Family is upset that I'm not a Muslim

[Husseinisdoingfine]

I last week went to dinner with my extended family, who are from Lebanon. 

Everything went well, I was talking to them about career, a new girlfriend from Europe and all that, and I overall had a nice time.

But I created quite a bit of drama when I casually mentioned that I was going to Buddhist meditation retreats. I've posted about this on the forum, but back in May I did a 5-day meditation retreat with two monks from Taiwan, and I loved it. As part of my spiritual growth, I go back to the meditation center every Sunday, I read authentic translations of the Buddha's discourses, and I have a new retreat for eight days planned in late December. 

So I mentioned this stuff just casually, and my Aunty raised her voice and said, No! No! You can't do that!

There were two elder women sitting to the right and left of my Aunty, and they started telling me, ' Hussein, you are Muslim! '

I tried going to my younger woman cousin to talk about what happened, and she didn't take my side at all, and instead was trying to tell me that Islam was peace and to not go back to that place anymore. 

My Aunt wants me to cancel my meditation retreat, and to delete the pictures I have of the retreat from my phone, because one of the pictures includes a photo I did with a Monk, we were standing, smiling with our arms over each other shoulders while someone else took the picture.

A day later I called my Aunt to thank her for inviting me for thanksgiving. I made a promise to myself that I wasn't going to mention religion. We talked a bit and she said how much my elder cousin loved having me. But then during the end of the conversation she said that I was to promise her that I wasn't going to go back to that place [the Buddhist meditation center and temple]. She then said that her and my elder cousin were going to "set me right" [on the right path].

My Dad called me and apparently my Uncle called him to complain, 'why is your son not a Muslim'. 

My elder cousin is married and has kids, but I think during his youth he went to a special college or school where they taught him deen and fiqh (both concepts from Islam). My Aunt and elder cousin both have my phone number and they're going to try to coordinate with each other to bring me to the Mosque. Before I drove home, they gave me a prayer mat (for salah).

Should I go? Just to be polite. Because they loved having me.

[Nemra]

If I were you, I wouldn't go unless I was too dependent on my parents and couldn't reason with them, especially if they subscribe to a religion.

You should be careful revealing such things if you aren't financially independent from them and want to be more open with them.

Edited Friday at 07:53 PM by Nemra

[Judy2]

would you like to go?

[Sucuk Ekmek]

Man that is some real spiritual harassment. 

[Raze]

You shouldn’t have said Buddhist, you should have just said meditation retreat, or better yet mindfulness retreat.

Just tell them you go because of the scientific evidence meditation is helpful and not for any religious or spiritual guidance, and many people there aren’t Buddhists and are from other or no religion. 

[Yimpa]

6 hours ago, Husseinisdoingfine said:

Because they loved having me.

Sounds like they love an idea they have about you and don’t care about what you’re really into.

[Jannes]

You got some nerves, that you even consider going with them. I couldnt take that at all.

When you go they get the sense that they can maybe talk you into it which will only make it more difficult, I would build a boundary as soon as possible. 

[Husseinisdoingfine]

19 hours ago, Judy2 said:

would you like to go?

I want to go because I love my family but I’m worried that they’re going to try to convert me and are not going to be open minded to Eastern spirituality.

I tried opening their minds by introducing Buddhist scripture and (New Age) spiritual books but they shut me down and told me to read the Quran instead.

By the way, I am not a Buddhist and most of the literature I read is not Buddhist.

But it’s like, they don’t know anything about Eastern religion, Actualized.org, and the New Age. Have never bothered to read any books, talk to any spiritual leaders, or visit any temples.

but…

They know that it’s wrong, so they don’t have to study it.

Edited Saturday at 03:35 PM by Husseinisdoingfine

[Judy2]

@Husseinisdoingfine i think it's an unlikely scenario that they would become completely open-minded overnight though.

Edited Saturday at 03:48 PM by Judy2

[Majed]

@Husseinisdoingfine nope set firm boundaries.

[Husseinisdoingfine]

9 hours ago, Majed said:

@Husseinisdoingfine nope set firm boundaries.

Hello fellow Lebanese. 

[Someone here]

 the reason I love Islam is because it is the most controversial religion ever . It doesn't just offer a cute myth for explaining existence and some moral rules and that's it (ontology and moral code)..nope ..it is a full fledged ideology. You don't get that in Christianity or Buddhism .Islam says that everyone must be Muslims or you gonna be killed (besides being  thrown in hell forever in the other world). So I'd actually try to convince your family members that Islam is a cult . Just tell them I'm not a Muslim anymore because it makes no sense to believe in myths I'm a mature human being .

Edit :  fun fact ..Islam is the only religion who promises you gonna get pussy if you follow it . Some super hot models .lol

Edited 9 hours ago by Someone here

[Ramasta9]

You are NOT a Muslim, nor are you Lebanese. On a deeper level

They won't understand that of course, you need to find your own way.

Live in alignment with your truth, don't even need to reveal to them.