Thank you so much for the warm welcome everyone! D

I sincerely appreciate the motivation to stay with it and I believe that, God willing, I shall.

Man of Faith, yes there certainly is a lot to learn. And I am excited to learn.

good logic, thank you for the URL. Seems to be a valuable resource, and brings about a good reminder. I particularly like "Follow your natural instinct" and the fact that we are encouraged to use our brains as apposed to blindly following.

EDIT

By chance what translations does everyone use? I've currently got The Message, but I understand that there are a couple other English translation tied to this site. Curious as to which one would be the best.

Hello. Newbie here.

So, I haven't really been "religious" in awhile. Grew up in a spin off Christian religion, and saw my way out of it shortly after becoming an adult. I'm now 23 and, while I still believe in God, have yet to come to the conclusion that I must live a Christian life. Especially when I see so much hate being spread in the name of Christianity. I also had trouble with the fact that Christianity split God into three different, and equal, beings - yet still claiming that there is only one God. Last I checked, for there to be three equal beings, that would make three gods. Just an illogical thought.

Lately, I've been feeling as if I need to bring God back into my life. However, I already know that Christianity is off the table because it doesn't seem logically sound.

A while back, I remember looking into Islam. Granted, I never quite got into it as I didn't understand why the mainstream sects were so adamant about the Qur'an needing to be supplemented by other books that would make most of the Qur'an null and void. Last I checked, God shouldn't need to go back and correct himself. But, I remember finding this site, and it made sense to me.

After learning that there are those who believe that the Qur'an is all that is needed, and that none of it was ever abrogated by God, I began to understand how logical it sounded to me. My brain could comprehend this book, and it's teachings. My brain understood that, when the Bible is put into context with the Qur'an, Jesus wasn't God, but another prophet. My brain understood the fundamental teaching that there is only one God. It also made sense to me that Islam is a religion of peace, not of violence.

Granted, I never got into it all that much, and just kinda drifted through life for a little while. Until now, when things have finally become peaceful enough for me to think and reflect. Today was the day that I decided it was time to acknowledge that there is only one God, and that Muhammad was truly his messenger, and that the Qur'an is the final testament.

So, consider this my declaration of faith. And I pray that God will guide me, and that you all will be able to help me to understand as well.

EDIT

For instance, this is something that makes me believe that the Qur'an teaches peace.

58 - 9 "O you who believe, stand for God and be witnesses for justice, and let not the hatred towards a people make you avoid being just. Be just, for it is closer to righteousness, and be aware of God. God is expert over what you do. God has promised those who believe and do right that they will have forgiveness and a great reward."