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Topic ClosedDoes God Exist ?

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Israfil View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 June 2005 at 11:43pm

Dr Syed Alwi

In your last response to me you offered your definition on taking religion with a "grain of salt" which, according to you, means that religiuon in its entirety must not be taken seriously. You also mentioned that Muslims must not feel that Islam is the only and truest religion. Perhaps to you this may seem to be a logical step but for those who adhere to the Islamic faith to succeed in being a succesul follower of this practice must be taken serious. However I do agree with you that adherents of Islam must be ever cognizant of other religions and must be tolerant.

But discussing religion and its importance and discussing the question whether God exist are topics that require personal attention so we must shift to a particular focal point. Along with some of the statements you said you mentioned the theoretical that what if the universe contains no Creator no Artisan? There is the possibility yes that a Creator may not exist but there is also the possibility that a Creator may exist. Again as I mentioned because you cannot see God physically or empirically study God doesn't mean he doesn't exist. As I mentioned before to understand the existence of God one must experience God. This as I have said before is an individual journey that we as seekers must make.

You yourself cannot shut God out because science overwhelms your rational mind. If you are a questioner of things perhaps you can entertain the thought that what if God uses science as a cognitive tool for humans to seek and understand their world and from there understand him? What if God  with his magnificant ability creates the world then, by God's will the world creates life within itself using evolution as one of many mechanisms of creation? Dr. Syed you are quick to entertain many possibilities yet from the tone of how you sound here entertain the non-existence of God.

As a philosopher scientist whom I've personally met have said science is no argument for the existence or non-existence of God. Science is merely an objective approach in apprehending the known natural world. Empirical research that thus leads us to conclusive evidence on how the micro/macro levels of our world works.  Dr. Syed I pose no arguments here really because all what you have said are theoreticals without any proof of God's non-existence. If you are so anxious to know God why not seek God in the natural world in which you hold so dear as truth.

I have to say here most Muslims here are not equipped with the ammunition of arguing for the existence of God. We all are in the beginning stages of understanding God. Perhaps Dr. Syed that god is so complex for the human mind that its capacity is overwhelmed leading the human to spiral in religious extremities such as violence, hate as well as all the vices. This are all the components of our struggle to truly understand God. So Dr. Syed I hope you can either sincerely seek God out yourself or make up a better argument.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 June 2005 at 9:47pm

Does G-d exist ? When we learn of the horrendous cruelities that we as humans, irregardless of our creed or race have done and continue to do to each other on massive scales, how can we not doubt the existence of a great and higher power ? How could G-d  allow us to do such hurt to one another ?  How can You allow us to exist if You exist i ask.  But i hope G-d is, and have concluded that it is quite possible that G-d has more faith in us, then we have ever had in G-d   When i remember that possibility each person i see seems no longer a stranger, but a potential friend. 

 

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 June 2005 at 8:43pm
Hi Dr. Syed Alwi!!!!!!!!

You see Doctor, just because I support you, I am being termed as anti-moslem.

Mr. AhmadJoyia is more concerned about the authenticity of the scriptures. His only point regarding authenticity of Koran is that it was said by God and God also said that He will protect Koran.

But I pity that God has said that He will protect the word. He should have been more particular, He should have said that He will protect the Ideals which the words say.:(

Regarding Buddhists and Buddhism, ideals matter more than words. Thats why you will find less struggle regarding religion in Buddhist countries.

Varshaken, the Samurai.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 June 2005 at 8:42pm
Hi Mr. AhmadJoyia!!!!!!!!

I was saying the same thing. I asked you what amount did you study to conclude that others are not religions.

No two people can explain Koran identically. No two people will have the same line of thinking. This is also true regarding you and me. I see that Dr.Syed Alwi is liberal.

Regarding "intolerance" of ASEAN nations, not one day is passed without reading about Moslems killing someone by bombing etc. So what will anyone generally infer? They definitely think that most of the Moslems may be intolerant against other human beings.

Just look at you, you always call me "brother", I wonder whether brother is a word or you really feel I am your brother.

