103 Comments

• RthrBHistCorr | Apr 24, 2013, 09:01 PM EDT

  Once again we trot out the Crusades which occurred 9 Centuries ago to justify 21st century Islamic violence. By that logic we should still respect bleeding with leaches as an accepted medical practice

• civilrights65 | Apr 18, 2013, 04:56 PM EDT

  My partner and I live in the United States. Please tell me which Muslim countries we may safely travel to as a gay couple. On the other hand we may be legally married in Catholic Spain and Catholic Argentina. The Church has very little influence to keep gays from safely traveling and have acceptance even in strongholds such as Poland and Italy.

• proudtobemuslim | Mar 11, 2013, 08:52 AM EDT

  i just want to say to all those that think Islam is full of violence and hate you're completely wrong . Islam is a peace loving religion , you shouldn't judge this religion by what the media shows you. Find out what islam is truly about and you'll see the truth from the lies. If Liam Neeson decides to convert to Islam , may Allah help him in his quest to find the truth.

• snakehips | Feb 15, 2013, 11:53 AM EST

  As an American of Irish descent, my nation and it's values allows for Freedom of Religion. Let's face it my Religious Heritage; Roman Catholicism, has been low on spirituality and high on scandal and dysfunction as of late. So, who can blame Neeson for a search of pure spirituality and ritual, especially in light of his recent tragedy?

• Sara123 | Oct 13, 2012, 12:47 PM EDT

  "Islam on the other hand(Quran/hadith)teaches that all must be converted to Islam by any means. The Quran says: "Take no jew or Christian as friend..." "Slay the infidel..."(non Muslims)... Now the so-called millions of radicals follow the Quran." In reply to this I can truthfully tell you that this is not true, since I have read from the Quraan. Islam is a religion of peace. The Prophet even ordered to treat people of all religions with tenderness. PLEASE stop making up things.

• kaydog1 | May 22, 2012, 05:00 PM EDT

  "Ken", "Esmerelda", "Bythebay" - if you are three separate people jumping on this old article in minutes of each other - love him all YOU want. He's an American actor now, playing to American audiences, actually taking roles where he pretends to fight terrorists (!) - ironic, eh? Each person I've spoken to about his 'conversion' has been shocked and mystified at such a thing - it's pretty much 100% negative reactions. I'm trying to spread the word, 'cause while I love him as an actor, I can't see him the same way NOW, knowing just WHAT he's chosen to embrace (see my earlier post). I'm not keeping his secrets, mate. Another ironic fact - if Liam now changes his mind and wants to leave "the religion of peace", he will be an apostate and the holy koran would call for his execution, and that's just FACT, not 'demonization" "KenEsmeraldaBythebay".

• Bythebay | May 21, 2012, 03:06 PM EDT

  Liam Neeson's religion is no one's business except his own. Neeson is an American living in the US, born in Ballymena, Northern Ireland UK, went to the US over 20 years ago. Who cares what religion he wishes to join. Certainly makes no difference to Ireland.

• Bythebay | May 21, 2012, 02:57 PM EDT

  Springfield9, the US killed more people than any other, civilians in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kosovo, Vietnam, Laos, Lebanon,Libya, Korea, Japan - where you murdered and scarred millions with your A bombs..... You're the killers.

• Bythebay | May 21, 2012, 12:16 PM EDT

  Ken from Dublin, well said and thank you for sharing the perspective from Ireland. The blatant demonizing of Islam is unconscionable. What is also so horrific is the so-called self-proclaimed "Irish Americans" who preach their supposed persecution because of their Catholicism have no hesitation whatsoever doing it to those who practice Islam. Shame on them.

• kaydog1 | May 17, 2012, 07:13 PM EDT

  'ESMERALDA', you should have opened your comment with the old Groucho Marx quote: "Who are you going to believe, me, or your own lying eyes?"

• Esmeralda | May 17, 2012, 10:49 AM EDT

  Only narrowminded people think Islam is about terrorism and killing people.Maybe Liam Neeson's embracing Islam will teach many of Irish Central's readers and commentators a thing or two about open-mindeness. What the man does is his private choice anyway. Is this online newspaper a tabloid?

• Springfield9 | May 16, 2012, 01:52 PM EDT

  LIam ...time to wake up. Islamist are killing more people than the old IRA,

• kaydog1 | May 16, 2012, 10:33 AM EDT

  Which particular "beauty" draws Liam to islam, then? It seems that not a day goes by that one does not read of islamofascists plotting to blow up innocents, like the Times Square Bomber targeting children coming out of "The Lion King", merely because they were Western children, or episodically throwing sulfuric acid into the faces of Pakistani and Afghani schoolgirls, simply because they dared to attend a school - maybe this inspires Liam. Perhaps Liam was inspired by the mobs that rushed out to murder unarmed UN medical services personnel in Afghanistan after a pastor threatened to burn a Koran ten thousand miles away in Florida, or maybe it was watching islamists saw the head off the still-living Daniel Pearl - maybe this has inspired Liam. Of course, it's always possible that the idea of women being executed as adulterers for the "crime" of being the victim of gang rape, along with the iconic image of the terrified woman being half-buried in the ground in preparation for stoning in Iran - maybe this is the beautiful mystery that calls out to him. I could go on, but I wish him Wisdom. I hope he finds his peace there.

