I am debating with a muslim friend via email and he challenged to me to put forward a case for the theological superiority of Christianity. Here it is and I welcome feedback;

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Primary NT theology highlights the development of virtue, which gives the believer both the power to make decisions on right or wrong according to their mature and developed consciences, plus the inner knowledge and security of feeling loved, forgiven and saved. The Koran, on the other hand, argues for submission and the following of rules, laws and being given various punishments for various offenses. So we have two different launching pads, so to speak, ie;

Koran: follow instructions
NT: develop virtues

Koran: do good deeds = loved by Allah
NT: loved by God = good deeds follow

Koran: controls on the outside - 'discipline'
NT: transforms from the inside out - 'transcendence'.

One must be right and the other wrong.

Here is my case for Christianity. In Christianity you are loved, forgiven and saved first. When you have love in your heart you act as though you have love in your heart. When you are forgiven, you act forgiven. When you are saved, you act saved. When your heart is full of love, forgiveness and salvation, good deeds flow naturally. When you love, you will not commit evil deeds.

1John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ... 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.

The writers of the NT, who were inspired by none other than Jesus Christ, put forward a compelling theological argument, consistently repeated throughout the NT, that following rules and living in bondage is inferior to living in love and letting love be your guide. When love fills your heart you do not do the things the very rules/bondages were trying to stop you doing before Christ. This type of transformation and transcendence, ie through Agape love, goes way deeper than anything in islam;

Col 2:20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom

Now for a scientific, behavioural and measureable argument. Have you heard about the Triune Brain? (google has many refs)
http://www.amazon.com/Triune-Brain-E...e=UTF8&s=books

The Triune brain is divided into 3 parts, which evolved to more complex states as ;

Reptilian brain acquisitiveness, territoriality, aggression, violence, fighting and sexual lust

Limbic System is to do with ego preservation, emotions

Neocortex abstract thinking, creativity, lateral thinking, art appreciation, rationality and verbal communication - Agape, Altruism, Empathy, Compassion,

This sort of thing comes from the Neocortex;

Luke 6 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies,.... Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? (compassion and altruism, agape love, empathy)

Heb 5 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (rationality, lateral thinking)

James 4.1 What causes fights adn quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? (creativity, abstract thought)

James 2.13 Mercy triumphs over judgement (empathy, agape, altruism, compassion)

Phi 1;9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best. (rationality, conscience, wisdom)

It is what the writers of the NT were inspired by; the development of the power of the Neocortex over the Limbic and Reptilian brain.

This comes from the Reptilian brain;

Koran: We will cast terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them. 8 :12
Surely the vilest of animals in God’s sight are the unbelievers.8 :55
Rouse the Muslims to the fight against unbelievers. 8 : 65,
Then fight and slay the infidels wherever ye find them, 9:5
Fight the infidels, and God will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame. 9:14 ,
O ye the Muslims! Truly the infidels are unclean. 9:28,
O ye Muslims! fight the infidels who gird you about, and let them find firmness in you. 9:123,
Therefore, when ye meet the unbelievers, smite at their necks .47:4
(too many refs to mention);

I could also list many Hadithes about Muhammad's reptilian sexual, territoriality and 'aquisitive' behaviours, but suffice to say the picture is clear enough from the angle of this brain theory.

Science now knows that the more you use a part of your brain, the more myelin sheathing is created, and the more neural pathways are created, building up whatever part of your brain you use most of. So, a theology that encouages the use of the highest part of the brain that is to do with virtue development, wisdom, conscience and creative solutions to problems, must be superior to the one that is more focussed on reptillian and limbic instincts. NT theology builds the Neocortex. (and I wonder if this could be one of the reasons why the western world is so prosperous?).

Therefore, if Allah is the real God, then Allah's teaching in the Koran must be superior to the teachings of the NT. What you must do then, is show me this, by giving me a rational and logical argument to convince me that the Koran's primary theology of rules, laws and punishments etc; as an 'imposed' theology, is superior to the NT's primary theology of virtue development, and the development of the part of the brain that is to do with skills that only humans are gifted with; ie that which sets us apart from reptiles and animals.

I agree with everything you wrote. You almost made Christianity sound appealing. However, there is one slight thing you didn't explain: the 'old' testament.

Isn't that reptillian and limbic in nature, as the Qur'an is, with all the calls by God to committ genocide (including of women and children)? And how do you justify the disparity between old and new testaments in this regard -- is it the same God?

Also, I fail to see how all those Qur'an verses you quoted are as bad as the New Testament descriptions of hell (the Qur'an's descriptions of hell are too laughable to create unease).

