117 Comments

• seanomelbourne | Jan 28, 2012, 05:02 PM EST

  I must admit sitting on the terrace of the Cairo Hilton overlooking the Nile with a G and T in hand listening to the call to prayer is a fantastic experience. I half expected Omar Moktar to walk onto the terrace accompanied by lawrence of Arabia. The stuff dreams are made of.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 27, 2012, 06:19 PM EST

  obpiper what a bigotted racist tune you play.

• ciaradexy | Jan 27, 2012, 12:14 PM EST

  OBPiper-''Liam's problem is that he goes from one extreme (Roman occupation "Catholicism") to another (home of Jihadism).'' Catholicism-endemic rape of children and pedophile rich organisation who covered up and facilitated abuse for years in my country. Facilitate the stealing of babies and the locking up of women who were also abused and raped for the rest of their lives. Wealthiest religious organisation on the planet, do as I say not as I do is the mantra. Its easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven so says the pope in his prada shoes from his marble palace with his gold throne while his followers in parts of the world die from hunger. Hmm. Pot, kettle, black? Religion is a daft idea.

• OBPiper | Jan 27, 2012, 10:25 AM EST

  "Raised as a devout Catholic, Neeson has admitted that his faith was challenged after his wife Natasha Richardson died in a freak skiing accident in 2009." Whoa! Wait until one of his Muslim Brothers (there are no sisters except camels) detonates himself! Liam's problem is that he goes from one extreme (Roman occupation "Catholicism") to another (home of Jihadism). Good luck, Liam. May you find God, not prophets and profits.

• ciaradexy | Jan 26, 2012, 06:27 PM EST

  Hedonistic! Now theres a great word!

• ciaradexy | Jan 26, 2012, 06:20 PM EST

  I hear ye Sean! Its kinda like the 6th Sense film!

• seanomelbourne | Jan 26, 2012, 06:15 PM EST

  They are trying to marginalise us hedonistic atheists Ciara.WE don't colour or creed we see Irish people.

• ciaradexy | Jan 26, 2012, 05:19 PM EST

  Many of my friends arent catholic and are from Dublin, Cork, Clare, Mayo etc. Doesnt mean they arent Irish! There are plenty of catholics in the UK who are English, Scottish, British etc! its not a religious issue! They dont feel 'less Irish' because they arent Catholic!

• Curitiba | Jan 26, 2012, 04:58 PM EST

  Exactly. These are people who are born in Ireland (your definition of Irish) who feel less irish because they are not Catholic.

• ciaradexy | Jan 26, 2012, 04:51 PM EST

  Im trying to get your point here but I dont. Most people who live around the Shankhill road dont consider themselves Irish anyway and I have a couple of mates there who class themselves as Northern Irish or British. The head of the Shankhill butchers was a Murphy but most people would assume Murphy is an Irish catholic name.

• Curitiba | Jan 26, 2012, 04:07 PM EST

  It might not be a good idea for you to go to the Shankhill Road and ask the citizenry there "do you feel less Irish because you are not Catholic"

• ciaradexy | Jan 26, 2012, 03:45 PM EST

  Curitiba, I have made it very clear that I think ALL religions are nonsense but it is a personal issue for people if they choose to follow one. If they decide to follow the religious route I dont want it shoved in my face. There were a few issues here yesterday where no one could ansewer my question regarding someone being 'less Irish' because they werent catholic. This still hasnt been answered!

• snakehips | Jan 26, 2012, 03:41 PM EST

  The Dalai Lama believes taht we should find our spiritually through the traditions that we know best, but if Liam Neeson finds spiritual fulfillment and peace through Islam than I would go a step further and say that we should find spiritual fulfillment through the traditions in which we feel most comfortable. Certainly, one would feel a little insecure about the Roman Catholic spiritual traditions (if they in fact still exist)based on some of the shenanigans we have learned about lately.

• Khalid2012 | Jan 26, 2012, 03:09 PM EST

  @borefield, Did you ever read the Bible O_o? Have you seen this 1 Corinthians 11:5, Or more, Why you always try to delude yourself? O_O If you are already ignorant! I think this is problem, But If you really know that and you only trying to lie O_O Believe me the problem would be bigger. I don't know Why you forget the Best Woman EVER (Mary) the Mother of Jesus Peace Be Upon Her & Upon Her son. Every Muslim Woman is Happy to be as same as Mary the Mother of Jesus PBUT. IF you don't like to be like her, This is your problem. The Muslim Women didn't ask your help. Did they? O_o?

