I am feeling affection for the traditions
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Peace to all!
I do not know why I'm writing this here, but I need support!
I converted to Islam three years ago, but this was Sunni Islam ...
I then realized that much right in this religion, but some things I was embarrassed ...
such as the headscarf, for example)
Then I began to learn more, read ...
thank God, found sites like this!but that's the main problem ..
from time to time, I started very tormenting conscience begin laceration ...
I feel like a traitor to my people, a traitor to my traditional faith - Orthodox Christianity ...
I feel drawn to it, my culture, because I love it!
for me it is the most familiar and dear ...but at the same time I understand that I could never believe in the Trinity, the saints, pray to them, believe to all priests ...
sometimes I want to go back to Orthodoxy! and want it very much!
even begin to think I do not believe, but I'll be loyal to the people and traditional religion, and will wear a cross, as all my ancestors!just want to ask you ... do you feel like sometimes? .. confused
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peace katya
first of all..a belated welcome back to Islam
feelings like those are natural...there are times i want to stick to the beliefs that my mum and my grandfather etc..ppl whom i love dearly, follow...yet my absolute duty is to follow God and His word...be steadfast..the devil tries to find his way to us thru different things...just focus on quran and ask God fr strength and guidance.
i feel drwan to christianity as well as shiaism u know..THATS hard lol. coz i was in a catholic school and i love christmas and thanksgiving etc...its a beautiful tradition where the whole family gets together....but nomatter wat i may like..i know fr a fact that i cannot believe in associating partners to God, just like u.just be steadfast and pray..im sure Allah will guide us all and give us strength through prayer
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I know that feeling because sometimes I feel as such. I come from a Christian background and I do often miss the church. I miss the sense of community and the love they all share. I feel that I've left behind a piece of my history and my culture and a big part of me. I don't miss the beliefs or anything. I think that sometimes, Muslims, whilst retaining their own cultural identity expect converts to forget theirs. They encourage us to adopt Arabic names, eat Asian or Middle-Eastern food, wear the cultural clothing of their regions and basically take on an Arab or Asian identity. I was a Sunni for a while after my conversion and I called myself by an Arabic name but recently I've become very protective over my birth name and my identity as an English woman. I've taken a break from learning about Arab history and rather gone back to learning my English heritage and literature. I don't mean this in a nationalistic way, not in the least. I know there's a lot in English history to not be proud of but it's still my history.
Sometimes, it's good to go back into your own history and try to learn more about it. Maybe that's what your longing for? Sometimes, when I miss the church I just remember the community of the Masjid, the various races, backgrounds and people and so much to learn. Perhaps you'de do good to try and trace your roots if you don't already know them. Visit communities of Orthodox Christians and try to absorb as much as you can about your History.
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Peace to all!
I do not know why I'm writing this here, but I need support!
I converted to Islam three years ago, but this was Sunni Islam ...
I then realized that much right in this religion, but some things I was embarrassed ...
such as the headscarf, for example)
Then I began to learn more, read ...
thank God, found sites like this!but that's the main problem ..
from time to time, I started very tormenting conscience begin laceration ...
I feel like a traitor to my people, a traitor to my traditional faith - Orthodox Christianity ...
I feel drawn to it, my culture, because I love it!
for me it is the most familiar and dear ...but at the same time I understand that I could never believe in the Trinity, the saints, pray to them, believe to all priests ...
sometimes I want to go back to Orthodoxy! and want it very much!
even begin to think I do not believe, but I'll be loyal to the people and traditional religion, and will wear a cross, as all my ancestors!just want to ask you ... do you feel like sometimes? .. confused
Dear Katya,
See 262 & 569.
262, Indeed, those who believed and those who are Jews or Christians or Sabeans those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and do righteousness - will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.
569, Indeed, those who have believed and those who are Jews or Sabeans or Christians - those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and do righteousness - no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.
I am sure you?ll not feel the same afterward. I also recommend the links below.