Sevi

Hi Sevivon,
You're right; the Torah sections of the OT are "reptilian". The pre exilic Judeans and other tribes of that region at that time in history were tribalists with pagan gods; Baal, Yahweh, Molech, Asherah etc. This was 3000 years ago, though. The Jews went into exile in 589BC. When they were conquered by the Persians, Judaism was also totally reformed by them via Zoroastrianism and "ethical dualism". The idea of "Hell" is derived from Zoroastrianism, and it was originally a place of punishment for the evil doers; it was never a place to send those who didn't have correct beliefs, or who ate this sort of meat and not the other, etc.

Furthermore, the Pope released a statement on hell in 1999 stating that hell was not an externally imposed punishment, but a state of being far from God. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/jo...071999_en.html
There is little difference between 'hell' in Christianity and 'Naraka' in Buddhism. Both are derived from the same Zoroastrian source.

Muhammad of Islam, however, fancied himself a pre exilic prophet, ie Moses. He did not grasp how Judaism had already moved on, and how Christianity brought an entirely new revelation. Islam is still pre exilic, and see Jesus as only a prophet come to confirm the pre exilic reptilian-brained concepts of living.

Muslims have missed out badly

Originally posted by Narnian

Reptilian brain acquisitiveness, territoriality, aggression, violence, fighting and sexual lust.....

....You're right; the Torah sections of the OT are "reptilian".

Thanks for showing the world your complete ignorance and distain of Torah Judaism!

Originally posted by Narnian

Hi Sevivon,
You're right; the Torah sections of the OT are "reptilian". The pre exilic Judeans and other tribes of that region at that time in history were tribalists with pagan gods; Baal, Yahweh, Molech, Asherah etc. This was 3000 years ago, though. The Jews went into exile in 589BC. When they were conquered by the Persians, Judaism was also totally reformed by them via Zoroastrianism and "ethical dualism". The idea of "Hell" is derived from Zoroastrianism, and it was originally a place of punishment for the evil doers; it was never a place to send those who didn't have correct beliefs, or who ate this sort of meat and not the other, etc.

Furthermore, the Pope released a statement on hell in 1999 stating that hell was not an externally imposed punishment, but a state of being far from God. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/jo...071999_en.html
There is little difference between 'hell' in Christianity and 'Naraka' in Buddhism. Both are derived from the same Zoroastrian source.

Muhammad of Islam, however, fancied himself a pre exilic prophet, ie Moses. He did not grasp how Judaism had already moved on, and how Christianity brought an entirely new revelation. Islam is still pre exilic, and see Jesus as only a prophet come to confirm the pre exilic reptilian-brained concepts of living.

Muslims have missed out badly

So Jesus is essentially a bi-product of Persian Zoroastrianism and not Torah* Judaism?

Well, the Jews have been blamed for many things including killing Christ, but atleast they're not being blamed for producing him this time

* Are you saying that the Torah (being primitive 'reptilian-brained', etc) was not written by God? I never heard Jesus complain about it.

Originally posted by Gavriel

Thanks for showing the world your complete ignorance and distain of Torah Judaism!

Don't feel bad, Gavriel. Judaism and Christianity are continually under attack. It starts with ignorance.

I have found myself defending Judaism against certain allegations against it -- mostly coming from the Muslims. Did you know that Abraham called God Allah? Did you know that the Jews changed the text of the Torah?

I am participating on a Christian discussion board now that just opened a section on Judaism. As far as I can tell only Messanic Jews are participating -- no "real" Jews.

Would you be interested in showing up just for the fun of it? I opened a topic about whether forgiveness is possible without the Temple.

Hope everything is well with you.

Originally posted by Christian2

Don't feel bad, Gavriel. Judaism and Christianity are continually under attack. It starts with ignorance.

I have found myself defending Judaism against certain allegations against it -- mostly coming from the Muslims. Did you know that Abraham called God Allah? Did you know that the Jews changed the text of the Torah?

I am participating on a Christian discussion board now that just opened a section on Judaism. As far as I can tell only Messanic Jews are participating -- no "real" Jews.

Would you be interested in showing up just for the fun of it?

PM me a link and I'll take a looksie!

Originally posted by Gavriel

PM me a link and I'll take a looksie!

I'll get back to you in a PM in a day or two.

