# Convince me not to convert to Islam. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 7, 2008, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133 "2008-12-07T15:14:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/241 "2008-12-10T12:58:40Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > There is what you believe and there is the truth of God, which He is willing to reveal to people who seek Him, If you don’t mind I’ll take His Word over yours. If you agree that your argument is no different than a Muslims belief in the Koran, then you response doesn’t make sense to me. Monavis [/QUOTE] Which was to this: The part that you are missing is that the only way not to bring harm to other beings is to walk in the Spirit of God through acceptance of Jesus as Lord. Even isolating yourself harms people as God has work for you to do in other’s lives which you can not do in isolation. So if you are really bringing no harm to other beings you have chosen to submit your way to His. [/QUOTE] Not a good or convincing argument, as it is just your word, and what you believe is God. You either learned this some some other human through writings, talk or in your own mind. You, like me, or ny one else can believe what we want, belief is not fact.unless it can be proven. The same with Jesus, you only know what you read that he was supposed to have said. As I stated, you have the right to your beliefs, just as a Muslim or any other person, Monavis ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/242 "2008-12-10T13:09:43Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Briefly IMHO, and also what I believe was revealed to me by the Lord, Jesus wants a personal relationship with us. He wants to personally teach us His ways. And most importantly He wants no person, no man made rule between Himself and us - it is One to one, God to man. He does not want to have us to feel the need to go through a person (such as a priest, or believer friend) to get to Him, nor does He want some man made rule to interfere with what He wants us to do or go (such as holy days of obligation). > > That’s not to say that various church denominations are bad, but they are just a step on the journey. I have found that the various churches have things of God mixed with things of man. But like everything else it is the condition of the heart that God looks at, and if we are seeking Him He will use those imperfect churches to guide us to His perfection. > > There are so many scriptures, and they interconnect, but again in short there is true freedom in Jesus. As long as our heart is set on doing His work we can do all things through Christ who strengthen us, sometimes we must do certain things to reach the people He wants us to with His Love, those things, under Christ, we are permitted to do as they are forgiven. > > Here are 2 scriptures that speak to this freedom from man made rules and rules enacted by angels: > > The freedom, however, is just when we are doing the work of God. The additional good news is doing the work of God is awesome, and there is nothing like it. > > I believe God may be leading me to write this and this may be one of the places where He would want me to post it. You may believe things were reveled to you by Your Lord Jesus but so have a lot of people been led astray by just such a belief.You believe He wants you to post but inwardly it is just your own beliefs needing to be confirmed or just are important to you for your life to feel fullfilled. Nothing wrong with that, as it is your right to believe as you wish. Doesn’t the Bible say satan disguises himself as an angel of light? Monavis ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/243 "2008-12-10T13:22:25Z")
> [@blinkthrice](#): > > If man doesn’t reside anywhere, then he is nowhere, but I wouldn’t apply those conditions to God, because God is not man, and man is not God. Allah is Al-Wahid - The Unique. > > Allah describes himself in the Qur’aan: > > _“Say! He is Allah, the One! The Eternally Besought of all! He does not beget, nor is He begotten. And there is nothing comparable to Him.”_ Surah 112 > > Therefore, any instance where we try to apply the limitations of man to God, and try to understand him such, we mislead ourselves. I wholeheartedly agree that everybody has the right to believe in whatever they want to, and I never stated otherwise. Allah addresses this matter as well: > > _Say: O disbelievers! I worship not that which ye worship; Nor worship ye that which I worship. And I shall not worship that which ye worship. Nor will ye worship that which I worship. Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion._ Surah 109 > > As long as there are muslims, there will be non-muslims. That’s just the way it is. Wasn’t Muhammad a human being? If so, you are really believing in Muhammad not Allah, Or God. One could say a duka reveled that such and such was so, that doesn’t mean it is the truth. There is no proof of Muhammad’s writings being true, only what people who follow him choose to believe. Monavis ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/244 "2008-12-10T13:32:33Z")
> [@BrandonR](#): > > Well of course mankind is going to grow in knowledge and advance throughout the ages, religion or not. The question is, is religion making the world a better place? Look at virtually every problem in the Middle East, and what the problems stem from (religion). Look at how religion has halted scientific advancement throughout the years. We still have a ridiculous amount of people in this world who thinks evolution is a farce, all due to their silly religious beliefs somehow invalidating modern science (the same science they accept for medicine and technology, but refuse to believe when it comes to biology). > > The hypothetical is, how would the world be without religion? Would we be even better? I tend to think so, because when you’re not hating on homosexuals or hating on people of differing beliefs etc., you tend to get a lot more productive shit done. Why of course? If the theory is that we would have progressed more without religion it’s kind of a pointless theory that we can’t test in any way. Do you think without religion there wouldn’t be prejudice? Are non religious people homophobic? You’re welcome to your opinion about religion and the world being better off without it but it’s a theory with no real foundation. If you want to address specific aspects of religion then I think there’s a better chance for actual progress. