A dialogue between an Atheist Professor and a Student

An atheist Professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, the Almighty. He asks one of his newMuslim students to stand and…..
Professor: You are a Muslim, aren't you, son?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So you believe in God?
Student: Absolutely, Sir.
Professor: Is God good?
Student: Sure.
Professor: Is God all-powerful?
Student: Yes.
Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm?
(Student is silent)
Professor: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fellow. Is God good?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Is Satan good?
Student: No.
Professor: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From…God…
Professor: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make
everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.
Professor: So who created evil?
(Student does not answer)
Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, who created them?
(Student has no answer)
Professor: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son…Have you ever seen God?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student: No, Sir.
Professor: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student: Yes.
Professor: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith. Professor: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Professor: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Professor: Yes.
Student: No sir. There isn't.
(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events)

Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, Sir, just the absence of it.
(There us a pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre)

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light….But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it’s called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness, darker, wouldn't you?
Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Professor: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it.

Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going)
Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going Endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class is uproar)

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter)
Student: Is there anyone here, who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it…No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, Sir.
With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room is silent. The Professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable)
Professor: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student: That is it Sir… The link between man & God is FAITH.
That is all that keeps things moving & alive.

NB: I believe you have enjoyed the conversation… and if so… you'll probably want your friends/colleagues to enjoy the same… won't you… forward them this link to increase their knowledge…

This Too Shall Pass!

FOUR WORDS

A king called all of his wise men and counselors together for a meeting.  He addressed them and said, "I want you to go and think, read, and research.  Consult the wisest and most learned men in the land.  Spare no expense."

"I want you to find the ONE statement that will get me through all situations in life. Whether I am on top of the world or in the pits, find that statement."

"I don't want to learn long and complicated philosophies. I want one simple statement.  Find it or write it; I don't care, just bring me the statement."

The men left and consulted for months. They finally returned and handed the King a scroll.

The King unrolled the scroll.  On it was written four words.

"THIS TOO SHALL PASS"

That was it.

The wise men explained.

When you are on top of the world, that is but a fleeting moment, things change, always remember, this too shall pass.

When you are in the pits, all nights are followed by day, at your lowest moments remember also, this too shall pass.

All external circumstances and material things change.

No matter what your circumstances, remember, THIS TOO SHALL PASS!

The wise men reminded the great King that this would get him through his earthly things but the truly wise knew there were things beyond this earth and life. . .

Things that were eternal.

True wisdom they reminded the King was in the ability to recognize the fleeting temporal things of the material world from the truly eternal things.

O Great King they said, "Most of the things that you worry or gloat about are temporary and our four words apply."

For most of your situations. . . THIS TOO SHALL PASS!

 

Holy Quran says:

كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍ

All that lives on earth or in the heavens is bound to pass away (55:26)

وَيَبْقَى وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ

But what will remain forever is your Sustainer’s Self (and His rewards), full of majesty and glory (55:27).

Stop the Next War

In His Name, ExaltedMy Lord, I know that there will soon be a day

When angels will come to bear my soul away,

Then if I am asked whether I’d rather stay,

In answer I’m certain of what I would say:

“Don’t leave me in this cruel world any more

Unless it would be to stop the next war.”

The wars of today aren’t like those of old

When face to face stood strong champions bold;

No cluster bombs fell and it was a shame

To let any harm come to the sick or the lame.

“Don’t leave me in this cruel world any longer

Unless I can stand up for peace a bit stronger.”

Come listen to me Christian, Muslim and Jew!

The one God we worship knows all that we do.

He knows of the violence the torture and rape;

He knows every sin whatever its shape.

“God don’t let us stay here to shed each others’ blood;

Don’t let us forget why You sent down the Flood.”

“If you can’t believe, at least try to be free,”

Some such words were spoken by Husayn ibn Ali u.

Don’t be a blockhead for the oil industry

Or the war profiteers— our neo-aristocracy.

“Don’t let this cruel world be a prison for us

Of oppression and greed, fear, terror and lust.”

Now, cycles of violence have spun out of control;

Our national leaders don’t have peace as their goal.

