Salaams, David F

Its unfortunate we did not go deeper into the research surrounding the reliability of hadith.

I apologise for any offense i may have cause, particularly in my stringent remarks about atheists.

For anyone who was offended to accept my apologies.

The Qur’an is a guidance and a call to worship by observing the guidance. The way we experience the guidance will change over time as we develop, and unfortunately at times regress. At present my own experience of my religion is through an awareness of every part of my body and intellect, its actions and pre-occupations and whether they are in accord with this guidance. This consciousness, along with knowledge, acts to bring behaviour into conformity with what Allah as asked for....and when this is not the case, to at least be aware that a mistake has been made, ask repentance, make restitution or amends to those affected and strive not to make the same mistake again. So when I penned those words i was following my own self (nuffs) and not that of my guide (specifically: see below) which is why i offer my apology without reservation.

"Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." (Qur'an 16:125)

"And do not argue with the followers of the Book except by what is best, save with those of them who act unjustly, and say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you, and our God and your God is One, and to Him do we submit." (Qur'an 29:46)

"...Whenever you speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfil the covenant of God. Thus does He command you, that you may remember." (Qur'an 6:152

Dear grateful,

You are most gracious.

I am sure there is much worthwhile in the Qur'an as there is in the scriptures of all religions. I am sure there is also much that is questionable in the Qur'an as there is in the scriptures of all religions.

John Ferguson wrote "War and Peace in the World's Religions." He examined 15 religions and pointed where all were religions of peace, and all were religions of war. All 15 religions had traditions of both.

There is one statement you cited that I would question. "Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching." By the way of thy Lord I assume the Qur'an means Islam. Other theistic religions believe they are already in the way of the Lord. I was at the University of Queensland when there was a campus Christian evangelical group who talked about bringing God to Muslims. That is ridiculous as Muslims have God but not the Christian God. One flaw that Islam shares with Christianity is the injunction to spread their religion. If people are living a righteous life it makes no difference what religion they follow. If people are not living a righteous life it also makes no difference what religion they follow.

I believe Mohammed also said there should be no compulsion as to religion. That means to me that a person should not try to push one's religion on others. What does it mean to you?

Its the same message and the same God, but obviously we regard the notion that God needed to become a man as a corruption: to get anything done He need only say "Be and it is"

19:35- "It does not befit GOD that He begets a son, be He glorified. To have anything done, He simply says to it, "Be," and it is."

Also see 2:117, 3:47, 6:73, 36:82, 40:68.

However, the story of the virgin birth is detailed in the surah entitled Mariam (19:16-35), including the a touching account of how she was accused of adultery and disgracing her parents (19:28) ...i think atheists have raised this point with Christians: Why wasn’t Mary stoned for adultery. The answer in the Qur’aan is provided in 19:29-33. The account is also of interest to those who would say that the Qur’aan is just a regurgitation of previous scriptures: there is no manger, 3 kings etc.. but a very moving account . (printed below)

<<I believe Mohammed also said there should be no compulsion as to religion. That means to me that a person should not try to push one's religion on others. What does it mean to you?>>

I try to invite through good character. Obviously, i'm still bit of a novice!

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From surah Mariam:
And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East, (16) And had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her Our Spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man. (17) She said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art God-fearing. (18) He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son. (19) She said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste? (20) He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And (it will be) that We may make of him a Revelation for mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained. (21) And she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place. (22) And the pangs of childbirth drove her unto the trunk of the palm-tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died ere this and had become a thing of naught, forgotten! (23) Then (one) cried unto her from below her, saying: Grieve not! Thy Lord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee, (24) And shake the trunk of the palm-tree toward thee, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee. (25) So eat and drink and be consoled. And if thou meetest any mortal, say: Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal. (26) Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! Thou hast come with an amazing thing. (27) O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot.

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(28) Then she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, a young boy? (29) He spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scripture and hath appointed me a Prophet, (30) And hath made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving so long as I remain alive, (31) And (hath made me) dutiful toward her who bore me, and hath not made me arrogant, unblest. (32) Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! (33) Such was Jesus, son of Mary: (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt. (34) It befitteth not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should take unto Himself a son. Glory be to Him! When He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is. (35) And lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So serve Him. That is the right path. (36)

Dear grateful,

We are at cross purposes. I think both Islam and Christianity are flawed for many reasons. One reason is that neither religion is satisfied to leave people alone. If people are leading a decent life they don't need to be missionised. A lot of what is in both the New Testament and the Qur'aan is simply superstitious nonsense. Virgin human women do not have babies. It's that simple. The New Testament and the Qur'aan agree on that bit of nonsense.