Hello all and thank you for having me here. I'm here not to debate the validity of Islam nor to offend any member. On the other hand, I'm very interested in how believers do think, especially in the context of the modern, Western world. I'm not just picking on Muslims
.. I've had many discussions with fundamentalist Christians also about the same things. I've tried to do the same with Muslims, but I find it more difficult because I don't find myself naturally in circles where they are and to be honest, I've found them to get offended quickly my questions when I do meet them. I suppose the current political climate doesn't help much.
So I'm hoping I can appeal to your hospitality and understanding when I do ask questions. Please know I mean no offense to you as a person if I ask a question that might seem impertinent. It's a question in which I sincerely want to know what your views are. If this is OK with you, then I thank you in advance. If not, you can always do the expedient thing other Islamic boards do and ban me (but I suspect that this board seems more open than the others).
As for myself, I've read the entire Old Testament, and the New Testament as well as the Quran. I'm now trying to find a good copy of the Reliance of the Traveller. I've also reads many books on evolution, Christian fundamentalism, Radical Islamic, "God is not Great" by Hitchens, "The God Delusion" by Dawkins, "The Islamist", and many others.
On a personal level, ironically, my son has been in a serious long-term relationship with a Pakistani Muslim girl. I've met her many times and think she's wonderful. But she has had to keep her relationship secret from her parents because they would react very badly. I fear a little for my son's safety, but even more so for hers. She no longer wears any head scarf and does have a sexual relationship with him.
Thank you all in advance and am looking forward to meeting you all online.

So I'm hoping I can appeal to your hospitality and understanding when I do ask questions. Please know I mean no offense to you as a person if I ask a question that might seem impertinent. It's a question in which I sincerely want to know what your views are. If this is OK with you, then I thank you in advance. If not, you can always do the expedient thing other Islamic boards do and ban me (but I suspect that this board seems more open than the others).
As for myself, I've read the entire Old Testament, and the New Testament as well as the Quran. I'm now trying to find a good copy of the Reliance of the Traveller. I've also reads many books on evolution, Christian fundamentalism, Radical Islamic, "God is not Great" by Hitchens, "The God Delusion" by Dawkins, "The Islamist", and many others.
On a personal level, ironically, my son has been in a serious long-term relationship with a Pakistani Muslim girl. I've met her many times and think she's wonderful. But she has had to keep her relationship secret from her parents because they would react very badly. I fear a little for my son's safety, but even more so for hers. She no longer wears any head scarf and does have a sexual relationship with him.
Thank you all in advance and am looking forward to meeting you all online.