Are you religious?

[mawilson 2,133]

I've noticed that a lot of posts here in ME/NA are about religion or how to do this or that in Islam.

I'm just curious how many people involved with ME/NA nationals are religious.

Note to Organizers: please do not move this poll to General Polls - it's for MENA consumption only.

PS. Edited to ask non-MENA visitors not to vote.

Edited August 28, 2007 by mawilson

[♥JP♥ 5]

What are you trying to get out of this poll?

[mawilson 2,133]

What are you trying to get out of this poll?

I can't really tell you until I see the results.

Other regional forums don't seem to revolve around religion as much as MENA does,

so I guess I'm looking for a correlation between religiousness and success in

marriage.

[♥JP♥ 5]

What are you trying to get out of this poll?

I can't really tell you until I see the results.

Other regional forums don't seem to revolve around religion as much as MENA does,

so I guess I'm looking for a correlation between religiousness and success in

marriage.

Ok...but I don't see how you can judge the success of marriages in MENA if your poll only asked the religion of the beneficiary or petitioner.

I think what we do know is that many women have converted religions since meeting their S.O.'s or they converted shortly before meeting. This could be why this forum revolves so much around relgion, its new to many and they are in the learning process.

[mawilson 2,133]

I think what we do know is that many women have converted religions since meeting their S.O.'s or they converted shortly before meeting. This could be why this forum revolves so much around relgion, its new to many and they are in the learning process.

Hmm, good point - I didn't think of conversion.

[mybackpages 0]

I think you need to define what is religious...its a rather subjective term don't you think?

[mawilson 2,133]

I think you need to define what is religious...its a rather subjective term don't you think?

Hmm, I really don't know what's so complicated about "religious".

It means following the principles of a religion - which is universally understood to

be a belief in (or worship of, or obedience to) a supernatural power or powers

considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny.

It also usually includes the practice of certain ritual observances - religious

meals, holidays, prayers, and such.

[Jenn! 918]

I think you need to define what is religious...its a rather subjective term don't you think?

Hmm, I really don't know what's so complicated about "religious".

It means following the principles of a religion - which is universally understood to

be a belief in (or worship of, or obedience to) a supernatural power or powers

considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny.

It also usually includes the practice of certain ritual observances - religious

meals, holidays, prayers, and such.

I think the last part is key. I associate organized religion with the term "religious". You don't have to be an atheist, for example, to be considered "not religious".

[ya falaha! 0]

What if you observes some things within a religion and not others? Are you still considered "religious"? For example if you're Muslim....you don't pray regularly, have an occasional drink and do other things considered sinful but you fast during Ramadan, give to charity, don't eat pork, etc. Is that still considered "religious"?

[♥JP♥ 5]

What if you observes some things within a religion and not others? Are you still considered "religious"? For example if you're Muslim....you don't pray regularly, have an occasional drink and do other things considered sinful but you fast during Ramadan, give to charity, don't eat pork, etc. Is that still considered "religious"?

I would consider that religious. Maybe the poll should have stated to what degree we consider ourselves religious, for myself it would be a 6/10.

[yassmine2878 1]

I think in many cases, it stems from the culture in general. Religion is part of daily life and life is part of religion in MENA countries. Those of us who married a MENA man (or woman) are involved in a way life where there isnt this defined separation of church and state. Even in a mixed marriage, religion is the root of the things we do all day, every day. From what we eat and how it is prepared, to where our children go to school, and what we wear. This is not to say people from other cultures dont give a ####### about religion, or say they believe and then do something else. It just seems to me that religion and daily life go hand-in-hand in the MENA culture, therefore bringing religion into most of the subjects we discuss.

I would also venture to say that some folks come out to defend Islam, because it seems like far too many people have a rather backwards (if not downright hateful) view of it. Its hard not to speak out in the defense of your own religion, or that of your spouse, when you feel the truth is being contorted or not told at all.

That's just my $.02

[doodlebug 3]

I think in many cases, it stems from the culture in general. Religion is part of daily life and life is part of religion in MENA countries. Those of us who married a MENA man (or woman) are involved in a way life where there isnt this defined separation of church and state. Even in a mixed marriage, religion is the root of the things we do all day, every day. From what we eat and how it is prepared, to where our children go to school, and what we wear. This is not to say people from other cultures dont give a ####### about religion, or say they believe and then do something else. It just seems to me that religion and daily life go hand-in-hand in the MENA culture, therefore bringing religion into most of the subjects we discuss.

I would also venture to say that some folks come out to defend Islam, because it seems like far too many people have a rather backwards (if not downright hateful) view of it. Its hard not to speak out in the defense of your own religion, or that of your spouse, when you feel the truth is being contorted or not told at all.

That's just my $.02

I agree. Also although in countries like the US we hear the occasional church bell chime on a Sunday or a weeknight you don't see people flocking into the places going to pray, whereas in a MENA country you hear the call to prayer and it's not unreasonable to see people flop their rugs out and pray in the street. Very different over there and everything (from what I could see) is focused on God. For example, most of the buses that i drove in had drivers that would say bismillah or bismilahir rahman arahim (or however you spell that) before starting their bus. I've yet to see a US driver start the bus with "in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

It's just ingrained in their lives so of course it will come up in conversation more often here.

Edited August 28, 2007 by doodlebug

[Aymerlu 3]

I'm a christian and my husband is muslim. We both respect each others religions and we are both learning more about what the other beleives. He knows I have no plans of converting and he's fine with that. We both feel that God is God, regardless of the religion.

[sara535 15]

I'm a christian and my husband is muslim. We both respect each others religions and we are both learning more about what the other beleives. He knows I have no plans of converting and he's fine with that. We both feel that God is God, regardless of the religion.

This pretty much sums us up too although I would say he is much more active or practicing in his religion than I am. And I respect him for it

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

I'm a christian and my husband is muslim. We both respect each others religions and we are both learning more about what the other beleives. He knows I have no plans of converting and he's fine with that. We both feel that God is God, regardless of the religion.

This pretty much sums us up too although I would say he is much more active or practicing in his religion than I am. And I respect him for it

Here. here.