thinking of converting to islam

[Flavaflav]

i think it could take me away from my problems and im also fascinated by the religion

[Scallywag]

What is your current religion?

[Flavaflav]

im a irish catholic my parents force me to go to church against my will which i hate

[dupin]

It is a fascinating religion, but you need to be aware that it's very different from other religions like Christianity, in that being a Muslim takes up your whole life; everything you do is related to leading the lifestyle Allah aproves of etc, and you have to respect The 5 Pillars. I'm sure it's very fufilling though.

[Scallywag]

How old are you flava?

[:)tom:)]

omg you have to go church. i would so hate that EVERY WEEK. im officily a roman catholic but im so not

[Retroman]

If you think it'll make you happy, then there's no reason why not...
I wouldn't rely on a religion to solve all your problems however, as only you can do that =]

And as much good as Islam may do you, people involved in the religion won't come and fix all your problems for you.

If it generally makes you feel better about life though, then you should look up exactly how to convert to islam properly if you haven't already. And research into all the things that come with being part of the religion.

[dupin]

I'm actually an athiest, I think religion is kind of silly, but I took Religious Studies for GCSE as I find it very interesting and important...(plus there's a ton of stuff on morality which I love)

[Flavaflav]

im 15 but have been fascinated with islam for about two years now its just i live in the irish countryside and dont know how to fully convert

[Conor]

I think it would be an elightening and interesting journey. I myself am Christian, it's not the most exiting religion to follow though. Will you still celebrate Christmas?

[dupin]

Originally posted by Retroman
If you think it'll make you happy, then there's no reason why not...
I wouldn't rely on a religion to solve all your problems however, as only you can do that =]

And as much good as Islam may do you, people involved in the religion won't come and fix all your problems for you.

If it generally makes you feel better about life though, then you should look up exactly how to convert to islam properly if you haven't already. And research into all the things that come with being part of the religion.

You become a Muslim by going to a Mosque and reading a certain excert from the Qur'an with a witness etc.

[Scallywag]

Well, there's your first stumbling block.

You aren't an adult legally until you are 16, so you can't make that decision without your parents consent.

[Flavaflav]

ya ill still celebrate christmas but will stay true to allah

[Matt08]

Just refuse to go to church flav. Tell them if they make you go to church any longer then you'll get social services or another similar thing involved so that they don't make you go.

[Flavaflav]

the thing is if i dont go my dad takes out my sky card and punishes me with other stuff so i kinda half to go

[Retroman]

Originally posted by Flavaflav
Im 15 but have been fascinated with islam for about two years now its just i live in the irish countryside and dont know how to fully convert

Originally posted by dupin
You become a Muslim by going to a Mosque and reading a certain excert from the Qur'an with a witness etc.

It seems Dupin has answered your question =] so at least you know where to start.

Though im not sure if you're allowed to convert to Islam and decide to celebrate christmas? I mean of course you can do that if you really want to, but perhaps you wouldn't be considered a true muslim or refused access to a mosque and be frowned upon in Allah's eyes or something along those lines?

Im not 100% sure on what their views of that would be.

[001steven]

I dont mean to offend no one but i couldnt convert to isalm they are to strict IMO and the whole fasting thing no way sorry to offend anyone.. my mate was fasting and he couldnt even drink water that is bad imo god wouldnt want you to starve

[Matt08]

Originally posted by Flavaflav
the thing is if i dont go my dad takes out my sky card and punishes me with other stuff so i kinda half to go

That's stupid. You should get something done about that.

[Scallywag]

Everyone is entitled to their own views on religion of course.

My issue with flava's idea is the fact that he is technically still a minor, and therefore possibly doesn't yet have the legal right to choose.

[Flavaflav]

how could i do something about it they make me go and said il half to until im 18

[Matt08]

Originally posted by Flavaflav
how could i do something about it they make me go and said il half to until Im 18

Tell your parents that if they make you go to church again then when you reach 16 you'll take legal action against them. There's no need for them to force you to go. You should speak to a teacher at school about it and see what they say.

