This is an important video - even though I have no doubt there will be many minds that are closed to it. I hope you will watch it. I don't just say so because I spent years of my life in precisely this situation - as a Muslim, though, I am a philosopher and it was part of my journey, which also has included Buddhism as well as Full-Gospel Christianity (through immersion, the only way to truly understand) and other philosophies, but am now Agnostic - but because it is a form of remedy to counter many of the problems in the world today - it is a step towards deep understanding. It is almost impossible to be able to understand these situations without being right next to them - and that is a place many fear to go. Those who are courageous are the ones who enjoy the benefit of deep wisdom and freedom from the 'fear of the unknown'. And it is those who exploit these fears who are the true enemies of the unenlightened. The religion, the race, the gender, the sexual alignment - whatever the difference, it is knowledge that overcomes the fear that leads to terrible beliefs and openness to exploitation by opportunists. That's why I spent the greater part of my life on a journey of exploration and (sometimes) risky exposure to things outside my comfort zone. It is precisely those two motivations that have opened my mind. It is knowledge from experience and not fear and exploitation due to ignorance that is the true reward. In return for those risks and efforts, I have friends of many races, religions, genders, sexual preferences, cultures, perspectives and, to be quite honest, I would not want to live on this planet without that blessing or to do so without showing gratitude for it, which I do so through respect and support for all my friends. I only wish that there were more like me and much less who are afraid and / or being exploited so that all of us could enjoy the opportunity to learn or, like in my case, to be with our family...because I really love and miss my son, Faaris. In fact, families are often the greatest tragic victims of these irrational, unfortunate situations. So, yes, it is not just a risk, but it is also a compromise. C'est la vie (such is life)... Still, I have no regrets. 🤟😊

This is an important video - even though I have no doubt there will be many minds that are closed to it. I hope you will watch it. I don't just say so because I spent years of my life in precisely this situation - as a Muslim, though, I am a philosopher and it was part of my journey, which also has included Buddhism as well as Full-Gospel Christianity (through immersion, the only way to truly understand) and other philosophies, but am now Agnostic - but because it is a form of remedy to counter many of the problems in the world today - it is a step towards deep understanding. It is almost impossible to be able to understand these situations without being right next to them - and that is a place many fear to go. Those who are courageous are the ones who enjoy the benefit of deep wisdom and freedom from the 'fear of the unknown'. And it is those who exploit these fears who are the true enemies of the unenlightened. The religion, the race, the gender, the sexual alignment - whatever the difference, it is knowledge that overcomes the fear that leads to terrible beliefs and openness to exploitation by opportunists. That's why I spent the greater part of my life on a journey of exploration and (sometimes) risky exposure to things outside my comfort zone. It is precisely those two motivations that have opened my mind. It is knowledge from experience and not fear and exploitation due to ignorance that is the true reward. In return for those risks and efforts, I have friends of many races, religions, genders, sexual preferences, cultures, perspectives and, to be quite honest, I would not want to live on this planet without that blessing or to do so without showing gratitude for it, which I do so through respect and support for all my friends. I only wish that there were more like me and much less who are afraid and / or being exploited so that all of us could enjoy the opportunity to learn or, like in my case, to be with our family...because I really love and miss my son, Faaris. In fact, families are often the greatest tragic victims of these irrational, unfortunate situations. So, yes, it is not just a risk, but it is also a compromise. C'est la vie (such is life)... Still, I have no regrets. 🤟😊 - Can Shane Atkinson, a white man from Mississippi who converted to Islam, reconcile two seemingly incompatible identities? Read more: https://www.theatlantic....