Our children play games with as much blood and gore

As has traumatized soldiers who’ve come back from real war.

“God, I don’t care to stay in a world that’s so cruel,

Won’t you bring forth the Mahdi u and sweet Jesus u to rule?”

The hour is approaching, my race is nearly run;

The evening light is fading with the silently sinking sun.

Praise God for His blessings, and for hearts filled with song,

And may He forgive us for all that we’ve done wrong.

“Don’t leave me in this cruel world all alone,

Come bear me away or send one of Your own.”

When our lives are over what will our descendents say,

That we fought to protect our interests in the most aggresive way?

Or that we sought to protect the innocent from suffering and pain?

And that divine mercy in our works was made plain?

“Don’t leave me, dear Lord, in this cruel world any more

Unless it would be to stop the next war.”

 

Hajj Muhammad Legenhausen

Backbiting

Backbiting is a springtime pasture for the ignoble. 

 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

The one who listens to backbiting is one of the backbiters. 

 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Backbiting is the endeavour of the incapable. 

 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Backbiting is finding fault in secret. 

 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Whoever is aware of his own faults will have no time for the faults of others. 

 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

How fortunate is the one whose concern for his own faults keeps him from noting the faults of other people. 

 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

O slave of Allah, do not be quick to find fault with the wrong action of anyone — for perhaps he may have been forgiven;  and do not feel at ease with your self even if it is only slightly disobedient — for perhaps you may be punished for it.

So may whoever of you who knows about others' faults be restrained by what he knows about his own faults, and may he be concerned only with his own gratitude for being spared from what troubles others. 

 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Slander is a deadly arrow. 

 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Slander is the bridge to evil. 

 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

If Titanic were made in India

There would be 10 times as many people in the ship.

There would be a song with Kate Winslett in a white sari, singing in the rain.

By the end of the movie, hero would find his long lost Mom, Dad, sis and bhai.

It would be a seven-and-a-half-hour movie with three intervals. The movie would be called "Pyar Kiya to Marna Kya?"

The hero and the heroine would float in the cold water for days and still survive while the villain would die in the first few drops.

The iceberg was sent by the heroine's father to teach a lesson to the hero.

The orchestra would play Jai Santoshi Maa and a ray of light would come and transport the musicians to another ship.

And can you imagine how many times we would hear bachaoo?

On Mother's Day in a Time of War

By Mary Shaw

05/14/06 “Information Clearing House” — — On this Mother’s Day 2006, my thoughts go out to all the mothers who have children fighting in George W. Bush’s illegal, immoral, and unprovoked war of aggression. Your children volunteered for duty because they believed that America is a beacon of democracy, freedom, and opportunity. They signed up for job training, college money, and honor. They did not sign up to kill innocent Iraqi women, children, and men. They did not sign up to torture people. They did not sign up to die in a war based on oily corporate lies. They did not sign up to promote this country’s transformation from freedom to fascism. May they remain safe and come home to you soon.

On this Mother’s Day, my thoughts go out to all the mothers who have lost their children in Bush’s illegal war of choice. My thoughts go out Cindy Sheehan, who is still waiting for an answer to her very reasonable question to George W. Bush: For what noble cause did her son, Casey, die? And my thoughts go out to more than 2,400 other mothers who won’t be getting a Mother’s Day card or a phone call from their kids this year because those kids were sent into a no-win situation with inadequate body armor to fight against non-existent weapons of mass destruction. These mothers lost their beloved children because, as Donald Rumsfeld said, you “fight a war with the troops you have, not the troops you want.”

On this Mother’s Day, my thoughts go out to First Lady Laura Bush. In her privileged Stepford world, she will never know the pain of losing a child to a political agenda. She will likely spend this Mother’s Day with her pretty and well-protected twin daughters, whose greatest tragedy might be a broken fingernail or a Sunday morning hangover. She will never feel the pain that so many Iraqi mothers feel when their babies are blown to bits for Bush’s agenda. And she will never feel the pain of all those American mothers of dead soldiers. My thoughts go out to her because I believe that she works so hard to find a way to justify the emotional distance. For that, I feel very, very sad for her. Sleep must certainly be difficult.