[:)tom:)]

how do they force you to go, do they just threaten to take your sky away from you

[dupin]

Originally posted by 001steven
I dont mean to offend no one but i couldnt convert to isalm they are to strict IMO and the whole fasting thing no way sorry to offend anyone.. my mate was fasting and he couldnt even drink water that is bad imo god wouldnt want you to starve

You only fast when the sun is up, so the key is to get up really early and stuff your face.

[Flavaflav]

ya they just take it out and if i refuse they will keep it out for months and my dad goes crazy

[Retroman]

Keep running away from home and making them worry until they allow you to do as you please =]

P.S Don't take that advice too seriously, as im sure running away could put you in danger. Especially if you're roaming the streets at night.

Perhaps you'll be like many kids and only have your life how you want it after you move out.

[Flavaflav]

cant run away im miles from anything anyway and my dad would nearly beat me up

[:)tom:)]

hes not aloud to touch you is he it might be different in ireland. you need to talk to somebody, it will help you so much

[Ann]

i think myself you should get a social worker like matthew said as to me you need some help there im catholic myself and my dad never made me go to church :conf2:

[Retroman]

Originally posted by :)tom:)
hes not aloud to touch you is he it might be different in ireland. you need to talk to somebody, it will help you so much

Lol that actually made me laugh...
You think there's a possibility people in ireland are allowed to beat their kids up?

That's ridiculous.

[Flavaflav]

im shocked actually im gettin so many people thinkin its crazy im forced to go to church and youre right

[Scallywag]

It's very simple flava.

Being a kid sucks big time.

Once yer 16 and legally an adult, you can move out and choose yer own path in life.

I'm sure yer parents just want what's best for you, even though you don't see it that way.

It's only a few hours out of your week so it's not the end of the world. You seem to get plenty of free time on the internet, so I'm sure your life isn't all bad.

[Retroman]

Come and live with me flavaflav...
We'll take you down to the local mosque and get you sorted out.
Finish school and get you a job or onto college or something. Lol.

[:)tom:)]

Originally posted by Retroman
Originally posted by :)tom:)
hes not aloud to touch you is he it might be different in ireland. you need to talk to somebody, it will help you so much

Lol that actually made me laugh...
You think there's a possibility people in ireland are allowed to beat their kids up?

That's ridiculous.

no i meant like a slap not a beating

[Flavaflav]

im not an adult until im 18 because i live in ireland

[Flavaflav]

you live in brighton id love to live in England so in three years time ill take up that offer sound

[Scallywag]

Well, I guess you'll have to suck it up.

[Matt08]

If you think that your in danger living with your Dad then you really need to contact social services or childline. Childline will arrange for social services to collect you from a location if that's what you want them to do. They can also give you some very useful advice that we might not be able to give you.

[Retroman]

Well if you like sea, beaches, piers, shops, icecreams etc then im sure i'll see you in a few years time. Although I may be in university, so perhaps you'll have to live under my bed or something.

[Flavaflav]

wot do you mean ill half to suck it up im happy enough im lucky with the life i have and have good health thats the main thing

[Flavaflav]

good stuff retroman keep in touch ya wot jobs could i get over there without going to college

[Matt08]

Originally posted by Flavaflav
wot do you mean ill half to suck it up Im happy enough Im lucky with the life i have and have good health thats the main thing

If your not happy with going to church then speak to your teacher and maybe he/she can do something about it which would result in you not having to go anymore. You could also comprimise with your Dad and just agree to go to the main services like the easter and Christmas services.

[Scallywag]

Originally posted by Flavaflav
wot do you mean ill half to suck it up Im happy enough Im lucky with the life i have and have good health thats the main thing

The phrase "suck it up" means you will have to put up with something you don't enjoy, cuz mainly you are happy with everything else. :thumbs:

[Flavaflav]

ok gd gd

[Scallywag]

My friend Shagufta is Islam and he doesn't like that either. So I guess you are not the only one who doesn't like their religion. Not that it'll make you feel any better.

