Logical advice to reader Zara Gem

Submitted by Prashant, Mar 24, 2018 at 11:29

Dear Dr Pipes, Reader Zara Gem declared that 'Allah's purpose can never be subverted' and then went on to the usual Islamic advertising. Let me tell her/him in very simple terms what she/he is doing wrong: No human for sure knows the God's purpose. What ever we know on this topic comes from our own beliefs and from our beliefs in the books that we choose to accept as scriptures. While objective observable facts can be verified by examining things, contradictory beliefs can easily reside in the minds of different people. That is why most people have learned to be humble about their beliefs. These people do not state their beliefs as undeniable truths and they also do not present their beliefs as if they are the only truths or best things.

Unfortunately, Muslims have not learned this practice of polite discourse. Muslims present Islamic beliefs as infallible truths. And sometimes they present common shared human good, as Islamic truth as if only Islam possesses that wisdom.

So, Allah's purpose may be infallible for you, Zara Gem, it is not infallible for me. Further, I am rather more interested in God's purpose and not so much in Allah's purpose.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".