Is it weird that I'm raised a Christian but when reading the Quran, it appeals more to me than the Bible? It almost feels like I'm sinning.

 Religious texts, particularly older religious texts, tend to possess profound beauty, emotional weight, and significant meaning on a number of levels. The fact that they’re affecting, culturally valuable documents is why they’ve been preserved, so this shouldn’t surprise us. People don’t keep books and practices around for hundreds of years unless a fair few find them genuinely worthwhile.

Things that touch people of one culture can often touch people from other cultures. We’re all human. We can admire the religious texts of other cultures without falling into their practices or belief systems. A false religion doesn’t threaten truth any more than fantasy novels do.

However, your sensation of sinning isn’t unfounded. The Christian God, in particular, is jealous. There are multiple admonitions throughout scripture commanding religious exclusivity, and many Christian teachers take those as an indication that Christians shouldn’t interact with other religions in any way.

There’s an implication that you might find a younger, prettier, wittier god in another temple, and run off with them instead, leaving behind the jealous and possessive God who inspired Christianity.

Speaking from experience, that’s very possible. Too much exposure to another religion can and does cause conversion experiences. Sometimes, you fall in love at first sight.

I did.

Because knights should win queens. Ritter und Dame by Wilhelm List. Public domain.

If you want to preserve your Christianity at all costs, you may want to put down the Quran and avoid every other religious tradition out there. Personally, I’d recommend playing the field until you find the one (or two or five) for you. But then, I’ve enjoyed my fall. Your values and preferences may differ.

Why are you Christian? Are you fulfilled by your current path? Is something missing? If there’s an emptiness, does it seem like Islam fills that void more skilfully? What would you lose if you converted, and is that loss worth what you may gain? Are there ways to meet your unfulfilled needs through further reading or practice in your current tradition?

By contrast, do you find that reading widely lets you bring more depth and beauty to your own tradition? Does examining different notions of divinity help you contemplate your own God with more clarity and adoration? Does deviation from your traditional path refresh your return and reinforce your commitment? Genuinely examining your options can make you more grateful for your current choice if you’ve chosen wisely.

I recommend that level of gratitude, if you can find it. It’s nice to feel like you’re truly coming home, rather than tying yourself in knots to conform to something that isn’t you at all. Or I think so, at least.

You may disagree.