Running Like Zebras: a documentary exposing experts through Socratic Dialogue
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Debating with
Dr. MICHAEL SHERMER (Columnist at Scientific American, Author, Founder of Skeptic Society)
SHAMSI ALI (Imam of New York's biggest mosque in Manhattan)
Dr. DAVID SILVERMAN (President of American Atheist Organization)
Dr. S?LEYMAN ATE (Former head of the Turkish Religious Affairs, author)
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A Socratic Challenge and Dialogue that exposes arrogant experts and their false assumptions an assertions.
The first feature film of the documentary series on code 19 and Islamic Reform is out. I posted its low quality version at my channel at youtube as a playlist. You may watch each chapter separetely or all together. Here are the two links. The first one allows you to watch individually, the second all together. When you share this link please copy and share this introductory paragraph too.
http//www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAA873FE111650014
To watch all at once
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZtLk7ipR-8&list=PLAA873FE111650014&feature=plpp_play_all
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Shalom Aleikhem,
Thank you very much. May God reward you for all your efforts. I have been waiting for this one for a long time. First of its kind. Can't wait to see it. yay
Peace
------------- Student of Allah -
Shalom Aleikhem,
Part 1 finished. You kinda destroyed Dr. MICHAEL SHERMER...lol. However, worried if he is going to sue you for publishing it.
Peace
----------- Student of Allah -
Shalom Aleikhem,
Finished watching the documentary. It was good. The imam fled too P , the guy was pretty much pissed at the whole thing.
But I must say, Dr. Sharmer one was the best of all I guess. Good that you have him admitting that he has absolutely no idea about the Qur'an.
I don't know if there is anyone else in the world who would make a Qur'an alone documentary, so sad. Anyways, thank you for all of that effort.
May Peace be with you
----------- Student of Allah
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Student of Allah
We gathered signatures from people before the interviews. We interviewed Michael twice... The first interview was by Matt; they were simple questions and Michael enjoyed answering each of them. But, when I pre-emptied his philosophical basis (which is not included in this documentary but we have all unedited footage) and then challenged him with the code 19 (which he had information beforehand) he realized that he was against a lion.
He woke up. He was initially confused and ask us "why I am here?" Then his anxiety increased and panicked and said "I look like an idiot" twice to the camera. He did not want us to use the second interview. But, he has no moral right to do so. This was an exposure of a so-called atheist expert; I debunker was debunked regarding his atheistic arrogance.
As long as we do not sell the film to make money, he will not have a legal right besides moral one, since there is no slander; all is an exposition of a leading and "professional atheist" who write books, articles at Scientific American, manages a foundation, gives lectures to promote skepticism (which I have no problem when it is used in healthy dose). He publishes critical articles against the Quran in his monthly magazine, an yet when encountered a lion, he suddenly becomes clueless by saying "I have no clue about the Quran." Worse he has no interest to learn a challenge against his atheism! (It was the most recent issue of the Skeptic magazine, and we learned about it a few hours before the interview).
They might complain to the Youtube hoping to censor it. So, I would appreciate if you download all those five sections (you can do it easily via Real Player, which is a free program) so that when it is blocked illegally by the very sensitive Youtube they could be posted elsewhere.
Here is the story
http//19.org/1333/making-documentary/
Peace,
Edip -
Peace Edip.
I wander if some of your material from" Running like zebras" could be sent to the BBC in the UK?
They may use it in a documentary or news programme.
Just a thought.Peace.
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Shalom Aleikhem,
I have downloaded all of them. If youtube starts censoring, we will start mirroring. Anyways, do you have English subtitles for your turkish TV debates ? I am talking about the one where the zebra fled P
Peace
------------ Student of Allah -
He woke up. He was initially confused and ask us "why I am here?" Then his anxiety increased and panicked and said "I look like an idiot" twice to the camera.
Sounds like you're deploying psychological warfare and manipulation.
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You probably are, actually.
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You probably are, actually.
Of course, I'm not suggesting that you are.
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Edip I must congratulate you.I think you are amazing human being that really strives on his path.You are not like the other scholars like you think you are the smartest and you are not arrogant.
There are more people like you I bet but they are afraid to come out publicly or something.I hope there comes a day when Sunni,Shia,Wahhabi,Quranist can all work together for better future of the world and so that we understand each other.Great work Edip
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My only problem with this, I don't really like the ambush strategy....I mean obviously this doesn't justify them not being able to refute, but Edip Yuksel automatically has the upper hand because of the sudden ambush..