On this Mother’s Day, my thoughts go out to Barbara Bush, the presidential family matriarch, who summed up her moral values and her views on the war by asking the following on national TV: “Why should we hear about body bags and deaths? Oh, I mean, it’s not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that?” Why, indeed! She has always had the means to protect her brood from the ugly truths of the real world. But there are some things that money cannot buy. Like compassion. Like personal redemption. Like humanity.

On this Mother’s Day, my thoughts go out to every other mother on this planet. You’ve got the most difficult job in the world, and you do it by choice (in most cases), for no pay and no glory. You dedicate your lives, 24/7, to something greater than yourself: Your child, and his or her future. And, in doing so, you’re shaping our future as well. Happy Mother’s Day. And thank you.

Mary Shaw is a Philadelphia-based writer and activist. She currently serves as Philadelphia Area Coordinator for Amnesty International, and her views on politics, human rights, and social justice issues have appeared in numerous online forums and in newspapers and magazines worldwide. Note that the ideas expressed in this article are the author’s own, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Amnesty or any other organization with which she may be associated. E-mail mary@maryshawonline.com.

The first day we met!

(As told………..)

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Arif. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives." He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him  why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now.

I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Arif, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Arif with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are going to really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!" He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Arif and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business in a football scholarship. Arif was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation.
I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak. Graduation day, I saw Arif. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. Everyone admired him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous.
Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said.
As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach … but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

"Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. In life, every small action counts. Holy Quran says:

فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ

And whoever shall do an atom's weight of good, shall see it. (99:7)

Allah puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for Allah in helping others.

 

Catching Clips

Catching Clips

– Donald Ramsfeld, American Defence Minister, was booed when speaking in Atlanta, Georgia; his speech was interrupted when a woman holding a white placard calling him war criminal began to shout at him in protest – US President George W. Bush says that the United States has an "unshakeable" commitment to defend Israel – Half of Britain's voters want Prime Minister Tony Blair to quit by the end of the year as they increasingly see him as arrogant, untrustworthy and wrong to support the Iraq war – India's Supreme Court bans the western state of Gujarat from razing mosques in a city where a municipal drive to clear congested areas triggered sectarian violence that left six dead – Newly appointed Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitalei Chorkin warns against dire consequences of prejudging Iran’s nuclear programs – Six Zionist regime's warplanes violated Lebanese airspace over several parts of the south on Monday – Tens of thousands of anti-war demonstrators marched in New York on Saturday, demanding the immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq and vowing a summer of protests ahead of mid-term elections in November

JOB!

Put about 100 bricks in some particular order in a closed room with an open window. Then send 2 or 3 candidates in the room and close the door. Leave them alone and come back after 6 hours and then analyze the situation. . . .

If they are counting the bricks. Put them in the "ACCOUNTS department".

If they are recounting them. Put them in "AUDITING".

If they have messed up the whole place with the bricks. Put them in "ENGINEERING".

If they are arranging the bricks in some strange order. Put them in "PLANNING".

If they are throwing the bricks at each other. Put them in "OPERATIONS".

If they are sleeping. Put them in  "SECURITY".

If they have broken the bricks into pieces. Put them in "INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY".

If they are sitting idle. Put them in "HUMAN RESOURCES".

If they say they have tried different ombinations, yet not a brick has been moved. Put them in "SALES".

If they have already left for the day. Put them in "MARKETING". If they are staring out of the window. Put them on "STRATEGIC PLANNING".

nd then last but not least   . . . .If they are  talking to each other and not a single brick has been moved.

Congratulate them and put them in "TOP MANAGEMENT"

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING……(Written by a former child)

A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say. 

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one. 

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals. 

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life. 

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God. 

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other. 

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't. 

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given. 

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry. 

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be. 

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up. 

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking." 

THIS TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW WHO DO SO MUCH FOR OTHERS AND THINK NO ONE EVER SEES. 

LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT. 

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher or friend) influences the life of a child.

How will you touch the life of someone today?

Just by sharing this with someone else, you will probably make them at least think about their influence on others.