[Billy]

Thats interesting Scallywag, maybe islam isnt the answer friend

[Scallywag]

Don't ye know him as well Billy. He says he knows you.

[Billy]

Does he? I dont recall knowing a Shagufta, and ive done a course on that so I should know

[Scallywag]

Says he knows you from the Costcutters in Hurlford. :laugh:

[Billy]

Ohh you sure its not Nettos

[Scallywag]

Could be. Says you go in every night and buy a bottle of Irn Bru and a can of cheap dog-food, but bizarrely, you don't have a dog...

[Billy]

Scally please dont go off topic! Ive had a degree in this I should know. Back to the topic, I dont think you should change religion, you should try working out your problems before you do anything drastic friend

[Scallywag]

You have a degree in this? Oh my gosh. Don't you know that I'm the most popular person in the world, and have been voted as such for the last 7 years? Therefore I should know best..

Except I've forgotten what we were talking about.

[Billy]

Hmmmmm, well I can remember what we were talking about. Its been proven 3294234 times

[Scallywag]

Ok, I'll take your word for it oh great one. :tongue:

[Flavaflav]

rizwan is helping me convert i hope one day britain and ireland can be Muslim states

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Flavaflav
rizwan is helping me convert i hope one day britain and ireland can be Muslim states

I don't know if you have learnt the story of UK but it's not going to happen.
Then good luck with your new religion.

[Dan_]

Originally posted by sunshine30
Message original : Flavaflav
rizwan is helping me convert i hope one day britain and ireland can be Muslim states

I don't know if you have learnt the story of UK but it's not going to happen.
Then good luck with your new religion.

Nor should it happen either.

[Bells]

Anyone can become a Muslim. You need to have the necessary amount of faith, and basically state the Arabic phrase that you believe there is one God, Allah, and that Muhammad is his messenger. The religion is similar to Christianity in that it believes there is one God, but not that Jesus is his Son – Jesus is thought of as a Prophet. I think it’s a bit drastic to suggest that Britain and Ireland should become Muslim states though. People are entitled to believe in what they choose to, at the end of the day – all the necessary information is out there and depending upon your levels of interest etc. you can find it out.

I think a common misconception is that it takes over your life and that it is strict. Of course, once you enter that way your life, your perceptions will probably change in which case you won’t see things that way. In terms of fasting, it’s not as if Muslims completely starve themselves and don’t eat at all. Often eating a lot in the morning is sufficient for the duration of the day until evening, when it is possible to eat another large meal. The idea is to control impulses which you should have control over – e.g. hunger, lust. In addition, it allows people to empathise with the thousands upon thousands of people in the world who are extremely poor and have no access to food. That’s one aspect I really like, and it makes me feel so materialistic when I say something as simple as ‘I’m starving.’

Islam is a generally misunderstood religion as well. And I’m a strong believer, personally, that no particular faith will determine your ‘fate’ so to speak, as long as you are a good person. Treat others how you want to be treated yourself, and you can’t go far wrong really. There are, obviously, extremists within Islam, but it is possible to suggest that they in fact are not being true to themselves and should not be thought of as an example. A sad thing within many religions is that divisions are created which all state they are correct… surely that shouldn’t be the case. If they all refer to the Qu’ran, they should find the answers. A fascinating thing I’ve heard about the Muslims’ holy book is that there are many scientific facts in there which could not have been known back in the day it was recorded, which only strengthens the belief of many.

There are some basic things you need to do in order to connect more with the faith, e.g. praying a couple of times a day, fasting one month in the year, making a pilgrimage at one point in your life if you have the opportunity, etc.

Obviously, things are difficult for you at the moment at home. It’s a shame and I’m sorry to hear that, but you can make your own decisions when you leave, and even allow others to feel just as comfortable with your decision. Good luck with everything.

[cc100]

Yes, religion is good.