Burden of Proof

Mansoor Ali,

Based on the criticisms you have posted, below are the criteria I would expect you to follow when you explain how the Quran is reliable. I have included the sources you previously referenced as the implicit or explicit authorities or points for these criteria.

1.      Even if the founder of the religion or his close associates endorse other associates, it is better to believe what famous people say hundreds of years later concerning what the founder intended. (Thomas Jefferson, George Bernard Shaw, Jeremy Bentham, etc.)

2.      If a writing is to be considered reliable, there must be original manuscripts existing today. (Your quote: �We all know that Christianity does not have a ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS. So what is the authenticity of the above passages?�)

3. If a writing includes third-party narration, the events must have been hearsay. All hearsay information is invalid and if there is any hearsay in a writing, everything should be considered to be by an unknown writer. (Your quote: �Let us also notice the third-party narration in the "Gospel of Matthew", and in the rest of the so-called "Gospels" of the New Testament.� �Today's Books and Gospels' authors of the Bible are UNKNOWN.�
4. If the supposed writer of a document does not identify himself in the writing as the author we should consider the writing anonymous. (Bart D. Ehrman, Robert Walter Funk, your quote: �Moreover, the Gospels are anonymous documents, totally unreliable. None of them originate from eye-witness sources.�)
5. Statements from people who reject orthodox religious beliefs have a better perspective than those who accept orthodox beliefs � even if the former are biased and come hundreds of years later in the historical chain. (Bart D. Ehrman, Robert Walter Funk)
6. It is important to consider what atheists believe about a writing that has religious statements in it. (I assume this is why you quote Richard Carrier who criticizes the Quran and the Bible extensively).
7. It is important to consider what is said by people who believe that no religion has the truth. (I assume this is why you quote Tom Harpur who rejects the Christianity and Islam).
8. If a writing misquotes the Old Testament it can not be accurate. (Your quote: �It is clear that Jesus � misquotes the Old Testament � so how can the Gospels be accurate?�)

Apollos

Apollos wrote: Mansoor Ali,   Based on the criticisms you have posted, below are the criteria I would expect you to follow when you explain how the Quran is reliable. I have included the sources you previously referenced as the implicit or explicit authorities or points for these criteria.   1.      Even if the founder of the religion or his close associates endorse other associates, it is better to believe what famous people say hundreds of years later concerning what the founder intended. (Thomas Jefferson, George Bernard Shaw, Jeremy Bentham, etc.) 2.      If a writing is to be considered reliable, there must be original manuscripts existing today. (Your quote: �We all know that Christianity does not have a ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS. So what is the authenticity of the above passages?�) If a writing includes third-party narration, the events must have been hearsay. All hearsay information is invalid and if there is any hearsay in a writing, everything should be considered to be by an unknown writer. (Your quote: �Let us also notice the third-party narration in the "Gospel of Matthew", and in the rest of the so-called "Gospels" of the New Testament.� �Today's Books and Gospels' authors of the Bible are UNKNOWN.� If the supposed writer of a document does not identify himself in the writing as the author we should consider the writing anonymous. (Bart D. Ehrman, Robert Walter Funk, your quote: �Moreover, the Gospels are anonymous documents, totally unreliable. None of them originate from eye-witness sources.�) Statements from people who reject orthodox religious beliefs have a better perspective than those who accept orthodox beliefs � even if the former are biased and come hundreds of years later in the historical chain. (Bart D. Ehrman, Robert Walter Funk) It is important to consider what atheists believe about a writing that has religious statements in it. (I assume this is why you quote Richard Carrier who criticizes the Quran and the Bible extensively). It is important to consider what is said by people who believe that no religion has the truth. (I assume this is why you quote Tom Harpur who rejects the Christianity and Islam). If a writing misquotes the Old Testament it can not be accurate. (Your quote: �It is clear that Jesus � misquotes the Old Testament � so how can the Gospels be accurate?�)   Apollos

Just who were the real authors of the Bible? Today's Books and Gospels' authors of the Bible are UNKNOWN.  See the comments from the NIV Bible itself.

"Fairy tales and fables in the Bible" say the Christian and Bible theologians themselves!

Quotes from the Roman Catholic Encyclopedia admitting that the Bible had been corrupt and the original manuscripts had been lost.

How reliable is the New Testament?

The Reason Why There Are Different Gospel Authors According to Christians.

Historical Errors in the Gospels.

Mansoor Ali,

You obviously only know one song and you sing it again and again no matter what the question or topic is.

Thanks again for helping me understand what your idea of �discussions� are about. I don�t need anymore examples of how you think but carry on if you enjoy filling up pages with such nonsense.

BTW - I am not yet concluding that all Muslims think like you. I imagine some are embarrassed at your tactics. We�ll see.

Apollos