Gonna use it to study Arabic and Farsi, inshallah

Hi everyone. This is going to be long, so thanks in advance if you read it all. I’m not here to attack anyone’s faith. I want to explain how my thinking changed over the years, and I’d like to hear how others have dealt with the same questions.

I grew up in a religious Muslim household. Looking back, I was always an analytical kid. I loved astronomy and planets, which is fairly normal for children, but I was also really into maths, which was a bit weirder. I tried to find patterns in everything and genuinely enjoyed solving equations for fun. I was also enthralled by the traditional Islamic stories from a young age. As I got older, though, some of them started to bother me. The story of Dhul-Qarnayn in Surah Al-Kahf (18:83-98) is a good example. He builds a barrier of iron and molten copper (18:96-97) to hold back Yajuj and Majuj, who are supposed to be released near the end of time (18:99, 21:96). Even as a kid I wondered how a whole population could be sealed behind a wall without us ever detecting them, with modern satellites and every inch of the planet mapped. A wall also doesn’t seem like enough to trap a population. They could dig under it, walk around it, or build over it. The same story has Dhul-Qarnayn reaching the place where the sun sets and finding it setting in a murky spring (18:86), which I also couldn’t square with what we know about astronomy. But I was young, so I just told myself that Allah was somehow restraining them, and I didn’t think much more about it.

Fast forward to Year 9. I was at an Islamic school and we did a “Why Islam is True” course by Hamza Karamali. At the time it seemed really solid. I felt it answered every doubt I had, and I walked away confident.

A year or two later I stumbled into manifestation and subliminal content, which led me to Neville Goddard and Joseph Murphy. One idea from them stuck with me: Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and Hindus all report answered prayers, so the effect is probably coming from belief itself rather than from the thing believed in. I tried hard to reconcile that with Islam. My first thought was that other people’s answered prayers are just a test. The Quran does say that Allah answers the one who calls on Him (2:186, 40:60), and it even says that people who call on Him in distress, including those who otherwise reject Him, are answered (10:22-23, 17:67, 29:65). But if a Hindu prays to an idol of Ganesha and gets what they asked for, that only reinforces their belief in Ganesha, just as a Muslim who prays and receives something, or sees Muhammad in a dream, has their belief reinforced. That would mean Allah is deceiving people into the very thing He dislikes most, which according to the Quran is shirk, the one sin He won’t forgive (4:48). That never sat well with me.

One thing led to another and I went into a bit of a spiral, trying to understand why I was Muslim in the first place. I think I’ve always been the analytical sort, so indoctrination never really had the effect on me that it seems to have on most people. I started going through the arguments one by one. The general arguments for God, like contingency, kalam and design, didn’t work for me. They had flaws, and even if you grant them, they only get you to a vague creator, not to Islam specifically. So I moved on to the arguments for Islam itself.

Prophecy was the first. I honestly don’t treat prophecy as a metric for validity, because people in every religion have claimed prophecies and visions, and I believe in that kind of thing happening across traditions, which is exactly why it can’t pick out one religion as true. Take Joan of Arc, who made very specific predictions, including one about a castle entry that was verified. Compare that with the hadith about barefoot Arab shepherds competing in constructing tall buildings (Sahih Muslim 8). Even granting it’s authentic, that’s vague.

Then there’s the nature of the Quran itself. So much of it consists of insults, warnings and threats toward disbelievers rather than evidence. Early on it says it makes no difference whether you warn them or not, they won’t believe (2:6-7), and it describes in detail the punishment awaiting them (4:56, 22:19-22). What really got me was reading what happens when the Quraysh actually ask for proof. In 17:90-93 they list specific demands, like a spring gushing from the ground, a garden, a house of gold, or him ascending into the sky with a book they can read. Muhammad's reply is basically: “Glory to my Lord, am I anything but a human messenger?” (17:93) And in 17:59 the explanation for why no such signs are sent is that earlier peoples denied them. If you claim to be God’s messenger, we’d expect miracles, and the fact that people before you rejected the signs doesn’t remove anyone’s right to proof. Imagine someone walking up to you today and claiming to be God’s messenger, and when you ask for proof he says he’s just a messenger and can’t provide any because your grandfathers rejected the last one. Nobody would accept that from anyone else. The Quran also says in 29:50-51 that the Book itself should be enough of a sign, which brings us to the two proofs I thought were left.