• PiperMac52 | Feb 07, 2012, 01:22 AM EST

  The fact is that Catholicism is growing exponentially in Asia and Africa. It has lasted 2000 years (as Christ promised..."It will endure until the end of time"). the precepts of Catholicism, or Christianity in general has brought civilization to most of the free world. Christ says: The greatest of all commandments is love thy neighbor as thy self. Do not judge the religion by those who have perverted it. Islam on the other hand(Quran/hadith)teaches that all must be converted to Islam by any means. Force is acceptable, even encouraged. The Quran says: "Take no jew or Christian as friend..." "Slay the infidel..."(non Muslims)... Now the so-called millions of radicals follow the Quran. Those moderates do not. I suggest reading an English version of the Quran to be informed. Better yet just look at any Islamic state. There is NO freedom or democracy. Barbaric Sharia law is enforced, women are stoned, hands are cut off for stealing etc. Wake up people. You are being deceived by the great deceiver .

• abhainn | Feb 01, 2012, 08:06 AM EST

  The fact that Islam, in the hands of most practitioners, is no worse than Catholicism is hardly a recommendation. Irish people in growing numbers have seen right through Catholicism, and no longer use it. Mass-going and vocations have crashed, in a well-established trend.

• ciaradexy | Jan 31, 2012, 07:19 PM EST

  Jets, and a whole lot of Irish people! This anti church group is only getting bigger!

• eiriamach | Jan 31, 2012, 04:26 PM EST

  Ugly comment, jetsnoone.

• jetsnoone | Jan 31, 2012, 11:16 AM EST

  Seamus60....... Look who hates the Church: abortionists, homos and heretics (protestants and moslems) Which of those are you?

• ciaradexy | Jan 30, 2012, 04:53 PM EST

  It hasnt landed him in controversy in Ireland just in the US!

• stephan1947 | Jan 30, 2012, 02:37 PM EST

  Shalom & Boker tov...Mr Neeson is a brilliant artist...and his wife (zikhronah livrakha) his twin-flame...but he is not stupid either. 'Death' is non-existent; we are Spirit beings in incarnate bodies. She is with him. And yet. Yeshua benMiriam was the fabrication of a Graeco-Roman-Egyptian revelatory death cult -- centuries of exterminations leading to the gates of Auschwitz. There was no discipleship, no parthenogenesis, no empty tomb, no 'passion', no 'resurrection'. For Mr Neeson to embrace another death cult (where women and children have NO rights except to breed) -- to me, this is incomprehensible. I can listen to the beauty of Gregorian chants, Tibetan bells, klezmer, Chassidic melodies -- and hear the voices of G-d/dess. Mr Neeson, do not betray yourself, or your wife, by embracing the murderous screeds of 'Islam', the Arab recapitulation of nazism. STEPHAN PICKERING / Chofetz Chayim benAvraham

• PiperMac52 | Jan 30, 2012, 01:56 AM EST

  I spent 10 minutes typing a reply to Eieriamch clicked on to "comment" and it disappeared....guess someone at editing didn't like what I had to say. Nothing offensive, just truth.

• ceceann | Jan 29, 2012, 08:47 PM EST

  Why are you turning his "full right to embrace Islam if he wants" into more anti-catholic church bashing. If you can remember back to the crusades, you should remember back to the late 1970's when his mother-in-law was in the middle of a steaming controversy over her support of the PLO. Obviously, this family is not out of tune with either controversy or muslims.

• allan07 | Jan 29, 2012, 04:47 PM EST

  Eieriamach - wise words indeed. Whats the difference between Gary Glitter and a Roman Catholic priest who has committed paedophile acts. Gary Glitter has never to my knowledge used religion to cover up the illegal acts which he committed. Mr Glitter has not forgiven someone else for committing their sins. How can a Roman Catholic priest forgive you for your sins and then commit illegal acts such as paedophile. To pretend like some catholics do that somehow a special case is given to priests is wrong. What makes the whole situation worse in Londonderry the Roman Catholic Church took 10% of the sunday takings and used it to bribe the families of the victims. Firstly committing illegal acts and then bribing the families for their silence. Hush money. Morally bankrupt. What even makes it worse Pope John Paul 11 knew about it and did nothing and now hes being made a saint. You couldnt make it up. The Roman Catholic Church is corrupt and it has been supported by the Government of the Irish Republic. Thick as thiefs the lot.

• eiriamach | Jan 29, 2012, 04:16 PM EST

  PiperMac52, the John Jay Study defined puberty at age 10 or 11, didn't it? A priest who rapes a 12-year-old boy is a PEDOPHILE and a criminal. Face the truth! All of the victims were children or minors, in need of protection by the law: "22% were younger than age 10, 51% were between the ages of 11 and 14, and 27% were between the ages to 15 to 17 years." You cannot rewrite that history, and the world is not likely to forget it. It grows tiresome reading patent misrepresentations like yours of the Catholic Church's sexual predation history. Perhaps you will begin to regain other people's respect when you learn to tell the truth straight out. And the "sin that cries out to heaven" is Catholics' persecutions of gays and women, Catholic discrimination against them, Catholic pressure on governments to deprive these groups of their human rights, and Catholic coverups of sexual exploitations of children. The sin that cries out to heaven is not homosexuality. You cannot scapegoat homosexuals for the sins of that adult priests and nuns committed against children. Nobody is buying that spin. Nowhere does scripture mention abortion, nor will you find the word "homosexual" or "homosexuality" in the 400-year-old KJV English translation of the bible. There's plenty of condemnation of adultery and other forms of sexual immorality, but Jesus said zero words about gays. Why do people flee Christianity? Because of the Pharisaical hypocrisy of Christians trying to excuse the sins of the paradigmatic Christians.

