Thursday 31 January 2008

atheists say humans are animals..

atheists say that humans are animals, they have desires, they go for what they want - the only advantage they have is that they are more advanced physically aswell as mentally.


we respond: yes, that's totally true. we are created from a similar makeup to animals, we have desires, and we are similar in many ways - however - the difference is that Allah honors us by giving us guidance for that advanced mind and freedom of choice that He has given to us. Unlike the many animals who are limited to their place of location. We have freedom in many ways, and this should lead us to be thankful to God, and He is willing to give us more.

If we use God's blessings, favours and still reject His guidance that He has sent for us (for our betterment) - then yes, we will remain as animals, wandering blindly without a straight path to follow.

why are humans so much like other animals if they didn't evolve off them?

why are humans so much like other animals if they didn't evolve off them?


humans are created from earth, according to the evolution theory - animals also came and were produced from this earth. we say God allowed it to occur, and it happened by His will & control. He created humans the way He wanted (this is explained in the Qur'an), and since alot of explanation isn't given about how animals were formed - the issue of them evolving over time doesn't contradict Islamic teachings.



why are they and we so similar physically? because they and we were created/produced from similar materials - the earth.


why are their and our behaviours so similar? animals were on the planet before humans, scientific research shows this. humans lived on the planet and they also interacted with the animals during their lifetimes, they learnt survival techniques off these animals, they learnt hunting and many other world techniques by watching what animals do and progressing on that.

They learnt higher morals, rules and even worldly advances through the guidance which Allah sent to the Messengers' to unite the people on where they differed. These Messengers were sent to the people to warn them of the consequences of their actions and that they are responsible for them in the sight of God, especially since they have the choice of doing right and wrong, and have the concept of understanding consequences for their actions. We will return to Him who will inform us of all that we used to do, and none will be dealt with unjustly on that Day.



Wednesday 30 January 2008

some notes.. lol

atheists dont know who caused the big bang, if you asked them what caused it - they will say 'i dont know.'


therefore they base they're belief on doubt and they have no answer to that question. We say an All Powerful, Knowing God caused it. This is a better belief than having no answer or belief at all.



Islamic view on Big Bang?

http://dawahtips.blogspot.com/
http://www.islam-guide.com/frm-ch1-1-c.htm


i wont be able to reply now but that might be something to reflect on and maybe even argue.


If they ask who created God - tell them we take Allah as a God because He is uncreated. If he was created He would not be God, and therefore we would not take him as a deity/god. This is our belief, and it is a much more convincing belief that doubt (of the atheists) and no answer.

Because we cannot see God, it doesn't mean that he doesn't exist. 'Absence of proof is not proof of absence' - as the debate topic goes. There can be someone behind a door and although you can't see him, it isn't proof that he isn't there.

We cannot see emotions physically, but we see their product; tears, smile etc. The hormones in our body cause us to get these feelings, however the feelings cannot be physically seen except through their product i.e. tears, laugh etc.

some notes.. lol

atheists dont know who caused the big bang, if you asked them what caused it - they will say 'i dont know.'


therefore they base they're belief on doubt and they have no answer to that question. We say an All Powerful, Knowing God caused it. This is a better belief than having no answer or belief at all.



Islamic view on Big Bang?

http://dawahtips.blogspot.com/
http://www.islam-guide.com/frm-ch1-1-c.htm


i wont be able to reply now but that might be something to reflect on and maybe even argue.


If they ask who created God - tell them we take Allah as a God because He is uncreated. If he was created He would not be God, and therefore we would not take him as a deity/god. This is our belief, and it is a much more convincing belief that doubt (of the atheists) and no answer.

Because we cannot see God, it doesn't mean that he doesn't exist. 'Absence of proof is not proof of absence' - as the debate topic goes. There can be someone behind a door and although you can't see him, it isn't proof that he isn't there.

We cannot see emotions physically, but we see their product; tears, smile etc. The hormones in our body cause us to get these feelings, however the feelings cannot be physically seen except through their product i.e. tears, laugh etc.

Tuesday 29 January 2008

Big Bang - An Islamic Perspective?

Big Bang - An Islamic Perspective?


The Big Bang theory attempts to explain how the universe began. This theory was put forward by Edwin Hubble in 1929. He discovered that the galaxies close to the Milky Way are moving and distancing away from us. He also noticed that the further the galaxies were, the faster they were distancing. From this he argued that the universe had a starting point from which it was expanding and has been expanding from since.

"And the heavens We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander." [Quran: 51:47] (the word vaasi’ in Arabic means vast, moowsi’oon [which comes from the root word vaasi’] is the word used in that verse which signifies that someone is an expander and expanding that certain thing, in the context of the verse – the heavens or space is gradually being expanded by God’s control.]