Sorry if any offence was taken, and I can assure you I have nothing against either Jews nor Muslims, and I did stress that the Jews were completely reformed during and after the exile. I have studied the Torah and am still studying it. Like the Koran, it was written by humans - many of them. As for the violence therein, I quote you from my recent assignment for my OT unit last semestre (posted to a forum below)
http://www.faithfreedom.org/forum/vi...=469828#469828

Ray Embry in “The Enigma about Divine Love and the Creation of Evil: The Lost Belief Among Early Christians about a God of Total Compassion” says that in our society, if a man went through a village and systematically killed people, it would be very difficult for him to prove himself to be good and loving yet Jehovah committed this exact atrocity in Egypt and Canaan, and yet there are many who claim he is both "good" and "loving". Embry continues, confrontingly;

“With such an inconsistent application of words, the distinctions between good and evil become unclear. We can say: The devil is evil because he might hurt people. What are we saying if we claim: Jehovah is good, even though he hurt people? Until we insist on more consistency in our use of language, we remain susceptible to a system of governance that subtly blurs semantic distinctions until in the end evil is being called good. …and it is possible that we might wind up holding up as our highest ideal a murderer if we fall victim to the subtle trick of switching definitions.” (p 49)

Originally posted by Narnian

Sorry if any offence was taken, and I can assure you I have nothing against either Jews nor Muslims, and I did stress that the Jews were completely reformed during and after the exile. I have studied the Torah and am still studying it. Like the Koran, it was written by humans - many of them. As for the violence therein, I quote you from my recent assignment for my OT unit last semestre (posted to a forum below)
http://www.faithfreedom.org/forum/vi...=469828#469828

Ray Embry in “The Enigma about Divine Love and the Creation of Evil: The Lost Belief Among Early Christians about a God of Total Compassion” says that in our society, if a man went through a village and systematically killed people, it would be very difficult for him to prove himself to be good and loving yet Jehovah committed this exact atrocity in Egypt and Canaan, and yet there are many who claim he is both "good" and "loving". Embry continues, confrontingly;

“With such an inconsistent application of words, the distinctions between good and evil become unclear. We can say: The devil is evil because he might hurt people. What are we saying if we claim: Jehovah is good, even though he hurt people? Until we insist on more consistency in our use of language, we remain susceptible to a system of governance that subtly blurs semantic distinctions until in the end evil is being called good. …and it is possible that we might wind up holding up as our highest ideal a murderer if we fall victim to the subtle trick of switching definitions.” (p 49)

Hello and Peace be to you,
Ok, as far as I have seen from you, you reject mostly all of the OT, by saying its writitngs of humans and that Yahweh is Pagan? Do you even know what the pagans used to do? They believed in one God but associate partners with him and made idols out of them. I consider Christianity todays mainstream pagan religion. You associate partners with God by saying he has a son, and calling him equal with God and the Holy spirit is God for some reason. Then I show you verses where Jesus believed in the teachings of the Torah, where he said kill the ones who curse their parents, and mysteriously you don't have any answers for that. Then I show you where the bible says that ALL scripture is inspired by God, meaning that God supported the writings of the OT and Jesus quoted the OT in order to get to heaven. Please go on explaining how YHWH is pagan, and so is Allah, or is this just a little conclusion you came up with on your own? I have nothing against Judaism, because they believe in what we believe, strictly one God and no partners with him. Christianity is this 3 in 1 thing which logically makes no sense whatsoever.

The Torah makes up about 17% of the books of the Hebrew Bible, my friend. There is a lot more to the OT than the Torah, which includes the new covenants, ie Isaiah; Is 16 "A new government of love will be established".

I'm not going to indulge your Tu Quoque baits, but leave you with a verse from Isaiah an OT propeht whom the Koran mentions.

Isaiah 4:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness

2.5 they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Originally posted by Narnian

I am debating with a muslim friend via email and he challenged to me to put forward a case for the theological superiority of Christianity. Here it is and I welcome feedback;

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Primary NT theology highlights the development of virtue, which gives the believer both the power to make decisions on right or wrong according to their mature and developed consciences, plus the inner knowledge and security of feeling loved, forgiven and saved. The Koran, on the other hand, argues for submission and the following of rules, laws and being given various punishments for various offenses. So we have two different launching pads, so to speak, ie;

Koran: follow instructions
NT: develop virtues

Koran: do good deeds = loved by Allah
NT: loved by God = good deeds follow

Koran: controls on the outside - 'discipline'
NT: transforms from the inside out - 'transcendence'.

One must be right and the other wrong.

Here is my case for Christianity. In Christianity you are loved, forgiven and saved first. When you have love in your heart you act as though you have love in your heart. When you are forgiven, you act forgiven. When you are saved, you act saved. When your heart is full of love, forgiveness and salvation, good deeds flow naturally. When you love, you will not commit evil deeds.

