Latest Open Memoir Post on Sister Blog
I told my best friend yesterday as she was driving me to vote, that I had just finished a post and had no idea what I had written... And that, sometimes, I feel like God takes over my brain and types through me...LOL
And He certainly led me to this book, which has been one of the most gratifying books I've ever read... Yes, it was written many years ago, but "now" is the time for those of us who are non-Muslim to read it too... I encourage you to do so... And, as you do, I suggest you substitute the religion you follow every time Muslim is written. Why? Because I am positive that for many of you, as it was for me, revelatory to see that this wise man and father has something you will want, and probably, need to read...
The need to know that certain things are true is a human instinct. This is the desire for certainty. It is how we orient ourselves. It is how we give ourselves direction and protect ourselves. Certainty is the mental shell that pushes away doubt. The world you live in is different because the building of certainty requires more time, more knowledge, more experience, and more trust than ever before. Every child of your generation is in the same position,
I wish I could hand you a copy of this book, for unfortunately I have reached the limit of sharing more excerpts of what I've found to highlight for my own edification... Often during the book, a thought would make me ponder what it would have been like for me to have had a father such as this. Would I have been different? I doubt it. This father who wants to share with his sons but points out that his daughters would receive guidance, about today's world is exactly where I have found myself, only at a much older age. In fact, Ghobash shares that he hopes his children will work to start studying and considering exactly what their position is on any given subject. While he shares his own thoughts and opinions, he acknowledges that each of them will also have to do the same, because the world is changing constantly and we must be prepared to live within this world, as it is... Yes! I cried!
Why are so many living on the words of those who have lived hundreds of years ago? Is this what was gained by receiving a message from God? Did God not expect us to receive His words and then take it on ourselves to study and learn and continue ongoing study as to how what they had been taught could be applied within present circumstances and surroundings? And, if you think about it, that is exactly what the majority of people have done--have had to do to continue to live within the world as it is?
Much of the book speaks of learning the Quran--indeed in early times they were forced to be able to recite the book... But then, having learned much, questions would start. One of the major ones that Ghobash discusses is the claim that their religion is a religion of peace... That is the basis by which they teach... But, of course, as the religion spreads, and it is felt that their religion of peace is perfect and should be the only religion, then it is determined by some of their faith, that force must be used to bring about acceptance...
Deja Vue anybody? For isn't that what is now happening, perhaps, again, as has occurred in Christianity? And other religious groups? In fact, what is happening now in the United States, is not even the first time it has happened... with only one difference for us... The government is the fanatics who are attempting to force violence to make us live as they think we are supposed to... And, really, even worse is being done now, if you consider the movement against our own citizens who are not white.
This book covers every single topic that has become an issue for those living right now in the U.S. Guns, Sexuality, different religions, different people, books and activities beyond religion... Anything each of us has had questions about, but were afraid to ask, or asked and was denied an answer or just ignored... This author had been there, done that, and started to think for himself... And did not want to do the same thing to his children... That, really, is what this book is about!
Truth is obviously a key point made... How can the leaders tell Muslims that they are a religion of peace and then somebody who uses the same name, begins to kill those not of the same religion? Isn't that the same as the Crusades, Al-Qaeda, or Christian Nationalists? Choosing to use violence to mandate a God of Love? How bad can it get? When the Jewish country are murdering Palestine people, isn't that the same? So let's not pretend that anybody has the right to use violence against anybody else because of religion! (or any other reason for that matter.)
Responsibility (and accountability) - What father could forget to talk about childrens' need to accept responsibility for their own actions... Why continue to look toward other countries, when the United States has become worse... What do I mean? Well, does it really make sense that a "war on drugs" means blowing up boats without knowing who the occupants of that boat are? And yet, there is nobody stopping that action by our president who feels he owes nobody even a word of accountability? When did the power of the presidency change?
I realized that since I rarely review books on request these days, that I should clarify that when I choose to "discuss" a book rather than review it, as normal, I will be including more opinion rather than just highlighting the book's content. This has been especially true for this book... As you know, during the presidency of DJT, there was an immediate ban on Muslims coming into our country during first term... Now it has become broader, and shall I bluntly point out what everybody has seen...only "white" people are truly welcomed into The nation that once offered... "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free..." I really want to know. What has changed? Why are we seeing foreign students taken off the streets with attempts to send them back home. Where has the hate come from? Or was it always here? I doubt it or I would have seen in during my campus career...
But I do want to recommend this book to everybody, no matter your faith. I was literally shocked to read a wonderful book by someone who our president tried to ban from our nation... Lumping an entire group of people for those few who cause violence is just not right! And, especially now, since that same man is destroying our country... through violence, and more!
God Bless
Gabby
