May Allah guide you towards the right path always.
Indeed, which is sort of my point.
You don't have to renounce your culture to be a Muslim brother, as much as some would delight in that, it's just those things in Muslim inspired and none-Muslim cultures alike that run counter to Islam that we have to renounce, and the noble name 'Patrick', that Allah gave you, via your parents, who are to be honoured, is an excellent one. There is nothing wrong with it, and I just wanted to let you know, as you seemed to be under the impression that this was somehow haram, and it certainly isn't, and for some reason, nobody else is giving you this information. It would be wrong to have you make such a decision based upon a misunderstanding, and I respect you and Islam enough to send you a message upon the matter.
Not having an Arabic name isn't a sin. It is a sin to dishonour our parents, even if they have injured us. I am worried in case you are being made to feel ashamed or rebellious of your ancestry or cultural origins, be it that this is coming from within or without, but this is wrong.
None the less, God bless to you, whatever your name is. I only wanted to open your mind. There is absolutely no reason at all to change your God-given name, you thought that there was, but this is incorrect. None the less, what you decide, I respect entirely, but if a brother is to make a decision that could be based upon a misunderstanding, for the love of Allah, I will point it out, if no one else will. Allah didn't call me 'the rock', for nothing, noble brother.
Be proud of and happy about who you are, what you are and where you come from, and allow Islam to reinforce that, and be an inspiration to all around you with the nobility that you're destined to attain, Islam isn't meant to make you feel ashamed, inadequate or rebellious about anything, other than that which runs counter to it's teachings, and your name most certainly does not, I fear to change it may well do so. I worry that those around you may think that Islam necessitates a rebuttal of one's culture and one's parents on account of this strange behaviour of name changing where it isn't necessary, and this most certainly isn't the case.
You're in my prayers brother. God bless, in whatever you do.
