Gregory (a Christian Arab) living in Australia asks:
Subject: Why did you really convert?
I have read on your website your reasons for leaving christianity for islam.I just can't help but think/feel, your not telling the whole truth.You know what i think?
I think that you asked God/Jesus for something some years ago and it never happened.Your faith started to whither after that.Just like you and many other Truth seekers i've always asked questions when it came to bible stories. Needless to say i never got an answer. From what i know now neither does priests and pastors and popes. Christianity has a lot of man made beliefs and rituals which i never accepted and agreed with.The biggest one is that God is a trinity . . .
Dear Gregory:
Thanks for the letter and for the chance for me to have another article for our website. www.islamnewsroom.com I was wondering what to write about today. And now at last, you will have the answers you need. www.911bible.com - www.islamcode.com - www.islamtomorrow.com/islam - www.scienceislam.com - www.GodAllah.com (use these to get started)
I can understand your concerns and your attitude. I used to be much more against Islam, maybe even than you. But guidance to truth is something I continue to pray for even this very day. You can read the whole story for yourself: www.YusufEstes.com
So, if you have some proof to indicate a more comprehensive and compatible way of life in all the various aspects; worship, family, health, society, mental and spiritual satisfaction - bring it and let's examine it. I am open to what you may have.
The key to the whole thing boils down to this statement:
"If you have proof - bring it."
Can you show me absolute, concrete proof from a scientific point of veiw, that God exists? (Islam can): www.scienceislam.com
Can you show me for sure with no doubt exactly what Jesus , peace be upon him, said? (Islam has exactly what Muhammad, peace be upon him, said and more important, what others said about him): www.ProphetOfIslam.com
Can you offer a book that can be attributed word for word back to Moses? David? Solomon? or Jesus? peace be upon them? (Islam has the Quran exactly as it was 1,400 years ago): www.AllahsQuran.com
Can you produce a book like the Quran? A book in the ancient semitic language that people still memorize today? Over 10 million people from all around the earth (most of them do not speak conversational Arabic) have memorized it.
Do you have anything showing us how humans should wake up in the morning, go to bed at night, prepare their food, eat the food and then how to go to the bathroom?
Have you anything to compare with the legislation provided in Islam for the most fair rulings in everything from family matters to world wars?
As regards your statement about my faith withering away because I didn't get what I wanted, you said you "think/feel" I was not telling the truth. You know what I think? I think you are the one who needs a lesson in truth.
In fact, I had everything anyone could ask for in this life - without doubt and that was one of the things that helped keep me in Christianity: worldy things.
I had a 3A Dunn and Bradstreet credit ratinig (you probably don't know what that means), it means I could sign my name and get anything I wanted. I had airplanes, houses, cars, boats, offices all over north Texas, swimming pools, my own TV show, the best of supportive Christian families, and a very beautiful wife and lovely kids. I served on the Governor's Conference in Texas and my dad (a minister) and I had the best relationship (he also became a Muslims after me, Al Hamdulillah).
As regards getting what I wanted, I had everything and anything I wanted all throughout my life and I enjoyed it all. It was great.
Coming to Islam was the most illogical thing I could do from a worldly point of view. It meant loosing all of the things that most Christians today are in love with - material wealth and gain.
But the most important thing I wanted - I also received - GUIDANCE.
Guidance from Allah to me to be "one who is in true and complete surrender, submission, obedience, sincerity and peace with the One God, Allah" (Muslim). The word "Muslim" comes from "Islam" and this is simply to "Do God's Will on earth as it is in heaven."
Do you want that for you? As a Christian, do you really want to do what God has ordered? Do you want to worship Him, Alone without partners? Do you want to follow His Orders? Read your book: Exodus, chapter 20, "Thou shall have no other gods besides Me." And in Dueteronomy, chapter 5, "I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the Land of Egypt and the house of bondage. You know no other god besides me. Thou shall not have any other god besides me" and in the New Testament, Mark 12,29, your Bible tells you Jesus, peace be upon him, said the greatest of all commandments was the one in the 6th chapter of Deuteronomy, that is to, "Know of Israel, your God is one Lord. And you have to worship Him with all your heart and all your mind and all your strength." Check it out.
While you are at it, check out "Son of Who?" on www.IslamCode.com
And also read "Bible A Closer Look": www.911Bible.com
And then be sure to read the articles about others who have come to Islam: www.islamtomorrow.com/converts
And if you are still in doubt, check out the many people coming to Islam on www.YouTubeIslam.com
And the best part of your letter to me, is it gives me a chance to publish your letter and my reply on www.IslamNewsroom.com (be sure to check it out)
Thanks for the letter and I am waiting for your "proof".
Oh yes, one last thing - we as Muslims, don't have to "think/feel" - we KNOW - Islam is the truth, because we have the proof.
Sincerely,
Yusuf Estes
National Muslim Chaplain
Delegate to United Nations World Peace Summit for Religious Leaders
Institutiional Visiting Imam for Muslims in Military and Universities
