Yvonne Ridley is one of many Westerners who have converted to Islam in recent years. Her tale is undoubtedly different from most (she was abducted by the Taleban on the Pakistan-Afghan border in 2001 when working for the Daily Express and was held captive for ten days...) and yet there is something here that will be familiar to all who know the way religions use threats and bribes to win converts. Here is the story of the final days before her conversion in her own words:
But there has been a phone call from at least one male admirer - north London preacher Abu Hamza al-Masri."He said, 'Sister Yvonne, welcome to Islam, congratulations'."I explained I hadn't yet taken my final vows and he said, 'Don't be pressured or pushed, the whole community is there for you if you need any help, just call one of the sisters.' "I thought, I can't believe it, this is the fire and brimstone cleric from Finsbury Park mosque and he is quite sweet really."I was just about to hang up when he said, 'But there is just one thing I want you to remember. Tomorrow, if you have an accident and die, you will go straight to hellfire'."I was so scared that I carried a copy of the vows in my purse until my final conversion last June."Ah...bless! And there was me thinking that Allah was a merciful, all-loving god.
(You might also find it rewarding to google Yvonne's wise and heart-warming words about Israel and Jews since her conversion...but God forbid you should think Islam encourages anti-semitism).
How can anyone convert under those circumstances? Doesn't having that awful threat hanging over you make you at least consider whether a faith that uses fear rather than love to convince is not a faith worthy of the name?
ReplyDeleteFearing Allah one of the best things to do... Converting due to fear of hellfire and the punishment given by Allah is a great deed.
Delete"Converting due to fear of hellfire and the punishment given by Allah is a great deed"
DeleteNo that's called chickening out, in this case when the threat is not even real.
How embarrassing for you... dedicating a whole website in a desperate attempt to disprove Islam. Oh and not to mention how it hasn't worked....
ReplyDeleteIt's not an attempt to "disprove" Islam. Someone has "prove" Islam first.
DeleteIt's an attempt to show the 'true' and 'accurate' version of Islam, unlike the 'rosy' version that is presented by apologists to non-muslims.
Hi Yvonne - thanks for the words of encouragement.
ReplyDeleteMay Allah reward you with an eternity in Paradise watching us sinners being roasted alive.
Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteHave you considered what you'll do in Paradise while all the chaps are busy having sex with the giant Houris (the ones with magically rejuvenating hymen and brazilians)?
Just wondering.
Helena
@ Spinoza
ReplyDeleteNow that I've stumbled cross your site, let me just say, as I pass by, that you should first go and read the constitution of Israel (a Zionist, not Jewish nation) and take an unbiased look at its treatment of human beings before you comment on whether this so called 'state' is a valid, legal entity.
I still can't understand how a group of human beings can regard themselves as the 'chosen people' for no apparent reason, believe that their blood is scared, and use a 3000 year old scripture to assert that they have an exclusive right to a land that only bears archeological evidence of their ancestors presence, to usurp the land and force millions of its indigenous inhabitants into refuge all over the world.
Muslim, there is no "Constitution of Israel".
DeleteTell me what you'd like me to examine and I shall do so.
If your comment is designed to suggest that it is reasonable for Yvonne Ridley to make anti-semitic remarks because of the political situation in the Middle East, then I STRONGLY disagree.
There is little doubt that many Muslims use the Qur'an to justify their hateful anti-semitic bile. I should be happy to furnish you with plenty of examples. I in no way support mistreatment of any group of people - whether they be Jews or Palestinians.
Religion - Judaism, Islam or Christianity is at the heart of so many conflicts.
Humanity would be better off without the whole damn lot.
Apart from islam
DeleteWhat better without it
ReplyDeleteYou are just being ignorant thats all
You are saying as if you are having an eternity life but the only limitation of your life is getting killed
One has to admit that no matter what everyone has to die
Before jumping into business just settle down,First read all the scriptures one by one not just reading some parts and immediately start making comments on your randon understanding
Your blog does not comes to a debate it feels like you want to have war Debate is peacefull discussion between two parties yet you pose statements as facts
First of all became a scientist in specific field and then you can study the quran and pose your facts
Sorry brother for my harsh language.