Sounds like a lot of us had very similiar Easter experiences :)
This is my second year going into Easter after studying Islam. It wasn't so bad this second time around. I realized right away I couldn't really participate. Its not like at Christmas. They are mostly songs and prayers of "YAY Jesus is here!" which Unitarian and Muslim wise is totally fine. Christmas is easy. Its just Jesus' birthday. But Easter is rough. I basically just sat or stood and took it all in. I observed. And it was the first time in a long time I enjoyed church. I wasn't trying to make myself believe anything anymore. I took it in for what it is: a beautiful expression of faith. Church is really a beautiful thing. If you've never been I highly recommend sitting in on a service. Its quite lovely. But I know I don't belong there. And I'm not going to ever be able to go back to trinitarian christianity. Even with my belief in the crucifixion, Easter mass was too difficult. So much praying to Jesus!
The priest actually talked about the people who believe the crucifixion didn't happen. His reasoning for why this has to be false was rather amusing. His reasoning was that St. Peter, St. Paul (not the apostle) and the rest of his followers were uneducated, simple, men who were mostly fishermen. They did not have the capacity to make up such an elaborate story! Which made me want to go: So Muhammad (as) simple, unlearned man who worked in the trade business. Not a writer, or an overly educated being. Just a regular man. And he alone brought the entire Qur'an. So shouldn't that mean, Mr. Priest, that the Qur'an is also true? Hmmmm? :)
I have gotten to the point where I consider myself Unitarian Christian. But I am not nearly ready to come out as a muslim. Its still hard for me to accept the immense responsibilities. So many things that weren't sins instantly become sins (Not being clothed head to toe, eating non halal foods, praying on your period, missing prayers, interaction with the opposite sex etc). So much added responsibility. Plus I realized how hard it could be with family who will never understand.
I always think its a good idea to be aware of what other religions are up to.
Today is Holy Thurday, the beginning of the three holy days proceeding Easter Sunday. They would be: Holy Thurday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday. In a nutshell, Holy Thursday is the Last Supper, Good Friday is the crucifixion, Holy Saturday is the burial, and Easter Sunday is when Jesus rises.
A lot of my friends were surprised that I am seeing some of my extended family for Easter. I was a bit taken a back by their surprise as it is a family thing. To me, holidays are far more than religion only events. They are both cultural and familial events that are often very important to parents. But I understand their questions, especially my muslim friends: If I don't believe Jesus is God, and I don't believe he died to absolve our sins then why am I observing Lent and Easter?
I had to ask this of myself. Especially since I started reading "Jesus Prophet of Islam" again. I won't go into much detail as to not offend my Trinitarian Christian readers, but the author goes into great depth in explaining how Jesus may not have been crucified. And the interesting part of it: This man's explanation made sense. It wasn't based on God magically switching Jesus or snatching him away at the last second, or barely based on God masking another person to look like Jesus. It made sense. And it made me wonder "what did I believe for that last 25 years?".
His book goes on to describe Paul's innovations to the Christian church. Let's just say I know where I stand 100% now. And its fascinating because it is exactly like what is happening in Islam and what happened to Islam after Muhammad passed. The Trinitarians destroyed (literally) all the Unitarians that came in their path. Much like some muslim groups are trying to destroy other muslim groups because they feel they are the "right path". Its so sad really. Especially since the muslim groups are much closer in belief than the Trinitarians and the Unitarians. And then of course the battle continued with the Catholics and the Protestants. So much death over debates of rules. Debates over the divinity of Jesus. This isn't what Jesus wanted. This isn't what Muhammad wanted. And the same thing happened to both religions: The minute the prophet died (or left the earth) men took over, made changes, and formed their own vendettas. I guess this sort of thing is human nature.
So then I reflect as to why I still choose to do Lent, why I want to go to Easter even though I am completely unclear as to what actually happened to Jesus. For one thing, I would feel horribly guilty if I decided that he was not crucified and he actually was. That I didn't recognize his suffering and thank him for it. But that seems more of a self preservation than a true belief.
So why then do I still want to do Lent?
Because I want to honor Jesus and the sacrifices he did make in his life time. Whether he died on the cross or not Jesus made a multitude of sacrifices so he could spread the word of God. And I want to use Lent to recognize him and thank him for all he did for mankind. Truly the greatest of hearts was sent to us to build a bridge between the first and the last.
So thank you Jesus, may God bless you and may you bring us all order on the last day.
I don't know what to do for Lent. Yes I know you want to go "You are barely Christian, why are you doing Lent?" Well I still think its important. In fact, I have discovered more importance behind Lent in the past year. It covers so many things. 40 days Jesus battled the Devil. 40 days of Moses in the dessert. Its also the waiting period for the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. I'm sure my Christian readers can elaborate.
And yes there are 40 days, Sundays to do not count. My Dad gave up beer last year and felt that because Sundays don't count he could drink on Sunday....um no Dad no.
I guess I could give up chocolate if Sundays don't count....No that's cheating....
