Posts by Merry Magdalene

147

Merry Becomes A Muslim (a bit long)

by Merry Magdalene in

who is merry?

i was born in 1965, the same year that malcolm x was assassinated.

my father had committed suicide a few months into my mother's pregnancy so we lived with her parents until she married again when i was about 18 months old.

Merry Magdalene

BluesBrother: Hi Merry, thanks for sharing. Around here it is a cosmopolitan area and in the city it is not uncommon to see women wearing the headgear and dress (forgive my calling it that but I do not know the correct names) I think you are brave and committed to do so in a small American town. Thanks for that. I wish I could get out and travel a bit. I've always wanted to do. My personal experience in this regard is very limited adn I have yet to meet another Mualim in person. I do have an online friend, an American convert to Islam, who is hoping we can make arrangements to get me to Jordan one of these days for a visit. She has a home there as well as in the US.
My superficial reading of Islam has shown me that it is a world away from many peoples perception of it . Moderate Islam is surely a force for good in people's lives. That was my take on it as well.
If you are happy with it, I am sure that God is happy with you too.

.

lonelysheep: Do you think your treatment would be different if your skin color was? I've never been to Idaho, and in this part of NJ, it's no big deal.

I don't know. Growing up, the only racial diversity I saw was cowboys (loggers, etc.) and Indians. There was a lot of prejudice against the Indians here (on and near the Niimiipoo rez) and I heard some very strange ideas about "black people" from older folks when I was a teenager. I think there are one or two black families in the immediate area now, a few Mexican families, and maybe a couple of Chinese families. I do wonder what their experience has been here. I have also heard that a Middle Eastern family (from where I do not know) bought or are running a gas station in the next town over and locals were referring to them as terrorists and Muslims.

RichieRich:
What an awesome story Merry. Thanks Rich! That means a lot to me.
I see a lot of loose parallels between the path I have chosen and the path you have chosen...
its a challenge to get people to look past their own ignorance and accept your decision
weird / concerned looks in public (I'm making an assumption on your behalf)
family and friends and who aren't involved in it with you think you're crazy / loosing it
Let me know if I'm wrong, but if I'm right, I can empathize with you. I read your Interesting Occurence! I have to say, worlds apart and yet we understand each other (at least to some agree). This world needs more empathy!

unbeliever: When I first read you had converted I felt you traded in one high control cult for another high control cult. Understandable. I think it is a misunderstanding but an understandable one. I read your journal entries on myspace. Very informative reading from your prospective. I am friends with a couple of ex muslims and they don't have very many positive things to say about the religion. I would be interested in knowing their experiences. I don't believe that women have as much freedom of choice as you have been led to believe. I just hope for you and your daughters sake that your experience with Islam stays a positive one. I hope so too, but, whatever happens, I intend to learn from the good as well as the bad. Rest assured that I am a fiercely protective and loving mother. My experiences with men and family and religion outside of Islam have been a mixed bag, and I am guarded against repeating past mistakes, so I appreciate your good wishes.

jeanniebeanz: I didn't respond to this one for a while, didn't know what to say really. Personally, I like you, but I am all religioned out and think it is all a method to control and/or divide people. But, if it works for you...{{{jeannie}}} I like you too. Personally, I don't think religion itself is a method to control and/or divide people in a negative sense but can certainly be used that way by unscrupulous people. I think both individuals and societies need certain controls and divisions for their well-being.

~Merry

29

Do I sound bitter?.....(email to mom)

by *jeremiah* in

on a mac, i hope this formats correctly.

my 1st email and question:

(salutations)

Merry Magdalene

No, I don't think you sounded bitter. Hers is probably a conditioned response--anyone who asks questions that in any way call into question what JWs are doing or how they are doing it are seen as a threat. Asking them to think about things that the WT hasn't directed them to think about is a threat. But, to be honest, we do have ulterior motives when asking such questions and they do rightfully pick up on that. What they don't realize is that our motives are not usually bad ones, although, because they threaten the established order, they will be perceived that way. It's a sticky situation.

Best wishes,

~Merry

147

Merry Becomes A Muslim (a bit long)

by Merry Magdalene in

who is merry?

i was born in 1965, the same year that malcolm x was assassinated.

my father had committed suicide a few months into my mother's pregnancy so we lived with her parents until she married again when i was about 18 months old.

Merry Magdalene

Glitter: You said: It was after I saw a documentary entitled Suffer the Little Children exposing the problem of child molestation coverups in the Society that I went online to see if there was a follow-up on those who had shared their stories. That led me to Silent Lambs, Free Minds, and the Jehovah's Witness Discussion Forum. What about Aisha?