• Curitiba | Jan 26, 2012, 02:25 PM EST

  Rights are enshrined by law. Needs are not. You need to eat and drink, but you don't have any right to demand it if you don't have any money. You have to rely on other's goodwill, but they are under no obligation to give it to you. Just wondering, Ciara, why didn't you re-emphasise your opinion that all religions are nonsense when replying to Khalid?

• hyattsville | Jan 26, 2012, 02:14 PM EST

  Ooops. Wonder how his old girlfriend Barbra Streisand feels about him now!

• PhlutiePhan | Jan 26, 2012, 01:05 PM EST

  This posting really roiled up some Irish lads who responded with some interesting comments.

• BishopSean | Jan 26, 2012, 11:38 AM EST

  Should Liam Neeson chose to be muslim, we westerners will think, "How unusual," and say "that is between him and his God." But should Liam Neeson choose to be a Muslim and after doing so, "apostasize" from Islam, ceasing to be a Muslim, other Muslims will kill him. This is no exaggeration, unfortunately.

• alimazimmer | Jan 26, 2012, 09:51 AM EST

  This is his personal decision to accept and practice Islam. Islam also recognizes those about whom practice Christianity and Judaism as the 'People of the Book'. The Holy land is an area about which is well represented of various faiths. The Islamic Religion and Culture is not new to the Emerald Isle. Centuries ago, Cork was invaded by the Ottoman Turks. Moors, Arabs and Saracens journeyed through Ireland. Names such as Mahood, Hanrahan, Sheehan have a middle eastern connection. Gypsies(Tinkers) also have a connection.

• ciaradexy | Jan 26, 2012, 09:43 AM EST

  Bottom line is all religions are made up nonsense and there is no god from any religion! End of. Now start enjoying this life as there is not other one.

• beachcomber | Jan 26, 2012, 07:15 AM EST

  Curitiba, who NEEDS education? Well according to your God, everyone, lest ye forget that Jesus was a teacher. God hates stupid people, as they take up most of his time.

• esatdigiwank | Jan 26, 2012, 06:52 AM EST

  Amazing what a breakdown can lead you to do. Loss of reason and embarking on a conversion based on naivety, lack of knowledge. Islam is not just a religion, its an ideology (imho) just as Communism was. Its got its finance, legal and moral codes. So will Liam fancy a little S h a r i a in years to come, I wonder. Will he become the poster boy for Irish Islam in the soon to come Emerald E m i r a t e... He needs to read up on the A r a b / M o o r Conquest of Spain & Por, their treatment of the said inhabitants , and how it took centurys to rid those places of the r a g h e a d s. Religion of the sword, as Rottweiler put it.

• Simplify | Jan 26, 2012, 01:40 AM EST

  Liam might want to look deeper than the nice sounds and pretty mosques - religions are usually better if they have some depth behind them - Same thing applies to actors maybe.

• vincem13 | Jan 26, 2012, 01:39 AM EST

  If Mr. Neeson wants to pray several times a day on a regular schedule he can do so without leaving Christianity. He can go to a Benedictine monastery or Abbey. Many still pray all seven of the hours, although some have mitigated to 5 or 4 hours prayed every day. My prayers are with you, Liam!

• Curitiba | Jan 26, 2012, 01:35 AM EST

  Those who shout loudest, not those who are right, are the ones who get heard.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 25, 2012, 10:50 PM EST

  Borefield has not been to Jerusalem or a synagogue where women are segregated from men. Or watched the segragation at the wailing wall. Or is aware that hassidic Jewish women are bald and wear wigs in public and cannot touch their spouses(body to body) and have a sheet with a hole inserted to have sex Or Jewish men assaulting schoolgirls for the way they dress.All religions have demeaning laws regarding women.Thank God I'm an atheist.Borefield is obviouly a hater of Muslims.Personally I do not see religion or colour I just see people.

• AengusOg | Jan 25, 2012, 10:49 PM EST

  God by any name is a metaphysical metaphor dreamed up by man to give himself something he can understand. For what is God a meta for? Why God, of course.

• mamaginnty | Jan 25, 2012, 08:58 PM EST

  Most of you should read the 30 facts of Islam, educate yourself and shut up.

• Druidman | Jan 25, 2012, 08:41 PM EST

  I think there are certain breed Hollywood actors and actresses that once they get to a level of fame,become utter gobshytes. If he wants to join a religion that treats women as second class citizens, chops off a hand for petty theft then he is an azzhole in ,my opinion. If Ireland was an Islamic state there me a load of lads running around called "Lefty"

• kilgara | Jan 25, 2012, 08:35 PM EST

  Just another hoople head washed up actor trying to extend his time in the sun by saying something outrageous. Pathetic.

