Islam or Judaism

[SearchingForGod]

This is my problem. I joined this forum first saying that I wished to join either Christianity or Judaism. After doing much thought, I've decided that Christianity probably is not for me, but now my birth religion, Islam, has come into the picture to argue its case. Judaism and Islam are very much alike. Both believe in one god with no human incarnations, both have modesty and dietary laws, and both allow for divorce and the like. Why, then, am I fighting with myself over which one I ought to follow?

Judaism, in all of its beliefs, are what I like. I love how you don't have to be a Jew to get to Heaven. I love how the concept of reincarnation and no Hell exist. And I love how being gay is okay in Judaism, as well as all the other liberal stances on contemporary issues. These beliefs made me feel as though Judaism was perfect for me at first... but I met with a rabbi to start studying and now my Islamic side feels very very sad about this. Like, mournfully sad. I was born and raised as a muslim, with all of the culture and such, and going to Judaism makes me feel as though I'd be throwing away all of my culture and beliefs for something foreign. I've been trying to find a middle ground with this side of myself with all the comparisons I can make between Judaism and Islam, but it doesn't make a difference. It all still hurts.

I think what I miss the most is the big muslim community I was once a part of. Sure, we disagreed when it came to contemporary issues, but it was still home to me. I still had others I could relate to and could notice on the street. I could wave at the other sisters wearing hijabs and they'd wave back with a smile... but if I do that now, I just get strange looks. In essence, I'm out of the club now, and that's painful.

Judaism is cool in theory, but part of me really wants to go home to its roots. I've prayed to God a lot to help show me the way, and I think he appreciates all the effort I'm putting into my search... but I have to imagine that he just wants me to choose what makes me the happiest, and that's the toughest thing to decide.

Thank you, to anyone who has read my rant. I'm just going through a lot right now and needed a place to speak and process what's going on in this scrambled head of mine. It's painful, as I keep saying.

 

[Rival]

As hard as this seems, it's best not to make emotional decisions. Emotions can often cloud our thoughts. Take time with your decision and enjoy it.

 

[Limo]

Islam is native human relegion. Your native sense doesn't accept another relegion.
As long as you're searching I'm sure you'll choose the right relegion.

I can tell you something that might help.
Look deeper in Judaism especially the points that you've listed as good points, try to find out if these points are native Judaism belief or its changes in the original belief?
Regards

 

[sovietchild]

Islam recognizes Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Jesus. Right? Does the other religion recognizes them as Prophets?

 

[RabbiO]

Islam recognizes Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Jesus. Right? Does the other religion recognizes them as Prophets?

 

[SearchingForGod]

Islam recognizes Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Jesus. Right? Does the other religion recognizes them as Prophets?

It does not, because Judaism came WAY before Christianity and Islam.

 

[sovietchild]

It does not, because Judaism came WAY before Christianity and Islam.

We believe Abraham was Muslim. We are all was born as Muslims.

 

[Darz]

I was going to suggest you look into the Baha'i Faith, which is progressive on many points, but then I remembered the religion finds homosexuality to be unacceptable (I guess you can't have it all).

If you've moved past adherence to Islamic beliefs, would you really be happy rejoining that same community you decided to leave? There were times in the past when I yearned for a community like the one I left, but then I continuously had to remind myself that I no longer believed in much of what was taught and I knew that I no longer belonged in that community. If I went back I would simply feel even more frustrated and out of place than when I left.

Also, there's nothing that says you must abandon all of your cultural practices simply because you change religions. You may have to change a few things and practice them a bit differently in a new context, but you don't have to feel like you must 'throw it all away'. For example, where I live people celebrate many of the festivities of Christmas and Easter even when they don't consider themselves to be Christian anymore. You can find a way to continue your cultural practices by modifying them a bit.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

It does not, because Judaism came WAY before Christianity and Islam.

Actually, an argument can be made that modern Judaism is actually younger than Christianity. Rabbinic Judaism grew out of the Pharisee movement, which was one of many Jewish movements of the time. The Talmud wasn't written down until about the 3rd century.

