The Skeptic Annotated Qur'an! (Please Help!!)
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I'm a born Muslim and I've believed in the Qur'an my whole life but I recently came across "The Skeptic Annotated Qur'an" which just f**ked me over. This website really gave me the creeps and I really don't know what to say. They have so many powerful arguments, not just one or two to be interpreted differently. They list out numerous contradictions and absurdities in the Qur'an which forms just a very long list. It pretty much goes against the Islamic claim that the Qur'an is free from contradictions (and even paradoxes) and that it is completely compatible with science.
I tried searching for answers that refuted these Skeptics but I couldn't find anything. This has been nagging at the back of my head for a long time. I really haven't lost faith in my religion and in my book, but that's simply because I'm too afraid to and because of my instincts. I hope someone will clear this up for me!
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I'm a born Muslim and I've believed in the Qur'an my whole life but I recently came across "The Skeptic Annotated Qur'an" which just f**ked me over. This website really gave me the creeps and I really don't know what to say. They have so many powerful arguments, not just one or two to be interpreted differently. They list out numerous contradictions and absurdities in the Qur'an which forms just a very long list. It pretty much goes against the Islamic claim that the Qur'an is free from contradictions (and even paradoxes) and that it is completely compatible with science.
I tried searching for answers that refuted these Skeptics but I couldn't find anything. This has been nagging at the back of my head for a long time. I really haven't lost faith in my religion and in my book, but that's simply because I'm too afraid to and because of my instincts. I hope someone will clear this up for me!
Well, would it really matter if it turns out that the Quran isn't free from contradictions and paradoxes?
Do you base your faith on the contents of a book and the words it contains, or your feelings and inner connection to God? -
Well, would it really matter if it turns out that the Quran isn't free from contradictions and paradoxes?
Do you base your faith on the contents of a book and the words it contains, or your feelings and inner connection to God?Of course it would!!
My "feelings and my inner connection to God" ?! Wow, I'm surprised you seem so comfortable even relying on that. If there's one thing that I've concluded a LONG time ago, it's that my feelings are completely, absolutely human, unreliable and based on my exposure and the environment. There are loads of people who's feelings and instincts have lead them to Christianity, Buddhism, Sufism etc. Please, if there's anything that's going to point to the truth, it's definitely not my "feelings". I've had so many feelings about so many things that turned out to be different to what I "felt".
Inner connection to God? I'm truly sorry for seeming arrogant, but unfortunately I haven't had one yet (Still that's what I ask God in every single prayer. For the connection, for me to feel him so that I know that there's noway in the world he doesn't exist. I never stop asking but I haven't received it yet). Anyway, about your inner connection to God, what is that also based on your feelings? What if it wasn't really God you're connecting to, what if it's just a feeling you're conjuring, what if it's based on what you do and what you see? How do you guarantee that it's the very creator of the universe who's making this connection with you.
You can put your faith in anything, but truth will always have manifestations. I thought Islam tells us to verify everything and not just to blindly believe. Besides, it's pretty clear that blind faith is not the concept of Islam according to Qur'an because the Qur'an puts for it's own challenges and falsification tests for those who base their belief on reason. What I don't get is, one of the challenges or falsification tests is the Qur'an claims that it's divinity is proven because it is free from contradictions.
?Do they not then consider the Qur?aan carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradictions.?
Therefore the presence of contradictions would naturally falsify it's divinity. Im not jumping to the conclusion that what is on the internet is for sure contradictions but I'm only considering the possibility. And of course, the content of the Qur'an would matter a lot more than my inherent thoughts.
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So if you find answers to all those contradictions, but one remains - you will lose your faith in the book simply because it claim to not contain any contradictions?
And I am not a believer myself, I am just interested in learning more of everything.If these contradictions contradict with science then one really doesn't need to worry oneself, science is everevolving and everchanging, and the Quran might make perfect sense, without any contradictions whatsoever, in a future science.
But contradictions that are drawn from the very content of the book itself might be harder to resolve, which is usually where the persons of an ignorant nature tend to ignore them due to the very same fears that you have, but another method could be to realize that the very language itself might have a meaning on a deeper, non-literal, level which absolves all contradictions.
Those are just my thoughts on the issue and I hope you find it helpful.
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So if you find answers to all those contradictions, but one remains - you will lose your faith in the book simply because it claim to not contain any contradictions?
And I am not a believer myself, I am just interested in learning more of everything.If these contradictions contradict with science then one really doesn't need to worry oneself, science is everevolving and everchanging, and the Quran might make perfect sense, without any contradictions whatsoever, in a future science.
