Customer comments on this selection.
 An outlook altering book.
This book is one of the few books that caught my attention from the first page and wouldn't let go until I reached the last.
Dr.Lang's telling of how he became a mulsim and the rol of the Holy Quran in his reversion. His discussion of the issues and challenges facing the Islamic community today, and his responses to the detractors of Islam are fascinating. His thought process changed my outlook on religion and it showed the weekness of our the American Islamic society due to it's ingulfment in traditions that are unrelated to Islam.
Personally, I disagree with Dr.Lang on some issues but this doesn't mean that I don't have the greatest respect for him and his struggle to help other Muslims. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone, Muslim or not, who is looking for an rational and religous outlook on our World.
very good book
this is a very good book i bought 2 of these gave 1 to my uncle he enjoyed it very much. he thought it was a very interesting book he's not even a Muslim. i would buy it again. fast shipping too!!
Must read
Every Muslim living in the united states must read this book. and if you have kids you must read it now.
An invitation to think, to reflect, to re-evaluate our inherited traditions
Have you ever felt out of place in the Mosque? Ever feel you couldn't really express yourself freely in the Muslim community? Ever wonder about issues such as pre-destination versus free-will, or the purpose of life and suffering? Ever question whether the Prophet (s) REALLY said this or that hadith? Ever feel a conflict between the need to submit to God and the need to rationally explore Islam? Ever wonder why Imams and Scholars never really seem to answer difficult questions, but criticize those who ask or brush them aside?
If so, you are not alone, and could benefit from LOSING MY RELIGION: A CALL FOR HELP. Throughout the book, Lang, tackles such difficult questions and comments put forth to him by second generation Muslim Americans (and Canadians), converts, doubters, apostates, evangelists, and others. He uses the Qu'ran, the hadith, and numerous resources from both Muslim and Non-Muslim scholars of Islam, but most importantly, he also uses reason. What results is a rare book which squarely addresses issues facing the Muslim community, with a particular emphasis on current Mosque culture and the place of rationality in Muslim thought and discourse.
Its important to note at the outset that Lang is not some Muslim hack or discontent who wishes to change the religion to suit his desires. Reading the book, it is quite clear that he is a devout Muslim who takes his religion, including the rituals very seriously (he prays regularly, and very often in the Mosque). His compassion, love and concern for his family and his mother also shine through.
The book is divided into three sections: in the first part, Lang addresses his first experience with the Qu'ran, which led directly to his conversion. He describes the rational approach he took towards reading the holy book, which turned upside down his long held views about the purpose of life, the point of suffering, and of course, the existence of God. Lang emphasizes the incredible importance the Qu'ran gives to human intellect (the characteristic that makes us potentially greater than the angels), and the Qu'ran's repeated calls for us to think, to use our reason, and not just follow the 'customs of our forefathers.' Clearly, this is not the same message that is spread by Mosque culture, which has elevated the customs and thoughts of past generations to nearly divine levels.
In the second section Lang addresses hadith scholarship and criticism in detail. This I feel is the crown of the book, for, although there is currently some dialog about other issues (such as women's place in Islam, and particularly the Mosque), the issue of hadith scholarship remains absolutely untouched. Muslim scholars regularly claim that hadiths graded as 'authentic' are absolutely, without question, the words of the Prophet (s). I always thought such extraordinary claims simply defied logic. (Note, its one thing to say that classical hadith scholarship was ahead of its time, and that hadiths considered 'authentic' are likely the words of the Prophet (s), but it is another thing altogether to claim that these are his exact words, beyond the shadow of a doubt.) Lang's exploration of the issue makes is clear that there is much evidence to support those who question the extraordinary claims of classical hadith scholarship, and that it needs to be re-evaluated by scholars who are proficient in both the classical Islamic sciences as well as modern research methods.
In the third section, Lang explores the Mosque culture in detail. He explains that it is the antithesis of US culture, and not always in a good sense. In his exploration, he repeatedly finds that what the Mosque leadership presents as pristine Islam is really traditional Middle Eastern/Asian culture which is not supported by the Qu'ran, and often not by hadith. Lang claims that dissatisfaction with such cultural approaches has driven 80% of second generation and convert Muslims away from the Mosque (and thus the religion). He repeatedly emphasizes that Mosque leadership is in complete denial over this desertion (assuming that the deserters are all weak, and enticed by the 'evil West'): Mosque leaders are certainly not working towards any solutions.
