Monday, April 6, 2009

Debates in May

Hello everyone! I'm back from my overseas medical missions trips, and it's time for some good debatin'!

It seems that there may be a series of debates happening in May here in Virginia. This is far from solidified, but David mentioned he thinks we should have some, and I got a call from California today requesting that we hold a couple as well.

My primary question for you: which topics about Islam should be debated? I'm still looking forward to debating Quranic textual integrity - I haven't seen one on that topic yet.

My secondary question for you: which topics about Christianity should be debated?

We'll try to get recordings and put them up on youtube and on our acts17 page, so everyone will be able to see them. Let us know - your say so matters and this is the time to give us requests!

39 comments:

Bfoali said...

Mhmm Debates
Personally I am sick of the regular debates, such is is Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf) a true prophet, and Is Jesus God.
I think one should be
Who is the true founded of Christianty Paul Or Jesus. Or Myabe does Paul Contradict Jesus. Something new you know.
For Islam
I think what Nabeel suggested would be intersting for sure.

David Wood said...

Bfoali,

I agree that Paul needs to be brought into the debate. How about a slight modification:

"Paul or Muhammad: Who Spoke the Truth about Jesus?"

Michelle Qureshi said...

Ooh, that sounds like a good one.

David Wood said...

PROBLEM! Before we consider topics, there's a more important matter: opponents. Shadid Lewis lives close by, and I've sent him an email to see if he's interested in participating. But we'd need a partner for him. The closest Muslim debaters I know of apart from Shadid are Osama Abdallah and Farhan Qureshi (each about four hours away by car). Is there anyone I'm missing?

Royal Son said...

How about Abdul Malik ? He's the guy that James White debated years ago. Any chance of getting him ?

Also, I was wondering about Zakir Naik... I know he's been refusing debates but do u think there's a chance if there's an appeal to Muslims to get him?

I suspect he might be off the debate circuit because of his comments which basically equated Allah with the Hindu gods.

Royal Son said...

What about that guy who calls himself Ozzycda ? Does he ever debate?

ubiquitouserendipity said...

i like david wood's topic for the Christianity side of the debate. for the mohammedan moslum portion i'd like to see/hear: is mohammed revered above allah in the koranic belief system?

cats don't bark, dogs don't meow, and mohammed weren't no prophet of G d

Anonymous said...

I think a Qur'anic textual integrity debate would be awesome. Did Paul create Christianity would be interesting as well.

Were the saying's of the Prophet handed down perfectly (accuratley, innerrantly, etc.)?

Nakdimon said...

Oh my, That is an interesting one: Does Sha’ul [Paul] Contradict Yeshua [Jesus]?

Or, Does the Bible foretell Muhammad?

Or, What was the religion of Yeshua: Judaism or Islam?

Or, Who were the first disciples of Yeshua?

Or, Yeshua vs Isa: Their ministries.

Or, Which Messiah is more honourable: Yeshua of Isa?

Or, Who is historically accurate: the Yeshua of the NT or the Isa from the Qur’an?

Or, Does Paul abrogate the Tenach?

Or, YHWH vs Allah, who is the God of Abraham?

Or, Textual reliability of the New Testament vs the Qur’an?

Bottom line: There is a lot to go around.

Nakdimon said...

Oh, I would like to see another debate on the Resurrection or the Crucifixion. That would be awesome.

Fernando said...

Doctor Nabeel... glad to see you bakc!!!

I'm not quite sure, butt I thinke we, the posters in this explendid blog, habe already made an list off possible topics for debattes...

Nontheless, following the suggestioon of Bfoali rectiffied by professor Wood, I would suggest: who presentes the true Paul: Christianity or islam?

For a specific muslim toppic I would like to see a debette on is sharia above the common law? or has been/is islam a relevant historical contribution for the development off humanity?

For a specific Christian toppic it would be nice to see something likke: whie the only and true God can habe a true relation with his cration an enter in it?

Nakdimon said...

Oh, another topic:

Christian Heaven vs Islamic Paradise. Which one reflects the holiness of God?

Ho-Logos said...

Personally, I would love to see a debate on the integrity of the Qur'an, its transmission, primitive corruption, etc. (I.e. everything that scholars admit exist but seems to never cross the mind of Muslim propagandists.)

//"Paul or Muhammad: Who Spoke the Truth about Jesus?"//

That would be a great topic in my opinion. I believe F.F. Bruce gave an interesting lecture on it (recorded in his book 'Paul & Jesus') as well as N.T. Wright.

Anonymous said...

Royal Son, I think Naik once challenged the pope to debate, but he refused to debate someone like David, Nabeel or James White. Even his supporters wanted him to do it.

Muslim by Choice said...

Here are topics I think we should focus on

1- The treatment of Women in Islam and Christianity.

2- Was Paul a true Apostle?

3- Apostasy in Bible and the Qur'an: Allowed or Punished.

