Islamic Utopia?

Re Ashok (#100):

Here are some thoughts on flying prophets, bloodthirsty men of god, and religion …

A person should be free to subscribe to any set of beliefs. It becomes an issue when … religion is used as a tool for exploitation and violence.

One of the dilemmas of mainstream Islam is that … on one hand … Islamic scholars point to scientific principles mentioned in Quran … to underscore its divine origins. On the other hand … these scholars tell us stories of flying prophets, prophets raising dead, practicing magic, parting oceans, and eating from the forbidden tree and getting tossed out of paradise. One can only wonder … how this blatant contradiction between science and religion can escape an inquiring mind.

It would not be a big issue if scriptural contradictions were limited to mullah’s physical understanding of the world. However, this contradiction has seeped into mullah’s social outlook as well. On one hand we are told that Islam aims to achieve justice and peace in our communities … and on the other hand mullahs tell us that blasphemers and apostates should be executed … that jihad must be waged against polytheists … that Ahmadis should be imprisoned for declaring Islam as their religion ... fornicators should be stoned to death, and so on. Here again, stark contradiction in mullah’s interpretation of Islam … seems to have completely escaped them. Pain and suffering inflicted on humanity in the name of God … needs not much of a discussion.

As a Muslim, albeit not a mainstream one, I believe that Islam, as well as Hinduism, and Christianity, and other revealed religions … have their origins in the same divine source … the God Almighty. Contradiction between science and Quran points to an inadequate understanding of Quran on one’s behalf. Executing apostates and blasphemers or waging jihad on polytheists or imprisoning Ahmadis … all on basis of Islam … also indicates incorrect understanding of Quran and Islam. Furthermore, flying prophets and prophets raising the dead etc. are inventions of human imagination and biases … that have found their way in understating of religion and interpretation of the scripture. Sadly, human biases and frailties are also the main culprits for violence perpetuated in the name of religion.

Anny (#103):

Your point is well taken … albeit with a caveat, owing to a history between Adnan Sahib, Ustruly Sahib, and myself. These gentleman, and their likes that I come across frequently, tell me that I am an enemy of Islam who is misrepresenting teachings of Quran, and whose community is justifiably persecuted. This is often followed by false accusations and propaganda about Mirza Sahib and the Ahmadi-Muslim community.

Most of the times I am able to handle such moments alright, and put them behind me. However, owing to my own weaknesses, sometimes I lose patience, and retort with sarcasm and edgy wit … aimed at highlighting flaws and absurdities in the other person’s approach.

Despite these reasons … your point remains valid … that I should not respond in kind, at all, when I come across folks with dissenting points of views. Your comments serve as a good reminder.

dost-mittar (#105):

Me … Punjabi … with a name like sattar?

In genetic terms … you are partially right. However, growing up in Karachi washed away the Punjabi cultural influence that I may have had from one side of the family. I guess I am more of a Karachiite … than anything else.

[PS: Was that supposed to be a joke on me … or on Punjabis?]

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To expect Pakistan to reform only when India has attained utopia is stupidity. People in Pakistan who hate India will always find a reason to do so. The same applies to India too.
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arjun ji,
why it is stupidity to ape india.what is your reason to hate pakistan.finally,
do you always bark or sometime you are in human mould also?

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khamkhwa #107 Please dont confuse arjun with facts about India and by wishing him happy diwale and and wishing all the best to India. According to his doctors this causes severe cognitive dissonance, causing his head to start spinning like a top while the rest of the body is becomes motionless like a statue.

#106
What do these ignorant pakis know...you are right about billions and trillions of export, more power to your already powerful financial state.
When you are done `lecturing` the pakis...please take a trip to
Bihar,Orissa,UP, Rajasthan,Assam,Meghalaya,Arunachal,and some more whose names I don`t even know(typical ignorant paki) and tell them about the economic achievements of India in the last decade,I am sure they will be pleased to know how lucky they have been.

Here is wishing you and India a great future on this Happy Diwali Day without any ifs and buts.

Sattar # 92

ah you are hopping from board to board and spreading lies about me again? I have never ``rejected`` the concept of ``dead prophet waiting in heaven`` anywhere. Now here is your chance, you can get rid of me for good if you prove that. But something tells me you can`t and you wont. Now let us see how you reason with adnan`s post #64 if you are as reasonable as you claim to be. But something tells me that you can`t and you wont.

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``After all one shah banu caase cannot be more special than 130/2 million other women.``

That`s the point, Bapu. They should ALL be entitled to alimony in the case of divorce.

sattar2
is it me or are u getting cattier by the post?
points can be made without this overdose of sarcasm and such disastrous wit as you may percieve it...your past interactions spoke very well for you; right now you sound as much like a loser as your buddy truly..
do excuse if its not my place to be reprimanding your kind self

shankar #94 you write to faisaluno: ``If any of you are offended by my metaphorical profanity, I apologise...but atleast reflect upon what I`m saying rather than how I`m saying it... ``
I repeat this last part of your post to help faisaluno take note and provide a response that is neither defensive, nor offensive, but thoughtful.
In particular I would be interested in faisaluno`s thoughts about your point concerning the pakistani generals` going on their knees like monica before the US. Perhaps we could have some light shed on the conquest of Pakistan in 1958, in 1978, in 1999 (?) by these martial people.
Heck, the photograph of our brave soldiers climbing over the gates of the elected prime minister`s house in 1999 in order to arrest him and thus clear the way for our ``monica`` napoleons to take power was so glorious that tears still come to my eyes when I see it, and my chest swells with pride as a pakistani. Perhaps we should make a statue based on that picture. Just like the Iwo Jima memorial.

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Pakistan`s Economic Figures: Third Plan (1960-65)


Pakistani government`s per-capita development expenditures (annual)

West Pakistan East Pakistan

Rs. 521.05 Rs. 390.35


Pakistani government`s per-capita revenue expenditures (annual)

West Pakistan East Pakistan

Rs. 240.00 Rs. 70.29