Anyway,
During Lent you usually give something up for the 40s days. But I don't know what to give up. I will probably try to do halal meat only again like last year. I thought about chocolate but that's just really painful....REALLY painful. I also thought about dedicating my reading to Jesus related books and taking another look at the Bible. Of course, I will do the no meat on Fridays.
Salutations and a Merry Christmas Happy New Year to all!
I survived a week at home YAY! Not much happened but I did learn a bit about myself and all the cultural/traditional blending I will have to do if I want to be muslim. And church is indeed awkward. But more on that later.
I'm a little annoyed that none of my muslim friends took the time to wish me Merry Christmas even though I took the time to email my teachers and leave notes on facebook for Eid ul Adha. I'm a little offended to be honest. Where's the return love?
I'm exhausted so I will not post about my trip at the moment. I wrote in my diary while I was away so I have some material for you all. I apologize but I simply cannot go back and read a weeks worth of new posts from everyone I watch. I may try to but if I skip yours don't feel bad :(. I also have a HUGE load of lectures to watch before school on Sunday including one that talks about the Crucifixion and another that actually says its ok for Muslims to celebrate Christmas. Within appropriate boundaries of course :).
Also, a moment of silence in remembrance of Ashura. May Allah's blessings be upon Imam Hussayn and his family, the family of the prophet and those that followed them on the day of Ashura. Ashura, btw, was Dec 27.
*Looks at credit card bill* I am so glad Eid ul Fitr does not require gift buying like Christmas. If I had to do two holidays like Christmas I would be in the poor house.
Yes you heard me right, I’m keeping Christmas.Christmas will not mean the same thing to me as a muslim but I need to keep it for a few reasons.
As a muslim, Christmas is about celebrating your family and friends.By giving gifts you show the other person you appreciate them and care for them.It’s a lovely guesture of good will.It can also still be Jesus’ birthday.Nothing wrong with saying “Happy Birthday Jesus” even if its totally at the wrong time of year.I just won’t be celebrating the birth of God’s son/God born on earth. I also will not be attending mass unless I can sit in the back and just watch.
I have to come home to celebrate Christmas.My refusal to come home or acknowledge Christmas would be grounds for disownment by my parents.They would say I am denying my upbringing and my culture.They would also take it as a deep person insult.Obivously, none of these things are worth taking a stand against Christmas.
Also, I just love Christmas.It’s happy and colorful.I get to see all my extended family that I never see otherwise.I get to buy gifts for people which I LOVE.It’s a beautiful time of year about peace and joy.
I worry about when I have children with Christian grandparents.Eid will never be as cool as Christmas and my parents might want to do Santa Claus.I suppose I would tackle that when it came.
There are a few things I will have to cut out though.The decorations that cannot be considered winter will have to go.Luckily, I don’t have religious decorations or Santas.The hardest will be the tree.I’m use to having it and I have so many beautiful ornaments including a 20+ year collection of Peanuts ornaments.I love my tree. Its warm and beautiful and reminds me of my childhood.I asked my Love about it and although he likes the tree he thinks it would be inappropriate.I warned him that I will have to replace Christmas with something and that something will be Eid ul Fitr.He said that was fine as long as I didn’t try to put up an Eid Tree. I will have to keep a tree around though just in case my parents visit during December. They will still expect me to have a tree. The reaction to not having one could be horribly damaging.
So the question is:How can you adopt some Christmas traditions into Eid and what do you do with all that Christmas stuff?Here are a few suggestions:
1)Ramadan Calendar – Many of us had those awesome Advent calendars with the chocolate.For Eid ul Fitr 2010, I plan to make a cloth Ramadan calendar with pockets. I know that Ramadan can vary in how long it is so I will make the max number of pockets and pin a little moon with a star to the day for Eid.That allows the day to change.I will have some sort of marker to move pocket to pocket and fill the pockets with dates to break the fast.I think it will be super cute. A great idea if you have children.
2)Donation Box – Want something to decorate?Make a donation box.Decorate the box however you like.You can then do the following: Add the money into it you would normally spend on lunch, put all your change to accumulate through Ramadan into the box etc.It will be fun and then you can donate the money to a good cause.Another great idea if you have children.
3)Ornaments – what to do with them.Well you could use them as Eid decorations if they are just colored balls.Otherwise, if you have a collection like I do get a cabinet with a glass door and display them all year round.Or you could give them to family members or a good cause.
4)The tree – There isn’t much you can do with a tree.My tree is only 1.5 feet tall so I am going to turn it into a cute all year round decoration with some birds and cloth to hide the base.
5)Decorations that are more winter themed should be permissible.Just make sure they aren’t too christmasy.
6)I know it is not traditional to give gifts for Eid.I will, however, be doing so.I love giving presents, I figure no one will object.
7)I will still give gifts to my family.Christmas will be about celebrating them and my friends.I will no longer expect to get gifts though which makes me sad.I look forward to my Christmas check.I could see my mother withholding that from me after my conversion.
