Video: (White Christian) Texans turning Muslim

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/052006dnrelmuslim.3a08dcf.html

A 2004 British documentary called Turning Muslim in Texas has resurfaced in a big way on the Internet, drawing hundreds of thousands of viewers for its account of white Texans who grew up Christian but now practice Islam.

Almost whimsical in tone, the 23-minute documentary portrays its handful of subjects as patriotic and politically conservative, and fond of pursuits that Brits associate with Texas – shopping, firing guns and going to football games.

Later in the documentary, Eric and Karen Meek (who go by Khalil and Saffia in the Muslim community) take his mother for her first visit to a mosque. The older woman acknowledges on camera that she was devastated by her son's conversion. She predicts he'll come back to Christianity and even become a preacher. In the next scene Mr. Meek says that while he loves his mother, he won't return to Christianity.

The documentary offers no statistics on how many white Texans have converted to Islam. It does assert that there are 400,000 Muslims in Texas, and that Islam is the United States' fastest-growing religion.

Link to the 23 minute video:

http://www.turntoislam.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=27


Five months before their marriage, Karen Meek's fiancé told her that he was becoming a Muslim. Ms. Meek, an atheist, was taken aback.

"I thought he was being brainwashed into something," she said. "All of a sudden he stopped drinking alcohol. He wanted to pray every day. He stopped eating pork."

For months, Eric Meek, a lapsed Baptist, had studied Islam without telling her. Now, when he went to work, Ms. Meek poured over his books and videos, trying to understand his faith.

She never expected to be attracted to Islam.

isn't!! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

But not Texan ;)

Islam is attracting a number in America who are disillusioned with Christanity but still seek a spiritual life. Often they find the simplicity of Islam refreshing.

Islam is expanding in the US, probably faster than is seen by most.

Peace.

That's a good point. Whatever else can be said about Christianity or Islam, the theological simplicity of Islam is a plus from my perspective. The mental gymnastics the Christians have had to perform throughout the last two millenia to explain the Trinity are pretty surreal.

....."Islam is expanding in the US, probably faster than is seen by most"....
- - - - - - -

I think you are right.

The following article has been circulating for a couple of years now:


http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/1401.article

Rev. Gaddy is covering the take over of Protestant Churches by right-wing extremists.

:wow:

:sarcasm:

As is Christianity and other religions. I do not give any religion a pass because they hate my enemies. Islam, I view with the same suspicion and indifference as I view other religions.

:eyes:

I just don't think that any one religion is better than any other. They just don't rate very highly in my life.

you just said Christianity is a religion of hate... how can you say this new comment I'm responding to?


true Christianity (I've no idea about Islam) is not hateful. If a Christian were to follow Christ's teaching 100% there would be no harm done to anyone, and each fellow being would go to the aid of each other, that is not hate. There are people within these beliefs who are sinfully cruel and wicked, and, even the best of us have faulted in life and said either curses to others, made fun of someone, stolen, lied, hit someone, made someone cry out of our own anger, lusted, or whatever... no one's perfect.

does not hate anyone. Niether do true believers in other religions. It is the organized religions themselves that espouse the hate and rhetoric.

Wouldn't Hate anyone either.

A brother Sufi and imam (religious scholar) once told me all of the Qur'an is summed up in the first chapter of the Qur'an, which is called Fatiha

Here's a translation of the words therein:

In the Name of God
Who is Mercy and Compassion
All praise be to Thee, Master of the universe
Most Beneficent, Most Merciful
Master of the Day of Judgement
Thee only do we worship, and Thee only do we ask for help
Keep us on the straight path
The path of those who follow Your ways
Not the path of those who anger, or go astray.


Every chapter in the Qur'an, save one, begins with "In the Name of God, Who is Mercy and Compassion". I don't think either of those are hateful attributes.

I'm going to save that for the next time someone compares islam to christianity.

If all believers could live by the golden rules of their religions and dispense with the rest of it, I would have nothing at all against religion.

That makes sense.


:eyes:

Pick up a history book and just look at all the senseless deaths that have occured in the name of religion and it still CONTINUES!!!!

No doubt that religions have caused many sensless deaths over the millenia, but then again not nearly as many as money and the endless lust for it. :evilfrown:

To tar any/all religious adherents with that broad of a brush is ridiculously illogical.

You are aware that religion and the religious are separate?

I think you are.

:)

I've always said that Christian Fundamentalists and the Roman Catholics have created a thousand times more atheists than their "nemesis" Ms. O'Hair did. :evilgrin:

Oh, the irony...

Someone on AAR suggested the term "Christianists" be applied to these people. Might have something there... :rofl:

My dad would agree with you.

So would Mr. Asimov:

"Properly read, the Bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived." - Isaac Asimov

...was once a believer of some sort.

