tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229990984320313018.post748381118681554883..comments2023-11-23T18:05:15.094+00:00Comments on Rational Islam? - Letters to a Muslim: Islam, science and EvolutionSpinozahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06059865902367641577noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229990984320313018.post-34079620783883090012013-11-12T10:44:40.200+00:002013-11-12T10:44:40.200+00:00"So begins the story of Adam, the first man, ..."So begins the story of Adam, the first man, the first human being. God created Adam from a handful of soil containing portions from all its varieties on Earth."<br /><br />If you cannot see how that is incompatible with evolution, then it is hopeless trying to discuss anything with you. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229990984320313018.post-9511505332397701682013-11-11T20:56:21.496+00:002013-11-11T20:56:21.496+00:00Your statement that Islam is limited to the Quran ...Your statement that Islam is limited to the Quran would get you labeled and apostate in many countries. 99% of Muslims disagree with you as does every traditional source of Islamic scholarship. Yes, there are Koran only Muslims but this is a modern (reformist) movement and they are a small minority. If you don't know that then you know nothing about Islam.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229990984320313018.post-11797596095668237632013-11-06T02:40:31.862+00:002013-11-06T02:40:31.862+00:001.) Yes, Islam IS limited to the Quran, where'...1.) Yes, Islam IS limited to the Quran, where's your evidence that says otherwise?<br /><br />Also, that link was cute, but where does it show that the Quran is incompatible with evolution? <br /><br />2.) There are 56 OIC member states, the vast majority of which are not wealthy. Many of those, including some of the wealthy states, are ruled over by oppressive authoritarian regimes, who have a vested interest in dumbing down the population, some religious, some non-religious. I acknowledged both of these factors, the author didn't. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229990984320313018.post-440805192495136602013-11-02T18:38:26.193+00:002013-11-02T18:38:26.193+00:00I think a more fascinating post would be about Ajm...I think a more fascinating post would be about Ajmal Masroor -m arguably, British Islam's best spokesperson and highly active member of the muslim community. He ha recently been the recipient of death threats from radical Islamists who say that he is corrupting the image of Islam. They have threatened to kill him and he fears now for his life. This just goes to show that there are muslims, stupid muslim and there are downright crazy muslims - important distinction to make. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajmal_Masroor Jasminehttp://jasminesyard.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229990984320313018.post-69209425696841793562013-11-01T16:07:01.381+00:002013-11-01T16:07:01.381+00:001. Islam is not limited to the Quran. The Islamic ...1. Islam is not limited to the Quran. The Islamic view of creation (which is accepted by most Muslims) is incompatible with evolution. http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/1190/<br /><br />2. You focus on socioeconomics while ignoring the fact that the Organization of Islamic Conference includes several of the wealthiest countries on the planet.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229990984320313018.post-24687350383710105832013-11-01T03:40:45.919+00:002013-11-01T03:40:45.919+00:00I previously saw Richard Dawkins speaking on the A...I previously saw Richard Dawkins speaking on the Atlas of Creation. I have yet to see the religious side of an argument be won. But as usual, even if you'd like to believe the religious person, you'd end up lying to yourself.<br />Great blog and great post.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09948890076770694616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229990984320313018.post-63340492299616250042013-10-27T18:48:34.664+00:002013-10-27T18:48:34.664+00:00But, but, Islamic science is way ahead in so many ...But, but, Islamic science is way ahead in so many ways! How could Muhammad have known we are made from a clot of blood? How could he know that the sun goes for a nice rest at night (and a well deserved one, I might add)?! <br /><br />On a more serious note, things are improving. There is big relative growth in science investment in recent years in some Muslim countries, and as they become more wealthy.<br />http://tribune.com.pk/story/615269/reaching-for-the-stars-muslim-countries-must-step-up-scientific-research/<br /><br />I read recently of the Saudis investing a lot more in scientific research and higher education. The leaders of these countries must be realising that things have to change. Maybe they can send their Yemeni friend Zindani to school.<br /><br />The vast majority of research has little or no relevance to Islamic dogma or the Quran, so I find it not so plausible that fear of clerics would be a major deterent except in a minority of fields like evolution. I would have to see comments from scientists in those countries before I'd believe that. I think the problem over recent centuries is more likely a lack of interest in science compared to elsewhere among the leadership and populace, perhaps partly due the lack of an enlightenment period that the west enjoyed, leaving religion to provide a vulnerable story to "explain" things, but also more education should help inspire interest. <br /><br />Harun Yahya, Naik et al. certainly aren't helping to inspire genuine interest with their mind-numbing apologetics though. They portray no value in scienctific knowledge beyond boosting iman, and leave a downside risk to this heightened faith from learning independantly. So they are worse than useless in this regard, even without their bogus challenge to evolution.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229990984320313018.post-31779065946693761792013-10-27T17:26:54.363+00:002013-10-27T17:26:54.363+00:001.) You need to quote the Quran to prove that Isla...1.) You need to quote the Quran to prove that Islam is incompatible with Evolution, not reference poll numbers. The views of a reader alone (Muslims), are not an indictment of the book being read (Quran).<br /><br />2.) You attempt to do...something, by labeling Taner Edis as an ex-Muslim who now criticizes Islam from a scientific standpoint. However, Taner Edis admits in the article you linked, that he was never really Muslim, and his family wasn't even religious. <br /><br />Taner Edis isn't a credible source.. He is a self-described atheist activist, who in the above article you source, makes many wild yet un-supported statements. Rational people don't consider claims based on interest; and a self-described atheist activist bashing his "former-religion", with no presentable evidence, is a claim based on interest.<br /><br />Taner Edis's main claim, which you partially harp on, is that there are few Muslims in RESEARCH science, as opposed to the plethora of Muslims in commercial and applied sciences. <br /><br />This isn't an indictment on Muslims or Islam. Most Muslims live in poor socioeconomic conditions, where the goal is to improve their surroundings, both through structural projects and economic growth. There is little point, applicability, or interest, in "research" science, when there is a country to build. <br /><br />3.) You conclude by stating that "it is Islam that produces the biggest hurdle" to scientific achievement. Leaving aside your questionable definition of scientific achievement I described above, I must ask how you arrive at this conclusion. <br /><br />There are a few reasons why general scientific thought isn't popular in Muslim countries. A HUGE one, that you didn't even mention, is socioeconomic conditions. Poor people have more pressing issues then the pursuit of a research paper published in a scientific journal. <br /><br />Another one is the oppressive societies in which Muslims live, where many freedoms are denied, science just being one of the many. Many of these restrictions are allegedly Islamic, but have no basis in actual Islamic Law (Quran). This is no different then 17th century England, or 20th century Russia, using the "principles" of Catholicism/Communism, as an excuse to grab and maintain power. <br /><br />Is it possible that fear of "exposing" Islam, is helping quell scientific thought? Sure. But you give no evidence that this factor is anymore powerful then socioeconomic and geopolitical pressures. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com