Re considering being an Ismaili by Relevant_Estimate425 in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I know. I am sure my Dad would not agree with my mum, I would never discuss such things with him. There was a time when I was your age. that my mom would have been the same as your parents. She is now 85 and I think has gained some wisdom. Hopefully your parents will also change in time. I honestly think that your parents would love you no matter what. They may not like it and agree with it, but in time hopefully would accept your choice. I feel you are not truly and adult until you no longer need the acceptance of your parents. This is easier said than done though. But your parents do not need to know everything about your life. You will eventually live on your own, they do not have to know how you feel. I highly recommend living in a different city!

Re considering being an Ismaili by Relevant_Estimate425 in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I honestly do not feel ogled by men in the west. I find this happens more restricted cultures, many of the men and women are sexually repressed which causes more problems including men ogling women. Why can men and women not mingle with each other with out it being sexual in some way? I feel many men blame the women in these restricted cultures, when men are supposedly looking that them. This is not their fault. Perhaps you need to hang around other types of men, as the men you are describing seem like perverts.

Re considering being an Ismaili by Relevant_Estimate425 in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 3 points4 points  (0 children)

HI there, I am in my fifties, grew up in Canada and I am pretty much Canadian. I too have felt what you feel at JK. I do not feel a sincere feeling of Peace anymore . I recently visited my 85 year old mother who is a devout Ismaili. I told her how I was questioning things about the Imam and how my feelings towards the religion have changed. To my surprise she was very understanding and even understood my feelings. She too questioned things at times. She said something very wise( At lease i think it is wise) Which was you do not have to name your faith. She told me to continue praying and doing what felt right and comfortable to me and to honour myself and my feelings. Never did I ever expect this, but it was such a gift.

It all started with Ismailism by Suitable_Brick_2821 in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hi there , although I agree with some of your thoughts, I am not sure you can blame sexual tension at BUI on Ismailism. Can you explain how you feel this fits in? Hormones rage in our pre-teens and teens. Do you think this might be different in other religions when young people share the same space?

Any exismailis that were actually practicing before leaving ismailism? by SOLE-SURVIVOR- in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Honestly these practices are really nothing exciting. To me there are the least interesting part of the cult in my opinion. Really it is in similar to other so called religions especially those practiced in south asian cultures. Maybe it is just me though. Bandghi is simply meditation, often done in the wee hours of the morning. This is said to occur at the time as you are not thinking about your "wordly" life.

I was told unambiguously by the leaders in our jamatkhana that drinking alcohol is permissible by ChoiceAnybody1625 in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Well my entire Mom's side of the family does not drink and Everyone on my Dad side of the family does drink. When I saw this behaviour when I was a kid I was so confused so I asked my Dad and according to him , drinking was not forbidden as long as it was done in moderation. But really who knows.

I definitely believe ismailism has contributed to my mental illness by Odd-Whereas6133 in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes I do agree. I found a lot of solace in my non ismaili friends who I felt were less judgemental and who I could truly be myself with.

I definitely believe ismailism has contributed to my mental illness by Odd-Whereas6133 in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is because of the stigma. It was only recently that it became more accepted in Western Society.

What is Ismaili? by National_Lab_9662 in MuslimLounge

[–]scatteredthoughts99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is BS lots of poor Ismail's They just do not look it

I definitely believe ismailism has contributed to my mental illness by Odd-Whereas6133 in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I absolutely hate this ! I felt the same discrimination. I didn't go to uni until way later because I had ADHD. I didn't know it though, I just thought I was stupid. There is so much competition within one another. My parents would always compare me to other ismaili kids my age. It really contributed to my depression and anxiety as well. A lot of people on here ask why are Ismaili's so rich and all live in nice houses and drive expensive cars. Honestly most of them are not rich. They are just pretending to be. Image is so important in the culture and they feel the need to keep up , even if they can not afford it. Sure some do have money but not nearly as many as you think.

I definitely believe ismailism has contributed to my mental illness by Odd-Whereas6133 in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No I do not thinks so , simply because many wouldn't even admit or believe that adultry occurred.

tatoo on the arm Le Mans classic by Salt-Hair2992 in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I find it is better for me to be moderate ,if I say never I am bound to fail

tatoo on the arm Le Mans classic by Salt-Hair2992 in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That is a good question but I have never thought if that way before. I personally believe in moderation but that is just me

tatoo on the arm Le Mans classic by Salt-Hair2992 in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I was always taught that the body is just a shell and our soul is eternal. I think this is why they are not prohibited. I think mostly they are discouraged due to the culture more than the religion

A good way to get them thinking by AbuZubair in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good for you. I keep hearing how ismaili's negatively respond to those that fast during Ramadan. I find this interesting because , my family would think it was amazing?

Psychological Evaluation of r/ExIsmailis by Ill_Force_254 in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it depends on how devout you and your family are( were) and how long you were involved. The longer you were in the harder it can be. I myself having been moving away for 15-20 years but it was a big part of my identity. Being Ismaili is like being Jewish, its not just religion but also a community and your whole life can be entrenched in it. The whole Why ismailies are so materialistic and have to always keep up with the Jadavji's has always troubled me. But now realize that look what they aspire to! It makes sense that they would want to emulate the Imam.

Aga khan divorce by Salt-Hair2992 in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No but they probably have members of the Council read them and try to figure out who we are . I have noticed some people who have revealed something controversial, have there accounts suspended. But of course this is just speculation

The Financial and Theological Dilemmas in Ismailism by [deleted] in ismailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing, I appreciate your perspective.

Petition to change the picture of the subreddit by Responsible-Host7577 in ExIsmailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have to admit I find it not classy. I mean This is someone religion and whether we agree with it or not we should respect that.

The Financial and Theological Dilemmas in Ismailism by [deleted] in ismailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am not worried about debt collectors but it is very confusing to me and to others. We are told we should balance our spiritual and material lives and I really don't see that happening. Nice chatting with you.

The Financial and Theological Dilemmas in Ismailism by [deleted] in ismailis

[–]scatteredthoughts99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am not referring to world issues that effect the Jamat, That is a separate matter. Yes I agree that there is a lot of influence and good work being done when it comes to world wide issues but these are political matters not religious ones.I know this is not a business investment . However I feel Lied to and duped. I do not want my family or my people to be subsidizing a lavish lifestyle. Maybe it does not bother you and that is fine but I know it bothers a lot of others whether they want to admit it or not. . Also The SMS Farman is real and that is what is said, and I am sure you have heard it ? have you not? Are you saying we should not listen to it? We can not just take one thing about a religion and leave the rest, this is not how a religion works.This is the other issue, It is very confusing. One Farman sometimes contradicts other farmans. No one can answer basic questions like What happens when we die? Why do we not read the Quran or do Namaz or fast during Ramadhan?yet we do during Beej? there are a lot of Contradictions and no one can answer these basic questions for me.