A life long atheist joins you
OP - April 06, 2010, 07:19 PM
Hello!
I was arguing with a Christian on the internet some time ago about contradictions in the Bible. Suddenly a Muslim joined in and said I should read the Quran and assured me I wouldn't find a single contradiction there. I didn't take his offer, but I must admit I was quite impressed by this challenge and his confidence.
Some time later I stumbled across a video on youtube of a lecture held by the esteemed Dr Zakir Naik, where he was talking about all the scientific miracles of the Quran and how it would be impossible for an illiterate man to know these things without some sort of divine influence. Some of this seemed to be things the ancient Greek philosophers had talked about, but I didn't remember what they had said, and the parts about embryology also seemed rather impressive.
Experiences like these, in addition to all the things I had heard about the beautiful poetry of the Quran and all the great things the Prophet had said and done left me quite curious! I didn't doubt that Mohammed was a great man, and I had this notion that the Quran was a very elegant and eloquent scripture.
But then I actually started to read the Quran (that is, I googled it and read some selected verses). I was shocked at 4:34; men have Allah's permission to beat women? What?? I also found out about Aisha, the Prophet's extremely young wife, which horrified me. The last thing that really shocked me was when I recently came over an article about the mathematical blunder in verse 4:11 regarding inheritance. As a mathematician, the idea that the creator of the universe couldn't even get a simple addition with fractions correct is just ludicrous, and in my opinion absolutely irrefutible proof that the Quran was mostly written by an illiterate man.
It is safe to say all my previous impressions have been completely obliterated! I think the "esteemed" Nakir is either thoroughly blinded by his love for his religion, or he sees straight through it all, but plays along as I understand he is making a good living out of it, accompanied with respect and admiration. (There are ample examples of this in Christianity, as I'm sure you are aware of).
Anyways, I'm still quite interested in religions, especially Christendom and Islam as they are of great importance to so many people on our tiny, insignificant planet. I'm studying them both on a hobby basis, and I think I can learn a lot by engaging in various discussions on this internet forum! Looking forward to it!
See you around, and Carl Sagan (pbuh) bless you!
Edit: typo
Bukhari 62:142 - Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet used to pass by (have sexual relation with) all his wives in one night, and at that time he had nine wives.
Topic: A life long atheist joins you