Fresh Eyes

Kose’s article for today’s class, Conversion to Islam, really caught my attention. The article, which gives information provided by 70 individuals who converted to Islam, caused me to draw some interesting sociological conclusions. It is clear that when a religion is embraced culturally, an individual may or may not individually practice that religion. For example, a Catholic might receive all of their sacraments of initiation; perhaps they were strongly encouraged by their family to do so. But it is entirely possible for this person to see sacraments as a rite of passage and confirmation as a graduation ceremony. With this approach, “Christians” do not allow the Church to have any bearing upon their life but are content to show up on Christmas and Easter, perhaps because they do it every year out of tradition.

Perhaps I’m being brutal to individuals in this category. I do believe that these people do not actively reject God; in fact, according to Kose’s article, many people fall into the category of believing in God; they just don’t really do anything about it. Instead of their religion dictating how they live their life, they opt rather for the ambiguous societal standard of “being a good person.”

In light of this social situation, it is clear to me why conversions are happening towards groups and belief systems that stand boldly in the face of this blasé stance towards societal religion. Islam is certainly one of these belief systems.

I guess the question that I’m left wondering is if one’s movement toward a belief system needs to be something different than what one experienced as a child. It makes sense that if one’s perception of a particular religion was that it was one of indifference and obligation (in the negative sense) that he/she would go back to that religion or see it as a stance of truth. Those slots have already been dictated by society.

But what would it take to see the religion of one’s own country with fresh eyes?