Sleepy_Dave
New member
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 4
Hello all, my name is David. I've never visited these forums before, so please forgive me if I make a fool of myself.
As a little background, I'm not actually a Muslim. I belong to a group called Unitarian Universalism. Like our ideas, what that means is entirely debatable. See, I'm a former christian (It even says so on my dogtags), but the past few years has found me in a position where I want to find my own answers. I enjoy studying philosophy, psychology, and religion.
Basically, what my religious beliefs come down to is this: You are free to think what you want to. I will not attempt to convince others to see things my way, and I would like very much if others would not try to indoctrinate me. I am always open to a spirited debate about any religion, but never for the purposes of conversion. I would like to find my own answers.
I am a former US Military service member. During my short time, I often served as a religious adviser to my fellow sailors. In fact, I was the Recruit Religious Services Petty Officer during basic training. However, then as now, I was not very educated in Islam, and I had a fellow recruit, who was a Muslim, assist in all matters related to Islam. I learned from him what I could, but our duties and responsibilities did not allow much time. I attended a Islamic Education class during basic with him, and learned some, but not much.
Until today, I had never read the Qur'an. I found a copy I think might prove useful to me. It is written by Maulana Muhammad Ali, and my copy was published in 2002. I like it because the English translation runs side-by-side with the original Arabic text, and includes a running commentary. Does the community have any commentary regarding this particular version?
I also have a question. In the past, I have highlighted and bookmark passages in the other religious books I own (The Holy Bible, The Teachings of Buddha, a variety of Hare Krishna pamphlets, that sort of thing). But since I am not sure, I must ask: Are there any particular tenants or qualms regarding marking my own copy, such as highlighting particular phrases?
I'm hoping that this forum will help me answer any questions I might have regarding Islamic, including personal perspectives. In conclusion, I look forward to talking with all of you.
As a little background, I'm not actually a Muslim. I belong to a group called Unitarian Universalism. Like our ideas, what that means is entirely debatable. See, I'm a former christian (It even says so on my dogtags), but the past few years has found me in a position where I want to find my own answers. I enjoy studying philosophy, psychology, and religion.
Basically, what my religious beliefs come down to is this: You are free to think what you want to. I will not attempt to convince others to see things my way, and I would like very much if others would not try to indoctrinate me. I am always open to a spirited debate about any religion, but never for the purposes of conversion. I would like to find my own answers.
I am a former US Military service member. During my short time, I often served as a religious adviser to my fellow sailors. In fact, I was the Recruit Religious Services Petty Officer during basic training. However, then as now, I was not very educated in Islam, and I had a fellow recruit, who was a Muslim, assist in all matters related to Islam. I learned from him what I could, but our duties and responsibilities did not allow much time. I attended a Islamic Education class during basic with him, and learned some, but not much.
Until today, I had never read the Qur'an. I found a copy I think might prove useful to me. It is written by Maulana Muhammad Ali, and my copy was published in 2002. I like it because the English translation runs side-by-side with the original Arabic text, and includes a running commentary. Does the community have any commentary regarding this particular version?
I also have a question. In the past, I have highlighted and bookmark passages in the other religious books I own (The Holy Bible, The Teachings of Buddha, a variety of Hare Krishna pamphlets, that sort of thing). But since I am not sure, I must ask: Are there any particular tenants or qualms regarding marking my own copy, such as highlighting particular phrases?
I'm hoping that this forum will help me answer any questions I might have regarding Islamic, including personal perspectives. In conclusion, I look forward to talking with all of you.
