Essence in seeking correct knowledge - Event Date: 26 November 2012

Friendship, around 1978 when I was 16 years old I heard about the calendar issue the first time, because most historians had gathered enough evidence to determine that Jesus was born several years before year 1. Only very few Christians I knew were upset about it and for good reason. There is far less hard data about Jesus compared to Muhammad. As I child I learned that Jesus was born in the year 7 BCE. We also talked about the missing leap year until the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582 CE replacing the Julian calendar. People in 1582 missed all days from the 5th to 14th October, as 15 October 1582 was immediately following Julian Thursday, 4 October 1582.

So, are the Christians going to disagree with the research of Pope Benedict?

No, but many will complain why it took the Pope so long. This is old research. The Vatican is a very slow organization. As one reader put it: "The Church has long recognized the miscalculation, but exactly how many years since the birth of Christ doesn't really matter � it's a convenient numbering system, not a doctrine." I agree.



Edited by Matt Browne - 30 November 2012 at 2:40am

Matt Browne wrote: A lot of Christians disagree with Pope Benedikt, not only Protestants, but also Catholics. Yet the Pope actually invites people who disagree with him, e.g. Hans Kueng. So even the very conservative Pope doesn't tell persons who do not support the Pope's view to go away. I think this is one of the main differences between Christianity and Islam. In mainstream Islam debate is not welcome. Muslims are expected to stop asking uncomfortable questions. I wonder why this is so.

Abu Loren wrote: The reason is very simple. Unlike Christianity, Islam is perfection and therefore does not need any debate or discussion within it. For one thing, Christians need to sort Christianity out and get rid of the confusion that is so apparent. In Islam, on the other hand, there is absolutely no confusion.   Those who bring debate and discussion within Islam are confused people who do not understand the deen therefore they want to innovate. The Prophet (Salallhu Alayhi Wa Sallam ) prophecied this.

I beg to differ, Abu Loren. In my view Islam requires a tremendous amount of debate and millions of Muslims who care about Islam agree with my view, but most of them wish to remain anonymous, because they fear the wrath of their families. Risking the disapproval of their families ranks among the biggest fear of Muslims. In too many Muslim households today, parents demand robotic respect. Debates are not welcome. But the children of the 21st century realize the problem with this approach. These millions of brave young Muslims embrace open societies and seek to change the world, but they fear being ostracized by the mainstream Muslim community.

The view of Islam being perfection reflects 7th-century Arab tribal structure in which dissent is seen as treason. People who act on their moral courage (like Friendship) will always encounter disapproval. To have moral courage means to challenge conformity. Muslims aren't the only ones who enforce the illusion of purity and perfection. Hardcore evangelical Christians in the US are similar in this respect, although they don't use threats of violence.



Edited by Matt Browne - 30 November 2012 at 2:23am

Assalamu alaikum.

Your statement: In mainstream Islam debate is not welcome. Muslims are expected to stop asking uncomfortable questions. I wonder why this is so.

Response: Sorry Mr. Matt Browne. It is not that debate is not allowed, but rather there are basics that must be understood by all. Debate on the basic fundamental issues is not allowed. This is not saying that in a classroom such questions should not arise. In my University days, those who ask silly questions are marked and often fail their examinations. Islam is supposed to be taught in tutorial sessions. But look at what is going on here from people like Abu Loren etc. Look at Hausheen addressing me as disbeliever and then turning to ask me if I am a follower of Maudidi! This is outrageous! She was saying that I am disbeliever! If asked her to prove so during a prayer I performed, she has no evidence. But look at me saying that I have read in a book that Arafat day is not on the 9th of Zulhajj. If the Muslims have not been observing it on that day, I would not have voiced that out. Nobody has produced evidence against my observation.
No one is to be a silent spectator on seeing evil and wrong spreading on the earth. It is the failure of the Muslims to arrest this situation that is the main stem of our problem.
Allah challenged mankind in many places in the Qur'an to produce their evidence against what Muhammad said. If the Quraysh challenged to produce the like of the Qur'an failed, it is better we respect the Qur'an.
My call to you and your people is to understand that you are misguided and that the true teaching of Muhammad is still available in books unread by the majority of the followers of Muhammad.
Let us stick to the subject matter: Are the Christians going to disagree with the research of Pope Benedict?

Friendship.



Edited by Friendship - 27 November 2012 at 7:15am

A lot of Christians disagree with Pope Benedikt, not only Protestants, but also Catholics. Yet the Pope actually invites people who disagree with him, e.g. Hans Kueng. So even the very conservative Pope doesn't tell persons who do not support the Pope's view to go away. I think this is one of the main differences between Christianity and Islam. In mainstream Islam debate is not welcome. Muslims are expected to stop asking uncomfortable questions. I wonder why this is so.