A Conversation Between an Agnostic and a Muslim

Thank you for taking me to Mosque and showing me how you pray.

It is my honor. Lets have some tea like Turkish men do.

OK, that would be very nice. I would like to ask about Islam.

I am glad you are interested in my religion. You may ask me any question you like.

How often do you pray?

I try to pray 5 times a day and at the mosque as often as possible. My prayers are not for Allah. They are for me. Allah does not need my prayers.

I think that one of the beautiful things about your religion is that it brings a certain order to your day. Is this true?

Yes! You understand well. All day we are busy and thinking of the things we must do. When follow the Koran in the way we live, when we stop to pray, it helps us.

This brings more balance to your life.

Yes! But I am a human being so I am not perfect. Even today I was distracted by my son watching the television and by the computer and I was late to evening prayers. God does not care but for me it is important. My prayers are for me.

I want to ask you an important question. As I understand it, Islam means “To Surrender” as in to surrender to Allah. And, Muslim means “One who has surrendered”. Also, it is important that each person choose freely to surrender, to become a Muslim.

That is correct.

Then, how can it be right that in some countries like Iran the government forces everyone to be Muslim?

This is NOT Islam! These people do not understand Islam or they are not truly Muslim. They use Islam for other purposes.

I see this kind of extremism in most every religion. We have religious extremists in the US. They are Christians and they want everyone to be the kind of Christian they are. They want the government and the schools to support and enforce Christian views and ideas. I see this in some Jews in Israel who are extremists and use their beliefs to deny the rights and humanity of others. To me, the most dangerous people are the ones who are sure they are right and want to use force to make everyone be like they are.

I agree. In Turkey we are free to choose. We are 98% Muslim but not everyone follows closely. Do you believe in God?

I am not sure…I think I do but sometimes I am not sure. When I look at the stars or the mountains or on a really beautiful day. When I study biology. When I feel the love I feel for my wife, my children, my parents. Those are the times I feel there may be a God. Then there are times that I find it hard to believe. Especially when bad things happen to good or innocent people. Particularly when a child is involved. Or a natural disaster where many are killed and injured. Then I think the world is a random place because I cannot see how a just and loving God would allow such things. I have heard others try and explain this but I don’t think they can. But I don’t think we can really understand this or answer those questions. And I believe in doubt. Very bad things happen when men do not have doubt. When they are certain, they will justify many cruel acts. So it is very important to always have some doubt.

I believe in God because the world is perfect. Look at my teeth. Every day they chew and knock against each other and yet they stay the same. A piece of metal, if it did this, would soon be worn away. God made everything to serve Man and made us special, above the other animals. They are all here to serve us. Even the ant on the ground. Even the fly that cleans my crap. The plant that takes in carbon dioxide and gives back oxygen.

I am not a Muslim, but I am glad that your faith brings you peace.

I know you are not a Muslim but I can tell you are a good man in your heart. I know that we will see each other again in the afterlife.

I hope we do.

M’shalla. (May God make it so).