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  2. Critical Examination of Islam
  3. What is the nature of God?
  4. Blind faith in God or using logic before believing in God?

Blind faith in God or using logic before believing in God?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved What is the nature of God?
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  • M Offline
    M Offline
    Magnus
    wrote on last edited by
    #6

    No, none that I know of.
    Belief, faith and submission are being rewarded, not rational or critical thinking. Or logics. Imagine if logics were required! How could you reconcile all-powerful, all-knowing, all merciful, all-just and all other logical inconsistencies?

    Logic only works if the underlying assumptions are sound. "Rational" and "critical" often means "myopic" and "arrogant" in reality.
    There is nothing inherently illogical about the existence of God, there's just small people using small reasoning.

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    • H Offline
      H Offline
      hawk99
      wrote on last edited by
      #7

      Salamun Alaykum,
      the best way to express the procedure of finding God, that is, by using logic, but I'd like to be lead to a verse that directly says that we have to use our brains to believe in God, and not just because our parents told us to.
      Thanks

      Peace,

      logic like creation has a creator
      design has a designer

      A verse that says use your brains to believe in God, one of which is

      They remember GOD while standing, sitting, and on their sides, and they reflect (think) upon the creation of the heavens and the earth "Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell.

      remember, the weaker the faith and trust in God that a person has the stronger the grip
      of shaytayn in that individual's life ultimately leading one to blasphemies, denial of the
      existence of God, and an ongoing need for proof after proof.

      Your battle appears to be with satan.

      good luck on your journey

      Peace O0

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      • U Offline
        U Offline
        unknownuser
        wrote on last edited by
        #8

        Peace,

        logic like creation has a creator
        design has a designer

        A verse that says use your brains to believe in God, one of which is

        They remember GOD while standing, sitting, and on their sides, and they reflect (think) upon the creation of the heavens and the earth "Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell.

        remember, the weaker the faith and trust in God that a person has the stronger the grip
        of shaytayn in that individual's life ultimately leading one to blasphemies, denial of the
        existence of God, and an ongoing need for proof after proof.

        Your battle appears to be with satan.

        good luck on your journey

        Peace O0

        You got it right, it's true, it is a battle with satan, but thanks to God, I am no where near submitting to him (satan). Thanks for the verse.

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        • H Offline
          H Offline
          hawk99
          wrote on last edited by
          #9

          Peace,

          Your battle appears to be with satan.

          peace Fallen Angel 21098,

          I apologize for my terseness, I did not intend to sound harse,
          I could have worded my thoughts better, i hope you would accept my apology.

          Peace O0

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          • U Offline
            U Offline
            unknownuser
            wrote on last edited by
            #10

            peace Fallen Angel 21098,

            I apologize for my terseness, I did not intend to sound harse,
            I could have worded my thoughts better, i hope you would accept my apology.

            Peace O0

            don't worry, i never get/got offended. In fact, I never thought that this could sound harsh lol.

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            • H Offline
              H Offline
              hawk99
              wrote on last edited by
              #11

              Peace Fallen Angel 21098,

              Thanks

              Peace O0

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              • U Offline
                U Offline
                unknownuser
                wrote on last edited by
                #12

                oh, and peace hawkninetynine, i forgot, i hope God forgives me

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                • S Offline
                  S Offline
                  StopS
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #13

                  Logic only works if the underlying assumptions are sound. "Rational" and "critical" often means "myopic" and "arrogant" in reality.
                  There is nothing inherently illogical about the existence of God, there's just small people using small reasoning.

                  I always found that logics work pretty much by themselves. And that's how you find out whether assumptions are logically correct or not.

                  Mistaking logical for correct is common. You forgot that there's also delusion, which is ignoring reality and using blinkers to avoid seeing what is not part of faith. But this is about using logics and not criticism or judgment.

                  Do I care whether the existence of a god is inherently illogical? No! What I was referring to are attributes of a god, something totally different.

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                  • WakasW Offline
                    WakasW Offline
                    Wakas
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #14

                    http//misconceptions-about-islam.com/religion-science-reason-compatible.htm

                    All information is correct to the best of my knowledge only and thus should not be taken as a fact. One should always seek knowledge and verify for themselves when possible: 17:36, 20:114, 35:28, 49:6, 58:11.

