often when i see educated people following islam it crosses my mind that if these people believe in islam then maybe there is somthing i have failed to see or understand.
do you ever wonder if islam is the truth and your making a mistake?
I know what you mean. Every now and then I will get pangs of doubt, I accept them now.
Islam did have a positive effect on my life, and I had some 'mystical' experiences whilst being a Sufi that have contributed to me still entertaining stuff like Graham Hancock's books, Near death experiences and energy medicine. I also lived for 2 months in Malaysia with muslims and it pretty much changed my perspective on life - and caused me to become a devout conservative muslim. And there is beneficial wisdom and sprituality in Islam that I still draw from.
But in all honesty they are fleeting pangs, and they are related to general anxiety issues. When I'm in a period of uncertainty I tend to generally question my beleifs and major decisions. I had that tendency before I converted to Islam.
I've actually become bemused at times by my emotional inclination towards the abrahamic mythical narrative. I realize it's probably due to my indoctrination with christianity as a child, and my emotional connection to Islam. Religious naturalism is a good emotional replacement for being a muslim IMO and IME.
Regarding intelligent people; In all honesty if you ask them why they believe in Islam or listen to a lecture from a 'Dr' you'll see it's normally fleshed out creationsim, god of the gaps, pascal's wager and the watchmaker argument. Hamza Tzorztis probably presents the most 'sophisticated' arguments for Islam that you'll come across.
I know a muslim imam who was a marine biologist, but is now a staunch creationist after converting in Saudi and studying in South Africa. Thinking back to our conversations, the spiritual framework and narrative that Islam provided was pretty much the topic of most of his conversations and dawah. And he had brought in NWO/illuminati conspiracy theories - like I did.
I apostated a year ago and I rarely get the pangs now though, perhaps because I'm reading more pop science books focused on specific subjects. If you want those pangs to lessen I'd advise you to take Phihellenes advice (But replace; in search of the big bang by John Gribbin, with Big bang by Simon Singh. It's better written IMO, and Phil also praises and recommends the book in later videos.);
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1yl7gz0AO4
Topic: do you ever wonder if you are wrong?