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9600875.msg253167#msg253167
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9600875.msg253162#msg253162
http//www.christianunitarian.org/index
Peace,
Khalil -
peace,
Can you give us some examples of what you are drawn to from your culture?
I feel that all these saints, traditions and rituals - is part of our history and culture..
For example, the icons for me is the age-old art,
Old Church Slavonic language which they use in the church,
most of the saints - are national heroes)
Orthodox Christian spirit!
it is hard to describe, but in my country, all drenched in religion ... -
I feel that all these saints, traditions and rituals - is part of our history and culture..
For example, the icons for me is the age-old art, Old Church Slavonic language which they use in the church, most of the saints - are national heroes) Orthodox Christian spirit! it is hard to describe, but in my country, all drenched in religion ...
Welcome
I think you more or less feel like me, left out from your community. If your community is like mine then religion is only a lip service and is only important on special days, weddings etc. Oh and we must also not forget the symbols and idols we very much like to display around the house and even on ourselves. I think in order to find the truth you will need to break from the norm and research without bias. My beliefs in the last year has changed from a minimal practicing sunni to a person who now believes that all religions are man made. I believe in God and the last day and believe that Quran is a guide to man kind on how they should live their lives and fulfill their commitments to God. At first I had a very hard time accepting this but I am at more peace with myself now. Hope you find your peace in whatever way you chose.
Peace
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welcome Katya..
I was born and raised in strong Sunniism culture.
Even when I was a child, I could strongly feel a 'disconnection' with what the imams, murrobi (sectarian teacher) have to say about things..
Something is not right, that's what I said inside my heart..
Not until I reach adulthood, I have the guts to abandon all of the 'strange things' that they teach me since I was a toddler..Nevertheless, I'm still feeling attachment to the perks and habits within Sunniism culture.
And I'm still doing it! Examined purely from outside appearances, I'm a regular sunni guy...As thus, if you missed the elements within Orthodox Christianity culture.. heck why not go for it!
You want to wear a cross?? Wear It!!
There are no restriction whatsoever..
Islam is an attitude my dear... Islam is not a religion / sect / cultural genre !
God is not a 'fashionista'.. He judge you through your heart and your deeds.. not by the things you wear or any of your outside appearance..group
Salam / Peace
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I feel that all these saints, traditions and rituals - is part of our history and culture..
For example, the icons for me is the age-old art,
Old Church Slavonic language which they use in the church,
most of the saints - are national heroes)
Orthodox Christian spirit!
it is hard to describe, but in my country, all drenched in religion ...What I'm about to say may be a little uncouth on this forum why restrict yourself so much? In other words, don't get caught in the trap of thinking your beliefs have to be a burden you bear. Consciousness of the Creator is meant to be liberating, not shackling. We have to make sure, when analyzing our selves and our thought processes, not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Don't let your love for your old habits make you resent your current beliefs, lest you begin to resent what you have become.
You love the Orthodox Church iconography. Great! What's wrong with that? What's wrong with appreciating art? What's wrong with learning about or talking about national heroes/saints? If sharing a sense of community with a certain group of people (even if that group of people has certain beliefs which you may disagree with) makes you a happier person, a person who thinks more of her purpose in this universe, then what's the problem?
Divorce yourself from the Arabicized conception of Islam (capital 'I'. Instead, approach life with an attitude of islam (lowercase 'i', in its non-restricted expansive glory.
Peace.
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What I'm about to say may be a little uncouth on this forum why restrict yourself so much? In other words, don't get caught in the trap of thinking your beliefs have to be a burden you bear. Consciousness of the Creator is meant to be liberating, not shackling. We have to make sure, when analyzing our selves and our thought processes, not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Don't let your love for your old habits make you resent your current beliefs, lest you begin to resent what you have become.
You love the Orthodox Church iconography. Great! What's wrong with that? What's wrong with appreciating art? What's wrong with learning about or talking about national heroes/saints? If sharing a sense of community with a certain group of people (even if that group of people has certain beliefs which you may disagree with) makes you a happier person, a person who thinks more of her purpose in this universe, then what's the problem?