 

[Ekleipsis]

Take the middle ground and go with Judislamism

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

This is my problem. I joined this forum first saying that I wished to join either Christianity or Judaism. After doing much thought, I've decided that Christianity probably is not for me, but now my birth religion, Islam, has come into the picture to argue its case. Judaism and Islam are very much alike. Both believe in one god with no human incarnations, both have modesty and dietary laws, and both allow for divorce and the like. Why, then, am I fighting with myself over which one I ought to follow?

Judaism, in all of its beliefs, are what I like. I love how you don't have to be a Jew to get to Heaven. I love how the concept of reincarnation and no Hell exist. And I love how being gay is okay in Judaism, as well as all the other liberal stances on contemporary issues. These beliefs made me feel as though Judaism was perfect for me at first... but I met with a rabbi to start studying and now my Islamic side feels very very sad about this. Like, mournfully sad. I was born and raised as a muslim, with all of the culture and such, and going to Judaism makes me feel as though I'd be throwing away all of my culture and beliefs for something foreign. I've been trying to find a middle ground with this side of myself with all the comparisons I can make between Judaism and Islam, but it doesn't make a difference. It all still hurts.

I think what I miss the most is the big muslim community I was once a part of. Sure, we disagreed when it came to contemporary issues, but it was still home to me. I still had others I could relate to and could notice on the street. I could wave at the other sisters wearing hijabs and they'd wave back with a smile... but if I do that now, I just get strange looks. In essence, I'm out of the club now, and that's painful.

Judaism is cool in theory, but part of me really wants to go home to its roots. I've prayed to God a lot to help show me the way, and I think he appreciates all the effort I'm putting into my search... but I have to imagine that he just wants me to choose what makes me the happiest, and that's the toughest thing to decide.

Thank you, to anyone who has read my rant. I'm just going through a lot right now and needed a place to speak and process what's going on in this scrambled head of mine. It's painful, as I keep saying.

It's okay, take your time with this. It's a big decision. Don't be worried that you're still unconsciously feeling guilty about leaving Islam; this is a common behaviour in those who have left the religion they were raised in. It's the result of being conditioned from an early age when you're very impressionable. I still have moments like this with the LDS Church even though I know in my heart that monotheism makes no sense to me - and I left that Church 10 years ago!

Judging from your post, it sounds like Judaism seems to be more your thing but your attachment to the religion of your birth is holding you back.

Oh, and 'going home to the roots' of Judaism would be going to either Judaism itself in its earlier forms or Semitic polytheism - I get the impression you're not really ready for the latter

 

[SearchingForGod]

Take the middle ground and go with Judislamism

Heheh, I've actually considered doing a hybrid sort of practice like that, but I'm not sure if that would be offensive to one party or the other, so I'm not sure. I mostly just want my hijab back because it helps me feel closer to G-d, but I feel like if I did that, I'd just confuse everybody and probably end up offending a lot of muslims... even though I come from Islam originally.

I'm officially going to ask my rabbi about this too. This may look stupid to everyone else, but it makes sense to me.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

Heheh, I've actually considered doing a hybrid sort of practice like that, but I'm not sure if that would be offensive to one party or the other, so I'm not sure. I mostly just want my hijab back because it helps me feel closer to G-d, but I feel like if I did that, I'd just confuse everybody and probably end up offending a lot of muslims... even though I come from Islam originally.

I'm officially going to ask my rabbi about this too. This may look stupid to everyone else, but it makes sense to me.

Is it the hijab specifically or hair covering in general? Because there are Jewish coverings too.

Although it looks like you'd have to learn some new tying methods and, from my understanding, it's already sometimes pretty difficult to style the hijab the way you want. Haha.

 

[SearchingForGod]

Is it the hijab specifically or hair covering in general? Because there are Jewish coverings too.

Although it looks like you'd have to learn some new tying methods and, from my understanding, it's already sometimes pretty difficult to style the hijab the way you want. Haha.

I actually checked out Jewish headscarves too and they look pretty neat! I'm trying to convince the part of myself that misses the hijab that these are just as good, buuut I've yet to reach any middle ground with myself. I might still try it out anyways just to give it a go, but I still really want my hijab back.

