I've posted similar questions on other Islamic message boards and it went horribly. I'm very happy to see that here, you are a little more tolerant of those who believe differently than you, so thank you.
Quote:Originally posted by <b>Muslimah</b>
What is stopping u from becoming a Muslim, just in case this is the true religion.
Well, first of all, I won't believe in something based on <i>in case</i>. If I'm going to believe in something its going to be based on reason, not <i>in case</i>.
Second, nothing is stopping me from becoming a muslim. The question is, what should start me in becoming a muslim?
Like I said earlier, you all seem a little more tolerant and open minded here than other sites, so I'll tell you a little about myself.
I'm first generation American and I was brought up a muslim. Everyone in my family is muslim. It was during my teenage years ( I'm now in my 30s ) that I started wondering what the Quran says, because even though my parents raised me a muslim, it was only on a very superficial level, e.g. say this prayer at night, don't eat pork, etc.
As I started reading the Quran and asking questions, my doubts grew. Then I started reading about the history of Islam and Christianity and learning more about science and reason and my doubts really grew. I can probably write an entire book giving all my reasons for being an atheist, so I won't give all my reasons here.
Even though I thank you for not being like other message boards, I still think you could open your minds a little more. Why is it that when I show you proof beyond a reasonable doubt, that the Quran makes it clear that non-believers can not become muslims because God has sealed thier hearts that you still argue? I show that it is also clear that by sealing hearts, God takes away free will and you still argue. When I show you (in another thread) that the Quran contradicts itself by saying that Christains and Jews will go to heaven in some suras and hell in the others, you immediately jump to the Quran's defense and say "those are comparing pre-Quranic Christians and Jews to post-Quranic Christians and Jews. The Quran clearly does not specify this, but you feel it necessary to defend the Quran, even at the cost of intellectual dishonesty. Why? Why not just admit that it does seem to be a contradiction but faith leads you to believe that somehow its not. Isn't this more honest than making up an excuse?
Do any of you here doubt the existence of God? I hope all of you keep a healthy amount of doubt about this (and everything else in life).