4- What Makes sense, Trinity or Tawheed ( Monotheism )?

5- The way to Salvation in Islam and Christianity

6- Does the Quran claim the Bible is corrupted?

Anonymous said...

Osama Abduallah has recently asserted that the quran has been perfectly preserved. That would be a good one to see a muslim try and defend.

nma said...

Bfoali said...

Mhmm Debates
Personally I am sick of the regular debates, such is is Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf) a true prophet, and Is Jesus God.
I think one should be
Who is the true founded of Christianty Paul Or Jesus. Or Myabe does Paul Contradict Jesus. Something new you know.
For Islam
I think what Nabeel suggested would be intersting for sure.


Muslims love to debate about Jesus and Christianity, but try to avoid debating about Muhammed and Islam.

Stephanie said...

I'd like to see something to do with miracles (or scientific proofs) of the Qur'an vs. the Bible. I think Ari's choice on the integrity of the Qur'an is a good topic as well; really, any of these suggestions sound very interesting.

Wish I could be in Virginia at that time. My birthday's in May, and at some point afterwards I should be moving out there. It would be neat to see the debate.

Fernando said...

Muslim by Choice, ounce again, said: «What Makes sense, Trinity or Tawheed (Monotheism?»...

so, Mulim by Choice... cann you tell us whie the Christian Trinity is not monotheism? I'm stille trying to finde a true muslime thatt can explaine my whie... perhaps you'll be the firste...

Radical Moderate said...

I have an idea for a debate, more of a contrast really, salvation. Compare the God centered Grace of Christ; with the Man centered works based salvation of Islam.

A few thoughts along these lines.

I am told by Muslims that if their good deeds out weight their bad deeds they will enter heaven. Then I’m told that a single good deed wipes out a thousand bad deeds. We are also told that to imitate Mohamed is a good deed.

So let’s look at this. I don’t know about you guys but I’m a pretty sinful person. But I would be hard pressed to come up with a 1000 sins in a day. I’m sure it’s possible; however that’s a lot even for me. Now if a Muslim simply imitates Mohamed just once every day then all the sins he has committed for that day are wiped out. So what does this mean? Well I am told that the act of going to the bathroom in Islam is a religious experience. They take great pains to imitate Mohamed on this matter. The 1st chapter of Abu Dawood contains many hadeeths on Mohamed’s toilet habits. So technically speaking if a Muslim imitates Mohamed just by going to the bathroom and if by doing such he earns a good deed, then the act of defecation, or urination earns their way into heaven. In more vulgar words, a Muslim can Poo, or Pee his way into Allah’s paradise.

Now on a more serious note, if we are all to do good, and we don’t do good, then haven’t we done bad? In other words if we are to remain sinless in the first place then the simple act of not remaining sinless is in fact sinful. So how does doing what you are supposed to do in the first place wipe out what you shouldn’t have been doing.

Well I have to go to earn my way into heaven now; yes I have to go to the bathroom 

Sepher Shalom said...

David and Nabeel,

Just my 2 cents---> I have absolutely no interest in seeing a debate with Osama Abdallah. Please invite anyone but him.

Royal Son said...

How about this ?

Islam vs Christianity - Which religion has the most objective evidence?

Dk said...

For the debate topic:

"Why can't Islam stand on it's on two feet?" meaning, "why Islam cannot exist without dependence on the Bible!" (this would be an affirmitive proposition for the Christian debater)

Stephanie:

Please look up what a theory means in a scientific context and stop using incorrect semantics to undermine evolution when it is the concensus of nearly all scientists(including catholic and protestant) evolution IS a scientific theory.


Gravity is indeed just a theory along with the atomic theory, the theory of aerodynamics, and the theory of evolution. Theories are based on mountains of facts. With these theories, we create airplanes, nuclear bombs, and medicine. We have Cell Theory, Atomic Theory, and Gravitational Theory, don't we? Yet we don't doubt that cells, atoms, or gravitation exist. I recommend taking a science course.

Nakdimon said...

Book of Peace, you are right. No debate with Osama Abdallah. Waste of time and energy.

Ho-Logos said...

//Osama Abduallah has recently asserted that the quran has been perfectly preserved.//

It is perfectly preserved! The 1924 Edition matches every other 1924 edition!

...a pity about the thousands of textual variants

Hogan Elijah Hagbard said...

I have already challenged Osama Abdallah to debate with me (on the Qur'an and science) but he avoids me (by that I mean, he does not want to respond to my challenge). I have left two challenges for him on my own personal blog, and several on Keith's blog.

I have a feeling that he is scared. Which is not surprising I have refuted Osama Abdallah numerous times and he always runs.

He did however tell me to join Keith in a pal-talk debate (that is: he said he would deal with me after he had dealt with Keith), It's just that this sounds more to me like game, and not a proper encounter, and then again, without any prior communication concerning topic, rules and date???