• PiperMac52 | Jan 29, 2012, 08:16 AM EST

  The Catholic church has lasted for over 2000 years. It is growing exponentially in Asia and Africa. With all of it's faults it has brought civilization , prosperity and education to most of the free world. It has had to subsist throughout turbulent periods of history where Kings and dictators held sway(and yes influence)but it's precepts handed from Christ to the Apostles have not changed even though some within it's ranks have failed to follow them. That is the nature of fallen man. According to the Jay commission over 80% of the sex abuse cases involved post pubescent males(homosexuality). Michael S. Rose Book "Goodbye Good Men..."was an expose of the Homosexual subculture allowed to fester within since Vatican II and the liberal elements that embrace the culture, even many prelates. It has yielded it's fruit. If you accept sacred scripture as the inspired word Abortion is murder, The Homosexual lifestyle is both disordered and unnatural and a "sin that cries out to heaven". In the larger context(eternity) the Catholic church has not failed. Christ's promise....thow art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and it shall prevail till the end of time and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 2000 years speaks for itself. Men will always fail, Christ and his church will not.

• allan07 | Jan 29, 2012, 05:19 AM EST

  Every person has the right to follow whatever faith they want to or even none if that is what they want. Freedom its called. What makes by blood boil is those of Catholic faith whom try to force feed you Catholicism. Take the popes messages last Christmas when he pointed the finger at groups (Not named) for not listening or not allowing others to speak. He blamed certain groups (Not named) for not allowing people to express themselves. Was he talking about the victims in the sex scandals in the Roman Catholic Church which were ignored and simply ignored. Ther victims were made to sign documents (Gagging orders) not to talk or speak about their ordeals. No he was not. Religion has been used to cover up wrong doing within the Roman Catholic Church for centuries. I dont blame Liam Neeson for choosing another religion. The Catholic Church has failed. Wrong on divorce, abortion, leadership, wrongdoing, never accept blame, they never accept that children from mixed marriages as from both religions (they claim all the children as their own), etc. Of course if Mr Leeson decides to stay within a broken church thats his choice. Good luck whatever he decides. Lots of good people have fled the Roman Catholic Church with good reason.

• MichaelDohnan | Jan 29, 2012, 12:46 AM EST

  It is a phony story. He simply had a wonderful experience in Istanbul, and who wouldn't? The best form of Islam is to be found there i.e., the Sufi school of the poet Rumi. The rhythm of life invested with prayer but a nation that is secular in its self-understanding ... both are very appealing. Perhaps what we should take away from this is an appreciation of the fact that Islam is no more monolithic than Christianity.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 28, 2012, 05:21 PM EST

  Correct DrTrelawney! but He may embrace the islamic faith who cares.

• mamaginnty | Jan 28, 2012, 01:03 PM EST

  Why don't most of you just come out and say it....call him a terrorist because he might turn to islam. Millions have joined it world wide, The Quran....fanatics. fanatics we have in all countries, the cults in America who make there followers commit suicide, the kkk who kill for colour, the Nazi's, the genocide of irish need I go on.

• DrTrelawney | Jan 28, 2012, 12:54 PM EST

  This is not a story. He made an off-the-cuff remark about appreciating the culture of Islam and it has been pulled out of context to suggest that he is seriously thinking of converting. There is -- insofar as I can judge -- no serious possibility of him actually going through with this. Unbelievable!

• lostgold | Jan 28, 2012, 09:07 AM EST

  Shortly before his death the Ayatollah Khomeni now of blessed memory made the remark that he would love to see the Irish convert to Islam knowing fullwell what British imperialism as well as what Christianity both the Catholic and Protestant varieties had done to that country and people. It is not very important whether Mr. Neeson converts to Islam or not. He doesn't sound to bright to ne. After all what happened to his wife could have happened no matter what religion Mr. Neeson or his wife were. Bad things happen to good people all the time in this world Theres even a book on the subject written by a rabbi. What is important is the falling away from the traditional Irish religion Catholicism by Mr.Neeson and not even turning to Protestantism. So quick to jump the Christian fold completely. If Mr.Neeson attitude is is any way representative than we may conclude that soon the battle against militant Islam may take place not in the AFghan-Pakistan border area but in the North sea-Irish sea area.

• newcanaan | Jan 28, 2012, 07:06 AM EST

  it would take some liberal moran from california to write this BS

• eiriamach | Jan 28, 2012, 06:41 AM EST

  Some comments below disparage Islam, and I question whether they are completely accurate. In an article on the on-going revolution in Arab states, today's California "Times-Standard" has an article on Islamists defending inclusive democracy. Abdel Aboul-Fotouh, running for the Egyptian presidency, said, "It is true women were oppressed in our Eastern society, but women were also oppressed in Western societies, where women are used in commercials as commodities. We need to give back women their dignity. We need to look at women as equal to men." According to the article by Angela Charlton and Paul Schemm, he added, "women should participate in political life across North Africa." He also approves of the Occupy Wall Street focus on economic fairness. And Hammadi Jebali, prime minister of Tunisia, "spoke of ensuring social justice in a country with high youth unemployment and an economy still scarred by the uprising." The Western democracies may soon find themselves in competition with Muslim democracies for putting our famous principles of equality and equal opportunity fully into practice. "The times they are a-changing," even for the religion of Islam. (I doubt Neeson will become a Muslim simply because its architecture and prayers appeal to him. But perhaps we shouldn't leap to the conclusion that it would be a terrible choice.)

• ciaradexy | Jan 28, 2012, 04:17 AM EST

  Jetsnoone, maybe young Americans foolow a religion because someone who is famous does. We arent as stupid.

• jetsnoone | Jan 27, 2012, 10:48 PM EST

  Islam is a heresy which attacks the Catholic Church. Liam is attacking his own and many young Irish Catholics will follow his example.

• BishopSean | Jan 27, 2012, 07:30 PM EST

  If Liam Neeson decides to be a muslim, we westerners will think "how unusual," and let the matter remain between Liam and God as he understands God. Mind you, however, should Lima formally accept Islam and then decide to leave Islam (apostasy) they will be honour-bound to kill him. Unfortunately, this is not an exaggeration.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 27, 2012, 06:41 PM EST

  Point taken Ciaradexy. They are obviously not listening to us they go on!and On ad infinitum about who tells the best fairytales.