The first is the splitting of the moon. The issue is that the story appears only in Islamic sources. If the moon had really been split in view of the whole Arabian Peninsula and beyond, I’d expect it to show up in the records of other cultures, many of which carefully tracked the dates and positions of the moon and sun. Nothing like it appears.

The second is the Quranic challenge to produce something like it (2:23, 10:38, 11:13, 17:88). To me this is a rigged, subjective test. Of course nothing will match a text in its own style. Can anyone write something like Macbeth? Nobody can. It’s unique and reflects Shakespeare’s style, but that doesn’t make Shakespeare divine. Whether a piece of writing is inimitable is a subjective judgment, and the judges have already decided the outcome in advance. People have tried, too. Texts like the so-called True Furqan are believed by their authors and followers to match or surpass the Quran, and I doubt Muslims would ever concede that any attempt succeeded. A challenge that can never be lost isn’t evidence of anything.

Finally there’s morality, which for me was the point of no return. The traditional sources say Muhammad married Aisha when she was six and consummated the marriage when she was nine (Sahih al-Bukhari 3894, 5133; Sahih Muslim 1422), and Muslims are taught he is the best example for mankind (33:21). The usual replies are that it was normal at the time and that people matured earlier back then. I’ve never seen evidence for the second claim. If anything, the evidence shows puberty arriving earlier in modern times because of better nutrition, so the idea that people in the past matured faster is baseless. And “it was fine at the time” doesn’t work in Islam anyway, because Islamic morality is supposed to be objective, meaning that what was permitted or right then is permitted or right now. What I find telling is that most Muslims today recoil at the idea of marrying and consummating with a nine-year-old child, which suggests a real cognitive dissonance between their moral intuition and what the tradition endorses. The same goes for slavery and for Muhammad having slaves. The Quran regulates and permits sexual relations with “those your right hands possess” (4:24, 23:6, 70:30) rather than abolishing the institution. The logic seems simple to me. We all recognize that these things are wrong, which suggests morality is either something we innately recognize or something that exists independently, not something that depends on what a particular scripture says.

After that, I simply had no reason left to stay Muslim, and that’s my story.

So to any Muslims reading: why are you Muslim? I’d really like to know. And if you ever ran into any of these questions yourselves, how did you deal with them?

I don't know why I'm sharing this. Probably to help people understand the frustrations people like me go through. So... here it goes.

Hi. I'm a Pastor. And after 20 years in ministry, I’m tired of being told to "just delegate." I’ve worn almost every hat imaginable. I’ve done leadership development, raised people up, put them in key roles, delegated… basically everything a good leader is supposed to do.

Yet, I only find myself able to truly breathe, decompress, and have time to myself for a few days every three years. I am not exaggerating. Every "vacation" turns into "Daddy, plan this," and every time I try to take time off, it's "There’s an emergency only you can handle."

The only times I’ve ever managed to actually disconnect are when I travel deep into the wilderness (completely out of cell phone range) just to get some quiet. Even then, it takes five or six days off the grid before I even start to feel "rested."

You might be wondering... "Why isn’t anyone helping you?" That’s the saddest part, and honestly, what’s making me so exhausted. I have plenty of people who tell me they’re willing to step up and help. But time and time again, when I ask them to step into a responsibility, they fall through leaving me to pick up the pieces at the very last minute.

I’ve done everything a leader is supposed to do. I disciple, raise up leaders, train, equip, and teach. But after two decades, I have yet to find my Aaron. And I find myself just… so… so... tired.

So if you have a pastor... just know this. They're carrying far more stress than you will ever see. They are so, so much more tired than they will ever let on. And if he comes to you and asks for help with something... please know it’s not because he can’t do it. He’s spent years learning how to do it all himself. What he's really asking you in that moment... is..."Can you hold this for a moment? I need to breathe."

I've been using the Talmud digitally for a little bit now so I decided to finally get a physical volume this month, and next month I plan to buy two different volumes of the Talmud Bavli one from Artscroll and one from Koren just to see which one I prefer, I usually prefer Koren but as far as I could tell they do not sell the Palestinian Talmud only ArtScroll did :(.

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I originally posted this to another subreddit but then this subreddit popped into my mind and I thought some of y'all might find it neat.

I've been wearing the same golden rosary necklace for the past 6 years and today is the first time I ever took it off since I first got it. I feel frustration towards God and doubt.

