I just watched a documentary on the archaeological history of the israelites and the history of the development of the bible ("The Bible's Buried Secrets"; an interesting documentary). I got the hint of this documentary from Salman Hameed's blog
Science and Religion News (a blog that I think that some inhere would find interesting). It's made by PBS, the american public funded tv-channel. And they usually makes some great documentaries, and also provide the viewer with the possibility to visit a further elaborating website on the subject of the documentary, and for the documentary in question it's
this one (also an interesting site with a lot of good extra-material).
Now to the point; one of the sub-groups of extra-material is one called "
religious perspectives", where three christians priests/reverends, three jewish rabbis and one muslim imam is giving their view on the documentary. Here's Imam Shamsi Ali's very 'relevant'
comment:
In the medieval age, the Islamic world had a very significant impact upon Europe, which, in turn, cleared the way for the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution.
It comes as no surprise to know that, in Islam, religion and science have always been considered to be twin sisters, and that today, at a time when science has taken such great strides, they still continue to be associated. Certain scientific data, in fact, are used for the better understanding of the Quranic text.
What is more, in a century in which, for many, scientific truth has dealt a deathblow to religious belief, it is precisely the discoveries of science that, in an objective examination of the Islamic Revelation, have highlighted the supernatural character of certain aspects of the Revelation. The Quran contains infinitely more precise details [than many scientific discoveries today] that are directly related to facts discovered by modern science. These are what exercise a magnetic attraction for today's scientists.
NOVA's "The Bible's Buried Secrets," in my view, accurately presents the viewer with a great deal about archeology and how archeology enables us to study the biblical texts. The work will surely raise provocative questions in a thoughtful and respectful way. This is an extraordinary work for all children of Abraham to know. Truly, a fascinating documentary film?do take time to explore it!
NOVA is to be congratulated on preparing and presenting such a fine piece of work.
Personally I was astonished of his way of association/reasoning: "I have now watched a simple documentary of some historical insights of what might be the history of the hebrew bible, so therefore I will now make dawa"
Topic: When you ask a question you will surely get an unrelated answer!?