• PiperMac52 | Jan 27, 2012, 04:58 PM EST

  Let's be clear. The teachings of Christ(Christianity) in no way condone forced conversion, killing or barbarism. Christ said:"...the greatest commandment is to love thy neighbor as thyself." Those Christians that violated those precepts through the ages, even those within the church were acting out of their fallen nature to pursue their own agenda. They were NOT acting in conjunction with Christian precepts. Muslim on the other hand who commit violence against infidels(non Muslims), women etc. are following the Quran and the precepts of Islam as handed to Muhammad.

• RedBranch | Jan 27, 2012, 02:37 PM EST

  Islam, the fastest growing faith in Ireland!

• mollysdee | Jan 27, 2012, 12:45 PM EST

  It saddens me that Liam would even consider leaving the Christian faith, the one true God. No matter how deep his sadness, the Islam faith is not the answer.

• Irishphotograph | Jan 27, 2012, 12:03 PM EST

  the user below is not aware that people are being put to death for leaving Islam. This is what the Islamic gospel calls for, death to unbelievers. If you believe in the Christian GOD. Then believe that Islam is Satan's baby. Brought into the World to denounce the Crucifixion of Jesus. You take away the Crucifixion story. You take away a Mans Salvation. It suits Satan for this to happen and SO!! Liam should base his faith on Truth not how nice something looks and sounds.

• cillowen | Jan 27, 2012, 10:14 AM EST

  When it comes to killings the muslims have a lot of catching up to do. That being said his goose will be cooked in any event. The controlling media mavens who largely manage such things will make an example of this NI born chap who knows about apartheidness but doesn't seem to care or can't connect the .......

• cillowen | Jan 27, 2012, 10:11 AM EST

  When it comes to killings the muslims have a lot of catching up to do. That being said his goose will be cooked in any event. The mavens to largely manage such things will make an example of this NI born chap who knows about apartheidness but doesn't seem to care .......

• RedStormSTL | Jan 27, 2012, 08:09 AM EST

  Mr. O'Dowd, Your passing 'lest we forget' comment shows an appalling lack of knowledge concerning the history of both Islam AND the Crusades. Charles Martel did not fight the Muslim hordes in the Holy Land...lest YOU forget history try reading a book before you expose your ignorance. Lastly, and I apologize, there is simply no polite way to phrase this. ANYONE who thinks Islam is, in any fashion by any means, 'no more militant than Catholicism' is at best a blind fool, at worst an enabler of Muslim atrocities in the West.

• seamus60 | Jan 27, 2012, 07:45 AM EST

  Fair play to Liam. Freedom of choice is alive and afterall who could criticise anyone for either moving away or refraining from the catholic church. Sitting on wealth whilst sacred life fades away due to hunger.

• jetsnoone | Jan 27, 2012, 07:28 AM EST

  Selfish Liam ("Gosh I must be the only person who lost a loved one") decides to spit in the face of Jesus and His Church. Typical Hollyrude.

• newcanaan | Jan 27, 2012, 07:03 AM EST

  Niall great defend islam while your rag bashes Catholics every second day

• PiperMac52 | Jan 27, 2012, 02:17 AM EST

  Talk about revisionist history. The Crusades were called as a defensive action after Muslims invaded and pillaged Christian lands. Remember prior to islam's quest for forced conversions(as per the Quran)the Middle East was inhabited predominately by Christians and jews. Even into Europe, Spain, Italy the Muslim hordes advanced and conquered. Except for the Crusades and Charles Martel Europe would be Muslim today. Islam can not coexist with other religions(Quran)and by it's very nature is not compatible with Democracy.

• PiperMac52 | Jan 27, 2012, 02:10 AM EST

  There may be 10s of millions who practice a moderate form of Islam but they are not following the Qur'an. The so-called radicals are following the Quran and Hadith to the letter, therein lies the problem. The Quran is replete with Suras that procalim:..."Take no Jew or Christain as friend.." Slay the infidel, smite their necks.."The vast majority of the world's violent trouble spots have one common denominator...Islam.

• ciarajoyce | Jan 27, 2012, 01:26 AM EST

  Hang on a minute folks. Mr Neeson has not yet made any decision. When he does, it will be his decision, not yours. You want to see mass murder, go back and study Charlemagne without some goofy nun spinning the story. Talk about "submit or die"! Mr Neeson will make his decision when he's ready. No matter what he decides, he'll always be Irish. Where the hell were you folks when his wife died unexpectedly? Where were you when he was recovering (for two years) from a motorcycle accident? But now that he's looking into Islam, you've all got to put in your 2 cents' worth. (And that's about all it's worth.) I'm sure you'll be the first people he calls when he makes a decision.

• Irishphotograph | Jan 26, 2012, 09:55 PM EST

  """Lest we forget the mote in our own eye let's not forget the crusades where Muslims in massive numbers were put to the sword by invading Catholic armies"" This was the 11th-13th!!! Centuries! if this is what anti-Christians can look to, then theres is a lost cause. Yes the Crusades were bloody but it was Muslim invading Jerusalem. That started this series of conflicts off. Who knows! if we did not have the Crusades Europe could be an Islamic State. Islam has always trying to conquer Europe. Please read the Battle of the Tours where in the 700's. Charles Martel defeated once again another Muslim army into Europe. In the home of Islam Saudi Arabia it is a death sentence in 2012 to leave and insult Islam. Just because the call to prayer sounds nice & have nice buildings does not mean it is RIGHT!..Niall if you are a true friend to Liam. You tell him about true Biblical Christianity and not Romes version of it. Said with respect to you.