Sorry, I must sound like an absolute mess.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

I actually checked out Jewish headscarves too and they look pretty neat! I'm trying to convince the part of myself that misses the hijab that these are just as good, buuut I've yet to reach any middle ground with myself. I might still try it out anyways just to give it a go, but I still really want my hijab back.

Sorry, I must sound like an absolute mess.

Not at all. Finding your comfort zone is important, and it's not always clean or straightforward, and rarely an overnight thing. Don't beat yourself up too much, take your time and ask loads of questions.

 

[SearchingForGod]

Not at all. Finding your comfort zone is important, and it's not always clean or straightforward, and rarely an overnight thing. Don't beat yourself up too much, take your time and ask loads of questions.

Thank you very much for the vote of support and, trust me, I'll have asked 112 questions by the end of the week, lol

 

[Unveiled Artist]

This is my problem. I joined this forum first saying that I wished to join either Christianity or Judaism. After doing much thought, I've decided that Christianity probably is not for me, but now my birth religion, Islam, has come into the picture to argue its case. Judaism and Islam are very much alike. Both believe in one god with no human incarnations, both have modesty and dietary laws, and both allow for divorce and the like. Why, then, am I fighting with myself over which one I ought to follow?

Judaism, in all of its beliefs, are what I like. I love how you don't have to be a Jew to get to Heaven. I love how the concept of reincarnation and no Hell exist. And I love how being gay is okay in Judaism, as well as all the other liberal stances on contemporary issues. These beliefs made me feel as though Judaism was perfect for me at first... but I met with a rabbi to start studying and now my Islamic side feels very very sad about this. Like, mournfully sad. I was born and raised as a muslim, with all of the culture and such, and going to Judaism makes me feel as though I'd be throwing away all of my culture and beliefs for something foreign. I've been trying to find a middle ground with this side of myself with all the comparisons I can make between Judaism and Islam, but it doesn't make a difference. It all still hurts.

I think what I miss the most is the big muslim community I was once a part of. Sure, we disagreed when it came to contemporary issues, but it was still home to me. I still had others I could relate to and could notice on the street. I could wave at the other sisters wearing hijabs and they'd wave back with a smile... but if I do that now, I just get strange looks. In essence, I'm out of the club now, and that's painful.

Judaism is cool in theory, but part of me really wants to go home to its roots. I've prayed to God a lot to help show me the way, and I think he appreciates all the effort I'm putting into my search... but I have to imagine that he just wants me to choose what makes me the happiest, and that's the toughest thing to decide.

Thank you, to anyone who has read my rant. I'm just going through a lot right now and needed a place to speak and process what's going on in this scrambled head of mine. It's painful, as I keep saying.

Let me ask.

Do you believe in the core tenants of Judaism?

Does the Hijabb mean something connected to one's belief like the Eucharist to a Catholic?

If not, I'm sure anyone can wear an Hijabb. I'd just think it is confusing if someone asks if you are Muslim and you say you are Jewish. Outside of social reasons and political stances Judaism has that you favor, the core concepts of Judaism, look into them. Other than belief in god, I'm sure you can find out more about the faith (reading the Torah and ntalking with Jews here too) to get a feel if that is where you want to be.

As for Muslim, to tell you honestly, if you're looking to connect more with your religion and spiritual side, I'd go with what you know and connect to. If you're looking for your religion to agree on political sensitive views, I feel these reasons may not help you learn about what Judaism teaches beyond what they accept politically.

 

[Sakeenah]

This is my problem. I joined this forum first saying that I wished to join either Christianity or Judaism. After doing much thought, I've decided that Christianity probably is not for me, but now my birth religion, Islam, has come into the picture to argue its case. Judaism and Islam are very much alike. Both believe in one god with no human incarnations, both have modesty and dietary laws, and both allow for divorce and the like. Why, then, am I fighting with myself over which one I ought to follow?