What occurred before the Big Bang remains unknown, how did all matter begin, what caused the Big Bang? Scientists who do not believe in the concept of God will say that they don't know and have no answer, while others will argue that this was caused by an all Powerful God who is outside His creation.


In the 1960s, Arno Panzias and Robert Wilson detected an afterglow from the Big Bang. This showed that during the universe’s early period, it was a hot and hostile place. They concluded from this that the universe began as a dense fireball. This is where it began to expand from.

This started to expand gradually, the different gases (of a smoke composition i.e. hydrogen, helium etc.) began to distance away.

Then He turned to the heaven when it was smoke... (Quran, 41:11)

This gradually expanded into the universe, the heavens, and space. After around 300,000 years these gradually cooled and slowly – over time - were formed into stars, and planets (including the planet earth we live in.)

Have not those who disbelieved known that the heavens and the earth were one connected entity, then We separated them? And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?

(Quran, 21:30)

A new star forming out of a cloud

of gas and dust (nebula)

The Lagoon nebula is a cloud of gas and dust, it is about 60 light years in diameter. It is excited by the ultraviolet radiation of the hot stars that have recently formed within its bulk. (Horizons, Exploring the Universe, Seeds, plate 9, from Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc.)

The above picture shows how the nebula (shown in the earlier image) has formed into hot stars gradually as the gases have cooled.



We as Muslims simply believe that all this was caused by Allah who is perfect in every way, whereas those who disbelieve in Allah - the Lord of the Worlds will simply have no explanation for who caused this and will remain questioning for eternity. Since they cannot prove or give a suitable explanation to what occured before the Big Bang. The atheists will say all the planets and starts etc. formed by chance, we will say that it all happened by Allah's will.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/origins/bigbang/

http://www.islam-guide.com/frm-ch1-1-c.htm




Why doesn't the Qur'an and Authentic Sunnah explain science in detail?

Why doesn't the Qur'an and Authentic Sunnah explain science in detail?


The answer's simple: The Qur'an and Sunnah are a source of guidance for mankind, they don't have to explain all that we see around us in detail since the main objective of the Qur'an and Sunnah is to explain to us our beliefs and what is required for us to be successful in this life and the next.

Science is what we see in the creation of Allah, we can see it - therefore we can use our 5 senses (seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touch) to see the world and universe around us. We can use the Qur'an and Sunnah as a basis for what we find, and by reflecting on the creation of Allah - we will increase in faith (instead of believing that everything occurs merely by chance) because we see the products of the amazing design which Allah has originated and formed.

Monday 14 January 2008

A Muslim Discussion on Atheism
















Those who disbelieve in the Lord of the Worlds in this day and age do so mainly because this is promoted to the fullest extent. anyone who believes in a religion is termed as backward and is accused of having blind faith which has no proofs.


What we have come to realise is that it is those who reject the Lord of the Worlds who have more blind faith than any other. They have figured out that the universe began from one location, then expanding (Big Bang) causing matter and what we see to come into existence. Yet this does not contradict our faith in any way. It is discussed in the Qur'an, over 1400 years ago:



The illuminating stars we see at night were, just as was the whole universe, in a ‘smoke’ material. God has said in the Quran:

Then He turned to the heaven when it was smoke... (Quran, 41:11)

Because the earth and the heavens above (the sun, the moon, stars, planets, galaxies, etc.) have been formed from this same ‘smoke,’ we conclude that the earth and the heavens were one connected entity. Then out of this homogeneous ‘smoke,’ they formed and separated from each other. God has said in the Quran:

Have not those who disbelieved known that the heavens and the earth were one connected entity, then We separated them?... (Quran, 21:30)


The science of modern cosmology, observational and theoretical, clearly indicates that, at one point in time, the whole universe was nothing but a cloud of ‘smoke’ (i.e. an opaque highly dense and hot gaseous composition).1




Ask them - What did occur before this Big Bang? wasn't it the All Powerful who formed this universe and all matter through this expansion? No, rather they will try to deny any possibility of the Originator of the heavens and the earth - they will argue that this matter and these expansions have been occurring forever, and once a universe has collapsed into its own self - it will expand once again after a while. They believe that this universe we live in today has supported life only after billions of collapses and expansions, and that this planet we live in is located in the exact position to sustain life, again just by chance. Doesn't it become clear that all these chances are based on doubt and not any solid proof which they claim to follow? Yes, these events are based on calculation and precision - but is nature so knowledgeable as to know where to form a planet which will sustain life for millions of years based on its calculations? Why don't they then replace this word nature with the word God, and they will come to realise that what they say now makes sense and is logical.




Indeed the more complex a design, the more it is in need of control, support and sustenance. The existence, order and sustenance of the earth and the whole universe for millions or even billions of years explains His control and authority.

But they will deny God, because they cannot see Him. So ask them, were you present before the Big Bang of this universe? Has any scientist ever been able to prove anything occurred before the Big Bang of this universe? You will find them believing this, although they were not present, nor did they see it occur. Yet they deny the Lord of the Worlds merely because they do not see Him.