• Irishphotograph | Jan 26, 2012, 08:43 PM EST

  The reason that Liam is leaving the RCC faith for Islam is because he never truly knew Jesus in this church. If he did then he would know GOD has not wanted for such a thing to happen and GOD will comfort Him at this time. Yet! all Liam knew was an ol' Hail Mary & the same repetition of prayers. Never really having that relationship that GOD desires through His Son Jesus Christ.

• Irishphotograph | Jan 26, 2012, 08:39 PM 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. 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

• NYCFiredog | Jan 26, 2012, 08:21 PM EST

  Hey OakLongan. I have no problem with your choice of faith. I'm a live and let live kind of guy. And Druids aren't doing any murdering or sacrificing these days as far as I know. They did once though. And St. Paddy went head to head with Druids who challenged him with their rites and failed which led to mass conversion of Druids to Christ. I won't defend many of those purporting to represent Him these days and those that abused His Name and Church and people, but I owe my life and soul to Him. My choice. But Islam is another matter. There are millions who are NOT live and let live. They are let live if you submit. And Nial, my cousin Tommy was a Dowd. He was murdered by Muslims shouting Allahu Akhbar as they murdered Tommy , my 343 FDNY Brothers, NYPD, and citizens. My Christ tells me to forgive and love my enemies. And I do, and I pray for them. It could've been me if I was born there, under the yoke of Islamist Spiritual slavery.

• chuckb97 | Jan 26, 2012, 08:19 PM EST

  Mr ODowd,Liam is thinking of the Islamic religion the same religion that the muslim father of 3 girls im upstate NY killed his daughters because the were in bathing suits.Because they were becoming Westernized. The same religion that says these type of murders are necessary for the sake of their religion.The same religion that says everyone has to be muslim and there methods to accomplish this has no barriers.The same religion that says everyone else is an infidel. Mr Odowd you really don't know what you are talking about.Do you? Liam has suffered the loss that many people have suffered. He cannot have had a deep understanding and faith in his Catholic religion to have an interest in Islam. This will not bring back his deceased wife. Hopefully he will spend this time praying to our Saviour, Jesus Christ, for solace and comfort.

• Newrone | Jan 26, 2012, 07:37 PM EST

  @ eileend "Mohammed practiced full female equality"? Heavens! You haven't read the same Qu'ran as I have, apparently.
  
  Just being reminded of Natasha's tragic death & my heart bleeds again for Liam & their kids.
  
  But there IS no "meaning of life".
  There is no God, Allah, Yahweh or Zeus, any more than there is a landscape in a random inkpblot or a face in a cloud formation. Coming to terms with that reality, hard as it is, is often the best way to deal with other realities that we cannot understand.
  
  But how many of us give ourselves that option?
  
  I have nothing against anyone who believes differently to me on the basis of their own conscientious, rational reflection.
  However, considering the geographical & cultural nature of most religions, it is clear that rational reflection is not part of the equation in most cases.
  

• oaklongan | Jan 26, 2012, 07:07 PM EST

  NYCFiredog...read years ago about the free-thinkers and mystic Sufis. Can't remembern if it was Rumi, but he wasn't put to the sword only because his friend and patron, an Islamic Sultan, wouldn't allow it. Thousand years in Europe of the "Dark Ages" of Intellectual and Spiritual Ignorance is appalling, likewise... Earlier commenter mentioned some or many? Irish people in Ireland returning to the Higher Principles of ancestral Druid Path... Food for Thought...

• Woodman | Jan 26, 2012, 06:57 PM EST

  Embracing Islam, reading books on religion and questioning God's existence simply because his wife was killed? Why can't he go on a drug, sex and alcohol binge like any normal person?

• cynicus | Jan 26, 2012, 05:59 PM EST

  O.K. Whatever! But do we all have to know about it? Me, I could not care less. This is a private matter and hardly a fit subject to scream to all the world. One wonders, why all the need for publicity and comment- it's no one's business but Liam Neeson's. And, who really cares? Just another form of 'opium?'

• borefield | Jan 26, 2012, 05:33 PM EST

  Get a grip Niall. If you take offense at the negative reaction to Liam Neeson embracing Islam, then don't publish his story. You go to bat for him telling us what a great human being he is and it's his right to choose whatever religion he wishes. You are right, it is however having been exposed to this so called gentel religion I really do have a problem with their teachings, especially where women and the Western World are concerned. As an American this is my right, a right I wouldn't have under Islamic law. You went to bat for Obama too and now you a tad turned off him.

• mamaginnty | Jan 26, 2012, 05:09 PM EST

  And you call yourselves christian, as I said on the first post about this, read up on islam, the sharia, or any other religion, broaden your minds for God sake, pardon the pun. Who are we to say christianity is the true faith, Pipermac52, you say barbaric, mention women,beheading, cutting of limbs. We so called christian, are wife beaters, abusers of children, thieves, murderers, you name it we do it, yes and America also fries people in a chair. There are good christians just as there is in the islamic religion and most others, we have religious fanatics worldwide. We christians have broken so many of it's laws that it is unrecognizable now.

• ciaradexy | Jan 26, 2012, 04:35 PM EST

  I completely agree Sean. Its a pity more people arent as clever as you and I on this particular issue! Just this one mind you!

• seanomelbourne | Jan 26, 2012, 04:31 PM EST

  All this banter on which religion is the greatest.They all failed the basic needs of the populace by conducting relentless wars against each other bringing death and destruction right up to the present day. Bush evoking God and a crusade against the arabs.Arabs evoking god in their crusade against the infidels.Jews evoking god and using a mythologicol to subjugate their neighbours. It's great to have the uncluttered mind of an atheist.A plague on all you religious zealots.