Divorce yourself from the Arabicized conception of Islam (capital 'I'. Instead, approach life with an attitude of islam (lowercase 'i', in its non-restricted expansive glory.
Peace.
Selam CavemanDoctor
I like that advise.
Peace
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Thank you all, my dear!))
i will think about your advices)
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Peace to all!
I do not know why I'm writing this here, but I need support!
I converted to Islam three years ago, but this was Sunni Islam ...
I then realized that much right in this religion, but some things I was embarrassed ...
such as the headscarf, for example)
Then I began to learn more, read ...
thank God, found sites like this!
but that's the main problem ..
from time to time, I started very tormenting conscience begin laceration ...
I feel like a traitor to my people, a traitor to my traditional faith - Orthodox Christianity ...
I feel drawn to it, my culture, because I love it!
for me it is the most familiar and dear ...
but at the same time I understand that I could never believe in the Trinity, the saints, pray to them, believe to all priests ...
sometimes I want to go back to Orthodoxy! and want it very much!
even begin to think I do not believe, but I'll be loyal to the people and traditional religion, and will wear a cross, as all my ancestors!
just want to ask you ... do you feel like sometimes? .. confusedPeace be upon you,
with all due Respect.I see that you are fighting a war like no other here. I see that you're going through much worse then me, right now. You don't have to believe me but i can assure you that it is normal to feel all sorts of things, what one should be aware of, is that, Logic prevails. I am reading from your post that your Logic is winning but the devil is trying his best to return you to the old tradition.
Can you please read this and please, ponde rover the verses
Chapter 54
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
541 The Hour draws near, and the moon is breached.
542 And if they see a sign, they turn away and say Ongoing magic!
543 And they disbelieved, and followed their desires, and every old tradition.
544 While the news had come to them in which there was sufficient warning.
545 A perfect wisdom; but the warnings are of no benefit.
546 So turn away from them; the Day will come when the caller will announce a terrible disaster.
547 With their eyes humiliated, they come out of the graves like scattered locusts.
548 Hastening towards the caller, the rejecters will say This is a difficult Day.Ask yourself, who wants to follow every old tradition?
I come from Slovenia, which used to be one of the 6 communistic republics of Yugoslavia. Christian otrhodox used to take charge and even though we all lived in peace, most of us disliked communism, so we broke off and declared democracy. I'm trying to tell you that Logic prevails and that you will win this war against the devil, if you are sincere, honest and truthful.May God The Most Wise, The Most Merciful guide you on The Straight Path, bless you and i truly hope you have more questions, sister, because Quran is Complete and Fully Deatiled.
If you don't understand something, i suggest to read The Quran. God has the solutions for ALL.
Peace be upon you. -
Slovenians are Orthodox or not ethically?
I really do not know what to think, because I read about the Baha'is and see many interesting things for me ...
but I do not believe it until all that the prophet Baha'u'llah ...
Islam is connected with many prejudice in my country and around the world, too
I want something universal, and I understand that Islam is universal ...
but some things upset me ...
Muslims do not formally recognize the Buddha as a prophet, for example ...
still, in Quran says that the main objective the creation of man - the worship of God
and this, too, I can not fully accept
probably really Satan possessed me (I'm beginning to lose faith in general
but I'm afraid to become an atheist..I am very grateful to you for what you are trying to help me and support me in my doubts! I really need the support now ...
Oh God, lead us to righteous path! -
Peace to all,
Katya, theres no muslim organization that can "formally" recognize a prophet or messenger of God, the Quran says God has sent messengers to every people, so buddha could be a messenger sent by God, only GOd knows, does buddhas message sound like it comes from GOd, does it appeal to the good in your conscience, does it inspire you to peace,love, truth, and good deeds, if so then maybe he is. Maybe others are too that we have never heard of. Islam accepts this as true. Also, just because your still struggling with the purpose of creation doesnt mean satan has possessed you, isnt that question the greatest question of all time that mankind has struggled with "why are we here". So dont get down on yourself and dont give up the search and struggle for truth, doubt isnt from satan,, if your moving forward and following the little voice in your head then doubt can be the compass that helps point you in the right direction towards truth.
