Convert Me

• Argument 1: The Safest Bet I will address this argument only briefly, I accept that I have made a mistake in considering what Christianity states, as opposed to what the bible states. However even if I accept the safest bet argument it does not confirm the truth of Islam (I don't think this argument can be addressed any further). • Argument 2: Contradictory Accounts of Creation. Unless I instantly become a scholar of Arabic, or find one that conveniently disagrees with you I have to accept that this is not a contradiction in the Qur'an. • Argument 3: Relying on Future Evidence My opponent states, "My opponent claims that the seven heavens theory relies on future evidence. I agree, and that is why this cannot possibly be a scientific error. Therefore, I have validly rebutted the claim." I do not consider this a valid rebuttal. My opponent suggests that the Qur'an is correct in dividing the heavens, by implication the universe into seven parts. There is no evidence for this. He can not, for the sake of this debate claim that future science will confirm this claim. "A link to Wikipedia was provided[2], which shows five layers. However, Wikipedia itself calls it a layer.[3] Due to different functions, it may not always be listed as a layer of its own. The link explains it." My opponents link still only suggests that it has five or six layers, not seven. • Argument 4 o Evidence of Uthman Having the Original Qur'an My opponent states, "I wish to present new arguments this time, and I will therefore ask my opponent to read a lot about that on source #4 and #5." The second section of source [4] makes contradictory claims. Firstly it states that, "When Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him received the Noble Quran's Revelations in a 10-years span, he had everything documented on paper and saved with his close disciples and immediate family. He also had the entire Noble Quran memorized along with many of his followers. The Noble Quran during the times of our beloved Prophet peace be upon him was carefully preserved and protected from man's corruption." However it then states, "When Uthman, the third Caliph in Islam, compiled the Noble Quran". Why, and from what did Uthman compile his standardised Quran when the original Quran revealed to/by the Prophet Muhammad was still in existence. Surely Uthman should have merely accurately copied the pre-existing Quran whilst destroying those that had been corrupted? It also fails to offer any sources or evidence that two original Mohammad era Quran's are still in existence in perfect condition. o Abrogations in the Qur'an My opponent address the acusation of abrogation by claiming that subsequent sections of the Qur'an merely develop or add to previous ideas. He states that, "Now, the Qur'an makes it clear that wine/intoxicants and gambling are completely prohibited. Is it a contradiction? No. It is a law made through stages. And why so? I call this a work of wisdom. In the era of the beloved Prophet, the Arabs were drunk etc., and committed many sins. For them to start embracing Islam, they had to get used to the new laws step by step. So, the Qur'an started saying that there is good in wine and there is bad, and the bad is greater than good. Then it said that intoxicants during prayer are prohibited. Lastly, a full prohibition came. This way, non-Muslims had it easier to embrace Islam. That is why the Qur'an deals carefully with everything, and I call this a masterpiece of law apply." This is also consistent with a man made Religion, with a Prophet acting very much as a politician. o Contradiction with History (The Anachronistic Samaritan) "My opponent allowed me to refute this with a link due to limited characters. I thank him for that. See reference #6 please." Yes well I can see why you asked to simply post a link to that lengthy Article, I am forced to accept that this is not a historical contradiction. -- Arguments -- • 1. Prophecies A number of the prophecies my opponent lists are highly simplistic and concern moral issues, such as men looking like women, which would have been a real and/or imagined feature of cultures that Muslims would likely regard as decadent. They lack the specific details that would suggest divine truth. Other future prophecies, such as the sun rising in the west can not be relied upon as they are yet to happen. A Summary of the Debate so Far. I do not consider that my opponent has shown clear, persuasive evidence of the divine truth of Islam. I have struggled in my attempts to discredit the possibility of the divine truth of Islam, but I do not feel that my opponent has met the standard of evidence. Restored Argument with Regards the Completeness of the Qur'an. This article details numerous sourced Hadiths and Islamic Scholars suggesting that the Qur'an is not in a state of perfect incorruptability. http://www.newenglishreview.org...