity in general (not just Catholicism)...and in my own humble opinion, Islam is the only religion where the followers actually live the way the bible tells us to. What do you think about Islam? People who are going to say that Islam is about terrorism need not apply. I know plenty of Muslims and they are some of the most peaceful, non-hypocritical people I've come across.

I'm a 25 year old married woman. Thank you.

Looks like someone sh*t in Pha-Q's cornflakes this morning. I'm sorry sweetie. Better luck tomorrow :)

Answer 1

Quite frankly, you've not seriously studied Catholicism. I would suspect that your study of Islam is similarly shallow. Secondly, you're faith is apparently superficial also. If you really understood the Eucharist, you could never turn your back on it. I challenge you to really study the Catechism and spend at least one hour per week in a holy hour, praying before the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. If you're parish doesn't have perpetual adoration, I would think that you could find one nearby. If not, then find another good and quiet place. Ask Jesus to reveal himself more deeply to you. Pray and perhaps reflect on the daily readings of the Mass. Do this for 6 months and see where your heart is at. Don't forget the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion.

Here's an additional thought. As you compare the two religions, one thing that you can observe is that in Islam, they do not have a concept of God as Father, who is involved in your personal life. Allah is "distant" not familial.

Answer 2

I agree with Schneb's answer totally and what research he has done. I believe the Bible is the holy, inerrant word of God. The Old Testament and the New Testament were written by holy men of God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we accept the Old Testament to be a record and an example of what God allowed to happen among the Jewish people in antiquity. The New Testament records the birth, life, mission, death, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bible predates the Quran and in it we read the admonition of the apostle Paul in Galations 1:8,9, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

We read in Deut. 4:2 the following,"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. " Therefore when Mohamed wrote the Quran 600 years after Christ's death, burial, and Resurrection he altered and changed the word of Almighty God. Mohamed was trying to unite the desert tribes and created Allah, the moon god of the pagans to the station of and a substitution for the one true God. Islam teaches violence against the infidels (us) while Jesus taught His followers to treat others with dignity, respect, and to love them. He was a man of peace. As such, judgment is of God and Him alone. Not by a group of religious fanatics whose sole goal in life is to force the conversion of others by force.

Jesus Christ is more than a prophet, He is the Savior of the world willing to take on mankind's sins and die for us. What has Allah done?

gatita_63109

Answer 3

You, as a newly convert to Islam, may find it difficult in the beginning to attune your mind to conceptualizing and worshipping that abstract Lord who has no physic, form or image, though you may later on feel His presence in you.

The feeling of worshipping that Being of Intelligence who is not needy of anything, like a son or associates or partners in divinity and who is nearer to you than you are to yourself is remarkable for a new convert.

Is it not incredible that the Prophet who has performed no miracles during his life time and yet he mentioned all the miracles performed by Jesus and Moses, among other prophets; and what is more there is one additional miracle performed by Jesus - he spoke as an infant in the defense of his mother against accusation levelled at her - not mentioned in the Bible but mentioned in the Qur'an.

There are no obsenities ascribed to any prophet, be he Jesus or Moses or David or Lot or Abraham, in the Qur'an. Jesus is mentioned more times by name than Mohammad himself. there is a whole chapter out of 114 given the name of Mary.

However, if you do convert, then do not exhort others around you to do the same because there is a verse in the Qur'an which says "There is no compulsion in religion". Conviction is more important than faith - and in Islam salvation is by deeds and not in merely "believing" regardless of deeds.

Answer 4

Wow Pha-Q what's your problem??? Where did that sudden outburst come from? Not everyone who wants to convert to Islam is a pervert & its ridiculous to reduce one of the world's great religions to such a thing. Remember that women in Roman times married when they were only 11 and even in Shakespeare's day girls were married around the age of 13/14 (cf Juliet). I'm not saying its right I'm just saying it was a different time and culture.

As for the original question - its up to you what you want to do. If it feels right to convert to Islam, do so. The only important thing is your own spiritual path. What anyone else feels about the relative merits/demerits of any given religion is their business. Its up to you.

Answer 5

It's your own choices. You should know by now which one actually suited for you.
Salvation is not an easy journey. You make some hard choices. But you should not do it alone. You should ask guidance from the God who you want to live through eternity.

Does it matter if converting yourself from one religion to another? Maybe, but see to it, it is the right one. So you don't waste your efforts.
Only to God who inspired and authorized building the right church or religion you have to search to and converted to.

Answer 6

Please do if you think that will make you happy. I think no religion wants to have followers just for the show, at least not mine. But be serious: I hope we won't see in a short time a question from you like: I am a practicing Muslim but I'm thinking about converting to Hinduism?

Answer 7

Hello. Please don't let the opinions of misinformed people influence your decision. I am a Muslim, and it is my duty to offer to help you out with any questions or concerns that you may have about Islam so feel free to e-mail me with any question. About what Saraa said, I want to warn you, Sects are not a part of Islam.

[30:32] (Do not fall in idol worship,) like those who divide their religion into sects; each party rejoicing with what they have.

Muslims follow the Quran and Authentic Hadith of the Prophet (may Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) Forming Sects is forbidden.
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Now Since I was born a Muslim, I don't really know what the process of changing your Religion / faith is like but I can tell you one thing don't settle for what you're not 100% sure of. Read the Quran, STUDY it, I mean after all this is what The Quran itself says :

And if ye are in doubt concerning that which We reveal unto Our slave (Muhammad), then produce a surah of the like thereof, and call your witness beside Allah if ye are truthful.
Quran Translation 2:23

Invite all to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. For thy Lord knows best who have strayed from His path, and who receive guidance”
Quran translation 16:125.