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Slovenians are Orthodox or not ethically?
I really do not know what to think, because I read about the Baha'is and see many interesting things for me ...
but I do not believe it until all that the prophet Baha'u'llah ...
Islam is connected with many prejudice in my country and around the world, too
I want something universal, and I understand that Islam is universal ...
but some things upset me ...
Muslims do not formally recognize the Buddha as a prophet, for example ...
still, in Quran says that the main objective the creation of man - the worship of God
and this, too, I can not fully accept
probably really Satan possessed me (I'm beginning to lose faith in general
but I'm afraid to become an atheist..I am very grateful to you for what you are trying to help me and support me in my doubts! I really need the support now ...
Oh God, lead us to righteous path!Peace be upon you,
with all due Respect.Slovenes are catholics and most are very pious. This is the case with those who live outside the capital city of Ljubljana. Since i live in the suburbs of Ljubljana, i live near a church and know several people who attend. They don't have the answers to what they blindly believe so talking to them about trinity or faith or Bible or Jesus would not be bringing any results, since they do not learn, they mostly follow.
Slovenes do not allow sunnis to build a mosque in Slovenia and this has been the case in court since the 60s, when Bosniaks (sunnis) moved to Slovenia during the communistic regime of Yugoslavia, which fell apart, according to The Quran, 1341.
If you compare communism and democracy you might see what i see that democracy allows total freedom and almost a happy life for all. Communism is against any religion, especially against Islam. I am a witness.
Whenever you need any assistance or help or just a friend, i and many others are here. Whatever the issue is, we can solve it, if and when we work together. If you ask God sincerly and honestly to guide you, He will guide you. God wants to help you and He will but you must do as much as you possibly can and God knows your strength.
God sees and hears ALL, sister and don't be afraid of any human nor of any weird or tough, hard situation. Trust God and rely on Him, He ses our future.Have you read The Quran? Try to ponde rover the verses as you read them and if you don't understand anything, feel free to ask.
Compare this what is communism or democracy offering and what is Quran offering?
I did. Discovery was awesome, Thank God.
Hvala Uzvisenome Bogu, NjaMilostljivijem, Hvala Uzvisenome Bogu Velicanstvenim.
Peace be upon you. -
I want something universal, and I understand that Islam is universal ...
but some things upset me ...
Muslims do not formally recognize the Buddha as a prophet, for example ...
still, in Quran says that the main objective the creation of man - the worship of God
and this, too, I can not fully acceptCan you show me where is that in the Quran???
Salam / Peace
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Peace
sometimes I want to go back to Orthodoxy! and want it very much!
I think what will also be tormenting is holding onto traditions you do not believe in. Does the cross mean to you what it means to other Christians? Not all Christians have quite the same theories anyway. The cross to me is a symbol of the sacrificed king to bring blessings on his people for his sacrifice to God, or the gods.
It does not seem that you want to go back to an orthodoxy in which you don't accept tenents such as praying to saints, and the holy trinity.
Joe
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Salams Katya
I can sympathise with how you feel about your tradition. I was baptised and chrismated a Russian Orthodox as a baby and like you, I don't believe in the trinity or the hierarchy, but there are many things that I love about Russian Orthodoxy. I actually like some of the Bible interpretations that some Russian Orthodox scholars present on the internet - better than some of the protestant versions of being 'saved'. Actually, even the understanding of the crucifixtion in Russian Orthodoxy is better from my perspective than the penal atonement of Catholicism and Protestantism. But, in the end, Islam is the only belief system in its teachings as a whole. I may be a heretic, but I don't find anything wrong in going along to a Russian Orthodox service now and again (very rarely because I don't live near any ROCs). I love that Prophet Mohammed says that God made all the different groups so we could get to know one another and compete in good works. So I don't see anything wrong with associating with Orthodox even though I am a Muslim.