• ciaradexy | Jan 26, 2012, 04:28 PM EST

  How do you know seabeetom? have you looked for it there?

• seabeetom | Jan 26, 2012, 04:17 PM EST

  He will not find the life's meaning in islam.

• zagloba | Jan 26, 2012, 03:43 PM EST

  Since many books have been written trying to understand Islam, as well as the Crusades, it is impossible to fully discuss these issues in a forum. A few points: Arab armies under Muhammad and his successors counquerd the Middle East and swept across North AFrica into Spain until their high water mark when they were defeated by Charles Martel. In the years that followed, Isalmic rulers allowed Jews and Christians to practice their faith in conquered areas, but had to pay a poll tax. For several hundred this situation lasted. Jerusalem fell to the Arabs in 634. Pilgrimages from Europe to Jerusalem were allowed, and were a source of income. This changed when the intolerant Seljuq Turks swept in and took control of the Islamic Empire in the middle eleventh Century. That set the stage for the Crusades. Islam was certainly advanced from its early days by warfare, but just as there are many varieties of Christianity, there are many interpretations of the Koran. Justification has been found there for both female subservience as well as female importance. Ditto with violence and mercy. No easy answers here. No one really knows how many people have been killed through the centuries in the name of religion.

• eileend | Jan 26, 2012, 03:13 PM EST

  Wow, nothing like a little religion to set everybody at each other's throats. As for Neeson's investigation into Islam and its misuse by powerful men, as me old mam used to say, The devil can quote the bible to his own purpose. I'd say we actually need to be acquainted with a practicing Muslim(preferably a non-violent one, of which I believe there are over a billion), before speaking so decisively on what the Koran and the prophet did or did not say. For instance, Mohammed practiced full female equality. It was the male-dominated societies that changed the social mores. But I'd say the real question is, who the hell are we to tell this man, who, as Mr. Dowd says, has struggled mightily to be a responsible father and community member during a time of unspeakable grief(again, if you haven't been there, how the hell can you make a definitive comment), which direction he takes to help him make sense of it all? Unless he straps on a bomb, it's his business, and his alone. And just as an aside, tomasocarthaigh, you mention the Angelus like it's a bad thing. You really think the worst thing Religions have done to each other over the ages is insist we remember to regularly talk to God?(and oh, everybody mentions the Crusades like that's the only problem visited on the Muslims from Christians. I have one word for you. Inquisition. That one kinda covered everybody)

• tippboy | Jan 26, 2012, 02:29 PM EST

  I'm a happy atheist - you religious types can go on killing each other till the end of time. A pox on all your houses!

• PiperMac52 | Jan 26, 2012, 02:26 PM EST

  Sadly Mr. Neeson's search and vulnerability have led him to a most barbaric, oppressive, totalitarian ideology disguised as a religion which treats women as chattel, beheads infidels and metes out spartan punishments such as cutting off of limbs and lashing for the most minor crimes under Sharia law. Honor killings, suicide bombings....all justified in it's "holy book" the Quran. Very sad indeed that Islam will use Mr.Neeson as a recruiting tool for clueless Westerners.

• Curitiba | Jan 26, 2012, 02:16 PM EST

  I wonder what Neeson's townie, the other Boy from Ballymena, the Rev Dr. Ian Paisley would think of all this?

• TerryMacM | Jan 26, 2012, 02:03 PM EST

  Hear Hear Mr. O'Dowd. Well said! If you care at all about the history of religious oppression suffered by the Irish at home and abroad, it behooves us to refrain from committing the same fault against others, Muslims included. I hope Mr. Neeson finds peace.

• MommaOBoys | Jan 26, 2012, 02:00 PM EST

  Yeah we invaded during the Crusades but that's because the Muslims wanted to wipe out Christianity. They couldn't let anyone other than Muslims reside in the Holy Land so we had to try and take it back! They're not gonna be happy until Christianity and Judaism, along with any other non-muslim religion are wiped off the face of the Earth.

• bob40wil | Jan 26, 2012, 01:36 PM EST

  He could go the Scientology rout, it's what most Hollywood types do.

• eiriamach | Jan 26, 2012, 01:35 PM EST

  Christians are getting their comeuppance from the press, victims' advocates, and now Liam Neeson. I'm not surprised. One theory about the word "religion" is that it comes from "re-ligare," "to re-connect." Someone who is looking for connection to a greater meaning and purpose is searching for religion in some sense. But credibility is a problem for religions now, especially Christianity. Ministers, priests and bishops compete in the press to see which one can be the bigger hypocrite. See IC articles on Crd. Dolan's sermon on sex as "animal rutting," "Irish gays told they are ‘the lepers among us’," Crd. George comparing LGBTs to the KKK, and the ever-continuing worldwide church sex scandals. Such stories make Christianity look like a fetishist's circus. With this kind of publicity, many Christians go into hiding or refuse to witness their faith, not out of fear of persecution, but out of fear of being mis-identified as unchristian hypocrites, bigots, or sociopaths. The focus on 'religious' sexual morality in the culture wars is enough to turn Christ against today's Christianity, so I can understand how Islam might seem preferable to Neeson. To re-connect with the debate, see the gone-viral video on You Tube "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus" and the many videos replying to it. I hope Neeson finds the grace to connect with a credible faith.

• Jamcelt | Jan 26, 2012, 01:06 PM EST

  Why doesn't he just smoke some pot and meditate? And... do we really give a rat's red ass?

• BigGuns | Jan 26, 2012, 12:55 PM EST

  Sure, he has the right to practice any religion that he wants, but I also have the right to not see any more of his movies.

• Nicomax | Jan 26, 2012, 12:48 PM EST

  You would have thought by now that Europeans would have realized just how disastrous the various religious wars have been over the past several centuries, leading them to consider choosing no religion at all.

