Do you have Questions about Islam ?

[robvalue]

I'm having trouble grasping this whole "becoming a Muslim" thing. You become a Muslim because you pass some sort of test, then someone says you are a Muslim? What gives anyone the right to say who is and isn't a Muslim?

That aspect of it sounds exceptionally cult like to me, nothing to do with religion at all. It sounds divisive and dangerous. (I pretty much equate cults and religions anyway, but they are usually more subtle about it than this.)

It sounds like the leftover from a primitive time when such things might have made sense. I think for free thought and liberty to prevail, this "branding" (as I understand it) needs to go.

If I'm being totally ignorant about it, please correct me. I tried to understand it but it sounds so weird to me.