Welcome to Gaia! ::

Good Morning people!
It's the gay muslim back from my Islamic death as a new and improved devotee to Allah.
As you can tell, in my heartache over not being able to be both gay and a muslim, I searched for other paths to Allah. Then, out of the blue, I found myself Liberal Islam! They taught me that I can be a gay muslim, as long as I kept it to romance, it's all good mrgreen

ANYWAY, back to the purpose of this thread, I'd like to introduce and help clear up Liberal Islam. I'm also going to ask any fellow Liberal Muslim to talk about their particular branch.
Futhermore, I dont mind if people who dont agree with my ways comment on this. I respect all expressions, but just as a heads up, it's not going to have any profound impact on me, or anyone else I presume.

FIRSTLY: my branches website... http://islamlib.com/
That'll most likely answer any questions that I can't.
NOW, onto my basic differences between me and non-liberal muslims
And I'll note that others may not believe exactly as I do, as per status quo of the human mind xd

=Rational interpretation of the Qu'ran=
I believe in looking at the Qu'ran and putting it into a cultural perspective.
This also means personal autonomy in one's desicion about the Qu'ran.

=Sin/Haraam as personal, not universal=
I believe that, although many 'sins' are obviously a universal (killing, etc), it is a far more personal subject. Sin to me is going against Allah's will, and that is doing something that you know is wrong. Futhermore, it is something that is forgiven if you are truly sorry and ask for forgiveness. Allah is all-merciful, and helps those who call on Him, even if they are not Muslims mrgreen

=Rightful equality for the Oprressed in religion=
I believe that those who are unjustly opressed in the past bacause of irrationality should be, in light of new reason, be equal in relgious structure. This means women are equal in worship, and in any other area that need be taken. This means that interfaith dialogue needs to be accepted and embarked upon, not thwarted with irrational views. This means that people who have romantic love for someone same sex needs to be allowed to persue their romance, not there lust, as those who have love for the opposite sex do.

=Prayer?=
Im in an unsure sort of idea about the Salat. Not that I believe that they should be ommitted, I only wonder if saying them in Arabic is still a good idea. I mean, for those who cannot learn the Arabic, it is easier to speak the prayers in there mother tongue, but saying them in Arabic, we identify ourselves as Muslims, and we cast our minds to our faiths' heritage. So I dont know blaugh

LASTLY: anyone who wishes to speak to me personally is more than welcome to PM me. I also hope to get some dialogue happening on this forum, so I urge other Liberal Muslims to comment about their beliefs and Traditional Muslims to comment on these beliefs.

Well, I guess it's how you look at all these different groups mrgreen
I mean, if everyone tries and keeps the idea that we're all on the same Islamic path, we're just looking at it differently, then I think we're in the clear. And that's definately what i feel about Islam, or even that there just needs to be change for some people.
But it's when we fall into thinking "our way is the right one", then we get into what christianity has become. But I think we're smart enough to overcome that. mrgreen

I personally dont think I'm making myself different from anyone else here in the same way that someone saying they're a Sunni Muslim or a Shi'a Muslim is. It's just using an adjective to denote how Im different. And to say that all muslims have the exact same thoughts and views is pointless. I personally think that everyone should have the right to interpret the Qu'ran however they like, suiting there individual needs. It is because of people's individualism that Islam has been revolutionalized in history.
Also, same sex partership is not my only concern. Id be somewhat ignorant if it was. I think there are a lot of people who need to change how they followed this amazing faith. I also feel that there is a great gender inequality in some muslim minds that needs to be rectified. That's at least half of what it means to be a Liberal Muslim.
Anyway, I suggest you check out the site of my group, and see what it has to offer.

The problem I have With liberal Muslims is that they only follow some parts of the Quran. I wish I had the quote from the Quran in which Allah expressed hate for those who change his words and choose what they want to follow. Them telling you just keep to no intercourse Is bullS***. The Quran refers to the acts of homosexuality :

“If two men among you commit indecency, punish them both.” – 4:16.

“You lust after men instead of women. Truly, you are a degenerate people.” – 7:81. (see non-physical)

Do you commit indecency with your eyes open, lustfully seeking men instead of women? Surely you are an ignorant people.” – 27:54-55. (non-physical)

27:54 And Lot! when he said unto his folk: Will ye commit abomination knowingly ?
27:55 Must ye needs lust after men instead of women ? Nay, but ye are folk who act senselessly.(non-physical)
27:58 And We rained a rain upon them. Dreadful is the rain of those who have been warned.

As you can see that the Qur'an also addresses homosexual acts as a sin, so just keeping to romance is incorrect or as I like to say Bulls***. Liberal Islam is chopped up in to the pieces the are easy follow, It's self deception, one of the biggest crimes that people commit against themselves.