• JBRAFTREE | Jan 25, 2012, 08:20 PM EST

  Haven't read below responses, but I think these "stars" can do whatever they wish to do. I really think that Liam had more stones than to jump off a bridge into going to a Muslim "religion". He's a hellava fine actor and a tribute to Ireland. Sad commentary though!!!

• Skibberrean | Jan 25, 2012, 07:39 PM EST

  Oh Please, I am so tired of Catholics and Christians alike blameing God or their religion for the loss of a loved one. He being Roman Catholic should go back and read his Cathechism from when he was a child. Liam, go listen to some Gregorian Chant and get inspired. Go listen to a Jewish Cantor.......PLEASE!!!!!!!!

• borefield | Jan 25, 2012, 07:15 PM EST

  I do not judge or favor one religion over another unless, there is a huge reason to do so. Islam may symbolize a quiet spiritualism to Liam Neeson well he should look a little closer at it other than hearing the call to prayer bell 5 times a day. Has he witnessed and researched how women ate treated?. I spent a few weeks in Turkey, Istanbul is without a most beautiful city however, in the mosques women are considered 2nd. Class and are not allowed to worship with the men. They have to cover their heads and faces, walk behind the men. I bought a bottle of soda from a little food stand, I had the money in my hand trying to hand it to the man selling it, he would not take the money out of my hand, he kept looking and gesturing to my husband to pay. Someone who is a public person like Liam Neeson can influence many young people and give the I press ion he supports that kind of treatment of women is not too smart. I wonder would he like to see his beloved Natasha treated like the Muslim women, 2nd class citizens. If he feels so inclined he should do it quietly and feel contented and get solace 5 times each day. He shouldn't go about promoting it.

• Murph46 | Jan 25, 2012, 07:11 PM EST

  Don't know that thousands of Islaamic priests are doing little boys-At this time there are reasons not to believe in RCC.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 06:21 PM EST

  Khalid, you have just opened the flood gates for catholic Oirish American/British to slate you and claim catholicism is better than Islam! Good luck with that one!

• Khalid2012 | Jan 25, 2012, 06:14 PM EST

  The Message of Islam is the same message of Noah, Abraham, Moses Jesus and Muhammad Peace Be Upon them all. According to Islam, God sent to every nation at least one Messenger. For The Jews Many Messengers. YET, While Moses was traveling for 40 Days, The Jews changed their God to the Golden Calf, If Moses didn't go back to them, Or If God didn't send Messengers to correct their religion, The Golden Calf would be their God until today. As you see, God sent Messengers to correct/ or bring the people back on the right Path. God is one. This is What Jesus was teaching. Read The Greatest commandment. Please Don't judge Islam through the Media.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 05:48 PM EST

  Maybe theres something about Islam that appeals to him and not Buddism or Hinduism? Do you feel the God who sent the Flood to kill everything not aboard Noah's Ark, killed the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, turned Lot's wife to salt, killed all the first born of Egyptian families, drowned the Egyptian army, ethnically cleansed the Midianites (Except the virgin women that is) is much better? Abrahamic God is pretty monstrous no matter what faith you follow. Curitiba, being able to dig a hole in the road but not being able to read is nothing for you to be shouting from the roof tops as a way of life for people to strive towards. We are part of a civilised society where housing, education and food ARE all rights which is why there are so many charities out there helping people and so many others out there lobbying to ensure that peoples basic human rights are recognised.

• SingleDonald | Jan 25, 2012, 05:44 PM EST

  Irishphotographer, I was just relating what I saw on the 60 Minutes segment. I believe Mohammed fought those who attempted to persecute Muslims, NOT those who wouldn't convert to Islam. I fully support the rights of women NOT to wear headgear. When I was growing up, women were expected to wear hats, or some kind of head covering, while in Church. I thought this unnecessary, as a kid. I also thought it weird when some women covered their heads with a handkerchief, when they didn't have a hat with them!

• Curitiba | Jan 25, 2012, 05:33 PM EST

  Quite right, Seamus. I agree.

• SeamusMartin | Jan 25, 2012, 05:31 PM EST

  The poor man is going thru a deep depression from the loss of his wife. Hopefully he will find inner peace. If he were to convert maybe he could figure out for the rest of the world why some Muslims think the Koran preaches peace and other Muslims say it teaches to kill all (infidels) non-muslims. If i were in his position at this moment I be a Budist or Hindu. Actually I'd rather he stayed Catholic and tried to have a hand at reforming the Catholic Church. Amen.

