More questions about Islam

[anon97089806]

I’m probably going to regret posting this here, but I am not comfortable using other forums yet, nor do I currently have the time to go register for one.

So… I’m a Music Technology major in college, and grew up as a Lutheran, until my parents and younger brothers converted to Catholicism. From there I kind of just drifted away from the organized part of religion, while still keeping my faith in God(though at points I felt like just giving up altogether). I also have been struggling with my sexuality and gender identity for the past 3 or so years, though am at a point where I am really just planning how to come out to my family.

The weird part for me, is I feel very drawn to Islam, a religion which for so long I was told was full of hate and promoted terrorism. Then I started to explore it more and more, and I kind of am having that feeling my parents said they had when they converted to Catholicism. I am now at a point in my life where I could, if I wanted, start seriously looking into the conversion process, and my parents would most likely be tolerant of it(they told me years ago that they wouldn’t hate me if I ever converted to something outside of Christianity).

However, I do have two major worries, my love for music, and my gender identity, and how they would fit into Islam.

For music, I am more into the using technology to compose instrumental pieces, and music has really been one of the only things that has kept me going all these years. I currently play about 8 instruments, and like I said, am majoring in Music Technology. I also have been studying theory for the last two years. From what I understand, music is not allowed in Islam? I would like clarification on that.

Then for my gender stuff… I was born a male but identify as a woman, and am hoping to come out to my family by the end of this year, so I can start seeing a therapist with the hopes of starting my transition, and eventually having GRS/SRS. I really haven’t gotten a straight answer on that aspect? I know from a Christian standpoint, most people I have met were more concerned about me being in a relationship with whatever gender than the actual transgender part(which personally, I don’t feel the need to be in a relationship, and the thought of having kids scares me).

Thanks for your time… Also I likely won’t be able to reply until tomorrow night, since I have college tomorrow.

 

[Thorolfr]

The weird part for me, is I feel very drawn to Islam, a religion which for so long I was told was full of hate and promoted terrorism. Then I started to explore it more and more, and I kind of am having that feeling my parents said they had when they converted to Catholicism. I am now at a point in my life where I could, if I wanted, start seriously looking into the conversion process, and my parents would most likely be tolerant of it(they told me years ago that they wouldn’t hate me if I ever converted to something outside of Christianity).

However, I do have two major worries, my love for music, and my gender identity, and how they would fit into Islam.

For music, I am more into the using technology to compose instrumental pieces, and music has really been one of the only things that has kept me going all these years. I currently play about 8 instruments, and like I said, am majoring in Music Technology. I also have been studying theory for the last two years. From what I understand, music is not allowed in Islam? I would like clarification on that.

Then for my gender stuff… I was born a male but identify as a woman, and am hoping to come out to my family by the end of this year, so I can start seeing a therapist with the hopes of starting my transition, and eventually having GRS/SRS. I really haven’t gotten a straight answer on that aspect? I know from a Christian standpoint, most people I have met were more concerned about me being in a relationship with whatever gender than the actual transgender part(which personally, I don’t feel the need to be in a relationship, and the thought of having kids scares me).

Thanks for your time… Also I likely won’t be able to reply until tomorrow night, since I have college tomorrow.

Just like Christianity, Islam is not a monolithic faith tradition. There are Sunni Muslims, Shi’ite Muslims, etc. There are conservative Muslims and liberal Muslims.

Some Muslims frown on music, but most don’t.

Some Muslims embrace the mystical tradition of Islam called Sufism and some condemn it.

As for transgender people, some Muslims are very accepting, even some conservative ones, depending on which Muslims you’re talking about. For example, Twelver Shi’te Muslims in the Islamic Rupublic of Iran who are conservative, allow Gender Reassignment Surgery:

As of 2008, Iran carries out more sex change operations than any other nation in the world except for Thailand. The government provides up to half the cost for those needing financial assistance, and a sex change is recognised on the birth certificate.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transsexuality_in_Iran

Even though Islam is generally not very welcoming towards LGBT people, there are liberal/progressive Muslims who do welcome LGBT people:

At first, the devout Muslims who gathered in a Washington, D.C., conference center seemed like they could have come from any mosque. There were women in headscarves and bearded men who quoted the Quran.

But something was different. While mingling over hors d’oeuvres, they discussed how to change Islam’s future. A woman spoke about fighting terrorism; she had married outside the Islamic faith, which is forbidden for a Muslim woman. A Pakistani man mentioned his plans to meet friends for drinks, despite the faith’s ban on alcohol.

In a corner of the room, an imam in a long gray tunic counseled a young Muslim with a vexing spiritual conflict: being gay and Muslim. The imam, also gay and in a relationship, could easily sympathize with the youth’s difficulties.

On this brisk Monday night in late October, members of Muslims for Progressive Values, a nascent American reformist organization, had gathered from around the country to celebrate a milestone: In four years, the group had grown from a few friends to a thousand members and spawned a string of small mosques and spiritual groups that stretched from Atlanta to Los Angeles.

