SearchingForGod
Member
I wonder why the term is called "cherry-picking" at all, to begin with... hmm... Anyways, I have a question to ask regarding religious systems and what to follow or not follow.
I was raised Muslim from the time I was born until I was old enough to leave the house and live with other relatives. Since moving in with these other non-Muslim relatives, I've left Islam and have since been on the hunt for a new religion. My problem? None of the shoes that these other religions provide seem to fit! As it turns out, the metaphorical shoes provided by Islam are what would be closest to my own size, but they're still a tad bit too small. This is where the cherry-picking comes in. Could it be possible for me to follow Islam again while taking out the parts of Islam that I do not agree with?
The things I'm wanting to "take out" are nothing too serious in my opinion. Just things that make rational sense to myself. For example, I'm of the opinion that apostates should not be put to death or shunned, but rather be referred to with compassion and included in conversations about Islam as their concerns are certainly important in our ongoing talks about Islam. Secondly, I'm of the opinion that we need to be more inclusive of the LGBT+ community. I'm not sure that I could convince anyone else that being gay or transgender is okay, but I think we should certainly acknowledge that LGBT+ individuals should have a place within Islam where they can feel welcomed and not afraid for their own safety. Then there's the issue of sex within marriage. I was taught that if a woman refuses sex with her husband without a "legitimate reason", the angels will curse her and God would be upset with her until she gives in (Source). I'm sure most of us can see why that view is problematic, and I'm of the opinion that God would not be upset with anyone for not doing a sex act if they did not feel like it.
I also have other little nit-picky things that I think are maybe too strict, but these are all of the big things that I am wanting to cherry-pick. Apparently I'm not alone with what I'm thinking either, at least with regards to including the LGBT community. There is this group of Muslims called Muslims for Progressive Values and I think they're real Muslims too, just very liberal in their thinking. I'd fit right in with them, even though they're not their own independent sect. Unfortunately, however, their mosques are too far from me and are all the way in the big cities. But that's neither here nor there. The fact is that while I've been trying to find my way spiritually and religiously, I've found that Islam may always be my home and I'm trying to come to terms with having a possible Muslim identity while also being different in my ideology. So I'm wondering, can I cherry-pick just a little and still be Muslim? Or is that not really following Islam anymore? In any case, I'm sure I'll be fine, but I think this is an important question that needs to be asked.
And if you're wondering, "But SFG, this all sounds awful! Why would you want to be part of a religion that you don't completely agree with?" While I don't agree with everything, there are things that I still love and miss about Islam. I just want to see if maybe I can go back and try to be devout again in my own way.
I was raised Muslim from the time I was born until I was old enough to leave the house and live with other relatives. Since moving in with these other non-Muslim relatives, I've left Islam and have since been on the hunt for a new religion. My problem? None of the shoes that these other religions provide seem to fit! As it turns out, the metaphorical shoes provided by Islam are what would be closest to my own size, but they're still a tad bit too small. This is where the cherry-picking comes in. Could it be possible for me to follow Islam again while taking out the parts of Islam that I do not agree with?
The things I'm wanting to "take out" are nothing too serious in my opinion. Just things that make rational sense to myself. For example, I'm of the opinion that apostates should not be put to death or shunned, but rather be referred to with compassion and included in conversations about Islam as their concerns are certainly important in our ongoing talks about Islam. Secondly, I'm of the opinion that we need to be more inclusive of the LGBT+ community. I'm not sure that I could convince anyone else that being gay or transgender is okay, but I think we should certainly acknowledge that LGBT+ individuals should have a place within Islam where they can feel welcomed and not afraid for their own safety. Then there's the issue of sex within marriage. I was taught that if a woman refuses sex with her husband without a "legitimate reason", the angels will curse her and God would be upset with her until she gives in (Source). I'm sure most of us can see why that view is problematic, and I'm of the opinion that God would not be upset with anyone for not doing a sex act if they did not feel like it.
I also have other little nit-picky things that I think are maybe too strict, but these are all of the big things that I am wanting to cherry-pick. Apparently I'm not alone with what I'm thinking either, at least with regards to including the LGBT community. There is this group of Muslims called Muslims for Progressive Values and I think they're real Muslims too, just very liberal in their thinking. I'd fit right in with them, even though they're not their own independent sect. Unfortunately, however, their mosques are too far from me and are all the way in the big cities. But that's neither here nor there. The fact is that while I've been trying to find my way spiritually and religiously, I've found that Islam may always be my home and I'm trying to come to terms with having a possible Muslim identity while also being different in my ideology. So I'm wondering, can I cherry-pick just a little and still be Muslim? Or is that not really following Islam anymore? In any case, I'm sure I'll be fine, but I think this is an important question that needs to be asked.
And if you're wondering, "But SFG, this all sounds awful! Why would you want to be part of a religion that you don't completely agree with?" While I don't agree with everything, there are things that I still love and miss about Islam. I just want to see if maybe I can go back and try to be devout again in my own way.