I am not sure how I feel about ambush interviews, atheists do it to believers as well....so..its a strategy that is out there...just...not sure if that would be a fair refutation session?...
It is interesting to see though how they can't physically handle the situation, and they run because they don't want to crumble all their beliefs...but I just wonder if that is due to feeling ill-prepared, like a pop quiz kinda thing...or.. does it really burst their bubble..MEH...I don't know!!!!!
Question, what was the resolution on Michael Mohamed interview?? Like what did you guys want to refute him about and what was the point of getting him in the documentary?
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What ambush?
What did I do? I questioned them about their work, their PROFESSIONAL work.
If someone comes interviews me and direct me questions and criticism related to Islam, Quran, and the topics I write and talk about, do I have right to complain?
I welcome these sorts of ambush. Well, you have misused the word ambush.
Just think. The news reporters or TV talk program hosts are not required or expected to tell their interviewees the questions in advance.
HERE IS FOR YOU
I welcome to be "ambushed" this way by Sunni, Shiite, Atheist, Christian, Buddhist, Agnostic,... all sorts of people with all sorts of ideas and criticism. Please let them know!
It is shame that discussing important philosophical and theological subjects honestly is considered ambush. Especially, with a professional atheist and professional clergymen!
I have nothing to lose. If I am on the side of truth, the light of the truth will shine. If I am on the wrong side, I will have chance to learn my error and accept the truth. If I will not be able to discern the truth from falsehood, I will tell my critics that "I do not know the answer, and I need more time to study the issue."
Yes, what is wrong with these three alternatives? My opponents had these three alternative choices, but they chose the forth one; the dishonest one.
Peace,
Edip -
"Question, what was the resolution on Michael Mohamed interview?? Like what did you guys want to refute him about and what was the point of getting him in the documentary?"
A good question. Personally, I did not find any use for that section. There were much better interviews and sections. I had already told the producers not to niclude Michael Muhamed's section. But, somehow they thought it relates to the predicatement of many youth...
I am still not convinced about it. I think it does not fit the main theme and its language is too vulgar for me and perhaps for many.
Peace,
Edip -
What ambush?
What did I do? I questioned them about their work, their PROFESSIONAL work.
If someone comes interviews me and direct me questions and criticism related to Islam, Quran, and the topics I write and talk about, do I have right to complain?
I welcome these sorts of ambush. Well, you have misused the word ambush.
Just think. The news reporters or TV talk program hosts are not required or expected to tell their interviewees the questions in advance.
HERE IS FOR YOU
I welcome to be "ambushed" this way by Sunni, Shiite, Atheist, Christian, Buddhist, Agnostic,... all sorts of people with all sorts of ideas and criticism. Please let them know!
It is shame that discussing important philosophical and theological subjects honestly is considered ambush. Especially, with a professional atheist and professional clergymen!
I have nothing to lose. If I am on the side of truth, the light of the truth will shine. If I am on the wrong side, I will have chance to learn my error and accept the truth. If I will not be able to discern the truth from falsehood, I will tell my critics that "I do not know the answer, and I need more time to study the issue."
Yes, what is wrong with these three alternatives? My opponents had these three alternative choices, but they chose the forth one; the dishonest one.
Peace,
EdipLOL first of all I apologise I didn't notice it was you personally Edip Yuksel who posted the documentary, I am so sorry!
Kindly forgive me!!, D
Just a brief intro to my stance I am someone who has a lot of trouble with my religion, and hadith specifically ever since I remember, because I am from egypt not everyone grows beards, but everyone believes in hadith so that was baffling to me..., and I honestly had a lot of problems before I even heard of Rashad Khalifa, and I was quiet stomped I never heard about him, even though he is egyptian, and he died near when I was born, but his concept has NEVER ever crossed my path, till I actually got out of egypt, and I was like wow, I never knew there is someone who felt so strongly about no hadith. I do have my questioning towards Dr. Rashad still.....
Anyways,
What I meant by ambush is, they didn't know what is going to be talked about, this is like telling a doctor, talk about your patients and how they feel, and then suddenly ask him something about how the pharmacology of a certain drug he uses has no evidence behind it. He might be prescribing it without ever knowing there is a controversy surrounding it...or whatever his reason is, he was ill prepared for the subject, but to save face...(which is not a quality to be respected), he starts being frustrated and saying that's not what I was told I will be interviewed about.