Today, as America’s Muslim leaders debate controversial topics like political radicalism inside mosques and states’ attempts to ban Shariah law, this growing network of alternative mosques and Islamic groups is quietly forging a new spiritual movement.

They’re taking bold steps, reinterpreting Islamic norms and re-examining taboos. While far from accepted by mainstream clerics, these worshippers feel that the future of the religion lies not solely with tradition but with them. Women are leading congregations in prayer, gay imams are performing Islamic marriages, and men and women are praying side by side.

huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/29/progressive-muslims-launch-gay-friendly-women-led-mosques_n_1368460.html

 

[Thorolfr]

From what I understand, music is not allowed in Islam? I would like clarification on that.

There are some ultra-conservative Muslims who probably frown on music, but most don’t. Try listening on YouTube to music by Umm Kulthum, for example:

Umm Kulthum (Egyptian Arabic: أم كلثوم ʾUmm Kulṯūm; Egyptian Arabic pronunciation: [um kulˈðuːm]), born Fātimah ʾIbrāhīm as-Sayyid al-Biltāǧī (فاطمة إبراهيم السيد البلتاجي ˈfɑtˤmɑ (ʔe)bɾɑˈhiːm esˈsæjjed elbelˈtæːɡi]; see Kunya) on an uncertain date (December 31, 1898 or May 4, 1904[1]) and who died February 3, 1975, was an internationally famous Egyptian singer, songwriter, and film actress active from the 1920s to the 1970s. She is given the honorific title, Kawkab al-Sharq كوكب الشرق (“Star of the East”) in Arabic. Known for her extraordinary vocal ability and style, Umm Kulthum was one of the greatest and most influential Arab singers of the 20th century

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umm_Kulthum

Every place one goes in the Middle East, they are still likely to hear music by Umm Kulthum being played. Some of her music has a religious theme to it, some are love songs, etc.

 

[Dolores49]

You haven’t given examples of what specific tenents of Islam you are drawn to. It sounds to me you are not completely convinced it’s what you want and need approval. Being a Catholic means something very deep to me. Have you talked to a Catholic priest about this, a real solid older one, over 50 or 60??

Salvation, going to Heaven to spend eternity with the Holy Trinity and the Saints should be your goal. Unfortunately, there are interfaith gatherings which weaken Catholics like yourself because “all religions are alike” creeps into your mind.

Being Catholic means you have a heritage not duplicated by any other religion. It’s a myth that we worship the same God. We worship God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Look into

I suggest you begin attending a traditional Latin Mass. Google “muslim transgender murdered.” “Three young men from North Africa were arrested on Saturday in the western German city of Dortmund for stoning two transgender women.” Don’t be seduced by superficiality. Go quickly to a Latin Mass and drink it in.

 

[abucs]

I hope you find some guidance here but if you have already made your mind up to convert to Islam it might be worth asking your question on one of the Muslim websites that you feel comfortable with.

Is there a reason why you are drawn to the religion of Islam but are drawn to asking for guidance on Islam at a Catholic website?

God bless.

 

[Lenten_ashes]

All the apostles with the exception of John were killed for their beliefs in Jesus and what was revealed to them.

I mention this because in Islam they deny the crucifixion. So if you believe that, you must believe the apostles were either delusional fools or flat out liars who died for nothing. So that’s something to consider.

In regards to music and gender identity, you are in the United states, I assume, so they wont put you to death for that lifestyle. There are liberal “churches” here so I assume you can find liberal mosques as well. There is something called Quran-only Muslims. they do not rely on hadith much at all. I guess you could say they subscribe to sola scriptura. And they seem to be more modern and liberal than the Sunnis and Shi’ites.

Never stepped foot in a mosque but I’ve been told it’s kinda like stepping foot in a non-denominational church. No images of anything, anywhere. And music is not allowed unless it’s call to prayer, which is really a chant.

Don’t see them having issues with music as far as a profession goes. Cat Stevens, now Yusef, converted to Islam and he still makes music.

 

[anon97089806]

You haven’t given examples of what specific tenents of Islam you are drawn to. It sounds to me you are not completely convinced it’s what you want and need approval. Being a Catholic means something very deep to me. Have you talked to a Catholic priest about this, a real solid older one, over 50 or 60??

Salvation, going to Heaven to spend eternity with the Holy Trinity and the Saints should be your goal. Unfortunately, there are interfaith gatherings which weaken Catholics like yourself because “all religions are alike” creeps into your mind.

Being Catholic means you have a heritage not duplicated by any other religion. It’s a myth that we worship the same God. We worship God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Look into

I suggest you begin attending a traditional Latin Mass. Google “muslim transgender murdered.” “Three young men from North Africa were arrested on Saturday in the western German city of Dortmund for stoning two transgender women.” Don’t be seduced by superficiality. Go quickly to a Latin Mass and drink it in.

I actually have talked to a 70-80 year old priest when my family first converted to Catholicism.

But I noticed in the post you keep referring to me as a Catholic, I never converted to it myself.

For the thread, I will probably wait until morning, then make a thread on another forum. Thanks for the replies though.