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Why do my understanding of Islam/sufism seem so different

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
This is a question i asked myself.
How come that I see islam and by that Sufism as peaceful, when so many others see islam as hateful and bad?

I am very aware of how some groups like Taliban make islam look evil. And I would never advocate their actions words or thoughts. Because they are so far from my own understanding of the teaching.

Honestly, in my personal life I never felt more alive and peaceful as I do now.
But as soon i watch the news or even some posts here in RF, it feels like people see islam as the evil it self.

I van only spread love and kindness and fight evil my way.

But is it my responsability to give islam a good name again :oops:.

Please do not take this OP as a negative view by me :) it only reflect some of my thoughts about the world I live in:)
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
I felt that way as a Noachide. Others would be talking about how vengeful and harsh HaShem is and I just didn't see it. All I saw was a just God who has a kind of firm but fair touch. Bizarrely, many of those who think him vengeful and cruel are Christians, owing to the oft repeated idea of 'OT God harsh, NT God forgiving'.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
I felt that way as a Noachide. Others would be talking about how vengeful and harsh HaShem is and I just didn't see it. All I saw was a just God who has a kind of firm but fair touch. Bizarrely, many of those who think him vengeful and cruel are Christians, owing to the oft repeated idea of 'OT God harsh, NT God forgiving'.
Toward me, Allah has been very much forgiving of my shortcomings and errors.

Maybe it has to do with my way of looking at my self as tiny and unimportant compared to Allah?
 

Altfish

Veteran Member
This is a question i asked myself.
How come that I see islam and by that Sufism as peaceful, when so many others see islam as hateful and bad?

I am very aware of how some groups like Taliban make islam look evil. And I would never advocate their actions words or thoughts. Because they are so far from my own understanding of the teaching.

Honestly, in my personal life I never felt more alive and peaceful as I do now.
But as soon i watch the news or even some posts here in RF, it feels like people see islam as the evil it self.

I van only spread love and kindness and fight evil my way.

But is it my responsability to give islam a good name again :oops:.

Please do not take this OP as a negative view by me :) it only reflect some of my thoughts about the world I live in:)
9/11, Manchester Arena, etc give Islam a bad name

It's apparent unequal treatment of women, homosexuals, etc give it a bad name

IMO another problem is that unlike (say) Catholicism that has The Pope; there is no 'leader' of Islam to act as a spokesperson.

It is not your responsibility to give Islam a good name but I suppose you can help by condemning the worst excesses of your religion,
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
9/11, Manchester Arena, etc give Islam a bad name

It's apparent unequal treatment of women, homosexuals, etc give it a bad name

IMO another problem is that unlike (say) Catholicism that has The Pope; there is no 'leader' of Islam to act as a spokesperson.

It is not your responsibility to give Islam a good name but I suppose you can help by condemning the worst excesses of your religion,
The extreme way some Muslims practice islam, is to me a less good way to practice. It look like they do not hold any love and kindness within their heart.
So yes I do agree with you :)
 
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Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
I try to practice sufism as of 2021 and not how it would be done in the first years of existence, because their culture would be different than what we have today.
I believe one has to adapt to current time, but practice the teaching with love and compassion toward all living beings.
 

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
This is a question i asked myself.
How come that I see islam and by that Sufism as peaceful, when so many others see islam as hateful and bad?

I am very aware of how some groups like Taliban make islam look evil. And I would never advocate their actions words or thoughts. Because they are so far from my own understanding of the teaching.

Honestly, in my personal life I never felt more alive and peaceful as I do now.
But as soon i watch the news or even some posts here in RF, it feels like people see islam as the evil it self.

I van only spread love and kindness and fight evil my way.

But is it my responsability to give islam a good name again :oops:.

Please do not take this OP as a negative view by me :) it only reflect some of my thoughts about the world I live in:)

IMO, it's not the religion, it's the individual.
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
9/11, Manchester Arena, etc give Islam a bad name

@Conscious thoughts 9/11 dramatically changed people's views of Muslims even to where some believe the Taliban is teaching children how to be terrorists.

Spiritually, I'm not sure people know much of Islam. The Quran Does speak of bad things but like Christianity I'm not sure how they justify it. It gives a misconflicting (if that's a word) impression.

Show with actions your practice isn't of hate. Some people are drawn to that. But in the US it's not a religious discrepancy but a political one.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
@Conscious thoughts 9/11 dramatically changed people's views of Muslims even to where some believe the Taliban is teaching children how to be terrorists.

Spiritually, I'm not sure people know much of Islam. The Quran Does speak of bad things but like Christianity I'm not sure how they justify it. It gives a misconflicting (if that's a word) impression.

Show with actions your practice isn't of hate. Some people are drawn to that. But in the US it's not a religious discrepancy but a political one.
I agree 9/11 made a very bad situation for Muslims in the world, and it should never have happened in my view.
I believe in peaceful practice where my own belief and practice never hurt others. But of course people will draw the "evil text" card in discussion. I get that, because those verses are what terrorists use to judtify their evil action.
 

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
This is a question i asked myself.
How come that I see islam and by that Sufism as peaceful, when so many others see islam as hateful and bad?

The action of radical Muslims and Muslim extremists have given Islam a bad name, as well as the apparent misogyny in the religion.

As far as Sufism goes, I see that more as Islamic mysticism rather than other branches of Islam which are more mainstream. I don't think many really know what Sufism is until it is explained to them. I'm sure you've done much to educate people here about Sufism and its views as compared to other branches of Islam or Islam extremism. I'm certain that because of your contributions, people here are more knowledgeable about what Sufism actually is. I know I am.
 

Sirona

Hindu Wannabe
The problem, Conscious Thought, is that you really do not live in this world. You live in your imaginary Sufi world. ;)

@Conscious thoughts, I agree with @Aupmanyav . Although I follow Hinduism now, I was mostly socialized with secular humanism and values derived from Christianity. When I evaluate cultural phenomena, I still mostly have the secular value system. I have looked at human rights in different religions, and things like religious freedom and women's rights, for example, can often not be taken for granted in other cultures. If you were born in a traditional Muslim society, your value system would certainly be fundamentally different, different things would be "normal" for you. Perhaps if you were born a traditional Muslim, you would object to the Sufis, finding them too "soft-hearted", and thinking that they "water down" Islam. In Turkey, for example, real Sufis are unpopular. The dancing dervishes presented to tourists, for example, are usually actors, instead of genuine believers.
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
This is a question i asked myself.
How come that I see islam and by that Sufism as peaceful, when so many others see islam as hateful and bad?

I am very aware of how some groups like Taliban make islam look evil. And I would never advocate their actions words or thoughts. Because they are so far from my own understanding of the teaching.

Honestly, in my personal life I never felt more alive and peaceful as I do now.
But as soon i watch the news or even some posts here in RF, it feels like people see islam as the evil it self.

I van only spread love and kindness and fight evil my way.

But is it my responsability to give islam a good name again :oops:.

Please do not take this OP as a negative view by me :) it only reflect some of my thoughts about the world I live in:)
You're a peaceful person drawn to Islam.
Others can be violent people drawn to or born into Islam.
Religions mold to fit the person.
IMO.
 
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