Thanks for the replies.

Clash, you're sweet to apologize for others, but you're not responsible for their thoughts and actions. I appreciate what you said, though.

Conrox, thanks for the link. I took a look through the forum. It was nice to see different opinions.

I've visited different sites, different forums, and have read some of two different Qur'an translation to English, but I get so put off by so many things in the Qur'an, hadiths, and opinions/thoughts of other Muslims I've encountered online. What I've read has been so judgemental towards people who are not a cookie cutter version Muslim; that is someone who's straight, male, prays 5x a day, and is completely perfect and sinless. I get so confused, eventually I give up.

I just want to have open debate and dialogue. I want to discuss and think. I don't want to feel like God is this wrathful, vengeful being who punishes you for everything little thing you do "wrong".