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/245 "2008-12-10T14:10:24Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > Why of course? If the theory is that we would have progressed more without religion it’s kind of a pointless theory that we can’t test in any way. Do you think without religion there wouldn’t be prejudice? Are non religious people homophobic? You’re welcome to your opinion about religion and the world being better off without it but it’s a theory with no real foundation. If you want to address specific aspects of religion then I think there’s a better chance for actual progress. Are you somehow implying that mankind wouldn’t have progressed as it has _without_ religion? That’s a pretty bold statement if you are, especially considering how religion has consistently held back advancement, both socially and scientifically. Obviously you can’t test the statement that mankind would be better off without religion, but it’s an interesting thought experiment. I don’t believe life without religion would completely get rid of prejudice, but it would undoubtedly be a good start. Without religion, you lack the systematic prejudice that religion often provides people. So many people say and do ridiculously hurtful things to other people while hiding behind their religion. Even IF the religion doesn’t provide a basis for the prejudice, there are still people who will interpret it that way and use it as a basis for their hatred. Would that harm still exist if there weren’t any religion in the first place? Come to think of it, I can’t think of one positive aspect of religion. Charitable organizations are great but they certainly don’t need to exist in the name of any imaginary deity. Why not just be good for the sake of being good? ---
**Author:** ![duncfoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a587f6/32.png) [@duncfoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duncfoo)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/246 "2008-12-10T18:53:39Z")
Thank you for your reply **blinkthrice**. I have been reading about art and religion as of late and am glad you will find yourself unhindered by belief. I understand that some people would find my question a pittance in the pantheon of belief but it was more of a question about limits on yourself. You had already answered everything else I could think of! I’ll agree with some upthread posters, please be a Muslim. More people (especially in the USA) need to see moderate intelligent Muslims. If its your choice then Allah be with you. One book is as good as another to me, but actions are what define the man. One last question. How did Rap music influence your towards Islam? Was there specific songs or artists? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/247 "2008-12-10T20:08:27Z")
> [@monavis](#): > > You may believe things were reveled to you by Your Lord Jesus but so have a lot of people been led astray by just such a belief.You believe He wants you to post but inwardly it is just your own beliefs needing to be confirmed or just are important to you for your life to feel fullfilled. Actually not at all, not even close, these revelation came to me and I worked them out with prayer between Jesus and myself, Jesus set them in me without any confirmation by any man, and made me depend on them, unconfirmed by any man to save my life and to free me from captivity. The few people that I did come in contact with during this time would actually viciously attack my beliefs and revelations, actually claiming that that I should submit to them to find the Lord. Yes it was that obvious. > [@](#): > > Nothing wrong with that, as it is your right to believe as you wish. Doesn’t the Bible say satan disguises himself as an angel of light? > > Monavis Among other formats Satan does disguise himself as a angel of light, also another name for Satan is The accuser of our brethren, 'nough said. ---
**Author:** ![cwthree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/248 "2008-12-10T21:00:15Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > these revelation came to me and I worked them out with prayer between Jesus and myself, Jesus set them in me without any confirmation by any man, and made me depend on them, unconfirmed by any man to save my life and to free me from captivity. The few people that I did come in contact with during this time would actually viciously attack my beliefs and revelations… Based on this experience, why should _anyone_ trust _anything_ but their own gut when deciding matters of faith? Your behavior toward the OP sounds remarkably similar to those “few people’s” behavior toward you. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/249 "2008-12-10T21:43:11Z")
> [@cwthree](#): > > Based on this experience, why should _anyone_ trust _anything_ but their own gut when deciding matters of faith? Your behavior toward the OP sounds remarkably similar to those “few people’s” behavior toward you. I’d say trust the Word of God, which we are instructed to do, place it above all advice and instructions (including this one). ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/250 "2008-12-11T00:44:03Z")
well I keep getting these ads for a hot, pretty, smiling, and apparently single muslim chick everytime I visit this forum. I can browse photos and join free! If only she had the love of pork that I did! sighhhhhh ---