And they say: "None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian." Those are their (vain) desires. Say: "Produce your proof if ye are truthful."
Quran translation 2:111

If after reading the Quran (and reading the Quran means reading it with an open heart- i.e. with the feeling that this MAY or MAY NOT be the Truth) you are still not convinced then even I will tell you DO not convert. Keep searching, keep reading, keep studying. The Moment you are SURE that you have found the Right Religion THEN convert.

I will include some links which may be helpful for you, and again if you need any information then just e-mail me.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Converted2Islam

http://www.answering-christianity.com/ac.htm

http://www.freekoran.com/

http://www.youtube.com/user/iqraproductions

http://www.youtube.com/user/wwwMeccaCentricCom

http://www.youtube.com/user/MuslimByChoice

http://www.youtube.com/user/IslamAnswersBack

http://www.youtube.com/user/sonycar

if you want to watch debates between Muslim and Christian Scholars (I found them to be very helpful) then you can watch some of the videos in the following page- click on the channel from these videos for more:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCpDc-L5_go

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-4dKsVyTog

Answer 8

Al-Salam Alaykom

I'm very happy to read that….welcome in Islam
At first…I hope that you'll convert in Ramadan the best month in the year

But..I advice you …don't convert without full and complete conviction...so take your time.

Dear…thank you for talking about this point….that Islam tell us to life the way the bible tells us to…it's really correct

We believe that the religion is one….to worship Allah the only and the perfect God….and we follow all the prophets and messengers…

And this is the Aya …
((( The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - the which We have sent by inspiration to thee - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).*** And they became divided only after Knowledge reached them,- through selfish envy as between themselves. Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, (tending) to a Term appointed, the matter would have been settled between them: But truly those who have inherited the Book after them are in suspicious (disquieting) doubt concerning it.*** Now then, for that (reason), call (them to the Faith), and stand steadfast as thou art commanded, nor follow thou their vain desires; but say: "I believe in the Book which Allah has sent down; and I am commanded to judge justly between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord: for us (is the responsibility for) our deeds, and for you for your deeds. There is no contention between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to Him is (our) Final Goal.)))

Answer 9

You just want to discuss this her well come for the discussion. What you do is your expression of your self. What you are inside is how you express externally. If you think Christianity is not for you, that you have made a decision, YOu have everything to choose what is right from you, Based on how people behave is not what you understand religion. Religion is something to be studied to understand the spiritual connection that has meaning to you.

Religion is a set of beliefs, practices, traditions, dress code and mores that depect the time and culture it was born. IT is usually based on the views of one individual on leading life, it usually, or may have rituals and rules that bring about identification of the community. It is for you to choose what best meaning you get out of it.

AS far as my understanding goes, people are people, their thinking patterns are formed in childhood, We all see things differently hence think differently and behave differently. YOu will see in the same family children are different in the way they express themselves because each one is unique hence each one has a unique way of expressing even though biologically the genetic composition is the same as they all belong to the same parent. Today they have found that genes play major role even in behavior. the human being only looks for experiences that can express his genes, this is an ongoing process..

People dont necessarily need religion, humans are basically made to be good, sensitive, and caring. WE are only good stuff you know! But life is bigger than the pages of any book. You are a peaceful person, hence your soul is constantly seeking peaceful people and i think you will find them on the phase of earth anywhere. You just need an eye for feeling peace within. I am glad you found connnection. We all like to connect with people who are in some way like us, because sameness gives security, and safety,and reduces stress. But your thinking is one and all. Not all will be same. I have met people of all religions, i have Buddhists as friends, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs and Athiests and Agnostics. All my connections are heavenly, they are some of the finest people, why are they fine? Because i am an easy person, and believe that in every soul lives the expression of the power above, he can never creat souls bad, When we change the way we see things everything changes. People cannot be bad, their thinking and behavior can be. and this is circumstancial or environmental. Yes some time being in their company can be very stressful hence you can avoid them but we do not give up on them, perhaps our good ness can be an influence on them. After all we all have a role to play on this earth.

What will you do if you read Islam and find thisis not for you? Will you change religion again? If you like peace you must be a peace loving person. and the world is full of them move in life with meditation and happiness is yours for ever. What if you read Buddhasim and love it, spiritualiy is within all of us. Judism Christianity and Islam are mostly same. Most of the things in Islam have Jewish Origins, a Jew would say Shalom, and a muslim will say Salam. dress code food practices and a whole lot of things practiced in Islam have jewish origins, a jew would eat Kosher food and a muslim will take Halal both are the same. Circumcision has its origins in Judism I wonder why they both fight? Its the human mind that constantly seeks to differenciate that "I am better than you attitude" We just have to look within. Please do what is best for you. Wish you good luck in your search for spirituality.

Answer 10

Asalam Walaikum,

Well, I am Muslim therefore, my opinion about Islam will be positive! =) I'm not really sure what to tell you, as I don't know what you want to know exactly. All I can tell you is, Islam is more than a religion, it is a lifestyle. May I refer you to the below website?

http://www.whyislam.org/877/

Good luck!