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                    • U Offline
                      U Offline
                      unknownuser
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #15

                      No, none that I know of.
                      Belief, faith and submission are being rewarded, not rational or critical thinking. Or logics. Imagine if logics were required! How could you reconcile all-powerful, all-knowing, all merciful, all-just and all other logical inconsistencies?

                      Yup, I agree. There has to be some sort of belief not based on logic...like most Atheists start out "I can't believe in something I can't see."

                      I personally feel both are absolutely required.

                      Peace,

                      Amina

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                      • H Offline
                        H Offline
                        hawk99
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #16

                        Peace Stop S
                        Peace scaredmuslimah

                        I have to respectfully disagree with the conclusion you have reached. While also
                        agreeing partially with conclusion of Stop S.

                        I always found that logics work pretty much by themselves. And that's how you find out whether assumptions are logically correct or not.

                        Yes logic must be tested by debate or proved or disproved by evidence.
                        But the subject is "submission" not philosophy or any other subject, therefore
                        we must turn to God's revelations for the answers. The first person who comes
                        to mind is Abraham the monotheist

                        The Debate
                        Recall that Abraham said to his father ?zer, "How could you worship statues as gods? I see that you and your people have gone far astray."
                        The Guidance
                        We showed Abraham the marvels of the heavens and the earth, and blessed him with certainty
                        The reflection (logic)
                        When the night fell, he saw a shining planet. "Maybe this is my Lord," he said. When it disappeared, he said, "I do not like (gods) that disappear."
                        When he saw the moon rising, he said, "Maybe this is my Lord!" When it disappeared, he said, "Unless my Lord guides me, I will be with the strayers."
                        When he saw the sun rising, he said, "This must be my Lord. This is the biggest." But when it set, he said, "O my people, I denounce your idolatry.
                        The Conclusion
                        "I have devoted myself absolutely to the One who initiated the heavens and the earth; I will never be an idol worshiper."
                        Certainty
                        His people argued with him. He said, "Do you argue with me about GOD, after He has guided me? I have no fear of the idols you set up. Nothing can happen to me, unless my Lord wills it. My Lord's knowledge encompasses all things. Would you not take heed?
                        Steadfastness
                        "Why should I fear your idols? It is you who should be afraid, since you worship instead of GOD idols that are utterly powerless to help you. Which side is more deserving of security, if you know?"
                        Ask For Understanding from God
                        Abraham said, "My Lord, show me how You revive the dead." He said, "Do you not believe?" He said, "Yes, but I wish to reassure my heart." He said, "Take four birds, study their marks, place a piece of each bird on top of a hill, then call them to you. They will come to you in a hurry. You should know that GOD is Almighty, Most Wise."

                        I also submit that faith is an branch of understanding or misunderstanding

                        Peace O0

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                        • Z Offline
                          Z Offline
                          Zulf
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #17

                          I was just wondering... what is faith and blind faith anyway?
                          Isn't it that each and everyone that claim to believe in something, also has some sort of reason for it. If you believe in a higher power that you cannot see, cannot prove, hasn't felt etc... still there must be a reason... and it could for example be that you want to fit into a group, and you stick to this identity, belonging and "story" even when you are alone by yourself. You keep playing the role of the "believer". So is there really any blind faith as such? Of course, the real reasons might not be connected to the object of the blind faith, but I think there must be some reason.. so in that sense, it is not totally blind, although unrelated. I mean, how can you believe in something if you have NO reasons whatsoever? Isn't this madness?? You must e.g. at the very least have some sort of feeling in side you, even if you cannot explain it to others... but something must be there.
                          Peace!

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                          • U Offline
                            U Offline
                            unknownuser
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #18

                            Peace Stop S
                            Peace scaredmuslimah

                            I have to respectfully disagree with the conclusion you have reached. While also
                            agreeing partially with conclusion of Stop S.

                            Yes logic must be tested by debate or proved or disproved by evidence.
                            But the subject is "submission" not philosophy or any other subject, therefore
                            we must turn to God's revelations for the answers. The first person who comes
                            to mind is Abraham the monotheist