Varshaken, the Samurai.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 June 2005 at 4:18pm

Dear varshaken and Ahmad Joyia,

Buddhism for example - is very popular in ASEAN. It takes a rather different view from the Abrahamic faiths. In Islam - faith is of paramount importance. Wa kalu sami'na wa ata'na. We hear and we obey. No questioning. No doubts etc. Your job is to obey God and the Messenger. BUT Buddhism is NOT like that. Perhaps Ahmad Joyia - to convince you that another dimension to the issue of religion - not available in Islam - exists - is to get you to stay in ASEAN for several years. Then you will see what multi-religious society entails. There is no need for domination. No Dhimmis. No Islamic State. As for doubts and beliefs and scepticism, I think everyone ought to keep some doubt in his heart so that UNQUESTIONING FAITH is NOT ABUSED to become fanaticism and intolerance. After all - in today's world - Islam faces a major problem with fanaticism and intolerance. Absolute faith is easily manipulated by unscrupulous people into a political tool.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 June 2005 at 12:09pm

Originally posted by varshaken varshaken wrote:

Hi Mr. AhmadJoyia!!!

Good question,"So, are you skeptic as what you believe?" Yes, I was sceptic when I first started believing. I became a believer through overcoming that scepticism.

But Dr. Alwi (and as I see you agreeing to him) still wants you to remain skeptic and not to overcome it. The struggle that you did in the past was futile. According to him, you must retain some of skeptism to have a "pinch of salt".

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I had been saying to you,"Faith, by its very nature, is devoid of logic and reason." So scepticism is a must to balance faith. Why? Because in order to stop faith becoming into fanaticism.:)

That is a fallacy. A negation to faith. Skeptism is "Opposite" of faith.  Its not the skeptism that balances out to stop fanaticism but knowledge with wisdom.

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Not a good question," Do you keep your doubts with you when you meditate?"

Meditation is not praying. It does not depend on faith or belief. When one meditates one should not have any thoughts. What we do in meditation is that stopping the thought process. So as you see there are no thoughts, not even good thoughts when you meditate, so no doubts or anything.:)

So you bring your mind to idle? Haven't you heard of "An idle brain is the devil's workshop". Hmm!! That must be the reason.  

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Good premise," I don't know about others, but for me, I can't be in an in-between state."
But Dr. Syed Alwi is not asking you to doubt what you believe, but through belief cross the ocean of doubt.

I may be wrong, but I think he has not said this nor even meant this. Kindly read again what he has said or ask him to clarify. He says or atleast he means to say that one should not cross the ocean of doubt with belief but to keep some of it to avoid going into extremes.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 June 2005 at 10:29am

Originally posted by varshaken varshaken wrote:

Hi Mr. AhmadJoyia!!!!!!!!!

Good question to Dr. Syed Alwi, "But my question is have you ever studied other religions to assert about them or its your general feeling through your observation?"

But I ask you the same question. Did you ever study other religions to be so confident that Islaam is the "True Religion"?

Every baby baby born in a Moslem minority country is taught from childhood that Islaam is a militant religion. Its better to change this attitude of the non-moslems first and then preach the True Religion. No offence met.

Thanking you,

Varshaken, the Samurai.

Probably you didn't read the whole post where I did talk about my interfaith studies. Read again, if not yet. Anyhow, why do you blame muslims for the actions of non-muslims teaching their children against others. Isn't it itself Intolerance. Ofcourse I can't change others attitude towards Islam other than what ever I am trying to do now. Rest Allah knows the best how much successfull I am.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 June 2005 at 10:21am
Hi Mr. AhmadJoyia!!!

Good question,"So, are you skeptic as what you believe?" Yes, I was sceptic when I first started believing. I became a believer through overcoming that scepticism. I had been saying to you,"Faith, by its very nature, is devoid of logic and reason." So scepticism is a must to balance faith. Why? Because in order to stop faith becoming into fanaticism.:)

Not a good question," Do you keep your doubts with you when you meditate?"

Meditation is not praying. It does not depend on faith or belief. When one meditates one should not have any thoughts. What we do in meditation is that stopping the thought process. So as you see there are no thoughts, not even good thoughts when you meditate, so no doubts or anything.:)

Irrelevant question,"and then you still believe that this meditation of yours would bring fruit to your efforts?"
What fruit are you talking about? Do you mean to say that you pray to God only because you want to go to Heaven? We dont ask anything or dont expect anything when we meditate. I dont love my parents because they give me what I want, I love them because I love them, no reason or purpose for loving them. Similarly I dont love God because He sends me to Heaven when I love Him and obey Him, but I love because of love's sake.

Good premise," I don't know about others, but for me, I can't be in an in-between state."
But Dr. Syed Alwi is not asking you to doubt what you believe, but through belief cross the ocean of doubt.

Allaah knows best.

Varshaken, the Samurai.
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