• Curitiba | Jan 25, 2012, 05:26 PM EST

  Some are more than doing ok. Obviously you've never seen that TV programme "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding". Housing is not a right, housing is a need (because you cannot function as member of society without one). If it was a right the government would give everybody a council house (public housing, so you wouldn't have to bother with mortgage. Education is a right (up to 16 years old), but not a need. As my example shows you can do just great without one. Maybe not as well as somebody with an education, but you are not helpless. You can still go out and dig a hole in the road and earn some money.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 04:53 PM EST

  Well said sean, religion is all about whose imaginary friend is the best. Curitiba, everyone NEEDS to go to school! Everyone NEEDS and deserves an education! You seriously think the travellers are doing ok without one? Seriously? They are a massive drain on the social welfare system and will never be anything but! Few can read! How can this mean that theyre doing ok? Education is a right just like housing is!

• seanomelbourne | Jan 25, 2012, 04:45 PM EST

  Well said ciara I agree with you 100%. As an atheist I fin my brain is not cluttered with biblical or koranic tales.These books should be consigned to the same shelf as Greek,RomanNordic,Celtic legends and the myriad of other esoteric tales.

• Curitiba | Jan 25, 2012, 04:40 PM EST

  As for Neeson converting, well, that has parallels in history. The origins of the Bosnian Muslims is not well known, but it is believed that they may have been Serbs or Croats who converted to Islam at the time of the Ottoman empire. Indeed some of them retained their Christian surnames, but despite (if this is true, it may not be) being ethnically Serbs or Croats, their conversion changed everything for them. Probably not initially, but after a few generations they became distinct from their co-ethnics, in that they were considered a new nationality. Roll forward 600 years, and we had the Bosnian war as a result of this distinction. So I am saying that if a group of Irish people convert to Islam, and become a separate community (which is quite likely as Muslim women are not supposed to marry non-Muslims), then they will become something other than Irish. Neeson converting is not going to make any difference to the larger scheme of things (he's probably been misquoted by the Press anyway), but if an increasing number of Irish people do it, it will make a difference and lead Ireland into unknown territory.

• Curitiba | Jan 25, 2012, 04:17 PM EST

  Why do you NEED to go to school? How long do you need to go to school for? Many travellers have never been to school and they do ok. School as a is a modern social construct, it's not a need like food or a home.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 03:57 PM EST

  I think all religion is a load of nonsense not just catholicism. I appreciate and respect how it shaped Ireland back in the day but now I feel it should not influence how my country is run. Children NEED to go to school, they NEED to be educated, to learn to read and write etc, no one NEEDS to have a religion. Thats the fundamental difference. If someone has a religion, fine, but keep it to yourself. Most people here have been preached to over and over again and throughout their lives and are sick of it. Im just as sick of American preachers knocking on my door asking me have I got time to talk about Jesus. As someone who is adopted, I know exactly how women were treated by the church here. The very people who were meant to preach love and all that were the very ones who abused people. This makes me sick to my stomach.

• Curitiba | Jan 25, 2012, 03:48 PM EST

  I will wait until another immigration/ethnic identity article comes up and I will debate that subject with you again Ciara, but not now. Back to the subject in hand. If you think Catholicism is a load of old superstitious nonsense, but other religions have to be treated with reverential seriousness, well I find that faintly ridiculous. A lot of Irish children were terribly beaten by teachers in Irish schools in the 1950's, I have heard some wicked stories yet we don't hear calls for teaching profession to be abandoned. The point is that most teachers were ok, the same as most priests were and are ok, but there was a very small minority who did evil things, who were not caught and kicked out of the priesthood. I imagine unworldly bishops did not know how to deal with such evilness and simply hoped it would go away, which is clearly the wrong approach, and would not happen today, because there are sophisticated checks and balances to root these things out. Ireland was almost a theocracy then and of course priestly authority was not questioned, which led evil people to take advantage of this.

• 71regiment | Jan 25, 2012, 03:43 PM EST

  I think Liam, should check out the history of the greatest city in Christendom, before its fall to the Turks in April 1453 and its aftermath. What a difference the world would be today if it had not fallen.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 03:35 PM EST

  Its not an argument. Why would someone consider a catholic 'more Irish' than me or Liam Neeson if he converted?

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 03:31 PM EST

  Curitiba, this article isnt even about Ireland. Its about a man who may or may not convert to Islam. Why do non Irish people seem to be making a massive issue of this?

• Curitiba | Jan 25, 2012, 03:30 PM EST

  Very clever strawman argument, Ciara.

