possible convert?

shemightbelina · #1 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008, 02:01 PM

hello, i'm lina!

recently i've been considering converting to mormonism. but mostly i'm just a bit confused.
both my parents are really hardcore... my dad's a religious and devout muslim (beard and all) and my mom is a strong atheist (jewish by birth). i grew up as a proud progressive muslim, but i'm beginning to question some things. i'm hoping i can find some answers here.

i really admire reza aslan (Reza Aslan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), and his book "no god but God" helped, but it didn't really enlighten, i just learned some interesting facts. i guess that was kind of the point of the book though. i've also talked a bit with the daughter of the rabbi who runs a halal/kosher food shop with my dad, but once again, i just learned some interesting facts and that's it

at first i was really skeptical about mormonism because of the "special underwear" thing and because of, um, mitt romney. (believe it or not, i didn't really care about the polygamy thing, i thought people were making too big a deal out of it to be honest.) i know "because mitt romney is a mormon" was a really immature reason. (sorry to any romney supporters.) so that's over now, and i'm ready to learn more about mormonism.

so, um, hello!

pushka · #2 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008, 02:10 PM

Hi Lina! Welcome to the site, I hope you have fun exploring the forums and learning more about the LDS church. You would be as well to check out The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Mormon.org if you want the 'official' church doctrine information.

Have you any idea what it is about a religious organisation that attracts you? Why you want to be involved in a religious group? What you are looking to find from religion in general?

shemightbelina · #3 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008, 02:17 PM

hi, thanks!
well i ordered the book of mormon from amazon, i'm looking forward to reading that!

well, i think i just want a religion that isn't fear-based. as in, it's not like "oh no, if i don't do this i'll go to hell", it'll be more like "wow, i'll do this to be a better person and a better follower of [insert religion here]".

pushka · #4 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008, 02:21 PM

Great! It is easy to get bogged down with all the negative sounding things that religions ask you to do, such as dietary restrictions and whatnot, but as you say, you have to see the positive side of those conditions before you can make your mind up to follow that particular religion. Good Luck in your search, whether you end up a practising Latter-Day Saint or belonging to another religion.

shemightbelina · #5 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008, 02:31 PM

thank you!
Sometimes it is pretty hard being a vegetarian Muslim, haha.
And thanks again, it's refreshing to hear someone who isn't pushy or trying to shove their beliefs down my throat

pushka · #6 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008, 02:35 PM

Oh I try not to be a pushy person at all. I'm a vegetarian and have lots of friends who are carnivores, sometimes I make them a meat free Spaghetti Bolognese or Chilli, without telling them, just to see if they enjoy it...I then reveal that it was meat free, but I don't force my vegetarianism on my kids or anything, they eat meat as well as some meat free dishes.

I do get on my soap box sometimes, usually over politics rather than religion, but I think being pushy just pushes people away from you and whatever it is you're sharing, gentle persuasion is much preferred, lol

shemightbelina · #7 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008, 02:48 PM

I'm normally a pretty shy person so sometimes i'm not pushy enough, apparently!
and I'm into politics too, if not exactly outspoken. I'm really interested in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and i'm happy that israel and hamas reached an agreement, even if it's a shaky one.
And that's very true about being pushy, i think people should just learn the facts and be able to decide for themselves

Jbs2763 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shemightbelina

I'm normally a pretty shy person so sometimes i'm not pushy enough, apparently!
and I'm into politics too, if not exactly outspoken. I'm really interested in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and i'm happy that israel and hamas reached an agreement, even if it's a shaky one.
And that's very true about being pushy, i think people should just learn the facts and be able to decide for themselves

I'm not sure where you live, or how old you are, but you would fit well in my lil' singles branch with what I have gleaned on your political leanings from your posts. The folks here range from hard core leftists, to hard core right wing, and people that regardless of who is running votes strait R or D. There is even a gal who converted from Judisiam

and if you have a problem with Mitt... Harry Ried is also LDS tee hee hee

ampat777 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 09:50 AM

Is it possible to convert at 15 without the permission of the parents? ?

Islander · #10 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shemightbelina

hello, i'm lina!

recently i've been considering converting to mormonism. but mostly i'm just a bit confused.
both my parents are really hardcore... my dad's a religious and devout muslim (beard and all) and my mom is a strong atheist (jewish by birth). i grew up as a proud progressive muslim, but i'm beginning to question some things. i'm hoping i can find some answers here.

i really admire reza aslan (Reza Aslan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), and his book "no god but God" helped, but it didn't really enlighten, i just learned some interesting facts. i guess that was kind of the point of the book though. i've also talked a bit with the daughter of the rabbi who runs a halal/kosher food shop with my dad, but once again, i just learned some interesting facts and that's it

at first i was really skeptical about mormonism because of the "special underwear" thing and because of, um, mitt romney. (believe it or not, i didn't really care about the polygamy thing, i thought people were making too big a deal out of it to be honest.) i know "because mitt romney is a mormon" was a really immature reason. (sorry to any romney supporters.) so that's over now, and i'm ready to learn more about mormonism.

so, um, hello!

Welcome to teh forum Lina:

I must admit you have a very interesting background. If information is what you need you could start at lds.org and check out all the information available there relating to the LDS church, doctrine, history, theology, scriptures and the like.

I do suggest that you ponder in your heart why you are embarking in this quest. You mentioned that you are looking for a religion "that is not fear-based." As a convert, I suggest you must find stronger reasons to seek God or the endevour may not be very profitable.

I am glad you found the site. Feel free to ask ask any question. You will find many helpful and knowledgeable people that contribute to the site.