A common thread I see on all the posts here is the amount of attention the so-called ‘Celebrities’ who convert to Islam get?
I wonder what the idea is behind such an attitude?
Christians and HIndus don’t go around shouting the names of the converted for example.
Is it a subconscious desire to prove Islam is a civilized acceptable religion?
The latest seems to be Mike Tyson. Somebody was asking if it is true he converted and somebody else was saying yes!!!
I think when any celebrity "gets" religion,
it is newsworthy. Often, when one converts
to Islam, it is more noteable because it is
taken more seriously. Malcolm X, Muhammed Ali
and Cat Stevens, who left a very sucessful
recording career, changing his life along
with his fans. To some extent, it does seem
to give further validity to the religion. It
is a great life change for those who choose
to convert, encompasing a different culture
in many cases. Born Again Christians is a
phenomenon associated with US southerners
that occurs frequently.
when one converts
to Islam, it is more noteable because it is
taken more seriously.<<
Exactly. And that is precisely the point. Why? As far as I know Christians or Hindus or Budhhists don't think it is a big deal if somebody converts.
I know Christians do a lot of missionary work but it seems to be Conversion if Possible + Social Work.
My question was why is it more noticeable?
Is it Muslims themselves giving publicity or Non-Muslims noticing the phenomenon?
**>>The latest seems to be Mike Tyson. **
Whats your point? This is a place to ask questions. And since u didn’t read the Tyson thread, it was not about glorification of Islam rather it was to criticize his sick behavior in public.
As regards the other part of your post “Christians and HIndus don’t go around shouting the names of the converted for example.” Fair enuf! I have no idea if any significant personality actually converted from Islam to any other faith. I know some (like Rushdie) criticze Islam but stick to being called a muslim. There are a few who convert to atheism or religion-less state, and I have known many western celebrities who have turned to buddhism and hindu mystism as a means to find inner peace.
In any case, you are free to shout at the top of your lungs if you feel like celebrating any such conversion. I, for one, will not hold it against you.
It is not a question of ME shouting anything.
My question was why do Islamic conversions get such notice?
As for converting out of Islam surely you must be aware that apostates are regarded as worse than infidels in Islam!!!
So it is not a very safe thing to publicly convert out
Andhra:
[quote]
As far as I know Christians or Hindus or Budhhists don't think it is a big deal if somebody converts.
[/quote]
Christians DO think it is a big deal, might just not be noticed. Why it is not advertised might be because in Christianity the new convert actually needs to change his life and often it just does not take place.
Conversion of someone to another religion does not really mean anything. The way the life of the person change AFTER the conversion should be noticed.
[This message has been edited by The Old Man (edited February 05, 2002).]
You are quite aqalmand…
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif
You figured it out, huh?
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And yes, Old Man has a point. We don’t know whats inside a person’s heart and mind so its his or her actions which tell us. So its not merely the announcement which is important, but the deeds. Mike Tyson is a prime example. Read that thread again, if you are still confused.
Pristine read MY threads again. I am not talking about Mike Tyson.
By the way most of these conversions seem to happen to African American Males while they were in jail!!
If I were a Muslim I would be concerned about where my Mullahs are recruiting from
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/biggrin.gif
If you stop putting meaningless smilies in your posts that will help.
You asked about muslim black males covnerting in prisons. I am not a psychologist or even a religious scholar, but my thoughts are that according to American history, majority of the blacks were forcibly smuggled from Africa into continental United States. “Roots” (Alex Hailey) explains that these were muslims. Once in US, their children adopted christianity but till the middle of the last century there was still severe racial segregation in US. Most blacks, to this date, feel that they are not equal citizens in US. This forms a rebellion in them and they may end up in prison. For the inner peace they turn to other religions. One obvious choice is the religion of their fore-fathers, Islam. Plus in Islam there is no segregation on color, creed, race or origin. A black muslim will stand next to a white muslim or an arab in the prayer. This lack of racial segregation in the message of islam also attracts a great number of repressed people. Even in India, many lower-cast hindus embraced islam because they were given equal rights under islamic teachings.
However, the conversion is not limited to black muslims.
Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, a renowned muslim scholar from Santa Clara, CA is a white Californian who embraced Islam, studied islam in Egypt and Africa and is now a very visible spokesman for Islam in US.
Cat Stevens, a famous singer who embraced Islam and is now Yusuf Islam is not black, is he?
These are just a couple of examples, just to set the record straight. Hope it helps
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[This message has been edited by Pristine (edited February 05, 2002).]
[quote]
Originally posted by Andhra:
>>when one converts
to Islam, it is more noteable because it is
taken more seriously.<<
Exactly. And that is precisely the point. Why? As far as I know Christians or Hindus or Budhhists don't think it is a big deal if somebody converts.
I know Christians do a lot of missionary work but it seems to be Conversion if Possible + Social Work.
My question was why is it more noticeable?
Is it Muslims themselves giving publicity or Non-Muslims noticing the phenomenon?
[/quote]
sorry if it offends u .......but in my entire life i havent heard or seen a single christian/muslim/jew/budhist/ or any religion that person belongs to coverting to hinduism...... i may be wrong but would u plz provide atleast one individual who converted to hinduism??
plz provide the source if not then answer wot u know about it!
thanx
If Hare Krishna's and those who follow Baba's are Hindu, that would qualify George Harrison, Pete Townsend, and Carlos Santana. These are from the realm of classic rock music who all happen to be guitarists.