What a great question! I'm amazed I didn't make that connection myself as I was writing as I am usually able to anticipate questions and issues from other points of view that may arise. This is an issue that I have found troubling as well and am still researching and pondering. Rather than share where I am with it now, may I get back to you?

~Merry

Thanks for your comments, Black Swan. Best wishes always

Papha:
Thanks for sharing your experience. But I've always been puzzled by the attraction of blacks to the Muslim movement. All down through history, it was the Muslims who enslaved the blacks even well before it was done by white Europeans and continued well after the "slave trade" to the West was discontinued. They were involved in the trafficking of slaves during the entire time. If blacks reject Christianity on the bases of these past abuses, wouldn't it also apply to the Mulims who were in the business long before and long afterwards?

This is something with which I am not familiar and must read more about. All I am aware of so far is that the Qur'an allows slavery but strongly encourages setting slaves free, and "The first call to prayer at the Quba mosque built by Prophet Muhammad was given in 622 by Bilal -- a black slave freed by the Prophet." Racism, or the supposed superiority of one race over another, is not condoned in the Qur'an. I am beginning by reading herebut will read elsewhere as well.

Lisa: all muslimed out!

LOL!

anewme: Somehow I have the feeling this will be but a stepping stone in your religious journey Merry.

You and LittleToe both! Thanks for reading.

Quandry:
Perhaps they are not all this way. Perhaps they do not all hate "infidels" and feel that they must be killed. Just like with the witnesses, not all want to cover over child abuse, etc.
I just don't see it.

So many tragedies in this world! Some areas are so bad. I can understand your feelings, so I hope you will keep looking and discerning that what is wrong in some Muslim societies is contrary to what is taught in the Qur'an. And there are also Muslims pushing for change, for education, for relief and for peace, just as there are many Americans who do not condone the American killing of innocent women, children and elderly in Middle Eastern countries. I can imagine it would be hard in those conditions for people there to see anything good in us, but some still manage to.

~Merry

back in a bit!

147

Merry Becomes A Muslim (a bit long)

by Merry Magdalene in

who is merry?

i was born in 1965, the same year that malcolm x was assassinated.

my father had committed suicide a few months into my mother's pregnancy so we lived with her parents until she married again when i was about 18 months old.

Merry Magdalene

Zagor/John: How long did you investigate this new religion? I'm still investigating, since last year. I investigated a little before I read the meaning of the Qur'an through the first time (3 translations), and a lot during and after. and what method of investigation did you use? (meaning did you read only pro-Islam literature or did you try looking it from other angles) I used both pro-Islamic and anti-Islamic sources as well as more neutral ones (if there is such a thing). It was important to me to research my questions from as many angles as possible. And being a JWD addict, I had to search out Islamic apostate sites as well, don'tcha know?! You don't have to answer if you feel that goes too far but I would appreciate very much so if you took time to answer. Another subquestion would be, would you change your path if you found something even more revealing in another religion or philosophy? Ok that's three questions :) In order for that to happen, I would have to believe that I had been entirely mistaken about this one, and at this point it would be hard for me to imagine that happening. Not that I doubt I can be mistaken, I have been many times about many things, just that this all fits together and makes sense to me like nothing else has.

~Merry

147

Merry Becomes A Muslim (a bit long)

by Merry Magdalene in

who is merry?

i was born in 1965, the same year that malcolm x was assassinated.

my father had committed suicide a few months into my mother's pregnancy so we lived with her parents until she married again when i was about 18 months old.

Merry Magdalene

LittleToe: It sounds like your Turkish friend was as persistent as a JW There are similarities and there are differences. I'm happy with both. This thought also has the makings of a good knock-knock joke.
So you're simply an excessively romantic theist with a penchant for mysticism, as supplied through a foreign language (Arabic), then? I'm in rehab. See above post to Deeskis.
...and with a substitute set of Middle Eastern religious baggage and ancient texts? I don't suppose you'd like to be a gentleman and carry my bags for me, would you?

~Merry

147

Merry Becomes A Muslim (a bit long)

by Merry Magdalene in

who is merry?

i was born in 1965, the same year that malcolm x was assassinated.

my father had committed suicide a few months into my mother's pregnancy so we lived with her parents until she married again when i was about 18 months old.

Merry Magdalene

Deeskis:
I also wondered about something you mentioned in myspace, but didn't continue.......
it was about your ?christian experience, and the intense relationship you felt with Jesus...........how does that fit in with your new beliefs?