""Properly read, the Bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived." - Isaac Asimov"

I guess I got a different view from it.

Funny how two people can read the same book, yet draw totally opposite conclusions... ;)

Which may be the reason why I find it silly to be offended by comments about religion.

...you were offended that I said some atheists can be just as much a "fundamentalist" as a theist.

Hmmmmmm......


:rofl:


Perhaps you shouldn't take yourself so seriously...it isn't healthy. ;)

Surprised at the lack of logic and the ignorance apparent in that statement and the fact that it appears to be a widespread meme, yes.

Offended, no.

Don't flatter yourself.

But that "meme" is an accurate one.


Have a nice day. :)

Wow, learn something new every day.

And to think I tried to see each person as an individual.

the church is what legitimizes the money being held in the hands of the few instead of the many...you know,the pie in the sky thing.

Essentially the church runs a protection racket for the state, and they get part of the cut. The two diverged briefly in the U.S, but are pretty much back to being one entity again, despite appearances.

...to keep Church and State seperate.

that's the fault of the underlying religion?



:eyes: :eyes:

The forces of Fundamentalist-think rear their head again......:eyes:

A little tolerance please, my friend. :)

If you desire your views respected, then show others the same respect. ;)

Because they despise religion?

I despise many things about religion but I have nothing but respect for liberal believers.

I will not call anyone out or belittle their beliefs. But in the name of ORGANIZED religions, many atrocities have been commited. It is religion, not the believers, who I find distasteful.

There was nothing wrong with your post.

As long as you are specific and qualify your statements, there's no reason for people to take offense.

But some will anyway.

Welcome to DU.

"How is that poster being disrespectful?"

His own words: "Islam IS a religion of hate! As is Christianity and other religions."

A ridiculous and rather hateful over-generalization, wouldn't you say?



"I despise many things about religion..."

So do I and I'm a theist.


"...but I have nothing but respect for liberal believers.

Great. I wish all atheists were as inclusive as you since we are all on the same team. The fundies hate me only slightly less than they do you. :)

The poster didn't bash believers, just religion.

"Islam IS a religion of hate,...so is Christianity"


So the whole "religion is of hate", but the practicioners are not?

Semantic games, anyone?

Since when does criticizing a religion equal criticizing its adherents?

If you can't separate yourself from your religion, don't complain because others can and do.

Or do you feel that the christians who criticize their religion hate themselves too?

How many Muslims do you know personally?

I don't think there is such a thing as a religion of love.

While many here disparage all religions equally, I think that is little different that racial prejudice. There are substantive difference is in the level of violence, misogynies and the like between Islam and Christianity. Those who equate the two have never seen Islam in action. Doesn't mean I support the fundies, but Islam is much worse in many ways. Look at what it means to be gay or a woman in Saudi Arabia...

People who disparage all religions equally are as guilty as racists?

And I suppose you think you're Captain Tolerance?

......if there wasn't that pesky constitution in the way. Give them time; they are working on it.

Judging from the content of the Bible, I imagine that an equally extreme Judeo-Christian theocracy would scarcely differ. The modern separation of church and state is virtually all that saves us.

Considering its history, why do some people think christianity is "better" than islam?

Like Christanity in action takes care of the Old and Poor, is unselfish, tolerant, respectful and non-judgemental.

And both are wonderful things to behold.

Peace.

Just when you think we have enough problems with Christian fundies,(especially from Texas) voting, F'ing with our schools, running amuck--and running our country--now we'll have to deal with Islamo fundies. This country will never see much progress if the majority of the population look up to some sky-god for answers, or some ancient text that needs to be shelved in the fiction section.

or maybe the God of your belly?

The Muslims I know who live in Texas (which include Sunni and Sufi) are moderate to quite liberal in their outlook.

I have found most reverts tend to be of two sorts. Ones who incorporate their life experience with Islam and are very tolerant and those who become very zealous, like some Salafi I know.

But each revert I know is an individual, just like every other Muslim I know, and thus bring with them their own wisdom that benefits the whole.

Peace.

very wise words, my brother.

Texans are Muslim enough for the Taliban or Al Qaeda. If a Christian Convert to Islam does not ask his wife to cover herself, allow her to work outside the home and drive, would he be Muslim enough for some Imams?

To me religion is a way to oppress the masses. A religion does not get anymore credibility or become less oppressive in my book because it is anti-Christian or anti-American or anti-Bush for that matter.

there is nothing positive about any american converting to islam. Nothing at all.

Not just Americans, converting to Islam. It's just plain bad for there to be Americans converting because we really don't need a theocracy here. I really don't want to have to stop working and I REALLY don't want to have to have a man with me in order to leave my house.
Duckie

There's enough oppresion of women in the world and most of it coming from religious minds.

