format_quote Originally Posted by
Whatsthepoint
Islam is the only major religion that truely embraced and took advantage of the internet, which proved to be a great investment.
:sl:
Not really. 'Internet Islam' is a dry ideology whose attraction consists of shallow 'wow' facts and simplistic miracles, and insists on misusing the word 'proof' repeatedly. If it carries on spreading all Islam will consist of will be facts and rules, an unapealling and sometimes dangerous format. I feel that it is destroying the centuries of spirituality, philosophy and tradition that real Islam is made of. The world of the internet miracles and things was what pulled me in initially, I admit, but if I had not found the true Islam by looking in the real-world community, I would probably have not lasted very long as a Muslim.
Most of the intellectual converts came to Islam not because of 'proofs' and 'evidences', but because of what it could give to their lives. They have such amazing stories, and I am often ashamed of my own rather contorted journey.
That being said, the miracles do have a place, as they can help to re-solidify one's faith in a time of weakness, they can make people marvel at what God can do and say 'subhanallah', and they can provide responses to arguments against Islam. However, basing one's entire faith on them is a bad idea.
I think the best ways to spread Islam are first of all to forge more of those nearly unbreakable 'good first impressions' bonds. Unfortunately this is a little difficult, what with media bias against Islam, and the extremism and Jew-hating that some rather stupid Muslims practice.
:w: