again, there is no one reason i can give you - it depends purely on the individual. for example, many muslim women became muslim because of islam's attitudes towards women. by accepting islam, they then learn about islamic history, law and the quran itself, and embrace the belief that the quran is the word of god. The content of the quran is sometimes enough to convince people of its authenticity - i mean, topics such as astronomy, embryology, human and animal biology, etc are addressed in the quran, and some of these discoveries have only been made in the last century or so (bear in mind that the quran was revealed to a illiterate man 1400 years ago).MoonlightSonata said:I understand, what I don't understand is why.
yes, all of us are innately flawed. and god makes it clear that almost any sin will be forgiven as long as you repent (and no, performing a sin with the intention of repenting later does not fall under the category of "repentance" - that's hypocracy). i guess this cycle of sin/repentance serves as a reminder that everyone will be judged by the actions, and that status, wealth and power are of no consequence in front of god. i mean, in the world we live in today, the prevalent attitude is that you can get away with anything, as long as you have the money/power.MoonlightSonata said:1. Mmm. Life as a test. Perfectly logical assumption. Make some beings who are innately flawed. Then punish them for doing the wrong thing (which they are determined to do anyway). Cause massive disasters which they have no control over that kill huge quantities of people (thereby removing any logic of testing them). Kill babies at birth (not much chance for a test there). "Life as a test" has to be the most ridiculous argument, honestly.
and how does a massive disaster remove any logic of testing us? we can die at any given time - muslims are told to live everyday as though it's our last, and to make the most of the time we have. what would be the point of testing us if everyone were to die at the age of 70 in our sleep? so that we can party up when we're young, and settle down into a quiet, spiritual lifestyle in our later years?
we are only judged once we've past puberty - the time when we're physically capable of identifying right from wrong. of course, those who cannot are exempt from punishment (e.g. mentally ill people).
1. islam places emphasis on a "future life", through this life.MoonlightSonata said:2. Any doctrine of belief which requires humans to place emphasis on a "future life" and to inhibit the full human potential of the individual in this world (which is highly likely to be the true and only world), takes civilization backwards. It is the greatest waste of life that can possibly be concocted to see life as a rehearsal. Life is not a rehearsal.
2. islam does not inhibit human potential.
3. life is not a rehearsal.
muslims believe that we're representatives of god on earth. how else are we to represent god, apart from living a fulfilling life? going to school is a form of worship. going to uni to learn is a form of worship. getting your masters or phd is a form of worship. getting married is a form of worship. having kids is a form of worship. being successful at whatever you do is a form of worship.
islam is a way of life. we don't seperate life and religion. work and religion. everything we do is intertwined with religion. it is a religious obligation to seek knowledge, and to be excel in whatever you do. i mean, public education was mandated by the prophet 1000 years ago.
it seems like your perception of religion isn't very accurate (in relation to islam anyway). a pious muslim isn't one that sits in a corner and reads the quran all day, everyday. a pious muslim is someone who is in society, contributes positively (to the best of his/her ability), within the laws of islam.