Saturday, January 19, 2008

The Debate Results Are in! Sam Shamoun Wins over Nadir Ahmed by a Landslide!

Prior to Sam’s debate with Nadir—“Is Islam a Religion of Peace?”—audience members were given a questionnaire. After the debate, more than fifty attendees answered the questions.

Interestingly, the Muslims at the debate were so upset by Nadir’s performance that all but one refused to answer questions concerning who won the debate! Christians, on the other hand, were quite eager to offer an assessment.

Below, I have listed the questions attendees were asked about the debate, along with the average scores of Sam and Nadir. The results weren’t even close!

On a scale from 1 to 10 (1 being the least and 10 the greatest):

How convincing was Nadir Ahmed in presenting that Islam is a Religion of Peace? Nadir scored a 2.6 on a scale from 1 to 10. One person declined to answer this question.

How convincing was Sam Shamoun that Islam is a Religion of Terrorism? Sam scored an 8.7 on a scale from 1 to 10.

How would you rate Nadir Ahmed’s debate skills? Nadir scored a 3.7 on a scale from 1 to 10. One person declined to respond.

How would you rate Sam Shamoun’s debate skills? Sam scored a 9.3 on a scale from 1 to 10.

How faithful was Nadir Ahmed to staying on the topic, Is Islam a Religion of Peace? Nadir scored a 3.3 on a scale from 1 to 10.

How faithful was Sam Shamoun to staying on the topic, Is Islam a Religion of Peace? Sam scored a 9.3 on a scale from 1 to 10.


Of course, not even these devastating results will change Nadir’s absurd proclamation that he won the debate. The Muslims at the debate were completely disappointed; the Christians shouted in triumph. Yet Nadir has tried everything imaginable to change the outcome of the debate. He has tried to alter the topic (both during the debate, when he tried to divert the issue to Christianity, and after the debate, when he claimed that the real topic of the debate was the views of Pastor George Saieg); he has claimed that the terms of the debate were unfair; he has even come on this site under a false name and praised himself for his performance!

Yet those of us who know Nadir Ahmed have come to expect this sort of thing. Nadir claims to be the only true Muslim debater in America, despite the fact that he has no credentials, insults and threatens his opponents (sometimes calling them child molesters or insulting their families), attacks his fellow Muslims, and, in general, acts like a complete child. Shouldn’t we expect such a person to claim victory even when he is utterly defeated?

12 comments:

Jay44 said...

Hi David. Great site by the way. I enjoy reading many of your comments here and elsewhere (ie. reasonable faith site).

"Interestingly, the Muslims at the debate were so upset by Nadir’s performance that all but one refused to answer questions concerning who won the debate!"

I was just wondering if anyone knows how the Muslims voted alone apart from the Christians or any other group present? I do agree in my honest assessment that Sam did a better job than Nadir. I would like to know what most Muslims who attended the debate felt as well. Thanks

David Wood said...

Unfortunately, since the Muslims refused to respond to the questionnaire, we have no statistics. However, I heard from an eyewitness that Nadir received a tongue-lashing from his fellow Muslims for his poor performance. This doesn't surprise me.

B said...

David said...

Interestingly, the Muslims at the debate were so upset by Nadir’s performance that all but one refused to answer questions concerning who won the debate!


How do you know the reason why that Muslim didn't answer the questions? Maybe he was in a hurry and had to leave. Maybe he is one of those people who are too lazy to think and answer questions like so many others (I am in market research, trust me there are people like this).

David said...

Christians, on the other hand, were quite eager to offer an assessment.


Well they were the majority and they hate Islam, so I am pretty sure that they would be quite eager to contribute as much as possible against Islam.

David said...

The results weren’t even close!


Uh huh, and this means what? Wow, Christians siding against the Muslim, what a surprise.

Jay44 said...

Hi Bassam. Salam

Apparently I (and you) misread what David said. It looks like all of the Muslims refused to comment on questions concerning who won except one. I for some reason read the opposite thinking that only one refused and all the other Muslims answered, thus my previous question.

Given their refusal to answer questions you can't really give any decisive answer to what they thought of the debate. But I guess it's reasonable enough to suggest that since they all refused (except one) they were probably disappointed.

Bassam said:

"Well they [Christians] were the majority and they hate Islam, so I am pretty sure that they would be quite eager to contribute as much as possible against Islam."

Just because they are Christians doesn't mean they hate Islam and even if they do, it doesn't mean they'll necessarily vote that way. But I, like you, can understand your skepticism about Christians determining who won the debate. So I want to ask you what you felt about the debate and who did a better job arguing for their position. What are your thoughts, if you don't mind me asking. Thanks

B said...

Just because they are Christians doesn't mean they hate Islam and even if they do, it doesn't mean they'll necessarily vote that way. But I, like you, can understand your skepticism about Christians determining who won the debate. So I want to ask you what you felt about the debate and who did a better job arguing for their position. What are your thoughts, if you don't mind me asking. Thanks


Well, I was planning to write a detailed review and I already wrote around 5,000 words (yeah pretty detailed), however the semester started and I got caught up with a bunch of other projects so it would be delayed.