I believe in Him but I can say that He is unfair and unreasonable. Why would He let children suffer? People suffer? Okay, fine, let's call it "free will", but what about kids who were born with mental problems? With disabilities? For sure those aren't "free will", correct?

What about the women in Afghanistan? "But they don't praise Jesus!" Well in Catholicism/Christianity, He is the only God, therefore, according to this religion, He is doing this to them.

"But He's testing us!" Why would he need to test us? Are we like lab rats to Him?

"He gives the biggest battles to His strongest soldiers" so this is all for fun, then?

It's just starting to get to me now. (Please for whoever atheist or non-religious out there please don't try to change my mind) But I still believe in God. The only thing that is frustrating me is how slow He is with helping humans. His own creations.

And what about those people who offed themselves? According to a lot of Christians and Catholics, "God will send you to hell if you off yourself." So you're saying God is understanding and loving yet can't understand why a person would off themselves? Like if I, for example, off myself because I'm too tired of this world, would God seriously look at me then say "you're not welcome in Heaven" when I have done everything my whole entire life just to pray to Him everyday and believe in Him? How unreasonable.

And another thing that never sits right with me. Come to think about it. Out of millions and trillions of species on the planet, only humans have religions. Only humans have ever believed in God. No other creations of God other than humans believe in Him. And I understand why, because we, unlike every other creature, have awareness. But you know what bothers me? It's the fact that if all other beings don't have a religion and don't believe in God because they aren't aware, does that mean they all go to hell?

Because again, God says in his first commandment to believe in Him and only Him, so if these animals don't know anything about Him, does that give Him the moral right to send them to hell? For what? For not having awareness? For being a normal creature?

Something about God is fishy and doesn't click to me at all. Sorry, God, I believe you but oh my dear, at least give a hint that you worry about all these humans and animals suffering????

I have been reading quite a few religious texts, I was a believer in a creator but now with the suffering in the world, not having conscience without a functioning brain makes me think god does not exist. Do you guys have anything to refer to apart from religious texts because they will be circular in nature one text will point to their belief.
Do you guys believe in god and why?

You have a meeting with these various religious leaders, and are required to ask them a question. This is a one by one situation, and it curious what your question will be for each.

This is also assuming that these people are historically real. Although we don’t have to assume the theologically are.

Adam

Noah

Abraham

Moses

David

Peter

Paul

Muhammad (pbuh)

Joseph Smith

Brigham Young

Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)

Confucius

Zoroaster

Guru Nanak

Mahavira

Billy Graham

Mother Teresa

Baháʼu'lláh

Mahatma Gandhi

Yong (Sun) Myung Moon

Or at least answer the ones you know. Look forward to hearing from you.

You are granted a very brief audience with the earthly founder of your religion. What question(s) would you discus with them?

What would be the one on the top of your mind?

If you are a Catholic we will say Peter. If Protestant, then the starter of your denomination.

I spent the past few months trying to learn, or at least understand a few things about the timeline of the abrahamic religions.So i finally felt like I had something I could say or add to the questions my history professor asks.As I pointed out something regarding Abraham, my prof Stopped me and asked me to tell him a source. I have nada in the sources or official knowledge department. So can y'all pls suggest a credible book or multiple books that can at least let me start to understand the starting history of Abrahamic religions or Abraham, or Judaism to begin with. If you think I should start with something else as a topic. Pls do suggest. Thank you.

Let's say death is just death, nothing happens to this awareness you experience right now. It just goes "dark" for the rest of eternity. There is no reincarnation, there is no heaven or hell, no afterlife.

Would you continue following your religion? Do you think others would continue to follow? Would you modify your practice if you stayed? What do you think the average follower of your religion do?

Edit: to clarify, let's say your religion's prophet or founders clarified there was no afterlife or reincarnation, that all those terms were metphorical and not meant to be taken literally.

Edit 2: I'm trying to determine if you feel that as a believer, your religion is rewarding in and of itself to follow without the reward of heaven or liberation from the reincarnation cycle (or whatver afterlife you're promised.)

hello r/religion ! I try to do one of these every two or three month now to educate :) I practice Kemetism, which means I worship the Ancient Egyptian gods / goddesses (primarily Hathor though I worship a few others) I also practice Heka (the closest equivalent to magic) and study ancient Egyptian history and culture generally, It's a pretty "niche path" nowadays, so I'm always down to answer questions and talk education !! AMA about my faith in the next 48 hours :)

Hello everyone,

I am a Christian from Germany and I have an assignment that requires me to learn about Islam from the perspective of practicing Muslims.

