The Mystery of Faith - Catholic Eucharistic Minister Explains His Leap of Faith to Islam (USA)

Episode 132: Convert to Islam: https://untoislam.com Podcast: https://untoislam.com/podcast About Us: https://untoislam.com/about-us Contact Us: https://untoislam.com/contact-us Live QA Session: https://untoislam.com/live-qa-session Sponsor|Donate|Support|Help Us: https://untoislam.com/donate Host: Adee Simon Macdowell. Guest: Grant Miller. Today we speak with Abdur Rahim (Grant Miller). He's a new revert (11 months) and reverted after a two year study and comes from a Catholic background, being a Eucharistic minister and member of the Knights of Columbus. About Grant: Converted in 2021 (July 10th) 59 years old Born in USA, Pittsburgh, Caucasian, grew up in Los Angeles. I was in foster care since I was 9 years old. Currently lives in Charleston, South Carolina Some topics discussed: Paedophilia in the church and how it push him away from Catholicism Growing up in a foster family The son-ship of Jesus The feeling of betraying Jesus when he started thinking about Islam Suspension of disbelief as apposed to critical thinking and making mental decisions and being open to all faiths The feeling of having a 'returning of faith' after leaving the church Researching about Islam and 'Jesus in Islam' The pamphlet he read, "My Great Love of Jesus Led Me to Islam" How his wife accepted his looking into Islam The day of conversion Grant states: My journey to the faith started in London. It was a Friday evening sometime in March, 2019, and I was returning to my hotel from work, it was around 8pm, and I passed by a table somewhere near Piccadilly Circus, where there were a few brothers and sisters with Qurans and other materials. At that time I was experiencing a crises in faith. Having been a lifelong Catholic, I was shaken to the core by the priest scandals and to be honest I was ready to just give up on religion. My depression led me to drink heavily, give up on God and religion, and do things that are considered immoral. I stopped by the table because I had always been curious about Islam and wanted to pick up some materials. A brother started talking to me. He asked if I was a Christian and I said yes, but at the moment not practicing. Then he asked if I believed in God, and I said yes. Then he asked if I believed in the Trinity, and I believe my answer surprised him, because I said 'No'; Honestly, he was a stranger, it was how I felt, and I just replied plainly. He then asked if I believe that Jesus was God, and I replied no again. I felt strange about this, being a Catholic they believe in the Trinity and Jesus being part of it. However, I always felt that Jesus was 'infused' with God, that He worked through Jesus. But with the crises I was going through, and the priests doing what they did, and they were supposedly devoted to the church and Jesus and look what happened. So in my heart I just could no longer accept any of it. The brother gave me a Quran, a booklet "My Great Love of Jesus Led Me to Islam", and other materials (which I still have to this day!), pointed out that I should start at Fatihah and then said something to me which sticks to me: "Promise me that when you get back to the hotel that you will pray openly and sincerely to God" He did not know what I was going through, nor did we even talk about anything personal. So he was not aware of my depression or anything. I was quite taken aback. I followed his advice. And when I got back and started praying, I literally began to sob and cry and poured out my whole heart, and asked God to help me, that I was so lost.I guess I can fill you in on the rest during our talk. More about Grant: Job/Expertise: I am consultant with the Oracle NetSuite Financial platform/ERP specialising in administration and programming. I have been in information technology all my working life, starting with the old IBM AS400 systems. I was an adjunct professor for MIS at Penn State University for a number of years, and have been a contributing author (Sybex, Coriolis publishers) and technical editor on a number of books dealing with Windows Server technology. Hobbies/Interests: I have written a number of books on martial arts history that can be found on Amazon, both published and also self-published (search for author Grant A. Miller). I play a number of instruments and was in the 'pit' for musicals (high school musicals). Passionate about: I do charity work for helping the poor (housing, education). I was formerly in the K of C that sponsored a number of projects. Work directly related to Islam/Muslims: I support my local mosque and Imam with communications/supplies for brothers that are incarcerated. I am also in charge of our "library". Personally I am finding that I may also dive into developing a support network for new Muslims coming from a Christian background with questions that revolve around this area. I find that having spent a lifetime in a particular Christian theology and then having the cart completely flipped over is not only a challenge but also untangling all the indoctrination and lingering feelings is something that is best tackled as a group. This is the book about Jesus that Grant mentioned: https://untoislam.com/book/great-love-jesus-led-islam About the Becoming Muslim Podcast Do you have questions about Islam? Are you looking for a new direction in life? The Becoming Muslim podcast at https://untoislam.com is made for those who are in the midst of researching Islam. It also suits newly converted Muslims. Our podcast offers a wide variety of audible resources. From captivating stories of converts to discussions on day to day Islamic practices, Unto Islam allows for each individual to cater to their spiritual needs. Find out: (1) How to convert to Islam (2) What it means to be Muslim (3) Why Islam has helped others As Muslims do not engage in missionary work, our site is only here to help those who want to know more about our faith and creed.