Wicca and Islam

[Mithrea]

I have been on a couple of dates with a man that is Muslim. I really like him but feel I need to tell him about my faith if we are going to continue to go out. I think it's better to do it now rather than wait. My last two boyfriend were born again Christians. I didn't tell them right off and they--well that's another thread ;)

Anyway, I'm trying to prepare a little and was wondering if any of you very learned people know anything about the Muslim treatment of Witches. It seems that Muslims are unfairly depicted as intolerant. This man seems pretty liberal but I'd like to have a better idea of what I might be getting into if I approach the subject.

Thanks ahead for your input!
Mithrea

[WandererInGray]

*smiles*
Well if you're really worried about his reaction in terms of your safety....do it someplace public (be prepared for a scene though, if it does go *really* badly)

But upfront honesty is probably the best way to go. If you don't want to just outright announce it, (which I wouldn't do) try to steer the next conversation into the realm of religion.
A recommendation: ask him about his.....theoretically the conversation would go from there to your religion. *smiles* And you can broach the subject with him.

My one piece of advice, be prepared to answer questions. When I went about telling my best friend, I actually wrote down what I believed so that I wouldn't fumble around for an explanation when she asked. :D It worked out really well.

Best of luck!

[Danustouch]

I don't think you can make a generalization about any faith, really. I think the faith of Islam usually promotes marrying within ones' faith, but beyond that, i really don't know. I really agree that you need to be open and honest with him now about it though.

[Naillosotarrain]

I agree about the fact that you should be open and honest about your faith with him now as opposed to later. As for the Islamic outlook on "witches," I have no idea; but, depending on how strong of a follower he is, I do know that all Muslims are required to repeat "at least once" in their lifetime the profession of the faith: "There is no god but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the prophet of God (Allah)."

[Laetiel]

I have gone through a similar thing...My advice there is no dating in Islam. In the Quran there are strict rules about not marrying pagans. If the relationship would proceed he would ask you to convert. In general he probably is just with you for a good time as there is no dating in Islam. Trust me I found out the hardway and I converted only to be rejected and left with a child. I tried to marry the person and understand Islam coming from a Pagan background. Proceed with caution.

[Cappy]

I dated a guy who was muslim once, and I told him on our very first date. At first, he didn't even know what I was talking about then I explained it. He went from shocked to curious and started to ask questions. But that was pretty much like every other guy I dated who wasn't pagan.

[RelicRavenEye]

I have talked with several muslims at work. Their reactions have been about 75% ok towards my religion. Thats about the same reaction as Christians at my work have.

Sometimes, at work or school or whatever, it is best to keep our religion to ourselves. But in a relationship, honesty is always the best policy.

Best wishes to you, good luck.

[Autumn]

I would tread carefully here...

I don't think he'll react badly per se. I do think it will have an effect on the relationship over time. The official line is that "there is no god but Allah and Mohammad is the prophet of Allah" As in there is no room for any kind of polytheism here.

But then, you haven't told me where he(or his family) are from, how long he has been here, and how devout he and his family are. What about his attutude toward women, how does his Dad treat his Mom? Have any other members of his family married non-muslims? Ask to meet them.

In the Islamic faith he cannot marry you unless you convert. OTOH he can marry you in a civil ceremony and it will be recognised as reasonably valid. Good luck and go slow...your religeon may not be the only issue you'll need to confront if this relationship is a serious one.

There is an Arab saying though..."Every pot has it's lid" :hugz:

[Yasmine Galenorn]

It all depends on how devout he is. I knew a Muslim woman who, while we had some interesting discussions, told me that yes, Islam does accept sorcery, witchcraft, and demons as real, and that witches were all in league with demonic forces, so she couldn't ever publicly say hello to me because she'd be in trouble if her family found out.

If he's more secular, it may not present a problem for him, but if his family expects him to marry into the faith, then you aren't going to have a future if he chooses to accept their wishes.

Good luck!
Yasmine

[Moonshine]

I would suggest treading carefully if you wish to have a long term relationship with this guy. It may help if he understands and respects your religion, but during a long term relationship you will come across many of the people related to him who may/may not be so tolerant...

[Romani Vixen]

A year or so ago, I met a Muslim man... His family was old school from Saudi Arabia. He knew that I was pagan, and was nice enough. But I was never really close to him....

The other Muslim's that I've known have all been fairly recent converts.

[Gede]

MM~
A while ago I was reading the Complete Idiots Guide to Islam which made for a very insightful and eye-opening experience. While hard monotheism is central to the Islamic faith it seems that among the more liberally-minded Muslims (and they are the majority) that other faiths are tolerated, thought the situation can become complex in that it was simply the other 'book' religions that were sanctified and protected by the Koran as evolutionary steps towards the ultimate discovery of Allah and his reality. Muhammad, the prophet who received the visions from Allah upon meditating, destroyed the Pagan icons in Mecca where the black pillar now stands, can't quite recall its name...Astrology and other means of divining the future are looked down upon, and the Koran implies that sorcery etc. is demonic and should be decimated, however as far as I am aware there isn't a great amount of time put into discriminating Pagans or for that matter any other faith. I suggest you talk in earnest about your spirituality to your friend and perhaps read a book or two on the Islamic faith so you can understand their ettiquette and the background of belief. The Complete Idiots Guide comes highly recommended and is a great introductory source ;)

Namaste, Gede...

[Isa]

Islam in many ways is the most tolerant and progressive of the monotheistic religions it is related to. Islam was the first of the big three to say that women could not possibly be the source of evil and to afford women near equal rights.

The problem is when Islam is mixed with strict ARAB culture it tends to get perverted to assume the cultural norms of the arab world (which are not always peaceful and not very flattering to women), so really it depends. Religious devotion doesn't necessarily mean he will respond negatively or violently, it depends on the culture he comes from.

But you know him, you should have a feel for what type of person he is. Test the waters by bringing up relativity safe topics like ... Does he believe in heaven? Psychics? Magic? and see how he responds

[MorningDove030202]

Ask him how he feels about Hinduism and Polytheism in general, and judge based on his reaction. I suggest Hinduism because he probably could relate to that more than he could "Witchcraft".

Dove