re: #491 HappyWarrior

Yeah and I think that gets to the liberal and conservative broader approach to change that goes beyond politics.

A friend back in the US, who I would describe as mildly conservative (she’s certainly not a wingnut) and with whom I’ve had friendly debates over the years once asked me, “How can you go live in another country where you don’t speak the language, know nothing about it, and you’re not scared? I’d be scared shitless - I’d never leave my apartment or house or whatever.”

I told her, “It’s no big deal to me. I view it as an adventure.”

Of course, she’s also had some fears of Muslims, and was stunned when she found out I’d become one. She was greatly relieved when my personality hadn’t changed. I’m still a huge smartass and my tastes haven’t changed over the years. I chalk that up to being 40 when I converted - almost five years ago - and falling in with a good group, specifically, the Naqshbandi-Haqqani school of Sufism, which is quite mild. Well, a little bit ‘monarchist’ for my political tastes - quite a few of the German Sufis I knew were indeed genuine monarchists - but I reckon no two people will ever see eye-to-eye on everything.