Or me?

I've got news for you, they are already in our government and are actively trying to make this into a theocracy.

A christian one.

Do you really think you have more to fear from muslims?

I've said it before and don't repeat my self most of the time. I think we do have more to fear from Muslims, yes, because they have proven that they are farther behind, not by much, though, than Christians when it comes to the rights of women. At least I'll be able to leave the house alone and be able to work if those idiot Christians make this a theocracy. That's about the only difference though. And I'm not saying it's going to be peaches and cream if Christians make this a theocracy.
Duckie

If you are talking of the Wahhist sect, I may agree. But I find it difficult to do so when senior teachers in my Sufi Order have always been women (at one time the head of my Order was a woman), and our prayers are gender neutral ( http://www.churchofall.us/prayers.html).

You will NOT be able to work if they hijack our country.

Check out the article in this thread and pay particular attention to this part:



Maat's thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=214&topic_id=62063#62074

In the New testiment, when Christ died on the cross, the old ways fell away, and the laws from the old testiment were obsolete. I hate it that those freaks take the bible literally. It's terrifying.
Duckide

I guess I'd better have Skip get snipped because as soon as that happens, condoms and birth control will be off the market, and I really don't want to have any kids, but apparently I have no say in that anymore.
Duckie

Some people have no idea what we're up against.

I just had another thought. Are they going to raise men's pay if their wives can't work, or are we going to have to learn to live on half of what we make now? :shrug:
Duckie

They constantly accuse mothers who work outside the home of destroying the All American Family unit and neglecting their kids but leave mothers no other choice.

Not to mention they refuse to support efforts to provide adequate and affordable day care.

It's not about children or families, it's about control.

I fear a christian theocracy just as much as you most likely do. I just think we have enough problems with our christo-fundies. We don't need more religion here, so the idea of Texans turning to Islam is chilling.

Who said Texans are turning to islam?

And why would that be a bad thing?

Do you have something against muslims?

from your posts, I have a feeling you are not familiar with the different sects of Islam. It is a fact that not every Muslim sect wishes America to become a theocracy. And in many groups, women are treated as equals. For example, my Sufi Order does not and will not take a political stand on anything because we believe in the strict seperation of church and state. Individuals may be political or apolitical, but they cannot make a political statement on behalf of the Order. Nor are we allowed to try and get converts-that totally goes against our teaching, which is that all paths lead to Unity.

I had no idea. I knew there were different sects, but that one I had never heard of. Thanks.
Duckie

about being religious period.

I'm Catholic. I get positivity from practicing my faith. I don't force what I believe on others, and I treat people how I want to be treated. I know not all of my fellow catholics practice this, but I do...
Duckie

You're ignoring the fact that many people are comforted by their faith and that it inspires them to be better people.

In fact, I think we inch closer to a Christian Dominionist Theocracy everyday.

You may want to visit the Muslim/Islamic Topic Board here at DU. There are a number of threads on what Islam and the Quran really teach regarding women and other subjects. It's not at all what most Americans have been led to belive.

Peace.

I am just curious to understand why you have come to this conclusion.

on some Muslim discussion boards, they also argue whether or not music is to be permitted, especially muscial instruments other than drums. The fundamentalists oppose it; the liberals are for it. One thing I find interesting, though, is even with this disagreement, both sides are polite and respectful to one another.

Each Muslim congregation is independent; I'm sure if these reverts decide that their imam has become too fundamental they will either pray at home or go to another mosque.

And they thought evil godless atheists were a threat to 'murka.

Wait until they get a load of this.
:evilgrin:

which is not the hate-filled, women belittling, fundamentalist faith some people appear to believe. Just as Christianity has many different types of believers, so does Islam. I have many moderate Muslim brothers and many liberal brothers and sisters who live in the Lone Star State.

Bottom line is this: if your particular way of thinking about Reality causes you to live a better life, then it is good for you. Since it appears that these people feel they are living a better life, who am I to say otherwise?

a whole lot of black americans that were raised christian have been turning to islam for generations now.....

some are returning to the religion their forefathers practiced; I recall reading of an Afrian Prince who was kidnapped and sold to slavers, only to regain his freedom later. He was a brother Muslim.

but became a free floating spiritualist after one year, why? Because the people that were advicing me on the religion were quite fundamentalist, plus my mom pressured me out of it. I am not saying that I hate Islam,I had some good experiences with it and I would like to visit a mosque again. I think it is a beautiful religion and still consider it part of me. I do regret however letting my family influence me to leave it.

As for the Texans, if this is something that they want to do then it's fine by me.

But I wonder though if the rapid conversion to Islam could in some way be some form of subconscious rebelliousness to the so-called "War on Terror?"