Ask them who created this matter which has been collapsing and expanding forever. Did it create itself? They will be amazed, unable to answer – but they will challenge you.

If you deny that the universe has been existent through these collapses and expansions for eternity, what makes you believe a God could be existent forever? Who would create this God? If He was created by another – then who created Him? Or did He create Himself, and from what?


So tell them – the Lord of the Worlds is eternal, and flawless in every way. He is not finite (nor is He limited), if He was any of these – we would not take Him as a God. If He was created by another existence – then He Himself would be a created being. We are forbidden from taking any other false god beside Him because they themselves are created. If there was more than One, they would differ on their creation, causing chaos and destruction, yet the earth and universe are sustained for so long without this major destruction.

His Uniqueness is His Perfection – how can one be perfect if they have an equal who is competing with them? One is only Supreme when they have no competitor, when they have no one equal to them in any way.

So Say: He is the Lord of the Worlds, the First, the Last, and there is none like Him. He is the Hearer, the Seer, the Knowing, the Wise.


Those who were before us would argue that the universe was forever existent without a beginning, but those who claim to have scientific evidence for the beginning of the universe have refuted them. And now they have even more blind faith than their predecessors!

Is it possible that a living being came into existence from something dead without any life? Did the dead give life to itself, or is coincidence just another excuse? If man is incapable of creating life with control, resources and decades of research – then isn’t it logical that a perfect God who has formed the entire universe and all matter, that He be able to give life to the dead?

It is He who gives life to the dead earth by sending down rain, and from it foods of different colours and tastes for us and our different lifestyles? Natural selection is a clear and obvious pattern we see in the creatures of God and believing in it only strengthens belief, since we see that the animals and livestock who survive benefit us more, these are all amazing signs which enhance us and our living. Little thanks it is that you give.


We have one life in this world; having faith in something which makes more sense is much more logical and believable. If you are in need of the truth - and you are in need of the truth – have a firm and sincere mindset, ask Him to take you to it, the One, the Irresistible, who is aware of all that you reveal, and all you conceal. He who knows what is in the depth of the hearts, and the caller when he cries out in times of distress.


But this is not the end… indeed every soul shall taste death.

On that Day, mankind will be gathered like moths in the court of the Almighty, the Just. No soul will bear the deeds of another, and every one will be responsible for their own deeds. Did you think you would never be responsible for all that you did in this world? If you denied God because you felt there was no justice in this life, know that this is the Day of Recompense. Indeed the successful are those who believe and do righteous deeds and enter the Gardens of Bliss, and surely the losers are those who went astray, and lost themselves and their loved ones on the Day of which there is no doubt.

To Him is your return, when He will inform you of all that you used to do. On that day, those who belied His signs and disbelieved, then you will not be punished except for your own rebelliousness - if you were given a life of eternity - would you not disbelieve in Him forever? But if you had believed in Him and His promise, then indeed you would dwell in His Mercy and Reward forever. On this day, the truthful will benefit from their truth – in gardens of delight, living in the pleasure of their Lord. He is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him – indeed it is those who are the successful.





Wednesday 2 January 2008

homosexuality, is it right?

homosexuality, is it right?


Those who claim that homosexuality is right, their reasoning is that these people should have the freedom to have a relationship which they desire without anyone restricting their rights.


Now, if people use that as the basis of argument - then they need to question whether it is okay for a brother and sister to commit incest? If they love each other? Why is it still illegal in many parts of the US whereas homosexuality isn't?

If they still agree with that, then they should know that this is immoral, not just because they are having sex with their own family members, but because their children are likely to be affected a great deal by this, since having sex within closer relatives poses more of a threat of genetic diseases.


If the person still believes that they should be allowed to do that, then is it also moral to have sex with ones mother or father? If they both are mature and fit for it, willing to do it?

If someone says that this is moral, then who will their children be? Will they be sons/daughters? What will their child be to them? It can't be a son/daughter, nor can it be a brother/sister - so who is this child to them?


Is this really moral?



How about having sex with an animal, is this moral? Some may argue that animals cannot consent for sex, but what if an animal makes the first move and approaches the person sexually, is it moral then to have sex with that animal?




If the person is still going to play along and think that this is moral, is it moral to have sex with ones partner, and after having intercourse with them - you kill them and then eat them. Is this moral, if both parties had consented to it?

Since people like comparing themselves to animals so much, i'd love to hear a response to this - especially the last one (since fishing spiders * eat their mates after mating.)


