Would it be fair to say that most people who convert to Islam have low self-esteem?

Question

Forget about those who were raised in Islam. Now, the ones who decide to convert....what could possibly attract them to Islam?

In the US, Islam gets most of its converts from prisons, and most of these prisoners were raised Christian. Islam is much harsher than Christianity. Now I'm not Christian and I'm not trying to promote Christianity, but at least Christianity has the whole "Jesus Loves You" thing. Islam strikes an insane amount of fear into its followers.

Is it possible that Islam would attract people with low self-esteem because they feel that they need to torture and punish themselves even more than they can do in Christianity? (And I'm sure prisons would be full of people with low self-esteem.) Also think of these American women who marry a Muslim man and covert to Islam and then she becomes his slave, covering herself up and walking behind him.

Answer 1

People with low self esteem are just what any religion is looking for. Kind of like a cult or street gang.

Answer 2

I'm not a Muslim, but I can see some good reasons why someone who is originally Christian would convert to Islam. If you closely examine the basis of Christianity, you will a rather absurd assumption at its root.

This assumption is basically that an all powerful god needed to sacrifice himself to himself to appease himself or else he would not be able to forgive sins. Personally, I find this idea to be completely insane on almost every level. It really is very close to being laughably stupid.

Islam is actually a lot like Christianity in a lot of ways. It has the same god and the same prophets from the old testament, etc, etc. However, Islam does not believe that Jesus was God and does not believe it was necessary for Jesus to die for sins to be forgiven.

So, Islam is an alternative to Christianity that happens to avoid that one particularly ridiculous belief. I can easily imagine some Christians coming to the conclusion that Islam is the more correct religion based on this fact.

Answer 3

Very Interesting... I'm not sure of your "facts" of how most people in prison were raised Christian, because I have heard how many prisoners become Christians in prison. But, I do follow your logic.

I wonder if it is a kind of camaraderie that these people are looking for. Maybe they feel unwelcome in a Christian setting because of their "sins." But, Islamic members may promote the very "sin" that the prisoner is paying for.

Also, the woman who converts because of marriage... Look at all the woman who "get involved" with prisoners... I think it could quite possibly be a self esteem issue.

Answer 4

No, it's not an esteem issue. You just need to do a little more research is all! Islam is never an easy choice to make in a mostly Christian country. So really, it's the opposite. It takes a lot of moxie to go against the grain!

I converted because no one other faith could answer how science could blend with faith, or encouraged me to seek knowledge on my own. I just picked up a Quran at Barnes and Noble and read it.

Try not to confuse culture with religion, or "Nation of Islam" with Islam. Nation of Islam is totally NOT Islam. And please don't look at the news about so-called muslim countries - Yes I say "so-called"!

If a man is forcing his wife to walk behind, that's culture NOT Islam. Look at this quote that is often ignored,
"Among my followers the best of men are those who are best to their wives..."

About covering: Not every Muslim woman covers, but for those that do - they find it freeing. The Quran encourages covering the bosom and modesty. No longer can men judge women for their bodies, or make them into props/sex object! Think about what nuns do... they cover and no one questions them! They're trying to keep their mind focused on more important things than how their butt looks in jeans...

Muslims do believe in JESUS! Muslims should try and practice the good qualities of all the prophets. Jesus is called "Isa" in Arabic. A Quran Quote: "And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah - a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil)."

Just try to look a little deeper, and you'll see things aren't always what they appear to be on the surface! Islam and Christianity have a lot more in common than most people think!

Have a rockin' day!

Answer 5

No, and that's a very shallow,stereotypical view of Islam.I'm aware of what the terrible situation is throughout the middle east.But you have to realize that Arabic,Indo-Chinese,Farsi,Persian cultures vary on what is practiced.Islam covers such a vast array of countries,cultures histories.You cant say ALL of Islam is bad.They think all Christians are perverted,alcoholic,crusading barbarians(the extremist think so anyways) The Qu'ran talks alot about respecting women and children.Quite frankly, up until resent history,women have been "enslaved" by every male dominated value system, including our Christian faith at one point.As Bush said in one of his speeches"The terrorists have hijacked a beautiful religion"

Answer 6

I think a lot of the converts from what I see, are black...I think it has to do with a feeling of power for some...As a Muslim man, you have complete control over your wife and children...there are men that would appeal too...Others, for some reason, think it is Kool to become a Muslim,,,even though their Mother brought them up to be a good Baptist and did the best they could,,,they break her heart....I find it very hard to believe that someone who was born and raised in the USA would follow that faith. I know there are probably some whites too, that join that faith but I have not seen any.

Answer 7

The reason why people in prisons convert is because they have to think about live and really reflect. Many of them ask for guidance and it comes.

That doesn't explain why priests become Muslim and others.

Shaikh Hamza Yusuf was schooled as a Greek Orthodox and he became Muslim when he couldn't find the answers to his questions elsewhere.

Dr Umar Abdullah Farooq also was taught catechism and he became Muslim.

They are many other converts are leaders of our time especailly in the west.

Answer 8

Many people, due to them not being happy with their beliefs and due to being confused, do not know how to fit in society. This leads them to not care even if they end up in jail. When they find a belief system that makes sense (Islam), they embrace it because it was what they needed all along to answer their confusion.

Such people must not be exploited by people like bin laden, who preach the common sense of Islam but then tell people that killing innocent people is the path to Paradise. He is wrong, and those who follow him are also wrong. Islam is right.

Answer 9

Not necessarily. Islam attracts people who find Islam attractive. There are a wide variety of people who practice Islam, just as is the case with Christianity.

Answer 10

no..for you to say "Islam strikes an insane amount of fear into its followers" proves you know nothing about Islam. Why dont you actually do your research about the religion as a religion instead of a politicized aspect instead of watching the damn terrorists blow things up on CNN and passing that as "islam"