However, I want to show the negative points of each side and emphasize that Sam Shamoun's charismatic presentation skills (much better than Nadir's) overshadowed the content of what was being said and that the majority were psychologically convincted that Shamoun won.

For instance, Shamoun would repeat an argument about Surah 9:5, which Nadir addressed in a simple and short manner, yet Shamoun's persistence that Nadir didn't address it pyschologically makes the audience believe him.

I believe Nadir justified his position of appealing to the Bible quite well and Shamoun wasn't able to refute that.

Also, I didnt' appreciate how the Christian in the beginning was already beginning to psychologically interfere with the minds of the audience by stating that Ministry to Muslims kept challenging Muslims to a debate and everyone refused in the past 4 years and that they received death threats from Muslims.

There are many many other points I made in the review that I wrote till now. Just keep checking my whats new section http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/what_s_new_ and keep an eye out for it.

Email me from time to time if your interested in an interfaith dialogue.

Regards,

Bassam

IslamSINS said...

Maybe because the koran seems lacking in context, it is difficult for Mohammadans to grasp the history of the Hebrew children. It's so common for them to refer to Old Testament stories, given specifically to the nascent Jewish people, and try to make them global commands, applicable to Christians. If Nadir is the example of the oxymoron, "islamic scholar", every Christian should increase their prayers for these deluded people ten fold. This debate is typical of most that I've heard, and we're centuries behind in exposing this cult of death. Thank Yahweh for people like Sam Shamoun, et. al., who tirelessly work to bring us up to date.

loki said...

BASSAM SAID.....
I believe Nadir justified his position of appealing to the Bible quite well and Shamoun wasn't able to refute that.
--------------

I would like an explaination as to exactly what the bible and christianity have to do with Islam?

You can not justify your own actions by bringing up the actions of another.

Well tommy killed a cat so I did too....does this make any sense at all??

It was NOT a debate about christianity it WAS infact a debate about islam and I found Nadir's constant references to christianity very telling of his inability to defend a religion (Islam) that is obviously undefendable.

I also laughed out loud when Nadir gave Pakistan as one islamic country where non-muslims live peacefully.
My God does he not pay attention to the things that go on there!!!
Nadir CLEARLY was out of hs element.

Silvy Mendonsa said...

I enjoy watching Christian Muslim debates. The only reason I watch Nadir Ahmed's debates are because I find them funny and he lives up to my expectations of making a fool of himself. The debate he had with James White was his worst in which he seemed to have lost all sense of decency.

Sam did a great job as always !!

jayaramaiah kuppur said...

I believe in God, but, unable to find meaning or compulsion to accept or follow any religion including that of my parents. I find no interest in the speeches of pastors and preachers who cannot say anything meaningful other than repeating the glory of God, God and God. But, when I heard the great inspired and intellectual debates by Sam Shamoun and David woods, I am inclined to accept Jesus as incarnation of God. There is some glowing spirit of God dwelling inside these two remarkable giants that enables them to speak almost flawlessly. They not only know the scriptures well but also the best experts one can possibly find to understand what is the real truth about Islam. There is no way anyone can defend Islam debating them as truth is on their side. I tried my best to find religiously infatuated or blind arguments in their arguments and failed to find any. They possess remarkable ability that transcends normal intellectual capabilities. I associate this kind of abilities to God. I sincerely thank them for enabling me to accept the Godliness of Jesus. They have made me crave for their debates and discourses. Remarkable!

Unknown said...

The christians are editing their own Bible, so it is no wonder they edit this debate in a way that the listeners get a feeling that Sam won this debate. But Sam is one of the worst christian debater. Because mostly he utilized the debate for promoting his website!!! If the Christian continue to use Sam for debates with muslims, then they are deliberately jumping into bigger loses!!!!!

Jburn3 said...

I enjoyed this debate very much and wanted to comment on something Nadir repeatedly claimed. He was calling the people in the old testament, born again christians. Obviously his lack of understanding plays a role here. Not only were they not Christians... not even the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ were born again until his death, resurrection and then him breathing on them. Also, the Old Testament would probably be an X rated movie if ever shown in theaters today. This only shows that God's plan of redemption had not yet been completed. The comparison from old to new testament is astronomical for a reason. There is sin all through the bible but the point is that God still loves us enough to send Jesus to die for our sins.

It is apparent that nothing that Jesus did or taught would implement anything close to physical force or war. Everything he did was meek and marked with servant hood to all. My prayer at this point is not that Christians win debates but that the heart of Christ be formed in us all so that when we meet Muslims, we can show them the way.

On that note... I do love the fact that Christians are confronting the evil plan of Islam and unmasking it's true identity

Unknown said...

I really like nadir, because he make me laugh!
Here in Indonesia, muslims dont know their quran, they just recite blindly.
So there are no pressure for sharia or anything religious law. Its because they dont know their quran.

Jesus Bless you Sam, David, and all of you in ABN!
Greetings from Indonesia!