• Nicomax | Jan 25, 2012, 03:24 PM EST

  Hey, it's a bit like choosing to join Kiwanis, Rotary or the Elks. What ever makes you happy.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 03:24 PM EST

  You dont de-Irish by being muslim. Catholics arent anymore Irish than I am.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 03:21 PM EST

  Curitiba-And you dont un-Irish yourself by being muslim and youre not more Irish by being catholic.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 03:19 PM EST

  Youre better off not worrying about a place youre not from or dont live in.My mam was abused by a priest in Ireland as were some of my friends family members so this is relevant to me . You may not have English ancestry but thats where your home is. Thats where you were educated and looked after. You said yourself you felt like an outsider when you were here, thats because you are an outsider here. I dont know you but maybe youre a kid of emigrants who dont integrate into the society you were born into which is a massive issue for some folk on this site!

• Curitiba | Jan 25, 2012, 03:08 PM EST

  Most of the priests I have met here were Irish, plus having no English ancestry at all I think I do need to worry about what is happening in Ireland, just the same as English-born Sikh person needs to worry about what is going on in the Punjab.

• Curitiba | Jan 25, 2012, 03:03 PM EST

  You don't become an Anglo-Saxon Protestant by being born in England, dear Ciara. Otherwise we wouldn't have any English born Sikhs or Muslims, would we?

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 02:58 PM EST

  Lucia826, maybe you should actually read the post under yours from luckodeirish. Shes married to a muslim so she knows what shes talking about rather than you who has opinions formed from reading newspaper articles instead of actually living these experiences.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 02:56 PM EST

  Curitiba, you are a Londoner so stop worrying about whats happening to Irish people in Ireland! We are doing just fine. Im delighted for you that youve only ever met decent priests but you dont live here where the abuse happended! Ive met a few decent priests too but abuse here was endemic. No longer is Irishness linked with a religion! We have moved on and are not the once superstitious nation we were which I am very grateful for. In the recent census the ‘non-religious’ are the largest group in the State after Catholics. They range from active atheists lobbying for a secular Ireland to guilty non-believers who still observe religious rituals. This group is going to get bigger and bigger. I can see this every day myself via friends who have kids. Thye arent getting them baptised and arent sending them to religious schools. Its all about personnal choice which is something the Irish didnt have for years and we have it now so its important to make decisions for yourself so please dont procrastinate to irish people about how you feel they should be.

• CanadianPat | Jan 25, 2012, 02:19 PM EST

  What total nonsense !

• muirisobric | Jan 25, 2012, 01:53 PM EST

  Geeeeeze, Tom Cruuuuuz & himself! I wonder if he'll jump on any couches. Ah, money does that to ya.

• Lucia826 | Jan 25, 2012, 01:49 PM EST

  I don't know Liam's stance on abortion, but his Kinsey (movie) interviews imply a less than Catholic stance....As a matter of fact, his views over all would be anathema in Islam. Islam does NOT forgive...it murders the living in the name of Jihad against those who do not accept Allah THEIR way. BUT, no abortions. The Muslims keep saying we are all worshiping the same ONE God, but they won't tolerate the One we DO worship in the west. I am SO saddened to learn of his close call to the loss of his faith. But Liam is an ACTOR and their charm is greatly due to their rather childlike naiveté.

• Curitiba | Jan 25, 2012, 01:23 PM EST

  Dear God, when is the Catholic Church going get its finger out and rise to this challenge!! Too many people, especially Irish people, for whom Catholicism is bound up with their identity, are just chucking their religion along with its truths away just to be trendy!!! And Ciaradexy, you should be ashamed of yourself peddling hysterical nonsense. All of the priests I have met were decent men, some were grumpy or a bit obnoxious, but that's hardly the crime of the century, is it?

• Searlit | Jan 25, 2012, 01:21 PM EST

  I agree with CitizenWhy, women are left out of the picture, as far as any rights are concerned.

• Lucia826 | Jan 25, 2012, 01:20 PM EST

  Well, I think Liam has lost his mind. WHY he is on earth is answered in the most basic catechism. Study C.S. Lewis and WHO the representation of ASLAN truly IS. It is an allegory of Jesus Christ. If you're that goofy, Liam...then go on with you. I will not see another of your movies. You're an awesome actor, but I won't support anyone who is so befuddled. Go spend a good week or more at a monastery and learn YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH. The only word for you is pathetic. Ireland used to be a good Catholic country...every day there's another bunch of idiocy. Sinead O'Connor and now YOU. Wow!!!