8) Many churches have something called a giving tree which has names of people in need and a list of what they need. Ask your mosque or local center to contact a shelter and see if they can get a list of people who need. People need help more than once a year after all.
So those are some suggestions and things I would do.
Any more suggestions?Anyone have any advice about dealing with Christian family members and Christmas as a muslim?
Did anyone else have those awesome German chocolate advent calendars as a kid? I LOVE those. If I become muslim, I am so making something similar for Ramadan. Advent and Ramadan actually have a quite a few similarities, a period of waiting and fasting and reflection.
May you all have a blessed season, and a beautiful Christmas to come.
1) All social gatherings must have alcohol, especially with people in their 20s.
2) Grace is awkward when you don't believe in the trinity
3) People date for WAY too long nowadays
Minute I get there for Thanksgiving, wine comes out. Then all the 20 somethings want to go to a bar. Luckily, I was not feeling well and able to use that as an excuse. Wake up the next morning, serving champaigne with orange juice. Three days of constant drinking. Now, no one got drunk but they were constantly drinking and all the 20 something's stories had to do with bars or getting drunk. When did alcohol become such a pivtol part of our social interaction and society? do we no longer know how to have fun without it or are we just so use to it that it comes with the territory?
Grace is really awkward when you don't believe in the trinity. I did not want to make the sign of the cross and tried to avoid doing so without anyone seeing. I also changed "Christ" to "God" when I said Grace in my head.
For those of you who do not know what Grace is, it is the prayer said by Christians before a meal and goes something like this:
Blessed O Lord
For these and all thy gifts
which we are about to recieve
through thy bounty in Christ our Lord Amen.
I now understand why when some of my friends in high school came to dinner that they didn't do the sign of the cross or say grace.
What is going on with people dating FOREVER! Two couples came to Thanksgiving, both have been dating for seven years. Neither are engaged but they live together, own a car together, own a dog together, make future plans together. I do not understand this. I would think after a couple of years you would know you want to get married so just do it! Is it because society makes it so easy for people to be "married without commitment"? There is barely any difference to being married and how these couples live outside of a legal binding piece of paper. It really bothers me that this has become ok in society. Part of that may be my own jealousy since I can't even take My Love to a family dinner because he can't travel alone with me. He and I do not have the luxury they do, to spend time alone together, to go on trips together. Its awfully frustrating. Part of me is glad because it does keep you away from some temptation but it would be nice to take him to a family dinner once in awhile. But thats the way it is, I accept it. Doesn't mean I like it though.
I know its early but I won't have access to a computer till Eid is over. So Eid Mubarak everyone!
I will not be attending Eid this year but Insha'Allah I will in the future. This year, I have to have me some Turkey on Turkey Day.
I did realize this could be my last Thanksgiving where I can actually eat the food. That's kind of depressing. I LOVE Turkey. I would make it all year round, I like it way better than chicken. Sad face, I will have to find halal turkey. My Love insists that if we ever marry that we must find halal turkey. He and his family have never had a proper Thanksgiving dinner, that does need to be remedied :).
"Pumpkins scream in the dead of night! This is Halloween everybody make a scene, Trick or Treat till the neighbors gonna die of fright!"
Oh how I LOVE The Nightmare Before Christmas. One of the greatest movies of all time.
Halloween is on its way and I find myself not really caring. Halloween was cool when I was a kid and went trick or treating. Now it just doesn't fit with my lifestyle. Trick or treating in cute costumes has been replaced by bouncing to bars asking for alcohol in the sluttiest outfits possible. Not my scene. Haunted houses terrify me and I hate scary movies. The only thing I really like about Halloween is dressing in costumes, which can be done any time of the year. Costume parties are not limited to Halloween.
Halloween is a weird holiday in general. It was yet another pagan holiday that the Christians adopted and turned into a religious holiday (All Saints Day Eve so to speak). All Saints Day is when the Christians honor the saints and martyrs of the past. It's a nice idea but its still based off a pagan holiday...then again so are a lot of Christmas and Easter practices (dying eggs and decorating trees has nothing to do with Christianity). I think this was done to make the pagans feel more at home in their new religion but its still weird to me. Its like by giving it a Christian connotation you can make pagan things ok. Yet I will admit, I like dying eggs and decorating trees.
For Halloween I will most likely be doing nothing. Unless of course all my friends are bored and we want to play the Wii.
Because I have. I can't believe it either. It seems too early but I HATE the Christmas crowds and try to get anything store related out of the way before Thanksgiving. I can't stand fighting through the crowds for something that I easily could have gotten a month ago without any trouble. Plus we have tourists here (AHHHH!)
Still, this is crazy. I mean I haven't even bought Eid gifts but I've started on Christmas. I even started planning what I'm going to get for people. All in hopes of avoiding crowds and getting things shipped home before the shipping prices skyrocket or it takes twice as long to send a package because of the heavy mail traffic.
Then again its probably smart to spread out the buying. Then you don't end up with one massive credit card bill in December. Budget Smart!
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