Finding Faith and Fighting Fear
The conversation immediately zeroes in on the often-misrepresented nature of Islam, particularly its association with violence and terrorism. Adam, who grew up attending an evangelical K through 12 school in Texas, recounts his personal journey from Christianity to a brief period of atheism, followed by exploring Buddhism before finally finding Islam when he was 18. He recalled a moment in high school where classmates expressed a willingness to kill a Muslim because they believed Muslims wanted to kill them, a perception he found “extreme”.
The host and guests agree that interpretation, and often human error, can twist religious texts to rationalize hate. However, Adam and Ammon stress that equating terrorist groups like ISIS or Al-Qaeda with the true interpretation of Islam is a profound mistake. The overwhelming majority of Islamic scholars, throughout history and today, write condemnations against these groups and are often their primary victims.
“What I found through a lot of these conversations is that the folks who are really against Islam and find that it’s very violent and oppressive that basically what’s happening is that they agree with the terrorist organizations that that’s the true interpretation of Islam.”
Submission, Mercy, and the Direct Word of God
The guests spent time clarifying fundamental Islamic principles. The religion’s name, Islam, means submission, which is found through peace via the remembrance of God.
Unlike some Christian beliefs, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is revered as a “perfect guide” but is never considered divine or worthy of worship. God is understood as a completely unique type of being, unlike anything else.
Salvation, much like in Christianity, is primarily achieved through the mercy of God, not by works alone. However, faith and good works are “deeply interconnected”. A crucial distinction is that accountability is tied directly to a person’s understanding and knowledge of the message; people who never receive the message of God are judged differently.
The Quran itself is God’s word, occupying the same primary space as the Bible in terms of divine revelation. However, the Quran reads more like “a conversation between you and God”. It addresses the reader directly, providing warnings, glad tidings, and reminders, unlike the often linear, narrative style found in parts of the Bible.
“The Quran is kind of reading like a conversation between you and God. Like as if God is addressing you warning you giving you glad tidings reminding you of things that has happened in the past.”
Balancing Tradition and Modern Life
Tackling issues that often cause friction in the Western world, Adam and Ammon provided context for religious practices and legal traditions.
They discussed modesty, noting that men also adhere to standards, but emphasizing the hijab (head covering) for women. This practice, which is commanded in the Quran, is seen as a sign of piety and respect, akin to historical veiling traditions found in other Abrahamic faiths, like depictions of Mother Mary (peace be upon her). Significantly, the sources confirm that head covering is generally not a measure enforced by state law in classical Islam.
Regarding Sharia law, the term is defined as the wide-ranging religious law that includes everything from how a Muslim washes before prayer to financial commandments (like zakat, or charity). The concern for most American Muslims is not establishing a particular government, but reaching their goal of knowing God and bringing others with them.
When discussing homosexuality, the guests clarified that same-gender sexual activity is prohibited, and such an act is considered a sin. However, they emphasize that being gay is not conceived of as an identity in Islam in the same way it is in the West, nor is it seen as fundamentally removing one from the faith. They argued that the Islamic worldview challenges the Western ideal that fulfillment of every sexual or romantic desire is linked to ultimate happiness. Ultimately, the core tenant remains: Muslims should “love for your brother what you love for yourself,” and the focus should be inward, avoiding judgment of others.
“We are fundamentally concerned most with what’s happening in front of us right now wherever we are. Islam isn’t defined by any country. It’s defined by the current moment the reality in front of you.”
Want to hear Adam and Ammon’s candid conversation on how these traditional beliefs translate to life in America, why consistency is the greatest miracle, and the difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims? Watch the original video now to hear the full discussion.