*http://www.newscientist.com/channel/sex/mg18625005.800-female-spiders-try-eating-mate-even-before-sex.html





Some people argue that homosexuals should be allowed to adopt children, this isn't fair and it is immoral. The main reason is because it causes Psychological issues for the child - a person without a father is more likely to have psychological difficulties, aswell as a person lacking a mother. This is why homosexuals adopting children will not ease the child's situation. Rather, a child requires a mother and a father to have a good balance, the caring treatment of a mother, and a role model figure as a father. If this is lacking - the child may have psychological difficulties;

Homosexuals should be allowed to Adopt?


Some people argue that homosexuals should be allowed to adopt children, this isn't fair and it is immoral. The main reason is because it causes Psychological issues for the child - a person without a father is more likely to have psychological difficulties, aswell as a person lacking a mother. This is why homosexuals adopting children will not ease the child's situation. Rather, a child requires a mother and a father to have a good balance, the caring treatment of a mother, and a role model figure as a father. If this is lacking - the child may have psychological difficulties

Drug And Alcohol Abuse: The absence of the father from the home affects significantly the behavior of adolescents and results in greater use of alcohol and marijuana.

Source: Deane Scott Berman, "Risk Factors Leading to Adolescent Substance Abuse," Adolescence 30 (1995): 201-206



Fatherless children are five times more likely to live in poverty, compared to children living with both parents.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Health Statistics, Survey on Child Health, Washington, DC, 1993.



Fatherless children are at dramatically greater risk of suicide.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Health Statistics, Survey on Child Health, Washington, DC, 1993.



In 1988, a study of preschool children admitted to New Orleans hospitals as psychiatric patients over a 34-month period found that nearly 80 percent came from fatherless homes.

Source: Jack Block, et al. "Parental Functioning and the Home Environment in Families of Divorce," Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 27 (1988)



Kids who live with both biological parents at age 14 are significantly more likely to graduate from high school than those kids who live with a single parent, a parent and step-parent, or neither parent.

Source: G.D. Sandefur (et al.), "The Effects of Parental Marital Status..." Social Forces, September 1992.


43 percent of prison inmates grew up in a single-parent household -

39 percent with their mothers, 4 percent with their fathers - and an additional 14 percent lived in households without either biological parent. Another 14 percent had spent at last part of their childhood in a foster home, agency or other juvenile institution.

Source: US Bureau of Justice Statistics, Survey of State Prison Inmates. 1991


Much more continued here:
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1157307969275&pagename=Z one-English-Family%2FFYELayout

http://www.manslife.com/family/fatherfacts/


The potential of psychological harm to children arising from homosexual adoption was highlighted by Spanish doctors in their report on the subject, "It's Not the Same: Report on Child Development with Same Sex Couples," published in 2005 (see original in Spanish at http://www.narth.com/docs/noesigual3.pdf).

In the report the authors lament the lack of rigorous studies on the issue, but observe that existing studies indicate that children adopted by same-sex couples "more frequently suffer from psychological problems, in particular: low self esteem, stress, insecurity regarding their future life in relationships and having children," and "sexual identity disruption" among other effects.

Spanish Judge Put on Trial for "Obstructing" Homosexual Adoption





If one was to respond that it is better for a child to be adopted by a homosexual couple instead of remaining in an orphanage, then the response to this is that another harm should not be caused because of a previous harm.

Rather, it should be encouraged for a couple (husband and wife) to foster children whose parents may be unknown. However, it should not be done through a harmful method.


Children need a caring mother figure, and a role model father to look upto. That's the perfect healthy design and balance which Allah has made us in. It should remain that way to help society as a whole become a better place.


http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1157307969275&pagename=Zone-English-Family%2FFYELayout


If one was to respond that it is better for a child to be adopted by a homosexual couple instead of remaining in an orphanage, then the response to this is that another harm should not be caused because of a previous harm.

Rather, it should be encouraged for a couple (husband and wife) to foster children whose parents may be unknown. However, it should not be done through a harmful method.


http://www.islamic-life.com/forums/anti-islamic-refutations/homosexuality-592/



Abdul Fattah;

In psychology there's a big debate one nature vs. nurture. Nature says that certain characteristics like homosexuality are genetic, whereas nurture says that it is thought from the subjects environment. Most psychologists though, suspect that in reality it's a combination. Certain people might have a genetic tendency. That means they are more inclined towards something, or they have a higher possibility of being inclined towards. However that doesn't mean it's their inescapable nature, and that they aren't themselves if they deny this! Second of all that doesn't justify it either. The nurture vs. nature also concerns other human traits such as aggressiveness. Obviously aggressive nature does not justify hitting people. And btw, in the science department, this question is still unanswered last I checked so the genetic destiny argument doesn't fly.

Oh also note, in debates about rights, it's very likely to encounter circular reasoning like I showed in another thread: "I have a right to say what I want, therefore you shouldn’t try to silence me” or in this case: "People have the right to choose their own sexuality, therefor you shouldn't tell them homosexuality is wrong" It's important to point out that this isn't an argument, but instead an opinion.