It is important to note that Lang's main purpose in writing this book is not to provide all the answers. Rather, the book is a "call for help" - Lang wants to put the issues on the table, he wants stimulate real thought and real dialog. Indeed, the answers that Lang does offer (almost always with a caveat that these are his own positions, and not the position of 'Islam') are not always convincing. I for instance was not completely convinced by his explanation of suffering: He claims (as many do) that suffering is necessary for building of certain attributes, such as forgiveness, compassion, etc. While this is undoubtedly true, I still can't help but think that there is too much suffering in this world- and much more often than not, suffering breaks down people rather than builds them up. (Lang's own mother maybe an example here- a virtuous woman who after a life time of suffering succumbed to a mental break down and never quite recovered).
Another incomplete idea of Lang's is how one comes close to God, which he claims is by behaving as His Names suggest. Ie, since God is All-Forgiving, we should forgive. By doing so, we will experience God's forgiveness on a greater scale, and be more forgiving ourselves. In turn, we would experience more of God's forgiveness, and this will continue in a positive reinforcing cycle. However, Lang only emphasizes God's loving/merciful names in this discussion, and not harsher qualities, such as 'the abaser.' It is probably true that the more we abase others, the more God will abase us- however, this is hardly a way to get closer to God. Other issues that are not explained fully are issues such as inheritance, and women's status and role in marriage.
Another minor point is that the book is at times a bit repetitive, especially in the third section. Either Lang REALLY wants to get his points across as to why Mosque Culture has driven away non-immigrant Muslims, or he didn't have a very good editor.
One area Lang could have emphasized more are issues that ARE important to many non-immigrant Muslims, which are not addressed by Mosques at all: issues such as global warming and the environment, poverty in America and the world at large (and not just in one's narrow immigrant community, and not just for political causes for a select few Muslim countries) issues such as universal health care (or not), fair versus free trade, corporate malfeasance, organic and genetically modified foods, and so on.
I am greatly concerned about these issues affecting our world and ourselves, but have gotten no guidance on any of them from the Mosque whatsoever. However, I do feel that Islam, properly applied, could offer a great deal of guidance on all of them.
Interestingly, that brings me up to what I feel is perhaps Lang's most powerful point, although mentioned only briefly: Why did Islamic Civilization fall, and why do we remain so powerless? Many have answered this age-old question by stating that it's because we Muslims are not following this or that commandment of God. Lang agrees - but suggests a commandment that is not typically thought of, but on hindsight painfully obvious: Lang asserts that Islamic civilization fell, and that we continue to remain powerless, mainly because Muslims stopped following God's command to THINK!
With this great book, Lang invites to do just that- to think, to reflect, to contemplate once again, as we are commanded by God. He invites us to re-evaluate inherited attitudes and traditions, and free our religion, as we free our minds, from our own shackles that bind us, and rise to meet our truly noble potential. It's the only way that Islam will regain relevance and remain vibrant in America, apart from a miracle from God.
An Erudite Challenge
This work by Dr. Lange is his most important yet. A very well-researched, dispassionate discourse that is absolutely vital to any American Muslim, whether convert or American-born.
Dr. Lange takes his correspondence with disenfranchised and disenheartened Muslims; North American converts, North American born, and Foreign born, and formulated responses to their concerns and doubts about Islam. The common thread in all of these many people is the corruption in the practice of Islam caused by centuries of cultural bias and parochial influence. The cause is well-known to so many Muslims not only in North America, but the world over.
Additionally, Dr. Lange is trying to resurrect the practice of reason, which was at one time the hallmark of the Religion, and now an unencouraged, forgotten practice, relegated to ancient history.
Unfortuately, the ruling parties at the North American Masjids(Mosques) are insistent on riveting their operations and customs solidly to cultural norms of the middle-East, which discourage thought and repress women, and have resulted in a massive absence of Muslims from North American Masjids.
Through excellent research and argument, Dr. Lange identifies the bones of contention between the disenfranchised and the Masjid elite, its deep-seated roots and causes. Although the cure for the disease has yet to be worked out, a problem recognized is a problem half-solved.
Sadly I fear this excellent work will be ignored by those who could benefit from it the most; the entrenched who are in possession of the Masjids. The change will come slow, if at all, and will take a great deal of courage. Dr. Lange is to be commended for his excellent work, which could very well serve as the linchpin for change and progress in North American Islam.
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