But contradictions that are drawn from the very content of the book itself might be harder to resolve, which is usually where the persons of an ignorant nature tend to ignore them due to the very same fears that you have, but another method could be to realize that the very language itself might have a meaning on a deeper, non-literal, level which absolves all contradictions.
Those are just my thoughts on the issue and I hope you find it helpful.
You see, what people who point out these contradictions tell us is "Yeah, it's funny how flexible the language of the Qur'an is so that the followers can twist and use it to their own advantage." We are never going to know the deeper, non-literal, level meaning for sure, we can only guess. Besides, the Qur'anic verses are supposed to "make things clear" ,or are from a "clear book"
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I guess you'll have to wait and see what people more knowledgable than me in this subject says, there might not be any contradictions afterall.
What would a loss of faith mean to you?
Would it change the way you act from day to day in your life? -
is this based on the skeptic annotated bible site with the /quran added?
because if it is, i didn't find their arguments powerful.
So what part of the Quran bothers you? and why? because i think there would have had to be something that made you think omg!! otherwise you're just accepting their claims without really understanding them..
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I think it would, because a lot of things I do are things I don't personally feel comfortable with but I only do or believe it because it's my understanding that my religion requires me to do it.
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Sometimes i do things i'm not comfortable with but sometimes it's for greater good. sometimes i want to do things that aren't good for me. comfort and want isn't exactly the right word..
Do you do things because you understand the logic behind it, because there is good in it or is it because thats been the only taught way..
I think it's important to know why you do certain things, not simple do them based on belief.
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I doubt that a muslim is supposed to feel uncomfortable with anything really that is asked of him or her from the Quran, there's not much in it really that a nonbeliever even would take offense with. If perhaps these things that you are uncomfortable with stem from hadiths then you could like many other muslims dismiss these, since they are afterall not really a necesity in my opinion for being a muslim, and focus purely on the book itself.
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I don't know how to explain it. There are certain things which I was raised to find nothing wrong with but I give them up because it's my understanding that I'm not supposed to do this. For example, on family vacations, the women in my family don't go swimming in public because either the swimsuits are too skimpy or too clingy which generally exposes the shape and curves of the body. It's my understanding that a woman isn't allowed to reveal the shape of her body or her skin in public.
There are other things for example looking at men. We're told to lower our gaze (and I understand that it's to enforce modesty and avoid temptation)...But the fact that it's strictly forbidden. I mean it's human nature for people to feel attracted looking at certain people. Especially teenagers, its so common to just have innocent crushes and this kind of stuff goes on a lot.
And there are rituals and prayers which I feel are unnecessary and bogus...I don't see how the creator of the universe is going to punish me if I sleep through the morning without waking up to chant some mantras and bow my head down and prostate to the ground.
Well there's a lot more that are enforced by ahadith but lets not get there P
Anyway to Wonderlouse- I'm still doing my research on accepting vs. rejecting the hadith. Right now I'm a sunni muslim but I'm finding reasons to resent their beliefs every day. I just hope you'll pray that I'll be guided on the right path )
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Ok but remember you are an individual and what you are isn't what your family is unless you choose to be that.
I swim in public not all people like it but i'm not here to please people. besides you can buy 'modest' swimwear. People differ in opinions that's normal.
is that photo of you? in your avatar, your showing your face that's skin, do you think you're bad.. come on be reasonable Quran doesn't say cover your skin.
Who said crushes are bad, it's normal to feel attracted or to like someone. Lowering the gaze doesn't mean it's forbidden to like someone.
Anyway i think your sharing your frustration with practices and ideas that aren't purely Quranic.
if you hate bogus chanting why should we pray for you P prayer is supposed to have meaning not just some chant
p.s i hope you will be guided to the right path
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If I was religious I'd pray for you.
But I think that what you could do is decide upon rejecting or accepting hadiths before taking a look at these contradictions and whether you should reject or accept the Quran as what you seem to want to see it as, a divine book I guess.
And even if you dismess the Quran, or even Islamic faith, it doesn't mean that you have to abondon spirituality or the idea of a God completely.
Good luck with everything. -
if you hate bogus chanting why should we pray for you P prayer is supposed to have meaning not just some chant
Cause prayer is something personal, and it comes from within without any restrictions. That's a lot different from a ritual prayer where there's more focus on the physical actions and the words you chant were already pre-planned.