                            The Debate
                            Recall that Abraham said to his father ?zer, "How could you worship statues as gods? I see that you and your people have gone far astray."
                            The Guidance
                            We showed Abraham the marvels of the heavens and the earth, and blessed him with certainty
                            The reflection (logic)
                            When the night fell, he saw a shining planet. "Maybe this is my Lord," he said. When it disappeared, he said, "I do not like (gods) that disappear."
                            When he saw the moon rising, he said, "Maybe this is my Lord!" When it disappeared, he said, "Unless my Lord guides me, I will be with the strayers."
                            When he saw the sun rising, he said, "This must be my Lord. This is the biggest." But when it set, he said, "O my people, I denounce your idolatry.
                            The Conclusion
                            "I have devoted myself absolutely to the One who initiated the heavens and the earth; I will never be an idol worshiper."
                            Certainty
                            His people argued with him. He said, "Do you argue with me about GOD, after He has guided me? I have no fear of the idols you set up. Nothing can happen to me, unless my Lord wills it. My Lord's knowledge encompasses all things. Would you not take heed?
                            Steadfastness
                            "Why should I fear your idols? It is you who should be afraid, since you worship instead of GOD idols that are utterly powerless to help you. Which side is more deserving of security, if you know?"
                            Ask For Understanding from God
                            Abraham said, "My Lord, show me how You revive the dead." He said, "Do you not believe?" He said, "Yes, but I wish to reassure my heart." He said, "Take four birds, study their marks, place a piece of each bird on top of a hill, then call them to you. They will come to you in a hurry. You should know that GOD is Almighty, Most Wise."

                            I also submit that faith is an branch of understanding or misunderstanding

                            Peace O0

                            "Allah knows best." How in the world do I explain that to someone who constantly uses logic and does not go off of faith? It's impossible.

                            When things happen in my life that I can't explain or understand, that is what I have to say to myself. If I tried to use logic for every single situation like that, I would go mad.

                            So yes...blind faith is required. Not in the sense that one is stupid or ignorant, but in the sense that they must completely rely on God and let logic go at times.

                            Peace,

                            Amina

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                            • H Offline
                              H Offline
                              hawk99
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #19

                              Peace scaredmuslimah,

                              "Allah knows best."

                              "Allah knows best." is the Best answer, even when we think we know or
                              understand. also "Allah knows best." is the Logical conclusion when we do not know
                              or understand why something happened or did not happen.

                              Peace Zulf,
                              I agree with the statement

                              I was just wondering... what is faith and blind faith anyway?
                              Isn't it that each and everyone that claim to believe in something, also has some sort of reason for it. If you believe in a higher power that you cannot see, cannot prove, hasn't felt etc... still there must be a reason...
                              REASON DEFINED

                              1.power of orderly thought the power of being able to think in a logical and rational manner
                              2.ability to think clearly the ability to think clearly and coherently
                              3.philosophy intellect as basis for knowledge the ability to think logically regarded as a basis for knowledge, as distinct from experience or emotions

                              Faith and reason are not at odds, both are positive God-given attributes

                              Peace O0

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                              • U Offline
                                U Offline
                                unknownuser
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #20

                                Peace scaredmuslimah,

                                "Allah knows best." is the Best answer, even when we think we know or
                                understand. also "Allah knows best." is the Logical conclusion when we do not know
                                or understand why something happened or did not happen.

                                Peace Zulf,
                                I agree with the statement REASON DEFINED

                                1.power of orderly thought the power of being able to think in a logical and rational manner
                                2.ability to think clearly the ability to think clearly and coherently
                                3.philosophy intellect as basis for knowledge the ability to think logically regarded as a basis for knowledge, as distinct from experience or emotions

                                Faith and reason are not at odds, both are positive God-given attributes

                                Peace O0

                                I guess when I think of people who claim to be "logical" beings, I think of those who don't believe in God. Of course we should use our brains...that I don't deny. Not saying that we aren't logical or intelligent.

                                I'm babbling...going to stop.

                                peace

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                                • J Offline
                                  J Offline
                                  Jafar
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #21

                                  1.power of orderly thought the power of being able to think in a logical and rational manner
                                  2.ability to think clearly the ability to think clearly and coherently
                                  3.philosophy intellect as basis for knowledge the ability to think logically regarded as a basis for knowledge, as distinct from experience or emotions

                                  Faith and reason are not at odds, both are positive God-given attributes

                                  Peace O0

                                  ?Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.?
                                  -- Siddharta

                                  Good post...
                                  Faith is NOT irrational..
                                  God IS rational...

                                  However..

                                  There are irrational people who define the word "God" in irrational manner...
                                  They don't like it when somebody else pointed out the flaw on their thought and could not reconcile their belief with hard facts.. To make other people accept their irrational thought.. they always spread the message that God and rationality cannot go hand in hand.. because their hypothesis on God (and also other things) IS irrational / do not make sense at all..