Tyson isnt the latest. He coverted years ago.
And it has nothing to do with celebrities converting..the hundreds that convert everyday aren't celebrities. Converts of any background or status are welcomed and received warmly by Muslims. Nothing unnatural about that.
**"If people were to know of the things I know, it would all fall apart."
**CSM
and by the way, most of the conversions aren’t by african american males in jails, just because they ‘seem’ that way to you. While it is true that most converts are african americans, there is a sizeable amount of Hispanic converts as well as whites/europeans. And the overwhelming majority of converts is women..the ratio is 1:4 i believe.
http://www.themodernreligion.com/convert/convert_websites.htm
***“If people were to know of the things I know, it would all fall apart.”
***CSM
Rehhan, I think TOMASSO answered the question. George Harrison passed away recently and asked for his Ashes to be immersed in the RIver Ganga.
hk I am aware of all these web sites celebrating the conversions.
My question was why? and because of whom? Is it Muslims themselves that are pro-active or Non-Muslims noticing it?
[quote]
I think TOMASSO answered the question. George Harrison passed away recently and asked for his Ashes to be immersed in the RIver Ganga.
[/quote]
Did George Harrison 'accept' or 'convert' to Hinduism? or was it just that he liked the idea to be burnt and immersed in Ganga?
There is nothing wrong if you are happy to see anyone joining your "community", "group", "cult" or "religion". Celebrating or "shouting" the convert of "celebrities" is noticable because that "celebrity" is known in many corners/areas and people like to share information about them..... just like any news/article/gossip talking about any affair of a celebrity gets popularity.
why did it hurt/offend/make you jealous anyway?
your question: why "Hindus", "Christians" don't celebrate?
my question: is there any appreciation left in "general masses" of 'followers for their religion (Hindus, Christianity)?
my suggestion: if Julia Roberts, Madonna, Arnold Schwarznegger today convert to Hinduism I'm sure lots of Indian media would be posting articles/news about that.
May Allah SWT guide us all towards right and help us follow the right
Yeah, George Harrison apparently felt he is a Hindu and will be one again!!
Jealous ?
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http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/confused.gif
Now, now why should I be jealous of Muslims Changez_Like?
They have good and bad things about them, just like Hindus!!
My question was why was so much attention being paid to it?
I heard that some Muslims believe that they God will give them extra blessings if they convert others. May be that is one of the reasons?
As far as I understand, Hindus do not have a 'fixed routine' that one has to go through to convert to Hinduism. Some groups may say it, but people tell me that it is not generally accepted. As a matter of fact, there is no big push by hindus to convert others and hence no established ceremony. I know a couple of 'Ghora Sahibs' who are big into yoga and meditation. I have asked them that if they consider themselves hindus. There answer has been that the question I ask is silly. As far as I have been able to understand it is because they accept what they think is true and right. Anyway the bottom line appears to be that one is hindu if one thinks oneself as a hindu. You don't have to do anything to become one. And so you don't have to change your name or advertise or tell anyone. Maybe the Hindu's on this forum can correct me.
[This message has been edited by OldLahori (edited February 07, 2002).]
Anyway the bottom line appears to be that one is hindu if one thinks oneself as a hindu. You don't have to do anything to become one. And so you don't have to change your name or advertise or tell anyone. Maybe the Hindu's on this forum can correct me.<<
I am a Hindu and I think you are absolutely right. As far as I know there are no rituals or expressions of belief(Like saying there is only one God and so and so is the prophet or son).
With this exceptions. There are penances.Like if a traditional Hindu crosses the ocean(It is a Sin!!) or marries into a different caste. However as far as I know they are no authorities to enforce them. So it is pretty much unorganized in that sense.
I cant speak for converts but from what i've noticed, most of them have them are obviously very enthusiastic, they want to share their stories and get to know other Muslims. Since the converts are our new brothers/sisters in Islam,it should be no surprise that most Muslims receive them warmly. That is quite in contrast to what i've read about Jewish converts, for example. If someone converts to Judaism, they're not fully accepted into the Jewish community.
As for reward from God for converting someone, ofcourse there are blessings associated with telling someone about Islam. That is, if that person is inquisitive. When im asked questions about Islam, i answer them to the best of my knowledge, not because i want to convert someone...i mean, they just want an answer for heavens sake, not a surmon. But if someone is genuinely interested in finding out about Islam, its not surprising that you should see Muslims giving them the Holy Quran or books about Islam. In the end, no one can be forced to convert because God knows what's in their heart..so persuasion or forcefulness wont do the trick.
**"If people were to know of the things I know, it would all fall apart."
**CSM
[This message has been edited by hk (edited February 07, 2002).]
Right on. But not only is it not safe, it is also very hard to make your family & friends understand why you question faith. They are at best sad for you, because you seem to have lost salvation. Some would argue that persecution is the worst, but personally what hurts most is the assumption, not just by Muslims but all followers of most religions, that morality can not exist without religious belief, and a person who has questions about faith will by implication be immoral, or is seen as escaping the duties imposed by religion… Anyone who has ever had even the slightest brush with atheism will testify how hard it is to figure out what is right & what is wrong without a paternilistic divine power to punish you when you are wrong & reward you when you are right.
Just ramblings…