I don't disagree with praying, even the traditional Salah is a beautiful thing to help you calm down and quieten yourself as is kneeling down at a church are walking around a Hindu temple. I'm just confused that it's imposed and that we'll be punished (and according to some, out of the religion) if you omit it.
Anyways, Sarah, I'm just curious- what do you wear when you go swimming? D
I'd love to do these kinds of things, I'd love to skii, try out beach activities, try out at a fashion shows, sing and all sorts of stuff. I don't understand why religion should get in the way... (
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CG,
During my years of study I have read many many so-called discrepancies/errors/contradictions/etc. and never found any to be a clear problem. What I find handy in these situations is to gather the 5 strongest problems regarding The Quran that you can, then research them. It is likely they have been answered on the internet somewhere. If not, feel free to post them here. Personally, I will not answer them until I know the questioner, i.e. you, has put in the work to find the answer themselves first.
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Yes prayer is something personal, so is living life. well some people can argue over petty things but it's important to look at what Quran tells us if that is what we believe in. Part of salat's purpose is remembering God (2014) and if we can't maintain that component in prayer then i guess that salat isn't much of a useful salat.
People have theories on salat, you should research about it. Like i said its better to know "why" than to just "do". i think it's more important for you to understand your own beliefs before trying to work out other opinions, otherwise it'll leave you confused.(in my opinion)
I swim in clothes even the traditional hijab, i haven't had anyone personally object to me about my actions/clothing or doings in the water. There is swimwear that i could buy but it's too expensive so i just swim in an extra pair of clothes, pants and a top and a scarf. if i didn't wear a scarf i'd prob wear board shorts and a rashie shirt those lyrca swimwear tshirts.
What's stopping you from skiing? why would religion stop that? seriously i don't understand that, you can try all those you said i don't see how religion is getting in the way of them.
As Wakas suggested you should study and research what you're not sure about. It's no good accepting other peoples statements without looking into them. i used to agree with people then i would think but some things don't add up.. it's better to know for yourself than have someone preach their ideologies
BTW welcome to the forum
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CG,
During my years of study I have read many many so-called discrepancies/errors/contradictions/etc. and never found any to be a clear problem.
See, the problem is that they exist. We uphold the Qur'an to be the word of God because we believe it's a perfect book free from all "discrepancies/errors/contradictions/etc.". Whether they're really discrepancies or not, the point is at face values, their clear contradictions. I mean, we can twist anything to mean what we want them to mean, even Hadith- and that's how Sunnis advocate their Hadith.
It may sound far-fetched, but I'm just waiting for one really clever person to come here with an answer that wipes out all the attacks websites like Skeptics Annotated Quran and Answering-Islam make on Islam.
And Sister Sarah, Thanks a lot I'm excited to learn from all of you ! handshake
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It may sound far-fetched, but I'm just waiting for one really clever person to come here with an answer that wipes out all the attacks websites like Skeptics Annotated Quran and Answering-Islam make on Islam.
Yes, that is one method..... to wait for someone else to do the work.
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See, the problem is that they exist. We uphold the Qur'an to be the word of God because we believe it's a perfect book free from all "discrepancies/errors/contradictions/etc.". Whether they're really discrepancies or not, the point is at face values, their clear contradictions. I mean, we can twist anything to mean what we want them to mean, even Hadith- and that's how Sunnis advocate their Hadith.
It may sound far-fetched, but I'm just waiting for one really clever person to come here with an answer that wipes out all the attacks websites like Skeptics Annotated Quran and Answering-Islam make on Islam.
And Sister Sarah, Thanks a lot D I'm excited to learn from all of you ! handshake
Np, you can learn from yourself also
Interesting point you made, i thought i'd bring something to your attention. You can try sugar coating something but truth will prevail, well so i believe. So all those who try to twist hadiths to make them mean what they want well we know that's just them bending rules. Besides the contradiction still lays there even with the twisting.
In terms of those sites, really have you even tried to argue just one point they got. Alot of them are just picking and choosing verses without considering context. i could make a scientific fact look contradictory by doing that! Another thing to note is how they conclude their interpretations.
It's easy to accept any statement blindly but it holds no true value until you see for yourself.
Yes, that is one method..... to wait for someone else to do the work.
The perfect method, you cook for me and i'll eat it all when you die i'll need a new chef P
Though seriously Crimson_Glow, we're all on the same boat pretty much. let's rely on ourselves inshallah through study and seek help in things we aren't aware of, not the whole basis of our belief.
Before you doubt your own beleifs, know what it is. Then see if it fits with your ideologies of living or not.