1John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ... 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.

The writers of the NT, who were inspired by none other than Jesus Christ, put forward a compelling theological argument, consistently repeated throughout the NT, that following rules and living in bondage is inferior to living in love and letting love be your guide. When love fills your heart you do not do the things the very rules/bondages were trying to stop you doing before Christ. This type of transformation and transcendence, ie through Agape love, goes way deeper than anything in islam;

Col 2:20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom

Now for a scientific, behavioural and measureable argument. Have you heard about the Triune Brain? (google has many refs)
http://www.amazon.com/Triune-Brain-E...e=UTF8&s=books

The Triune brain is divided into 3 parts, which evolved to more complex states as ;

Reptilian brain acquisitiveness, territoriality, aggression, violence, fighting and sexual lust

Limbic System is to do with ego preservation, emotions

Neocortex abstract thinking, creativity, lateral thinking, art appreciation, rationality and verbal communication - Agape, Altruism, Empathy, Compassion,

This sort of thing comes from the Neocortex;

Luke 6 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies,.... Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? (compassion and altruism, agape love, empathy)

Heb 5 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (rationality, lateral thinking)

James 4.1 What causes fights adn quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? (creativity, abstract thought)

James 2.13 Mercy triumphs over judgement (empathy, agape, altruism, compassion)

Phi 1;9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best. (rationality, conscience, wisdom)

It is what the writers of the NT were inspired by; the development of the power of the Neocortex over the Limbic and Reptilian brain.

This comes from the Reptilian brain;

Koran: We will cast terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them. 8 :12
Surely the vilest of animals in God’s sight are the unbelievers.8 :55
Rouse the Muslims to the fight against unbelievers. 8 : 65,
Then fight and slay the infidels wherever ye find them, 9:5
Fight the infidels, and God will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame. 9:14 ,
O ye the Muslims! Truly the infidels are unclean. 9:28,
O ye Muslims! fight the infidels who gird you about, and let them find firmness in you. 9:123,
Therefore, when ye meet the unbelievers, smite at their necks .47:4
(too many refs to mention);

I could also list many Hadithes about Muhammad's reptilian sexual, territoriality and 'aquisitive' behaviours, but suffice to say the picture is clear enough from the angle of this brain theory.

Science now knows that the more you use a part of your brain, the more myelin sheathing is created, and the more neural pathways are created, building up whatever part of your brain you use most of. So, a theology that encouages the use of the highest part of the brain that is to do with virtue development, wisdom, conscience and creative solutions to problems, must be superior to the one that is more focussed on reptillian and limbic instincts. NT theology builds the Neocortex. (and I wonder if this could be one of the reasons why the western world is so prosperous?).

Therefore, if Allah is the real God, then Allah's teaching in the Koran must be superior to the teachings of the NT. What you must do then, is show me this, by giving me a rational and logical argument to convince me that the Koran's primary theology of rules, laws and punishments etc; as an 'imposed' theology, is superior to the NT's primary theology of virtue development, and the development of the part of the brain that is to do with skills that only humans are gifted with; ie that which sets us apart from reptiles and animals.

This is a superb, well thought out thesis. I am very impressed.

Originally posted by Gavriel

PM me a link and I'll take a looksie!

Gavriel, it would be great to have you at the site • Edited by a Moderator •

Moderated By: Jin-roh

Editted by poster request for using a real life name. ***If you wish to take issue with this notice DO NOT do so in this thread.*** Contact the forum moderator or an administrator in Private Message or email instead. If you feel you must publically complain or whine, please take it to the Psychotherapy Room unless told otherwise.

Originally posted by Narnian

The Torah makes up about 17% of the books of the Hebrew Bible, my friend. There is a lot more to the OT than the Torah, which includes the new covenants, ie Isaiah; Is 16 "A new government of love will be established".

I'm not going to indulge your Tu Quoque baits, but leave you with a verse from Isaiah an OT propeht whom the Koran mentions.

Isaiah 4:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness

2.5 they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Hello and Peace be to you friend,
Where does the Koran mention Isaiah? Where does it also say that Isaiah has brought down scripture that is inspired by God in the bible.