• luckodeirish | Jan 25, 2012, 01:15 PM EST

  I'm not an apologist for any religion. Everyone has their own belief system. As someone who's married to a Muslim I have a very good understanding of it and read quite a bit on the subject. It never appealed to me but in its true sense - as in any religion- without political motives and as my husband who never tried to convert me explained it - it can be beautiful. Women cover sure, but often they do it from custom. St Paul also advised women to cover their heads! Its not just an Islamic thing.The brand of Islam that we often see portrayed in the media - shouting crazies with burkas is not the case for the vast majority of peace loving Muslims who just want to live their lives and raise their families. As for the toilet issue - often misunderstood: Muslims have to be clean to pray. They don't wipe their rears with their hands as many ignorant people think. They use a water bidet and toilet paper- I know I have both in my house!! And yes when showering they favor the left hand to clean intimate body parts. Thus when eating and shaking hands - its always the right hand offered as a mark of respect, not because the left hand is dirty! It's as simple as that.

• pilib04 | Jan 25, 2012, 01:02 PM EST

  i have heard people say the same thing about catholicism. the beauty of your cathedrals almost makes me want to convert. fact is, what liam does is his own business. he's a fine actor and representative of irish culture.

• Curitiba | Jan 25, 2012, 12:54 PM EST

  He wants to convert because he likes the architecture in Istanbul? I like the architecture in the City of London. Can I convert to being a multimillionare City Forex trader? Worship at the temple of Mammon?

• merefalow | Jan 25, 2012, 12:52 PM EST

  UNBELIEVABLE,an educated man considering converting from one throw back medieval superstitious brain washing misoginist corrupt system,to another,tell him to live in saudia for a little while before he starts bleating about how beautifull it is,airy fairy idiot,thought he was half sensible.

• KarenMurphy | Jan 25, 2012, 12:51 PM EST

  Fair play to Liam and good luck to him. I hope he finds the answers he's searching for. As to some of the comments slamming Islam here I can only say this... is your faith and conviction in your own religion so weak that you would choose to attack anothers? If your spirit is strong, I would think you'd ba able to live and let live. Peace.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 12:23 PM EST

  Ceceann, so the priests who rape tens of thousands of children and call it gods will are better are them? 9/11 didnt happen because of religion. It happened because of the treatment of other countries by the US.

• RedBranch | Jan 25, 2012, 12:15 PM EST

  Looking forward to joining Liam for a halal meal after Friday Prayers at the restaurant in the Islamic Cultural Center in Clonskea, Dublin. The Mosque is always full for Friday prayers, but there's always room for one more of the faithful. Come on down!

• ceceann | Jan 25, 2012, 12:13 PM EST

  @singledonald--what a pity you could not convince the terrorists on 9/11 of this. Consequently, you are not convincing me either. Most things actors say make no sense either.

• calceltic | Jan 25, 2012, 11:59 AM EST

  Replacing one God with another won't change what's happened. I hope he understands the stages of greiving. Or he may be going through a crazy midlife crisis and looking forward to all those virgins in the end.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 11:51 AM EST

  Well articulated Citizen69.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 11:50 AM EST

  Peterson, please explain your comment.

• citizen69 | Jan 25, 2012, 11:48 AM EST

  Everyone in life is on a journey of self discovery. Whether or not they follow religion, or what beliefs they form is their own personal choice and they should be free to choose without prejudice.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 11:48 AM EST

  How Peterson?

• peterson | Jan 25, 2012, 11:37 AM EST

  If he does convert to Islam, his career may suffer greatly !!

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 11:35 AM EST

  Pounder, what would he have to be doing to be a catholic in your eyes?

• pounder | Jan 25, 2012, 11:21 AM EST

  He wasn't much of a Catholic to begin with,and this Muslim nonsense is nothing but a publicity ploy.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 11:20 AM EST

  Citizen, fundamental muslims treat women badly as do fundamental christians. Just because someone is a muslim does not mean they are misogynists. Just look at catholic priests. Catholicism is very anti-women.

• Yankee724 | Jan 25, 2012, 11:18 AM EST

  OK, so he likes the architecture of mosques and decides he will leave the religion of Jesus Christ, loving Saviour of the world, and will join the people who believe in clitorectomies, amputation for theft and "honor killing" of daughters who don't like Islam! If he had half a brain ,he might be dangerous. Too sad and pathetic.

• antoman | Jan 25, 2012, 11:11 AM EST

  Era, I suppose we all better go to mass and pray for him.