I would be very grateful if any Muslims in this community could share their thoughts on the following questions. I am not looking for a debate or an argument, but for a better understanding of the Islamic perspective.

1. What should Christians keep in mind when interacting with Muslims?

2. How does Islamic faith influence everyday life?

3. What significance does Jesus Christ have for a Muslim?

4. Why do you believe Islam is true?

5. What, from an Islamic perspective, is wrong with Christian belief?

6. In what ways do you think Islam is better than Christianity?

7. Are there any aspects of Christianity that you think are better than Islam?

8. How should the violence of Islamic terrorists be understood and evaluated?

9. How can a person's sins be forgiven according to Islam?

10. What happens to a Muslim and to a Christian after death?

11. How do you view a Muslim who has become a Christian?

12. In your opinion, what does Jesus' statement, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends” (John 15:13), tell us about the nature of God/Allah?

I understand that this is a long list of questions. If you would like to answer only some of them, that would still be very helpful.

Thank you for your time and for helping me understand your faith better.

I was a very religious Muslim but on the past time i got kinda suspicious of it but i wanna hear you guys opinion. Like there are 4k+ religions and each of them tells us "im the only true religion".

I am wanting to learn more so I can compare the ancient Near East religions to the stories, religious structures, rituals, and laws of that influeneced the Old Teatament authors.

How have you come to develop them and how do you deal with people seeing you as a heretic?

Recently, there has been a death in my town that has really shook us up. And with everything going on in Oregon I just feel so defeated with all the violence in the news, as well as all the violence around me, that I just have this feeling to pray. I don’t believe in a god, I don’t believe in heaven or hell, I would like to believe in reincarnation but idk. I’m just not a religious person. But, whenever I hear about a passing all I can think about is praying over them, hoping that they rest in peace and their family heals. I don’t know who I’m praying too, just curious if I should pray despite not being religious. If there’s anything you do that substitutes praying during times like these please let me know. Thank you.

I've been thinking about this lately as a Bahá’í. 😊

One thing I appreciate about the Bahá’í teachings is the emphasis on putting spiritual principles into action, rather than just talking about them. Kindness, honesty, patience, forgiveness, and service to others are all wonderful ideals. ❤️

But here's the thing: it's easy to talk about being kind when everyone's nice to you. It's a little harder when someone cuts you off in traffic, your coworker drives you crazy, or a family member knows exactly which button to push. 😂

So here's my question for people of all faiths, and those with no religion at all:

How do you know if your beliefs are actually making you a better person? Is there a particular habit or experience that has helped you grow morally or spiritually?

And honestly, do you think it's possible to become so focused on following a religion that you forget the very values it was supposed to teach you? 👀

I'd love to hear your experiences and perspectives!

I was Baptized as Catholic as a toddler, but right now I’m SBNR. But Catholic teachings say that masturbating is a sin and I must repent. But it’s so addicting, I pray to God, honestly telling him I enjoy doing it and even if I try to stop I would fail. And I still do it. I’m afraid I’m going to hell.

Edit: I do not masturbate to porn, but it’s an addiction I have that I enjoy.

In western India, there is an old practice of calling ancestor spirit possession as "Bala ji" ("ji" is just common honorfic). Balaji is local protective deity, representing ancestors. Though, in recent times it's getting appropriated by classical Hindu deities.

I noticed there are similar traditions in south India too. However, in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, spirit possession was part of old tradition, however, considered negative and evil in modern religion shadows (Christians and Muslims, even modern Hindus).

Curious on how common was/is this tradition across the world? And, how is it surviving? Has the connotation changed from positive ancestral to negative evil spirits?

For more context on west India's tradition: Why we must remember

What are the Iranic and Turkic speaking ethnic groups that are Buddhist by religion ? I know there are some Buddhist Turkic speaking groups, but are there any Iranic speaking ones at all ? If there are, how did they receive Buddhism, and how did they remain Buddhsit until today ?

Do most religions believe if you take your own life you go to hell or that religions version Or does GOD understand why ppl would ? Idk is there any downsides religion talk about when taking ur own life?