I this is clearly running away from a challenge while pretending that he still has the courage to face my challenge.

Stephanie said...

DK said:
Stephanie:

Please look up what a theory means in a scientific context and stop using incorrect semantics to undermine evolution when it is the concensus of nearly all scientists(including catholic and protestant) evolution IS a scientific theory.

Gravity is indeed just a theory along with the atomic theory, the theory of aerodynamics, and the theory of evolution. Theories are based on mountains of facts. With these theories, we create airplanes, nuclear bombs, and medicine. We have Cell Theory, Atomic Theory, and Gravitational Theory, don't we? Yet we don't doubt that cells, atoms, or gravitation exist. I recommend taking a science course.


Not sure if I should be offended here; I don't consider myself uneducated, but if I came across that way, I guess I'm sorry. I AM still learning here (I'm only 17, a freshman in college). But I didn't say anything about evolution or scientific theories in this thread (and I don't THINK I talked about evolution on any other thread)...so I'm a little confused.

Your hostile remark did sort of hurt my feelings, as I felt they were unnecessary. A gentle nudge in the right direction would have sufficed--I would've gladly accepted any corrections.

Fernando said...

DK... whate happenned there? I juste lust contact withe your feelingues your dialogue with miss Stephanie...

Royal Son said...

Here are some more debate topic ideas:

1. Was Mohammad sinless?

2. Mohammad vs Jesus - Who is greater?

3. Consistency in Apologetics - Islam vs Christianity

4. Is Allah trustworthy?

5. Is Mohammad trustworthy?

6. Is Islam a cult?

7. History - Does Islam get it right?

8. Paul vs Mohammad - Who is more trustworthy?

9. Were Jesus' early followers Muslims?

10. Origins of Hajj - Abraham or Pagans

Regarding number 6: I found this very interesting verse in the Yusuf Ali Translation:

22:78 - "And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline): He has chosen you and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation); that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and ye be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer give regular Charity, and hold fast to Allah! He is your Protector― the― Best to protect and the Best to help!"

Is it just me, or did the Qur'an just call Islam a cult?

Dk said...

Stephanie, I don't intend to offend you, I just come across as rude (generally speaking). As you are only 17 maybe you do not have a thick skin yet, but it will come after years of debating with Muslims :-)

Sorry if you didn't comment on evolution being only a theory, I must have been seeing things...i'm going to get some glasses.

Fernando sorry I can't read your question, are you asking me how are my feelings? I can't tell.

Fernando said...

DK asked me: «Fernando sorry I can't read your question, are you asking me how are my feelings? I can't tell»...

I guess you're speakinga aboute whate I saide when I wrote «DK... whate happenned there? I juste lust contact withe your feelingues your dialogue with miss Stephanie»... I forgot to writte an "in" between "feelingues" and "your"... I wanted to writte: I juste lust contact withe your feelingues IN your dialogue with miss Stephanie»...

I don'te like to say "one should not habe saide X or Z" unless I can grasp his/her emotional state of hearte... and I really could not (bie reading youre previous postes before you wrotte your poste too miss Stephanie onn evolution) connect with your feelings, with your state of soul that originated you saying whate you saide... that's all... and your answer to miss Stephanie iluminated mee perfectly...

thankes for this oportunitie to clarify my wordes...

good easter to you all!!!

Stephanie said...

DK,
Thanks for your reply/apology; most of the time, I can let things go, but I guess I was kind of caught off-guard.

As far as the evolution being a theory goes, I think I might have mentioned that briefly as an example in another post. Whenever I mention the theory of evolution, I am usually referring to Darwin's definition; lately I haven't been paying attention to terminology in casual conversation. My energy's been drained from using it in school.

Thanks again for your reply and God bless :),
Stephanie

(P.S.: Fernando--good Easter [or better yet, Resurrection Sunday] to you too!)

Sepher Shalom said...

How about:

The Historical reliabilty of the Quran vs. the Bible

Whose Sunnah should we follow? Muhammad or Yeshua?

Was the NT account of Yeshua stolen from pagan mythology?


I would really like to see those topics, and I "second the motion" for debates on Paul and textual transmission.

maratsafin said...

hi i think a good debate would be prophecy in the bible especailly the new testament

Lothair Of Lorraine said...

do you guys ever debate in the south? Like maybe in North Carolina? I'd love to work behind the scences. Run camera, get coffee, whatever. Just to be involved.

Lothair Of Lorraine said...

a debate topic....how about 'is the holy spirit Jabril....'

Lothair Of Lorraine said...

I would like to debate Ozzycda on the topic of Muhammad in the Bible.

Michelle Qureshi said...

Lothair--

I live in Norfolk, Virginia. We've got a couple debates coming up in May. Please email me at nabeel@acts17.net if you want to discuss options.

God bless you, my friend!
-Nabeel

Prince D. said...

Please debate on Is Muhammad a Prophet? or Credibility of Muhammad as prophet