From: U38709@uicvm.uic.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.pakistan
Subject: Re: Why we must not ban others from speaking ?
Date: 16 Oct 92 16:32:46 GMT
Article-I.D.: uicvm.92290.113246U38709
Organization: University of Illinois at Chicago

n article <1992Oct14.065415.3434@sol.cs.wmich.edu>, sherwani@sol.cs.wmich.edu
(Naveed Sherwani) says:
>
>     Islam is Tolerant but Pakistn is Not
>      -----------------------------------
>
>    In this post, in two parts we will establish that
>Islam's foundation is based on listening to others and have
>the capacity of tolerance. We will also propose that Pakistan
>falls much short of expectation of Mohd[swt].
>
>Part1:
>-----
>We must NEVER stop listening to others and exchanging
>ideas. Islam was born that way. If people of Mecca had
>a policy of not allowing a person to speak their mind,
>perhaps Islam would not have spread. In other words,
>they did not BAN Mohd[swt] from stating his case. They
>did make it very hard.
>
>In every society, there are people we are out to shut up
>everybody who disagrees with them. It is upto the rational
>thinking individuals to allow freedom of speech and
>other basic rights.
>
>Mohd[swt] himself (at least in earlier period of Islam)
>was a very tolerant person and taught others to be tolerant.
>The whole discussion of set of beliefs vs. Science was based
>on the notion of entertaining all points of view. Science
>allows consideration of all points of view while a set of belief
>system does not.  However, Mohd[swt] followed a tolerant
>set of belief system, which did allow expression of opposing
>opinions but did not allow their serious consideration.
>
>As far as I am concerned, if Pakistan can progress from
>a set of belief system (SBS) to tolerant set of belief(TSBS), I would
>consider that a great achievment. Notice in doing so they would
>not be doing more than than what their prophet asked for!
>
>In other words, if Pakistani (and muslims, and other religious folks)
>can show tolerance, they would merely be following their
>prophets.
>
>Part2:
>-----
>
>One wonders how far TSBS is from Science.
>Well the only difference between Science and TSBS is acceptance
>of a opposing idea. TSBS does not allow it while science does.
>
>Mohd[swt] was born a non-muslim (this is true about all religious
>leaders) and then changed his religion. He showed that he had
>capacity to recognize that something is wrong with the existing
>system and there is need of a new system. This is very scientific
>approach. He also accepted the change. Thus he did not follow
>TSBS. In other words, while he accepted change (from non-muslim
>to muslim ) he  encouraged others not to consider change
>from muslims to other religions. He followed a psuedo-scientific
>method to arrive at a conclusion and forbid his followers to
>ever follow his path.
>
>If we were to follow his path, we must question our current
>religion and seek guidance (whatever that means) and find out
>for ourselves what is our true calling.
>
>So while the foundation of Islam is based on accepting change,
>it quickly forbid all further changes. Thereby inviting the question, why
>consider the first change.
>
>
>Conclusion:
>----------
>
> Islam is a TSBS. Its followers actually think it is SBS.
>Pakistan is SBS based society.  The Prophet of Islam used
>science and accepted change but  preached TSBS.
>His followers (as in Pakistan) degraded the system from
>TSBS to SBS, when they adopted it.
>
>My personal opinion is that Science is better than TSBS, which
>is better than SBS.
>
>
>regards,
>
>-Naveed
>
>

Mr. Sherwani:

It is precisely people like you who have screwed up what is currently known
as pakistan.  Your assimilation into this "free thinking" society has been
extreme.  However you have left the real free thinking culture for the false
paradox.  Although this society claims to think freely the number of external
"thoughts" and "ideas" are greatly high.  The free thinkers of this society
have some extremely unlogical basis' for the conclusions.  Along with that
they have pre-conceived notions about everything through T.V. and radio, etc..
They believe that this world was an accident and since you agree with their
thinking, I suppose that you too were an accident.

Your point about Mohammed[S] changing religions but asking his followers not
to is a misunderstanding.  True, Muslims are forbidden to change their religion
to any other, but free thinking was never prohibited.  Most Prophets were great
thinkers and questioned their existence and the creation of this world.  They
concluded that there must be a God who has created all of this and their
Prophethood is a finality of this question.  As far as Muslims changing their
religion, well, there is nothing wrong with questioning belief, and no where
are Muslims prohibited from doing so, this theorey is a misconception brought
on by the Mullah's and Moulanas of today.  You have every right to question the
laws of Islam but if you perform a proper analysis of it you will conclude that
it is a sound and probably the best law around.  After all if you are not
about your religion then you are not a true believer, being born a muslim does
not make you one. As in your case you must really research other religions and
convince yourself that Islam is for you.  Until then, don't try to pass any
judgements on Islam when you yourself don't know much.

Da PAks for a Better Pak.
Chicago, IL. - 1992.