I was reading something in the early stages of my conversion process that was like a splash of cold water in my face, waking me up to something I was very attached to, a way of understanding and experiencing the world that I was quite fond of until I realized it might actually have been damaging to me all those years--my romanticism:

To understand how romanticism is confused with religion, it is necessary to fully understand the idea of "sincerity." Sincerity is doing something in order to gain the approval of God only. If the act is truly done with sincerity, it is counted as worship in the sight of God. For example, praying, fasting, giving alms, working in the cause of God, and all other acts of service, are to be regarded as acts of worship, only if they are undertaken to gain the approval of God. Worship performed without the intention of gaining God's approval is invalid according to God's command in the Qu'ran: "So woe to those who pray, and are forgetful of their prayer, those who show off" (Qur'an, 107, 4-6) This is also clear in the words of the Prophet Mohammed, who said, "God accepts those deeds which were performed purely for His sake and which were meant to seek His pleasure."12
It is in this manner that romanticism distorts religion. It directs religion towards a purpose other than gaining the approval of God; it represents religion as an emotional experience, in which people may satisfy their emotional needs, not to be practised for the pleasure of God.
By obfuscating this subtle but very important distinction, romanticism leads people to a completely false understanding of religion, the end-result being mysticism. When people cease to understand religion as submission to God, and begin to regard it as a means for "psychological exhilaration," then a number of mystical practices are sought, submerging them even deeper in this false approach.

I realized that this was what I had always done, as a Pagan and as a Christian, and it was kind of like a drug. It then occurred to me that the things I had experienced while "under the influence" of my romanticism were not reliable experiences. It was very very hard for me to let go of them, they were treasured parts of my life and romanticism was deeply ingrained in my psyche, but I felt that I must try.

I now respect Jesus as having been a special prophet with a mission and a message I wish had not been distorted. I would like to know more about it as it was and was meant to be. It is surely one of the trials of this life that humans, whatever their religious orientation (yes Muslims too) are always messing things up and making life more difficult for each other. But we must still do our best.

And thanks for your compliment, Dee. I also appreciate it when people make me think more and consider things differently, and you have done that for me as well.

~Merry

15

I LEARNT TO SWIM!

by Dansk in

jw
friends

i write this in the hope that it encourages others.

one never is too old to learn anything or overcome a fear!.

for many years i was absolutely terrified of water.

Merry Magdalene

That's very cool!!! and so great to hear

alt

~Merry

147

Merry Becomes A Muslim (a bit long)

by Merry Magdalene in

who is merry?

i was born in 1965, the same year that malcolm x was assassinated.

my father had committed suicide a few months into my mother's pregnancy so we lived with her parents until she married again when i was about 18 months old.

Merry Magdalene

What an interesting array of replies to wake up to!

I must read them all again and ponder them...

~Merry

147

Merry Becomes A Muslim (a bit long)

by Merry Magdalene in

who is merry?

i was born in 1965, the same year that malcolm x was assassinated.

my father had committed suicide a few months into my mother's pregnancy so we lived with her parents until she married again when i was about 18 months old.

Merry Magdalene

Thank you for sharing your perspective and experience, Bernadette, I always find it interesting.

Whys and wherefores are always fascinating and complex, aren't they, onacruse? Definitely. No denial.

Crumpet, I'm so glad you shared your honest thoughts and feelings, and so nicely too. That isn't always wasy to do.

I appreciate all of you and I do like to at least try to look at things from as many different sides as possible, without leaving myself nowhere.

Thanks again! I've got to get to bed. Hope everyone has a good day.

~Merry

147

Merry Becomes A Muslim (a bit long)

by Merry Magdalene in

who is merry?

i was born in 1965, the same year that malcolm x was assassinated.

my father had committed suicide a few months into my mother's pregnancy so we lived with her parents until she married again when i was about 18 months old.

Merry Magdalene

onacruse: If I may ask another personal question: Do you know why I asked my question?

no, I don't. Am I about to find out?

onlycurious: You seemed to have stepped right back into a religion that doesn't allow you to breathe.

I know you didn't mean it this way, but I had to laugh because I have had minor breathing problems all my life and it is only recently, during prayer, that I have found myself breathing fully and freely and easily. Why or how do you feel that Islam doesn't give me breathing room?

Misty:
I find myself identifying with the child that you were. I was teased for my ability to sit and watch a spider for an hour. Or for playing with salamanders. Or for spending more time up trees than on on the ground. I was a "reader." I loved to read more than anything. I would read in the car, on the bus, walking to get the mail.. especially while up those trees that I loved to climb. I read the Narnia series so many times I considered the characters to be friends, when I didn't have any "real" ones.
I, too, lived in fear that someone would discover that I knew less. Less than what or whom, I don't know.. but less. I still, to this day, will pretend to knowledge I don't have, rather than admit ignorance.. silly, isn't it?

I just want to hug you, kindred spirit! I resemble those remarks.

Thanks, Lisa, and thanks to all of you for reading what I wrote, I'm amazed you even tried and made it through.

~Merry