Convert Me

I would like to state a similar disclaimer to my opponent, in that I apologise for any statement I may make that may seem insulting to Islam. My opponents first section is an introduction, which though does contain a pertinent claim this is repeated in section five. So I will jump ahead to address section 2, which I will rename argument 1. Argument 1: Claim to be the True Religion My opponents argument is that assuming that Islam or Christianity, or Hinduism are true, the safest bet is Islam and only Islam claims exclusivity of Salvation. It does not actually present any evidence that any of these religions are true, nor does it present any evidence that Islam is true. Though it is an interesting argument it does not confirm the truth of Islam. In addition Christian scripture and the interpretation of that, suggests that Christianity also claims exclusivity. I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. [1] So whilst it may be that the vedas require only a belief in God, and so no punishment or harm will befall Muslims if even only Hinduism is the one true faith, Christianity requires the acceptance of Jesus Christ as the sole route to salvation. Though Islam does respect Jesus as a prophet, they do not assign to him this role. If Christianity is true it is not clear that Muslims would also be saved. So I would suggest that argument 1 is not directly pertinent to the debate, and is not entirely accurate. Argument 2: Challenge of the Qur'an My opponent states that, "On several occasions, the Qur'an challenges people to produce any text similar to it. People have tried, but were never successful. [3] The Qur'an claims that had it been written by men, it would be imperfect. It would be filled with contradictions etc. " However the Qur'an states both that Allah created the heavens and the earth in six days (010.003), [2] and also that he created the heavens and the earth in eight days, or four days if you discount the creation of life. (041.009 to 041.012). [3] (Private note, this is still arguably two verses, it just seems like a lot more). --- 010.003 YUSUFALI: Verily your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and is firmly established on the throne (of authority), regulating and governing all things. No intercessor (can plead with Him) except after His leave (hath been obtained). This is Allah your Lord; Him therefore serve ye: will ye not receive admonition? PICKTHAL: Lo! your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days, then He established Himself upon the Throne, directing all things. There is no intercessor (with Him) save after His permission. That is Allah, your Lord, so worship Him. Oh, will ye not remind? SHAKIR: Surely your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six periods, and He is firm in power, regulating the affair, there is no intercessor except aher His (sic) permission; this is Allah, your Lord, therefore serve Him; will you not then mind? --- Compared with. --- 041.009 YUSUFALI: Say: Is it that ye deny Him Who created the earth in two Days? And do ye join equals with Him? He is the Lord of (all) the Worlds. PICKTHAL: Say (O Muhammad, unto the idolaters): Disbelieve ye verily in Him Who created the earth in two Days, and ascribe ye unto Him rivals? He (and none else) is the Lord of the Worlds. SHAKIR: Say: What! do you indeed disbelieve in Him Who created the earth in two periods, and do you set up equals with Him? That is the Lord of the Worlds. 041.010 YUSUFALI: He set on the (earth), mountains standing firm, high above it, and bestowed blessings on the earth, and measure therein all things to give them nourishment in due proportion, in four Days, in accordance with (the needs of) those who seek (Sustenance). PICKTHAL: He placed therein firm hills rising above it, and blessed it and measured therein its sustenance in four Days, alike for (all) who ask; SHAKIR: And He made in it mountains above its surface, and He blessed therein and made therein its foods, in four periods: alike for the seekers. (041.011 Simply mentions the creation of the heavens, omitted for space). 041.012 YUSUFALI: So He completed them as seven firmaments in two Days, and He assigned to each heaven its duty and command. And We adorned the lower heaven with lights, and (provided it) with guard. Such is the Decree of (Him) the Exalted in Might, Full of Knowledge. PICKTHAL: Then He ordained them seven heavens in two Days and inspired in each heaven its mandate; and We decked the nether heaven with lamps, and rendered it inviolable. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Knower. SHAKIR: So He ordained them seven heavens in two periods, and revealed in every heaven its affair; and We adorned the lower heaven with brilliant stars and (made it) to guard; that is the decree of the Mighty, the Knowing. --- Which is 2 + 4 + 2 = 8. Argument 3: A Perfect Book. My opponent claims that the Qur'an is "not in conflict with established scientific facts" --- 071.015 YUSUFALI: "'See ye not how Allah has created the seven heavens one above another, PICKTHAL: See ye not how Allah hath created seven heavens in harmony, SHAKIR: Do you not see how Allah has created the seven heavens ,~ one above another [4] --- There is no up, down, above and below in space. Indeed this line may even suggest that the author(s) of the Qur'an believed the world to be flat. Argument 4: Perfect Preservation My opponent claims that, "[Qur'an 15:9] "We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption). " My counter-argument is that the preservation of an old text does not in itself confirm it's truth, nor it's divine origin. In addition it is a false claim. 'Let none of you say', averred the pious son of Caliph Umar, 'that he has the whole Koran in his possession. How does he know what the whole of it is? Much of the Koran has gone' [5] [6] The Uthman Koran in Tashkent is often claimed to be the oldest surviving Koran. It is apparently one of the five 'standardised' Qur'ans that was authorised by the Third Caliph in 651, 19 years after the death of Prophet Mohammed. In addition it is incomplete, with only one third of it surviving. [7] This article strongly suggests that there was doubt and confusion as to the content and interpretation of the Qur'an both before and after the standardised version compiled by the Third Caliph. [8] If doubts as to the content of the Qur'an existed at the time of Mohammed, we can not be certain, or even optimistic that it has been preserved. This does nothing to suggest divine intervention or the spiritual truth of Islam. References. [1]. http://bible.cc... [2]. http://www.usc.edu... [3]. http://www.usc.edu... [4]. http://www.usc.edu... [5] . http://www.vexen.co.uk... [6] . http://www.bibliomania.com... [7] . http://en.wikipedia.org... [8] . http://debate.org.uk...