• tomasocarthaigh | Jan 26, 2012, 11:58 AM EST

  Does Neeson know that the reason the Angelous is played twice daily is that long long before him, Crusaders were impressed by the call to prayer? Best of luck to him with his faith, but he cant see the answers there in his own. All faiths have the evil element - we did with the Crusades and the oppression of Protestantism, they did oppressing Catholocism, the Moslems do with their Jihads, and so it goes on.

• NiGhabhainn | Jan 26, 2012, 11:56 AM EST

  OK OK...first of all, let us not forget, we were not always Christian! Ireland embraced Christianity, then because we were forced to not practice it by our neighbouring Island (England) we became stronger within the faith. Now fewer Irish people state Christianity as their religion. Many are returning to the Celtic faith of the land. If he wants to practice a faith that betters him as a human, who are we to judge? Think before you use "Christianity" as your weapon against his decision...Always think "What would Jesus do/say". Fact is...he wouldnt as he himself was not a Christian. He had early morning prayer, afternoon prayer, evening prayer...He fasted, He believed in cleansing, certain diet and a way of life that not many Christians live today!!!! Many muslims do much the same as Jesus did as do Hindus etc etc.... So really....WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE!!! One Love <3

• Finbarrfinkel | Jan 26, 2012, 11:56 AM EST

  Liam Neeson should be free to pursue whatever religion he wishes.

• GerryMaine | Jan 26, 2012, 11:50 AM EST

  Islam is the religion that embraces death.

• NYCFiredog | Jan 26, 2012, 11:47 AM EST

  p.s. I meant below, "Many evils were committed by men under the guise of Christianity.......but it was a VIOLATION of Christ and His teachings.". I pad likes to put words in our mouths.

• NYCFiredog | Jan 26, 2012, 11:44 AM EST

  God bless Liam and his kids. C.S. Lewis struggled deeply when his wife died and wrote about his journey which led him TO God and Christian faith. Of course Liam has free will that God gave him, but Islam does NOT allow free will. I am currently in an Islamic nation which is danger of being swallowed up by Islamists who would enforce Sharia. I know beautiful Mulsims here, and I love them, but they are not good BECAUSE of their religion, but in SPITE of it. A Sufi like Rumi would be blown to smithereens by Islamists who despise his sect. And Niall, you may want to use that periscope from that dark angry place your head is and read your History. Islam had subjected the Holy Land and was destroying sacred sites, and in the midst if conquering Europe and converting by the sword those in Andelusia (Spain) and were finally turned back in Lepanto. If it were not for the Crusades, you would be living in the dark ages. I was recently in Thailand where even the Thai Buddhists are being murdered by Islamist terror. They murder wherever they are, and they even murder their own. Can you name any other death cult that murders it's own daughters and sisters to preserve the "honor" of the family? Many evokes were committed by men in the guise of Christianity, but it was a VIOLATION of Christ and His teachings. In Islam, evil is being committed in OBEDIENCE AND SUBMISSION of their death cult. The moderates are despised. I pray for those born under that yoke. It could've been me by geography of birth. And it's like the old IRA....."Once in......Never Out.".

• BippyBellito | Jan 26, 2012, 11:43 AM EST

  He can be whatever he wants to be. But there are consequences to his love of Islam and its holdings. He will incur the many of us Christians who see Islam as our enem; as a cult that insists that all that is not Islam must be converted or destroyed. In other words, Mr Neeson. Kiss my Irish Ass.

• minstrel312 | Jan 26, 2012, 11:39 AM EST

  First, I've been an admirer of Mr. Neeson since his film debut in the late Seventies and I consider him a consumnate artist and a human being who cares enough to become involved. I have the same regard for Natasha Richardson. When my wife was killed, I renounced God period and remained in THAT state of "grace" for nearly two decades. If Mr. Neeson can find the diety in a mosque, he is at least still Connected. I also don't believe the Diety much cares what He/She is called but does care very much about how we treat one another. Liam Neeson is also a fine human being in that regard as well. MS(R)M

• heybuldog69 | Jan 26, 2012, 11:34 AM EST

  You conveniently Forget that the Crusades were in response to centuries of Militant Islamic Expansion. The atrocities are not to be excused in light of the Teaching of Jesus but European Society would find itself struggling till the 1650's with similar Muslim invasions and piracy.

• OleSarge | Jan 26, 2012, 10:45 AM EST

  I'm so glad you approve. Of course it's his right. Which means it's nobodies business but his own. If he is Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, or any other religion is for him to decide. If it helps him be a better person, embrace him. If it makes him a bad neighbor, shun him.

• brent46 | Jan 26, 2012, 10:43 AM EST

  If you read the comments on this article you can with clarity see how religion divides people. Protestant against Catholic, Jew against Christian, Hindu against Muslim etc,etc. We need to rid ourselves from the power of an imaginary God and move to an embrace of the wonder of this world and the betterment of the precious people who live here.

• Amante2me | Jan 26, 2012, 10:35 AM EST

  Everything that lives will die. We are here because someone procreated and gave us a name. There is no big secret, no big reason for us being here. Everything is by chance. You can plan all you want but somethng can go wrong at any moment to change those plans you made. Liam's wife chose not to go to the hospital and that was the wrong choice. Everyone wants to blame someone or something when things go wrong. Religion is not going to change a thing. Nothing comes back once it dies. Liam has been seen and photographed holding another woman's hand and dating since his wife's death. If I was devastated over my spouse's death I would not be dating anyone for a long time. A picture speaks a thousand words. Let the man do what he wants. It is his life. But don't pretend to feel one way and do the opposite.