**Author:** ![cwthree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/251 "2008-12-11T01:24:43Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > I’d say trust the Word of God, which we are instructed to do, place it above all advice and instructions (including this one). Which begs the question: Barring divine revelation, how should anyone decide which of the several contenders is the word of G-d, aside from one’s gut feeling? ---
**Author:** ![Skylark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Skylark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skylark)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/252 "2008-12-11T01:51:25Z")
> [@ragerdude](#): > > But, show me one university of the Muslim world where it is even permitted to express doubts about the Koran! > > So, **blinkthrice** , do you claim that the Koran literally plopped down from heaven, dictated by God word-for-word? Doubts? Maybe not, like a Jesuit school would have doubts about the Bible, but where their interpretation differs from what your describe in the second sentence (literal all the way), this does occur relatively often in Sufi and Shia thought. I am in no way an authority, but my experiences in Iraq and speaking with Shiite folk it’s alright to see the Koran as having a 7th century legal code that was never meant to be adapted to the 21st century and adapt accordingly with the spirit of the thing. This is different from the Taliban, who banned toothpaste because Muhammad didn’t use it, as different from Notre Dame is from Bob Jones. > [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > Because it is a hideously sexist religion that downpresses their womenfolk in barbaric ways? [cite.](http://richarddawkins.net/article,3287,Somalia-Rape-Victim-Executed,NYTimescom) I don’t think Richard Dawkins is the go-to guy for fair, objective analysis. > [@](#): > > Because the countries controlled by the religion, almost without exception, are the worst places in the world? [cite](http://www.learnquebec.ca/export/sites/learn/en/content/curriculum/social_sciences/sec_geography/resources/metropolises/metropole_images/LeCaire/cite_mort.jpg) Zimbabwe. Burma. Haiti. Colombia. The Congo. Liberia. Somalia. Iraq/Afghanistan. Sierra Leone. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/253 "2008-12-11T02:19:39Z")
> [@Skylark](#): > > I don’t think Richard Dawkins is the go-to guy for fair, objective analysis. Did you even click the link? It has sources from NYTimes and the BBC. Or did you just see the URL and automatically ignore the message due to a silly ad hominem? > [@Skylark](#): > > Zimbabwe. Burma. Haiti. Colombia. The Congo. Liberia. Somalia. Iraq/Afghanistan. Sierra Leone. Sure, there are other countries with areas that are hell on earth. That doesn’t change the fact that a lot of the really bad ones got that way via religion. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/254 "2008-12-11T02:21:31Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > well > > I keep getting these ads for a hot, pretty, smiling, and apparently single muslim chick everytime I visit this forum. I can browse photos and join free! > > If only she had the love of pork that I did! > > sighhhhhh I’m glad I wasn’t hallucinating her. Whew. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/255 "2008-12-11T02:41:35Z")
> [@BrandonR](#): > > Are you somehow implying that mankind wouldn’t have progressed as it has _without_ religion? That’s a pretty bold statement if you are, especially considering how religion has consistently held back advancement, both socially and scientifically. I think I can safely assume that mankind would not have progressed _as it has_ without religion and it’s not a bold statement at all. Just a common sense observation. That’s a different statement than mankind would not have progressed as much without religion. I’m not really interested in any conjecture about what might or might not have happened without religion. > [@](#): > > Obviously you can’t test the statement that mankind would be better off without religion, but it’s an interesting thought experiment. We’ve had that discussion on these boards several times. It’s a more complex subject than it appears. There are too many factors to judge when weighing the positives and negatives. It doesn’t lead to any real conclusion. All the ones I’ve participated in end with the same people thinking religion is bad and the same people thinking religion is good. [Here’s one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=470806&highlight=religion) from the archives you might enjoy reading. > [@](#): > > I don’t believe life without religion would completely get rid of prejudice, but it would undoubtedly be a good start. Without religion, you lack the systematic prejudice that religion often provides people. So many people say and do ridiculously hurtful things to other people while hiding behind their religion. Even IF the religion doesn’t provide a basis for the prejudice, there are still people who will interpret it that way and use it as a basis for their hatred. Would that harm still exist if there weren’t any religion in the first place? You need to think about human nature more. > [@](#): > > Come to think of it, I can’t think of one positive aspect of religion. Charitable organizations are great but they certainly don’t need to exist in the name of any imaginary deity. Why not just be good for the sake of being good? See how that works. Religion gets blamed for the prejudice but can’t get credit for the charity. It might be interesting to note that statistically believers give and do more, From[here](http://www.hoover.org/publications/policyreview/3447051.html) > [@](#): > > The differences in charity between secular and religious people are dramatic. Religious people are 25 percentage points more likely than secularists to donate money (91 percent to 66 percent) and 23 points more likely to volunteer time (67 percent to 44 percent). And, consistent with the findings of other writers, these data show that practicing a religion is more important than the actual religion itself in predicting charitable behavior. For example, among those who attend worship services regularly, 92 percent of Protestants give charitably, compared with 91 percent of Catholics, 91 percent of Jews, and 89 percent from other religions. It’s easy to say people don’t need religion to be charitable but a little harder to explain these stats. Religion has also been instrumental in pushing and establishing education. FTR, I’m not saying religion is better than no religion. I see plenty of problems with organized religion that need to be addressed. I just think we should understand that the issue is much more complex and multifaceted than you can adequately address with a question like "Would the world be better off without religion? ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/256 "2008-12-11T12:37:16Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Actually not at all, not even close, these revelation came to me and I worked them out with prayer between Jesus and myself, Jesus set them in me without any confirmation by any man, and made me depend on them, unconfirmed by any man to save my life and to free me from captivity. The few people that I did come in contact with during this time would actually viciously attack my beliefs and revelations, actually claiming that that I should submit to them to find the Lord. Yes it was that obvious. > > Among other formats Satan does disguise himself as a angel of light, also another name for Satan is The accuser of our brethren, 'nough said. You state that you worked them out, that is because it was just a belief that it was between you and Jesus, not factual, just as some people have hallucinations or self hypnosis, as I stated earlier you believe that so that is your right, but there are others who have what they call revelations, and you would call them evil as an example: Muhammad. He claimed God dictated a whole book to him. What breathren? according to the Bible Satan was before Christianity for many ,many years! Monavis ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/257 "2008-12-11T13:40:27Z")
> [@cwthree](#): > > Which begs the question: Barring divine revelation, how should anyone decide which of the several contenders is the word of G-d, aside from one’s gut feeling? If you are talking about what version of the Bible to use to receive the Word, as long as the translation attempt is honest and your reading is a honest attempt to know God it’s OK as God looks at the heart. It would still be God revealing His Word to you however. If you are talking about other books of other faiths, such as the Koran, It would require divine intervention after one has started down that path IMHO (which God may use His followers for this). ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/258 "2008-12-11T13:53:25Z")
> [@monavis](#): > > You state that you worked them out, that is because it was just a belief that it was between you and Jesus, not factual, just as some people have hallucinations or self hypnosis, as I stated earlier you believe that so that is your right, but there are others who have what they call revelations, and you would call them evil as an example: Muhammad. He claimed God dictated a whole book to him. I don’t state Muhammad is evil, though he may have been demonic. The person Muhammad has just became a slave to his sin, and with sin as his master ordered him down this path. Again we are instructed to test the spirits as for his claim, does his book agree with the Word of God, answer = NO, it is in many ways in direct conflict, and fails in the very purpose of creation, to glorify and worship God’s Son, Jesus. If others have revelations, if they agree with the Word then they are of God and are a absolute fact, not a belief, there are many faithful followers of Jesus who also have revelations. Self hypnosis and the like is spiritual as well. > [@](#): > > What breathren? according to the Bible Satan was before Christianity for many ,many years! Creation was created by the Father for His Son. Creation was made to honor and worship Jesus, so I would say that worship of Jesus happened first, though man was not yet created. Also Satan fell, so at one time must have worshiped Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/259 "2008-12-11T14:05:38Z")
**Kanicbird** , if religion isn’t just a product of inventive minds, what was significant about that time and place in history, that God decided His presence needed to be felt? Didn’t mankind have the capacity for such understanding for thousands of years before Christ appeared on the scene? p.s. And would you say He underestimated His target audience? ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133/260 "2008-12-11T14:20:25Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > Religion has also been instrumental in pushing and establishing education. As long as the education doesn’t conflict with any of the age-old beliefs of the religion, right? Might as well throw much of science out, as I can recall churches or church-related organizations attempting to shut down scientific theories such as evolution or that the earth isn’t at the center of the solar system, just because they might hint at an invisible god not being responsible. And religion gets the blame for the prejudice because the prejudice exists as a direct result of the religion. People interpreting their holy book to hate. Their religion provokes them into that state. Religion inspires mass hatred, whether it be for homosexuals, or for people of differing beliefs, or even for some other outrageous stance. Do you really think we’d have [as many] secular suicide bombers if they didn’t think they have a multitude of virgins waiting for them in the afterlife? Obviously I’m not saying all problems would go away in the absence of religion, but I think it’d be pretty obvious that a lot of petty conflicts would go away, such as disputes over “holy” lands or whatever it may be. Religion also inspires blind faith, which is one of the worst “qualities” a person can have. It does nothing but inspire corruption and hones your mind to just accept whatever is presented to you without thinking for yourself. Nothing else in the world gets away with the things religion gets away with. If you told someone you can’t turn on a light on a certain day of the week because flipping the switch amounts to “starting a fire” (which it, of course, in no way does), they’d call you crazy. But if you say you do it in the name of religion, that kind of insanity is accepted. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-convert-to-islam/476133.md?page=14)