                                  Salam / Peace

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                                  • Z Offline
                                    Z Offline
                                    Zulf
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #22

                                    ?Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.?
                                    -- Siddharta

                                    Good post...
                                    Faith is NOT irrational..
                                    God IS rational...

                                    However..

                                    There are irrational people who define the word "God" in irrational manner...
                                    They don't like it when somebody else pointed out the flaw on their thought and could not reconcile their belief with hard facts.. To make other people accept their irrational thought.. they always spread the message that God and rationality cannot go hand in hand.. because their hypothesis on God (and also other things) IS irrational / do not make sense at all..

                                    Salam / Peace

                                    Woaa.. I like your post Jafar!
                                    This is how I feel many atheists go about. Many have a dark, irrational and simplistic image of God, and then they use that to come to the conclusion that God doesn't exist. But amazingly they are often times not ready to entertain a more holistic approach to God. They insist on the simplistic image for some reason. They don't seem to want to find out and explain more. They are only ready to explore through means, and in areas, that are bound to reinforce their simplistic image. I wonder why? Which comes first, the chicken or the egg? The refusal or the blindness?

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                                    • H Offline
                                      H Offline
                                      huruf
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #23

                                      I somehow feel that God is beyond reason, but not ouside reason. Something akin ast what happens with the ego. The ego is necessary. There is no individual existence without ego. The aim is not to eliminate the ego, but to go beyond it. We have to fulfill our earthly existence, and the ego is an instrument for it, but we are not meant to stop there. Reason is also an instrument, there is no humanity without it, but we are meant to go beyond it, when we have extracted all there is to extract, then it will have been integrated in our quest and we will no longer need to think of it or use it as an objective necessity. While on this existence we cannot ignore it or do without, even if there are things which go beyond reason, but never against it.

                                      Of course, while reasoning, we may make catastrophic mistakes, which are not due to reason but to not enough reason.

                                      Salaam

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                                      • M Offline
                                        M Offline
                                        Magnus
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #24

                                        I somehow feel that God is beyond reason, but not ouside reason. Something akin ast what happens with the ego. The ego is necessary. There is no individual existence without ego. The aim is not to eliminate the ego, but to go beyond it. We have to fulfill our earthly existence, and the ego is an instrument for it, but we are not meant to stop there. Reason is also an instrument, there is no humanity without it, but we are meant to go beyond it, when we have extracted all there is to extract, then it will have been integrated in our quest and we will no longer need to think of it or use it as an objective necessity. While on this existence we cannot ignore it or do without, even if there are things which go beyond reason, but never against it.

                                        Of course, while reasoning, we may make catastrophic mistakes, which are not due to reason but to not enough reason.

                                        Interesting.
                                        I might sum up my view with God being entirely reasonable and completely mystical simultaneously. The submissive idea of God is in harmony with all I can perceive and reason around, but He is also completely, mindbendingly greater than anything I could ever comprehend. How can you ever hope to use reason as an approach the Infinite, Eternal, Absolute?

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                                        • H Offline
                                          H Offline
                                          hawk99
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #25

                                          Peace huruf,

                                          Of course you are right when you state that

                                          I somehow feel that God is beyond reason,
                                          Salaam

                                          Our reasoning can only go as far as acknowledging God's existence and his attributes.
                                          Many question God, but that is an excercise in futility. According to the Quran God
                                          does not allow himself to be questioned
                                          If there were in them (the heavens and the earth) other gods beside GOD, there would have been chaos. Glory be to GOD; the Lord with absolute authority. He is high above their claims.
                                          He is never to be asked about anything He does, while all others are questioned.

                                          Reason is no more than a human tool we use to form opinions, come to conclusions,
                                          acquire knowledge etc., but reason has its limits, God did not create equals to himself
                                          but dependents.

                                          The ego is necessary. There is no individual existence without ego. The aim is not to eliminate the ego, but to go beyond it.
                                          Salaam

                                          The ego itself must acknowledge that which is beyond it and intellectually submit to the controller of reality in order for the ego to reach its full potential. Allowing the higher attributes of humility, selflessness, fearlessness, and oneness to emerge from the soul.
                                          The Quran states
                                          Recall that Moses said to his people, "O my people, you have wronged your souls by worshiping the calf. You must repent to your Creator. You shall kill your egos. This is better for you in the sight of your Creator." He did redeem you. He is the Redeemer, Most Merciful.

                                          Peace O0

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