• CitizenWhy | Jan 25, 2012, 11:07 AM EST

  People are attracted to the simplicity of Islamic prayer and practice. But I wonder if his wife would have been willing to accept Islamic practices in regard to women. ... Religion, when presenting a god that will exempt a person from the shocks, tragedies, hurts, and injustices of this world, is obviously asking a person to remain immature in spirit.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 11:06 AM EST

  Paddy, I dont think thats the reason he is considering converting. That was just a general point he made about the death of his wife. I wish people would just use their brains and think logically about religion and realise that it was created to control and frighten people.Nothing more.

• seagreen | Jan 25, 2012, 11:01 AM EST

  OK, Have a nice trip...

• paddyRanger | Jan 25, 2012, 11:01 AM EST

  The Big lad is entitled to do what he likes, I just don't see why if your faith is shaken as a Catholic over losing your wife, converting to Islam is any better, if he had been Muslim at the time of losing wife, would he convert to Catholic after.........I think this whole article is garbage

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 10:58 AM EST

  Katie, Kathy, Katherine, who cares!!

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 10:57 AM EST

  Oh Kathy, shut up you mad woman! Did you know his wife was an English protestant!!!! OMG!! Imagine that!

• katieherk | Jan 25, 2012, 10:52 AM EST

  WHY DO YOU BOTHER WRITING THIS CRAP? OR.... ANYTHING TO GET ALL THE ANTI-CATHOLICS OUT THERE TO FURTHER BASH THEM? WHO CARES WHAT LIAM NEESON DOES, IT'S HIS SOUL AND HOPE HE LIKES HOT WEATHER!!! HIS DECEASED WIFE IS PROBABLY TURNING OVER IN HER GRAVE. AND, YES, IT'LL PROMOTE HIS MOVIE.... DUH!

• cillowen | Jan 25, 2012, 10:47 AM EST

  after living in NI and being exposed to lunatic charlie chaplin marching types is it any wonder. I thought it might have been Schindlers List that might send him bobbing / swaying crazily.

• antoman | Jan 25, 2012, 10:38 AM EST

  He'll have to change his toileting habits and the toilet itself. No toilet paper. Just the hand alone, and the left one at that.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 10:37 AM EST

  Mickey, you are pathetic! Do you only watch Catholic actors movies? Seriously?! get a grip! Liam Neeson is a fantastic actor and as an Irish person, I have no issue with his religion whether it be him deciding islam is for him or if he decides to defect from the church. He is a grown man and can decide what is right for him. Why do you think it concerns you?

• Irishphotograph | Jan 25, 2012, 10:35 AM EST

  Ciara study the Faiths and you see which IS the one true Faith. Ciara no doubt a hypocrite in this world. Where perhaps she get married in a Christian church have her baby baptised and still believe herself an atheist.

• micky74007 | Jan 25, 2012, 10:28 AM EST

  Why doesn't he just pray five times a day as a Catholic? I guess there will be one less actor who's movies I'll pay money to watch.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 10:27 AM EST

  Phaenius, ALL religions claim to be the one true religion. Just because you believe in the baby zombie Jesus, doesnt make you right.

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 10:27 AM EST

  Catholicas have done as much damage in the world as Islam. The catholic church persecutes its own every day. Its Liams business, no one elses. Seems to be Americans with the issues here again.

• Irishphotograph | Jan 25, 2012, 10:26 AM EST

  Single Donald obviously does not understand how Mohammed spread the Islamic gospel. Covert or Die! And in Islamic countries its a death sentence to leave Islam.

• SingleDonald | Jan 25, 2012, 10:22 AM EST

  Irishphotograph, The year was 622 AD, when the Muslim religion was founded. I saw a "60 Minutes" segment which impressed me. There is an Eastern Orthodox monastery, located in Muslim Turkey. One of the patriarchs showed a document, which has Mohammed's handprint. He was illiterate, so his hand print was his signature. The parchment said that, though Muslims were encouraged to persuade people of other faiths to join them, that no persecution should take place, if they declined. I believe in the authenticity of this parchment, and of Mohammed's approval. Unfortunately, modern Islamic Fundamentalists would find some way to dispute this. Of course, I believe Mohammed meant ALL other faiths: Christian, Jewish, Buddist, Hindu, Shinto, Zoroastern, Confucist etc. Nobody was to be persecuted, if they couldn't accept Islam.

• wilhoef | Jan 25, 2012, 10:18 AM EST

  There are "stunning" Catholic churches around and if he wants to pray five times a day, I am sure he could do it in any one of them. This is all about publicity.