Judaism, in all of its beliefs, are what I like. I love how you don't have to be a Jew to get to Heaven. I love how the concept of reincarnation and no Hell exist. And I love how being gay is okay in Judaism, as well as all the other liberal stances on contemporary issues. These beliefs made me feel as though Judaism was perfect for me at first... but I met with a rabbi to start studying and now my Islamic side feels very very sad about this. Like, mournfully sad. I was born and raised as a muslim, with all of the culture and such, and going to Judaism makes me feel as though I'd be throwing away all of my culture and beliefs for something foreign. I've been trying to find a middle ground with this side of myself with all the comparisons I can make between Judaism and Islam, but it doesn't make a difference. It all still hurts.

I think what I miss the most is the big muslim community I was once a part of. Sure, we disagreed when it came to contemporary issues, but it was still home to me. I still had others I could relate to and could notice on the street. I could wave at the other sisters wearing hijabs and they'd wave back with a smile... but if I do that now, I just get strange looks. In essence, I'm out of the club now, and that's painful.

Judaism is cool in theory, but part of me really wants to go home to its roots. I've prayed to God a lot to help show me the way, and I think he appreciates all the effort I'm putting into my search... but I have to imagine that he just wants me to choose what makes me the happiest, and that's the toughest thing to decide.

Thank you, to anyone who has read my rant. I'm just going through a lot right now and needed a place to speak and process what's going on in this scrambled head of mine. It's painful, as I keep saying.

Hi,

Welcome to RF First I want to say that I can see you are sincerely seeking and I believe God guides us to what is best for us. He doesn't want us to simply blindfollow.
As a Muslim I'm a bit bias and would advise you to research Islam more in depth, but I know it's important to find a path where you can find tranquility. For some of us that might be Islam and for others it might be a different religion. I hope you find peace and happiness in your choice.
As a muslim hijabi I would still say salaam and smile at you even though we might not be sisters in Islam anymore we're still sisters in humanity.

 

[FearGod]

This is my problem. I joined this forum first saying that I wished to join either Christianity or Judaism. After doing much thought, I've decided that Christianity probably is not for me, but now my birth religion, Islam, has come into the picture to argue its case. Judaism and Islam are very much alike. Both believe in one god with no human incarnations, both have modesty and dietary laws, and both allow for divorce and the like. Why, then, am I fighting with myself over which one I ought to follow?

Judaism, in all of its beliefs, are what I like. I love how you don't have to be a Jew to get to Heaven. I love how the concept of reincarnation and no Hell exist. And I love how being gay is okay in Judaism, as well as all the other liberal stances on contemporary issues. These beliefs made me feel as though Judaism was perfect for me at first... but I met with a rabbi to start studying and now my Islamic side feels very very sad about this. Like, mournfully sad. I was born and raised as a muslim, with all of the culture and such, and going to Judaism makes me feel as though I'd be throwing away all of my culture and beliefs for something foreign. I've been trying to find a middle ground with this side of myself with all the comparisons I can make between Judaism and Islam, but it doesn't make a difference. It all still hurts.

I think what I miss the most is the big muslim community I was once a part of. Sure, we disagreed when it came to contemporary issues, but it was still home to me. I still had others I could relate to and could notice on the street. I could wave at the other sisters wearing hijabs and they'd wave back with a smile... but if I do that now, I just get strange looks. In essence, I'm out of the club now, and that's painful.

Judaism is cool in theory, but part of me really wants to go home to its roots. I've prayed to God a lot to help show me the way, and I think he appreciates all the effort I'm putting into my search... but I have to imagine that he just wants me to choose what makes me the happiest, and that's the toughest thing to decide.

Thank you, to anyone who has read my rant. I'm just going through a lot right now and needed a place to speak and process what's going on in this scrambled head of mine. It's painful, as I keep saying.

If you want a direct relation with God then you should know first what is Judah that you have chosen to
follow, Islam means submission to the creator and following the creator that we actually don't know,
believe me if Islam was called Muhamadism then I'll reject it, because inside myself i refuse to follow
a religion based on a person or any earthly figure, I believe that the prophet just delivered the message
and our relation is to God and not to Judah, Baha'a, Mohammad, Buddha ...etc

 

[Rival]

I love how the Muslims have come in and sabotaged this thread but the Jews haven't.

Should give you a clue about which group feels more secure in its faith.