• hooligan6a | Jan 26, 2012, 10:02 AM EST

  "The religion gets a bad rap in the west" Maybe because they all seem to want to strap on a bomb vest and blow themselves up. I haven't heard of any Catholics putting muslims to the sword, for at least 700 years. So he is turning to Mohammed, a child rapist, for his spiritual guidance. Nice!!

• antoman | Jan 26, 2012, 09:57 AM EST

  Is this a cunning ploy to coerce I and others into going to Mass? Its been so long that crossing the threshold I may well spontaneously combust.

• SEAL5326 | Jan 26, 2012, 09:56 AM EST

  I guess Liam must be in shock. Islam is a dangerous cult.. If he wants to ruin his career in film he should sign up right away. He ought to consult a psychiatrist first.

• STEPcoach | Jan 26, 2012, 09:55 AM EST

  Since you brought it up ... First, an historical clarification: Catholic armies did not invade anything. The Muslims had invaded and were brutally subjugating vast areas of Europe. The "Christian" armies (so called because they were under the political directives of the pontiff who at that time was the military and political protector of those invaded lands) were defending their own territories and taking back what had been stolen by invaders. Next, of course Neeson has right to do anything he chooses regarding his religious preferences. I hope he closely looks into the sect he is swearing allegiance to, especially the Koran's directives to place their sharia laws above any other laws, including municipal or governmental, and regarding the requirements to attempt to subjugate all "infidels" by any means necessary, including jihad and murder. There have always been good and bad people on both sides of these faith issues. Individuals are not the problem - sectarian movements are. I have chosen Christianity because the tenets of the Founder, Jesus Christ, dictate that I forgive, love, and care for others. Do I do this perfectly always? Of course not! But, my chosen faith directs me to, so I am bound to always do my very best to comply. So called "Christians" (just like so called Irish who blatantly stand against everything it stands for) are not representative of those who follow Christ's teachings closely. Those who follow Mohammed's teachings and his life example of murder and war and misogyny have those examples to base their lives upon. I choose love, joy, and peace. ... and I wish the same for Mr. Neeson.

• staker42 | Jan 26, 2012, 09:53 AM EST

  He must be smoking something. If he thinks Islam is a religion of peac,e and calm he must be blind to the atrocities they commit and if he still grieves for his wife has he considered the second class status Islam affords women.

• mayoman | Jan 26, 2012, 09:52 AM EST

  If Liam Neeson had said that he was getting into Buddhism there would have been no fuss whatsoever. But since there are so many people in the West unable or unwilling to distinquiish between Islam and Militant Islam he is mocked and jeered for his spiritual search.

• EamonnDublin | Jan 26, 2012, 09:50 AM EST

  Yes, of course Mr. Neeson has the absolute right to embrace Islam if that is where his analysis and his conscience takes him. I wish him all the best in his future. The only thing I would object to in your report is the paragraph about the "mote in our own eye ...... the crusades where Muslims in massive numbers were put to the sword by invading Catholic armies". And THAT is your only contribution to the Muslim/Infidel/Crusades saga? I strongly suggest that you read just even a tiny amount of analysis from that period, and not simply stick your oar in and paddle with the crew who blame the West and Christianity for everything. In other words, Irish Central, GET A GRIP!! Éamonn, Dublin.

• donal1951 | Jan 26, 2012, 09:50 AM EST

  I have, at least to a degree, walked in his shoes, as I lost my wife to cancer in 2005. I had pledged to her, and I kept it, to remain in the Roman Catholic Church until after she died. Now, I am Eastern Orthodox and a priest at that. So I understand Mr. Neeson's search. I think Islam would be a mistake, but it is his to make if that's what it turns out to be. Neeson, one of Ireland's finest modern actors, has every right to come to his own conclusions and no matter what, I'll still watch his films.

• ciaradexy | Jan 26, 2012, 09:47 AM EST

  Yankee, your religion states 'An eye for an eye' and the preachers of your religion rape little boys and girls and steal babies from women and sells them to rich people! Still on your high horse there?

• ciaradexy | Jan 26, 2012, 09:45 AM EST

  Islam is not a religion.

• Yankee724 | Jan 26, 2012, 09:43 AM EST

  Right!? Of course he has a "right" to do whatever stupid,inane thing he wants to do. God gave everyone the right of "Free Choice". The Bible says "Choose life then that you may live". If he chooses a "religion" that says it is OK to kill your daughter if she doesn't want to be a Muslim,or that it is the duty of Islam to kill all 'infidels',i.e. non-Muslims, yes he can choose that too. But it will not be a "wise" choice or even a moral choice. Jesus is the ONLY Saviour of the World and Allah is not "God the Father".Mr. O'Dowd is the 'blind man leading the blind'. God help you.

• CanadianPat | Jan 26, 2012, 09:42 AM EST

  I have read nothing that implies it more than a passing taught, and therefor do not understand all the attention you are giving to it as a story of interest. Faith unchallanged ,is stagnent; it is part of the faith process to question and challange your own deeply held beliefs in order to grow both in faith and in life.You say he is a personal friend deeply affected by his own personal tragedy,then it would be your duty as a friend to help him through the ebbs and tides of life ( that we all too will suffer)to find his own realization of truth.

• colkelley | Jan 26, 2012, 09:31 AM EST

  As a longtime atheist I agree Liam Neeson has the right to choose between two religions which depend on brainwashing, mind control and the total domination of all aspects of the "believer's" life. As for me, I'll pass on that and stick with freedom.

• faberm1 | Jan 26, 2012, 08:21 AM EST

  Niall, you're right that we are in no position to pass judgment on his choices. I would however hope that he examine all the other branches of Christianity outside of the institution of Roman Catholicism before he abandons the Christian faith. The Christian faith has a myriad of faces that embrace the truths of the Apostle's Creed while meeting us "where we are". Just a thought for Liam, not a condemnation of his search.