This is very extensive and appears to be impressive research. My wife is from Cairo Egypt. She has a PhD in Engineering. Your friend is paranoid. There are Churches everywhere, there are every kind of people, and they mix and discuss issues freely. Christian holidays are celebrated, etc. etc. It is the closest thing you can find to western society, in the Middle East.
I took a few lessons in Arabic language, it is pretty easy to learn. If there were...ANY...disputes over where the little dots and squiggles were meant to be placed in fourteen hundred years by Arabic Language scholars including from the non-Muslim sector. This kind of research would be an eye opener.
Remember, copies are still archived of the texts as they were before the diacritical points were used. Your friend isn't saying the text is false, he is using a gigantic propoganda ploy to get acceptance by people who are marching on the Christian Crusade. I can see why your friend wants to remain anonymous, this is a clear agenda meant to mislead ignorant but willing participants. Any third grade Arabic student would laugh at this. It has nothing to do with his fear of persecution over his religious beliefs.
As I've said before I'm not a scholar, and in this particular area I am pretty close to ignorant. I have been following your discussion with Raymond and respect the approach the two of you have taken. That is, attempting to authenticate your positions with the "plain truth" which can be varified through scripture and authenticated historical documents. This seems like a breach.
The reason I put quotes around the "plain truth" above, is that a rediculous arguement could be made that in the English language there are several kinds of plains. There is plane, there is plain, and there are homonyms. So, is the real meaning of "plain truth" obscured. If a foreign group wanted someone to take exception to our doctrines and writings and tell non-English speaking people that Americans must believe the truth is brought in the Airforce One "plane, and move through our language to deliberately disuade their folk it could easily be done. An linguistic propoganda campaign would be easily successful if it was aimed at people who's inkling was one of prejudice against Americans. Why because such people tend not to question even the obvious when it supports their position.
No, the real meaning of the "plain truth" is not obscured for English speaking people. The language clearly represents and confirms for each of us what is in our hearts and minds by its intended use. This is not a rediculus example it is equal to this persons anonymous presentation. You are not doing something good the World or you Christian mission, in promoting it. Like in the example I gave above; the Christian, non-Arabic group needing to justify their position that the Quran is not the word of God, would find this presentation sufficiant and not want to question it, but only if we presume they are not persuing the truth at all cost and that they are strengthening their geo-political position at all costs. |