I am just saying in my very dumb personal opinion, catching someone of guard in an interview makes it seem like you resorted to a deceptive tactic, although I understand your point, I really do, because unfortunately I think if you tell them I want to interview about what you actually wanted to interview them about they would refuse to get refuted...so I don't know what other way could be doneHere an example of what I mean
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDWJSd4L1lw&feature=relmfu
(He pretends that he is a christian who believes in her church, but he is an athiest, obviously your approach is not that deceptive, but that`s how he get to ask her difficult questions about the bible).I actually love Michael Muhamed's part the most D, the reason I asked is just because I wanted to see your perspective (Although i thought you are the narrator) as someone who is confident in his religion, and wither maybe Michael resolved his issues because I have the exact same problem....granted its the most ambigous, opinion wise, but...it makes me feel..less crazy I guess, I never heard of him, and I don't like punk rock or vulgar language as you mentioned, but I understand what he is feeling, and our generation is exposed to so many global ideas it is overwhelming how to figure out what is right and what is wrong, with everyone being fixated in saying they are right and everyone else is wrong.
I am sorry if I sounded harsh in my critisism, I am just looking for answers and I really didn
t notice you posted it your self, Ive heard about you recently, and I had no idea you participated in this website. Again Sorry. -
Peace nevasheva.
You were right to criticise the method . Although Edip s answer was reasonable, you did well to notice the " ambush" . Having just finished watching the tapes, I agree with some of your criticism.
If Edip asked these people for an interview and was rejected, then I agree with his justification.
Peace.
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The issue is now AMBUSH ) Yeah, I live in Arizona, and I ambush my rivals )
Ambush what? Ambush who?
Then, according to your kaleidoscope, all those politicians interviewed by the reporters are ambushed. Poor politicians ) Then every-time a student is questioned by a professor or vice versa, they ambush each other )
Didn't you hear Michael Shermer responding Matthew's question about the miracle 19 with his buzz word PATTERNICITY, with a smirk on his face? Didn't you see him mocking it. Why din't he then say "I have no clue about this. I need to study it before making a statement about it."
Besides, the video does not show all the preparation I had before coming to the 19. I had to pre-emptively refute his major philosophical arguments. After listening my introduction, he realized that he could not be able just to get away by making a mockery of the subject through a few soundbites he had memorized. He realized that I was not a reporter with a soft ball to help him show off his pitch. I was not a dumb or naive clergymen that he could chew and spit there and declare a cheap victory. Thus, you saw him getting jittery and confused when I asked him the same question.
Matthew talked to him like a news reporter, but I talked to him like my hero, Socrates. And the latter was the fitting format for this guy's active promotion of atheism.
These guys (Michael Shermer, S?leyman Ate, Shamsi Ali, David Silverman and more) were there to be interviewed on the subject of their interest and profession. My question was within the area of their PROFESSIONAL interest. Imagine, his most recent publication had the cover story about the Quran.
I did not have an eleven year-old child, a painter, a construction worker or a novelist in front of me; I had professional atheists and professional clerygmen.
Peace,
EdipBesides, I wish we could ambush all those false experts to expose their lies and falsehood.
Peae,
Edpi -
Peace Edip.
I did say your answer was reasonable. We all look for opportunities to expose the lies and fabrications.
However in an arranged interview/ debate , if that was possible, there will be no running or hiding. I was merely saying that would have been a better alternative.
I agree ,though, fight them with the truth.
Peace.
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Yes they would probably not conduct the interview if they knew they can't back them selves up, and it exposed their lack of authority over the subject never the less.
I am really sorry I am sounding un-appreciative of the documentary it is a very interesting one, and I didn't mean Michael Muhammed part was bad at all it was the part I really liked , but I see that you have removed it, i think it is good because it shows that uncertainty is a stage that is I think important if you are looking for answers.
Thanks for your effort. Again I apologies I am too blunt sometimes.
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Thank you for your feedback and criticism... All are good to hear.
I was reluctant regarding the part about Michael Muhammad, and upon receiving a few criticism, I decided to remove it. It was not directly within the perimeters of the topic and the language was vulgar, much beyond my tolerance level.
Peace,
Edip