Faith
Well, the story here is that ever since I came to the age where I could understand the meanings of faith and religion and the ideas behind them, I have been on a quest to find “the right religion” for me.
My family was raised as Muslim. They believe in God, Muhammed, and the prophets. I say they because I have yet to decide if I truly believe in God. I know it sounds terrible, how can one decide to believe in God. All I know is that from childhood I wasn’t really taught the teachings of Islam well and what was expected of me from the big guy upstairs.
As for the whole separation of Muslims, Christians and Jewish, it doesn’t make sense to me. Which really added to my list of reasons to flee from organized religion.
I search for answers in life. I need answers, and now. I know it will take time, and deep consideration.
I know I shouldn’t be placing my life in the hands of religion. I should be living it for me and myself. But in this world, religion is always a factor in life. I just don’t know what role it plays in mine. and I do not like people who follow religion in everything they do.
What drove me nuts and made me write this, is that during the visit of the Italian artist Colangelo (read the previous post), he asked us (students again) to spread everywhere randomly and hold each other’s hands, that was fine until a “muhajjaba” asked him not to do it because it’s Haram for Muslim females to touch males hands, my first response out loud was: what the fuck?, you do not want to do it then simply knock yourself out, do not force your lows and regulations on us! she acted so bitchy, religion is not about forcing others to obey your rules? or is it?
*for those who care, sorry guys.. I’ve been busy and out from 9am to 11:45pm.. classes, meetings, photo-essay sessions and so on.. and only had a crappy small sized pizza from Lebanani snack (sucks, don’t try it)*
Your seem so frustrated and confused my friend. I think what you are saying is true. No one should force religion on you. So I just think you need to relax for now and not think too hard about this.
…and with a single post, moey spent the next month cleaning up his inbox from the thousands of emails of people seeking to convert him.
Moey, it’s perfectly fine to question the norms around us until we settle on issues that we believe in
The story of Abraham, who refused his people’s realities and decided that he wants to seek out the truth on his own. He did, and he found his own truth. I guess what this teaches us is simply, the need to see out and try to figure out what it is that we want to believe in ..
From what I know of you I can make a generalization here, You are a good person, smart, kindhearted and nice. You will reach to your own realization, all in good times. Just don’t lose the faith in your ability to find your answers, or the answers that satisfy your thirst for knowledge … and you will get there
loool @ Nas…well Moey…do what your heart tells you what to do…
that’s all i got to tell you…
I don’t really blame you that you find atheism attractive really especially when terrible things happen in our region. I honestly blame our decisions that we let politics interfere with our religions. That is way, I find “Progressive Islam” really interesting these days.
not just politics but culture as well Angelo and lots of it
moey, just take it easy but if you want answers ‘now’ as you said you wanted you’re going to have to search for them and find them. they’re not gonna pop up right outta the woodwork for you.
I’ve never found any single difference between an “illuminated” christian and an equally reborn muslim… they believe they know everything, they recite quotes(even mentioning paragraphs and verses: but this does not impress someone who has not yet accepted The Book as the full answer), they are confident they are right and that they have the right to impose on others their righteous piece of heavenly cake. I do not know why they do not perceive redemption as a personal adventure and to treat it in a respectful, non-aggressive and silent way.
George Michael said it…you gotta have faith.
Wow, Moey, such honesty is refreshing and I actually think God is just as pleased with a heart hungry to know who He is, to wrestle for blessing as the prophet Jacob did…as He is with those who believe without questioning. It’s a journey, this faith-walk. May you know His love and care for you along the way as you seek.
I think the issue is with man’s desire to create God in their image, a God and a system they can control and manipulate and selectively belief bits to suit their fancy (or their favorite indiscretion). Religiosity, whatever expression, is at times devoid of true worship.
