Hello guys,
I grew up in a Pakistani household. We are sunni muslims, and I was obviously raised as one. I wasn't a zealous muslim, but I always believed in Islam as the ultimate truth, and had the utmost respect for Muhammad and anyone (remotely) attached to him. I never thought I'd loose my faith, its was unthinkable. But the thing is, like most muslims at the time, I did not know much about my faith.
But back then, there were not as many apologists around, who could sugarcoat things for you. So as I entered adulthood, I started having doubts about certain aspects of Islam, and no one could really answer my questions. I questioned hell and paradise, and why the description of both sounded so human (for a lack of a better word), I could not fathom that this could be how an omniscient god would describe them.
I also started to question why the perfect message (Islam) conveyed in the perfect manner (Quran) by the perfect being (Allah) would not yield good results for those who adhered to the message. Looking at the complete mess the muslim world was, heavy on misogyny, bigotry, persecution of minorities, basically no contribution to science and technology for several centuries, and much more, and I started to question it all even more.
Yes, I do know some basic stuff, and even some stuff that can perhaps be classified "intermediate" level, such as Muhammed condoning, sanctioning and practicing rape of female prisoners of war, or the ambiguous nature of the quran, how Muhammad would use Allah to his own gain, the silly stories in Quran (such as the one of Suleiman) etc. But I have never taken time to fully study Islam inside out. I just don't have the will, nor the time.
But is it necessary for me to know the religion inside out to renounce it? Its not like I studied it thoroughly when it was first imposed on me? Nor do I have thorough knowledge of Hinduism or Christianity, yet I don't believe in those religions either. Fact is, its just too obvious that Islam is man made, for me to take it seriously. Therefore I'm not going to bother to sit down and gain deep knowledge about what is basically myths and nonsense. I know enough to justify why I left the religion, and I'm able to carry a conversation with muslims, without being persuaded to believe in Islam again.
Anyone else who share my sentiments on this, or am I in minority on this? I just don't find Islam that interesting.
No it is not necessary to know a religion inside and out. There are thousands of religions, most no longer practiced, which people know nothing about outside academia. This includes most religious experts within their own religion; clerics, priests, etc. There are only a handful of people which have knowledge of multiple religions let alone all religions. Such a standard is impossible to meet for those in academia let alone the average person.
If people are pressuring you with arguments just tell them you will consider what they have said and leave it at that. This way those pressuring you hear what they want to hear and you are left alone. Most people are looking for confirmation of their own beliefs from others.
Topic: Do I really need to know Islam inside out to renounce it?