Why Christians Are Converting to Islam…and How to Respond
by Gabriela Phillips
Yesterday I met Martin Micheal, he defined himself as a “redneck Muslim” from South Carolina. He took his “shahada” in jail and immediately became part of “the brothers”.
“Can you imagine, he later told me, “In jail the brothers stand shoulder to shoulder five times a day to pray. Every time I felt vulnerable, I knew they had my back. I felt safe from the gangs.” Martin found protection under the tent of Islam. Prayer gave him the emotional power that he needed to move hour by hour in a place of darkness… Anything else, was added value.
Dr. Carl Ellis nailed it.[1] These people are driven by:
Attraction to the standards within the teaching, and the content of the doctrine and theology – in other words, being drawn to the propositional substance of a religion.
A specific situation the convert finds themself in. When I was involved in prison ministry, I knew a number of guys who converted to Islam because Muslims were the only ones who stuck together and defended each other. They'd rather be in the Islamic group than to be subject to molestation. Or perhaps a tornado had hit the convert’s house, and Muslims came along and helped them. It could be any number of circumstances, but the common thread is that a specific situation drove the conversion.
The goals and desires of the convert. I’ve asked many Muslims how they came to Islam, and it’s common for them to say, “Because I want to be righteous.” (To which I’ll respond, “That's a great goal! I feel the same way. Jesus said, ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.’”)
So, if your relative becomes a Muslim, don’t go to YouTube to find Sam Shamoun, God Logic, or David Wood (apologetic channels). You may learn how to debunk arguments just to find out that it was not theology that drove them to Islam in the first place. Instead, ask, “can you share your conversion story? How did you become a Muslim?” Listen, was it doctrinal? Circumstantial? or a Spiritual conversion?
Actually, few people become Muslims due to their doctrinal offer. Of course there are doctrinal elements in Islam that are attractive (simplicity in articulating the fundaments of its faith), but many are tired of lukewarm Christianity that ignores injustice, the plight of the poor, lacks modesty, and looks spineless.
Martin Michael found a new “spiritual gang” that offered protection, if you focus on refuting Islam, you are missing the point, how does one find safety from real danger? Who are my brothers when I am alone? Martin will become more entrenched in his belief because he is defending a very real emotional need that his previous faith did not answer.
Corina became a Muslim because she loved how wearing a veil made her feel righteous, modest, clean. If I were to show her that no clear verse in the Qur’an tells women to cover their head that way, she may think that I am attacking her motivation: to be a righteous person. Are you surprised if she shuts down and becomes defensive?
For Logan, Islam is a logical religion, the Quran has been perfectly preserved, unlike the Bible (at least according to the dawah narrative), and the oneness of God is rational when compared to the trinity, which makes no sense.
And now, here you are, and they are expecting you to attack their religion or to tiptoe around it.
Can you see why one size does not fit all? What to do? Let’s start focus on Michael.
Listen with your mind and heart. With you understanding to discern the motive that drove this person towards Islam. Listen to discern what Islam answered that it was important to him/her. Listen with your heart that you may have empathy. At the end of the conversation ask yourself, what value was missing in his life. Listen and pray as you listen, ask God, Lord speak to me, show me where the goodness of your Kingdom can fulfill in full the longing of this heart…
After you listen, don’t rush and go into fixing mode, instead repeat back what you heard. “Did I hear you right? Michael, you were in jail, afraid, unsafe and lonely, and Muslims provided you protection from other inmates and taught you to pray, which gave you peace. Is that right?
To my surprise, Michael corrected me, “No, prayer did not give me peace, I don’t understand the words I am saying, prayer gave me structure. My life was total chaos and now I had five appointments with the most powerful being of the universe.”
I had assumed peace to be why prayer, but Michael’s values power and order. This is a very common pitfall; we interpret what others think or feel based on what we would think or feel in that case…
To my surprise Michael was very surprised that I was not only listening but trying to understand his core needs. “No one has ever listened to me, thank you!”
To be continued…
Gabriella Phillips serves as Director of Adventist-Muslim Relations for the North American Division of SDA.