So as not to fall into Vas’ complaint citing chapter and verse, I want to encourage you with words that helped me from the weeping prophet Jeremiah: “Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things you did not know” . I’ve been praying for you, as you know, since the well-meaning priest gave you a bead when you were concerned about your mom. That was such a disappointment to me, there was so much more comfort he could have left you with. I will keep praying, and promise not to fill your inbox with emails!
first, about the holding hands incident, there’s a scientific proved fact that says:
there are nerves in the male hands that move sexual sentiments when touching female ones. of course it differs from one to another, yielding to such facts.
but it was religiously restricted (as they claim) cuz science proved it too. oh well, i’m not with it from the first place, intentions comes first.
now as for religion, to me, religion is absolutely NOTHING without MANNERS, ETHICS and MORALITY. Whichever religion it is… and practicing religious rituals, isn’t implemented only with prayer, fasting, etc.. work, treatment, your perspective of life, is all another approach closer to God.
i say, spend some quality time alone, think and observe… you’ll be inspired but most importantly, astonished.
lsn dear,as for that girl, i think she had a bad intention XD lol,but still she was protecting herself,maybe she was raised like that,but still i wouldn’t say such a thing infront of a guest! “we cant touch each other hands”maybe im lebanese,im used 2 shake hands with my parents guests/friends & sometime a kiss on the cheek,i used 2 hate it anyway.
it depend on the person him/herself.
God is merciful
dude,
you got to the right point
religion is about a relationship between you and a divine essence
screw such ppl , and dont even think of em
w sa7ten 3al pizza
only way for you to understand religion is to question it!
and I do not like people who follow religion in everything they do.
I think this depends on your definition of religion. I believe religion inevitably includes humanity, what more should one ask for?
BTW, your blog’s new design is awesome!
Odied; you should.
Rebellious Arab Girl; I need a break
Nas; I love you man, you crack me up
Qwaider; I hate religion
ali alhasani; My heart wants food
Angelo; True.
dragonsvamp; I need to search indeed
Vas; true
Dave; oh come on, that queer
kinzi; I made you pray too much for me this year
Earth Child ®; astonished is the word.
samia; human are allowed to have feelings
GraYFoX; LOL, el pizza was total zbaleh
TAT; not all the time
Ola; Thanks ola, It’s done by a brazilian friend then edited and modified totally by me, thank god vas helped me and noted the part about the date on posts and so on
I see you replied to everybody already, excuse me to add this:
the coming statement is in general…
(I don’t care if you believe in a stone, just DON’T throw it at me)
I think that lady tried to throw a stone!
Moey, follow ur brain, good luck!
There’s no compulsion in religion….a verse from the quran
(لا إكراه في الدين قد تبين الرشد من الغي)
Dear Brother,
I do think that the gurl has the right to voice out her principle, it shows that she has a very strong personality in fact, Havent you heard of something called respecting other’s believes and principles?
I do not mean to be harsh but think about it…\
Roger; thanks!
badr; not really, not apply it on all of us
If it was some one else i would get angry, bs mesh 3arfe leh ur post makes me smile
dear, if u want to ask any questions just feel free to send me on grn_gables@yahoo.com…
most welcome
Come on.. I think that sooner or later you are going to figure out that religions had never existed for you to understand, I believe that you have this artistic soul, the worst thing that would ever happen to you is to be chained.. with those legislations and regulations that will limit your vision..
Millions of opinions and facts will be thrown infront of you as your honest and open minded that everyone will do his best to idealise your poor head with what he thinks is right.. And here’s a thing i really belive in, the immortal fight between good and evil will never end, so don’t bother yourself..
Nobody has the right to choose you the correct path to be heading for, still I advise you to think about a supernatural power or a huge energy that gives every creature some kind of gift to enjoy while breathing and satisfying thier daily needs.. You don’t need to believe in it nor pray for it neither seeking it’s contentment.. Do you know why? Because it’s too perfect to ask you for such thing.. plus being too creative to be creating you in order to praise it.. Think about it and enjoy conceiving this imaginary omnificent..
Best Wishes
I think that I found my religion… obeying god religionless. lol
Agnostic
I stumbled apon your blog about an hour ago and its now 2 in the morning.. Awesome blog!!! Just wanted to say I feel exactly the same way, and I was feeling guilty because like you I was brought up as a muslim. I too have concluded to believe in god religionless.
[...] post is a reply to my old post “faith“, been a draft for a while. I just felt like publishing [...]