• connieS | Jan 25, 2012, 10:18 AM EST

  I just have nothing to say to this.......I'm too shocked to even attempt to try.

• Tooreenagrena | Jan 25, 2012, 10:10 AM EST

  What a shame

• hooligan6a | Jan 25, 2012, 10:05 AM EST

  He has to do something, he hasn't made a good movie in years.

• Phaenius | Jan 25, 2012, 09:53 AM EST

  I like this heathen Liam, and I am sad he is making decisions not based upon truth. Islam denies the truth, for Jesus, said "I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life, and no man cometh unto the Father but by me. This answers the two proverbs which repeats this way, "There is a way, that SEEMETH right unto a man but the ends thereof are the ways of death." There you have it, a Texas, Fundamentalist Baptist, wishing well for a person who is obviously aproaching foolishness. At least he has not made "fool" status for "the fool sayeth in his heart, there is no God."

• Jamcelt | Jan 25, 2012, 09:46 AM EST

  Why do Hollywood stars all have to convert?

• Irishphotograph | Jan 25, 2012, 09:43 AM EST

  The Romans, the Jews, the early Christians and historians. All wrote about the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Whether they believed he was a man or divine, they knew it happened. 669 or years later a man runs out of a cave and tells everyone that Jesus was never crucified. He tells that an angel told him this. Islam was solely created to counteract the rise of Christianity. Again, you take away the Crucifixion story, you take away a persons Salvation. Who would it serve to take away a persons Salvation? 2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light" This obvious lie has 1 Billion people rejecting who Jesus really was/is.

• redhand32 | Jan 25, 2012, 09:41 AM EST

  Why did I have to read this ? Now every time I watch the Michael Collins movie, I will picture the "Big Fella" as kind of Lawrence of Arabia get up with a brogue !

• Irishphotograph | Jan 25, 2012, 09:41 AM EST

  Unlike nearly all of the Old Testament verses of violence, most of the verses of violence in the Quran are open-ended, meaning that they are not restrained by the historical context of the surrounding text. They are part of the eternal, unchanging word of Allah, and just as relevant or subjective as anything else in the Quran. Unfortunately, there are very few verses of tolerance and peace to abrogate or even balance out the many that call for nonbelievers to be fought and subdued until they either accept humiliation, convert to Islam, or are killed. Muhammad's own martial legacy and the remarkable stress on violence found in the Quran have resulted in a trail of blood and tears across world history"

• Irishphotograph | Jan 25, 2012, 09:41 AM EST

  Other than the fact that Muslims haven't killed every non-Muslim under their domain, there is very little else that they can point to as proof that theirs is a peaceful, tolerant religion. Where Islam is dominant (as in the Middle East and Pakistan) religious minorities suffer brutal persecution with little resistance. Where Islam is in the minority (as in Thailand, the Philippines and Europe) there is the threat of violence if Muslim demands are not met. Either situation seems to provide a justification for religious terrorism, which is persistent and endemic to Islamic fundamentalism.

• donal1951 | Jan 25, 2012, 09:37 AM EST

  I hate to be a pain about the use of words, but Mr. Neeson did not refute C.S. Lewis, he rebutted him. Refute means to disprove. It is difficult to disprove an author's own interpretation of his work. One can, however, disagree with the author as Neeson did. That is to rebut the scribe.

• BillyFitz | Jan 25, 2012, 09:33 AM EST

  No buying it, they need to promote this movie ..

• MichaelJTully | Jan 25, 2012, 09:26 AM EST

  These clowns will do anything for publicity, look at O'Connor, 24hrs married. Big swinging mickey.

• racallahan | Jan 25, 2012, 09:10 AM EST

  Liam needs to do what is right for Liam! what the rest of us think should mean crap!

• ciaradexy | Jan 25, 2012, 08:34 AM EST

  Why on earth would he become hated? Someones religion shouldnt make you hate someone. If Islam suits him more than Catholicism then he should do whats right for him. Religion is personal.

• lrishRed | Jan 25, 2012, 08:30 AM EST

  Neeson is one of my all time favorite actors . I think he would become one of the most hated actors after a jump like that .I know every time you turn around the church is coming under fire for something new .Why not compromise somewhere between Catholic and Muslim maybe ..... Protestant. Ireland can can still keep him , he won't have to grow one of those itchy beards and think of the wear and tare on the knees from praying five times a day . Good luck in whatever you choose ......

• KSERRAHN | Jan 25, 2012, 08:00 AM EST

  If he were to convert to Islam it would not sit well with the world that he has created for himself. But if he did it would be his choice. Me I'd rather he become a Buddist.