If this is confusing to you, I blame it on my fatique and mind cloudiness as I can't seem to say what I want.

Blue

it is more difficult to revert to Islam than it was before. These people, like me, have kept their legal name, using their Muslim names only in church. I am very particular as to who knows my Muslim name. My husband was threatened by some fundamentalist "Christians" soon after 911 and we've been discreet ever since.

in a town full of Christian conservatives (Grand Rapids, MI anyone?) and I have had people tell me that I was oppressed, etc... I actually like wearing the veil and everything, made me feel safer. I know that's weird. My mom was frightened of it though, she wouldn't let me come to her dialysis center because "people were uncomfortable with it" or "something could happen." She even accused me that I was going to kill her with the stress as she was afraid I was going to get shot or something. I have never had that happen though I have had people laugh at me, shout out obscene comments and was even told to "Go home." In which I would reply "I am already home."

I like Islam's tenets, I think that there was a lot in there that jibes with most of the world's religions and spiritual paths. I am really intrigued by Sufism and if I could go back to Islam that would be the branch I would practice, doing my research though.

The one thing that got me out of Islam was the fact that Muslims don't believe in art and music and art is my passion and this felt very antheatical to me.

I have had Muslims tell me not to worry about the little things like covering up, music and art and all of that and just focus on God. (though now I also beleive in a Goddess.

Like I have said, I still retain Islam as part of my religious and spiritual collectivity. I will go and visit a mosque when I get a chance.

Blue

she wanted me not to wear the burqa or really even to practice Islam, even though she told me that she didn't care, it was her actions and the words that she said, indirectly that told me how she was feeling. She claims that she has nothing against the religion, yet when there are news reports on TV about the Middle East she always has some kind of barb to say.

I do think she is prejudiced against Middle Eastern and Muslims though she denies.

She even told me that she had called the FBI to monitor my phone calls as she was worried that the people that I was talking to (some of which were fundamentalist) were feeding me anti-American sentiment. (Which is something I have had since Bush took office, so it really was anti-Bush and pretty much, well not anti-government but a frustration of our govt. and our foreign policies towards the Middle East.)She was worried that the people that I was talking to, one of which is a wife of a well known Imam in Detroit were trying to recruit me into terrorism. As if I am dumb enough to want to be in that circle. (sarcasm)

I was really pissed when she told me that she had called the FBI to do that.

Guess I'm on sort of list now.

BLue

especially the orders that come from the Chisti lineage, which concentrate on music. There are several artists in my Order, and since we do the Dances of Universal Peace, which honors the Goddess, you might find our branch one comfortable to visit.

However I don't know of any Sufi branches here in Grand Rapids Mich. Most Muslims here are of the Sunnis and I find that they can be quite fundamentalist.

Can you tell me what Order you are in so that I may do research?

Blue

The best way may be to link you to the website of one of our senior teachers, Murshida Tasnim. I know that the Order has a center in Madison WI, as my spiritual guide lives there. Seems to me at different meetings there have been people coming in from Michigan.

Anyway, the website (which has links to the Sufi Order International, other Sufi Orders, Sufi Societies, and the Dances of Universal Peace-I KNOW there's got to be a Dance circle near you!)

http://www.churchofall.us

I do have one question: do they accept homosexuality? I just want to ask this because I have been to churches where I was ripped down because I was a lesbian. While I was on the Islamic path the fundamentalists told me I had to change and that getting married was the cure for it. This was another reason I had to leave Islam.

I can't seem to find a dance near Grand Rapids, but there is a guy in Kalamazoo who is a supervised leader and I can probably e-mail him.

Blue

Sounds as if you wish to remain submissive to that which you understand to be the One, wither we call it God/Goddess, and I can't think of a better "Muslim" than that.

As for art and music, there are many Muslims who enjoy these, as well as are artists. Trust me, for each fatwah that denounces music, there is one that allows it.

Remember Sister, Our Imamns are not "Priests", and each of us share the same connection to the One, and the same revelation as each other.

I for one would be glad to call you sister :)

Salaams

Though I may not practice the religion, i.e. praying five times a day which I kinda found to be a burden because of the fact that my schedule didn't allow it that much.

I wish I could go back to the covering up as I found that to be a way of rebelling the media industry that women have to be thin and sexy as well as showing off their bodies. I like modesty and the fact that covering up shows self respect. Though in the summer the weather can make it tortuorous.

Blue

I tend to feel its neither. Just another fundie. Another religious whackjob to put up with.

???
Islam most probably made them more tolerant people than when they were Baptists...

Not all muslims are fundamentalists.

Just like all christians aren't.

Or do you think Jimmy Carter is a religious whackjob too?