Friends at FOTH

The ensuing debate on FOTH about Qur’anic science gives the impression of a tussle of inflated egos in the battle of the titans, and the preponderance of the saying ‘ holier than thou’. Viewing from a detached angle it seems that once in the thick of the debate one tends to lose sight of the fact that comparing the two approaches of ‘ Prophesies’ and ‘Science’ is really the proverbial comparisons of apples and oranges. Where one system of knowledge relies heavily on revelation, intuition and perhaps conjecture, the other is based on the man made principle of query, search and establishment of result on rational experimental verification or mathematical proof. The two are not compatible and should not be cross referenced. If this is accepted then the situation is simplified to the level of compromise as against imposition of one’s knowledge over the other. It is a natural human trait to share one’s ideas with others and the normal exchange of them leads to furthering the knowledge of both sides. The problem arises when one tries to impose and thrust one’s idea on the other and takes offence if the other side does not comply or questions it rationality. If we remember that the premise of the discussion should be to ‘agree to disagree without being disagreeable’, then all will benefit from the debate without crossing the bounds of decency and falling in the category of unrestrained obnoxious animal behaviour. Is not the idea of the exchange of ideas based on the furthering of one’s knowledge and refinement of personality rather than the degradation of it? A little self-restraint will go a long way to promote the goodwill of each other and perhaps raise the standard not only of the debate but also the forum itself. Is this not the main purpose of an any civilized and cultural group?

Please do no take this as a sermon from the pulpit but as an observation of an insider trying to observe from a position of detachment and welfare of the forum and promoter of this group of free thinkers.

Regards

Ziauddin Ahmed