Next I refuted all of your Koran verses regarding Killing, yet you ignore my responses, and ignore context and history. At least post the killing verses in the bible, and don't be hypocritical. If you want to mention anything about sexuality, which you keep bringing up against Muhammad, please mention David's adultery, and Solomon's 3000 or so concubines. Or mention something about Songs of Solomon. Please be fair. The bible is both NT and OT, so don't single out the OT and just show the NT, because there are violent verses in the NT which you don't even care to say anything about. Please friend, you are just showing ignorance and stubborness. I hate to sound harsh, but that's exactly what you are demonstrating in this thread. Also, since God is so loving in the NT, tell us all your thoughts about hell.

Hello and Peace be to all,

Since Narnian posted some nice verses about the neocortex, maybe Narnian can tell us what Jesus was thinking when he said these and if he was using the Neocortex:

"So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. (From the NIV Bible, Revelation 2:22-23)"

Ahhhh, I can see the love now!

Matthew 10:34-36
34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her motherinlaw—
36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'[e]

Oh Jesus, Where is the love Narnian has been telling us about???

"So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:40-42)

What is this!!! Jesus talking about hell!!!!! No that's impossible, God is love, he wouldn't burn any of us, because God loves us. What is Jesus talking about???

Please do enlighten us Narnian.

Originally posted by Narnian

I am debating with a muslim friend via email and he challenged to me to put forward a case for the theological superiority of Christianity. Here it is and I welcome feedback;

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Primary NT theology highlights the development of virtue, which gives the believer both the power to make decisions on right or wrong according to their mature and developed consciences, plus the inner knowledge and security of feeling loved, forgiven and saved. The Koran, on the other hand, argues for submission and the following of rules, laws and being given various punishments for various offenses. So we have two different launching pads, so to speak, ie;

Koran: follow instructions
NT: develop virtues

Koran: do good deeds = loved by Allah
NT: loved by God = good deeds follow

Koran: controls on the outside - 'discipline'
NT: transforms from the inside out - 'transcendence'.

One must be right and the other wrong.

Here is my case for Christianity. In Christianity you are loved, forgiven and saved first. When you have love in your heart you act as though you have love in your heart. When you are forgiven, you act forgiven. When you are saved, you act saved. When your heart is full of love, forgiveness and salvation, good deeds flow naturally. When you love, you will not commit evil deeds.

1John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ... 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.

The writers of the NT, who were inspired by none other than Jesus Christ, put forward a compelling theological argument, consistently repeated throughout the NT, that following rules and living in bondage is inferior to living in love and letting love be your guide. When love fills your heart you do not do the things the very rules/bondages were trying to stop you doing before Christ. This type of transformation and transcendence, ie through Agape love, goes way deeper than anything in islam;

Col 2:20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom

Now for a scientific, behavioural and measureable argument. Have you heard about the Triune Brain? (google has many refs)
http://www.amazon.com/Triune-Brain-E...e=UTF8&s=books

The Triune brain is divided into 3 parts, which evolved to more complex states as ;

Reptilian brain acquisitiveness, territoriality, aggression, violence, fighting and sexual lust

Limbic System is to do with ego preservation, emotions

Neocortex abstract thinking, creativity, lateral thinking, art appreciation, rationality and verbal communication - Agape, Altruism, Empathy, Compassion,

This sort of thing comes from the Neocortex;

Luke 6 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies,.... Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? (compassion and altruism, agape love, empathy)

Heb 5 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (rationality, lateral thinking)

James 4.1 What causes fights adn quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? (creativity, abstract thought)

James 2.13 Mercy triumphs over judgement (empathy, agape, altruism, compassion)

Phi 1;9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best. (rationality, conscience, wisdom)

It is what the writers of the NT were inspired by; the development of the power of the Neocortex over the Limbic and Reptilian brain.

This comes from the Reptilian brain;

Koran: We will cast terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them. 8 :12
Surely the vilest of animals in God’s sight are the unbelievers.8 :55
Rouse the Muslims to the fight against unbelievers. 8 : 65,
Then fight and slay the infidels wherever ye find them, 9:5
Fight the infidels, and God will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame. 9:14 ,
O ye the Muslims! Truly the infidels are unclean. 9:28,
O ye Muslims! fight the infidels who gird you about, and let them find firmness in you. 9:123,
Therefore, when ye meet the unbelievers, smite at their necks .47:4
(too many refs to mention);

I could also list many Hadithes about Muhammad's reptilian sexual, territoriality and 'aquisitive' behaviours, but suffice to say the picture is clear enough from the angle of this brain theory.

Science now knows that the more you use a part of your brain, the more myelin sheathing is created, and the more neural pathways are created, building up whatever part of your brain you use most of. So, a theology that encouages the use of the highest part of the brain that is to do with virtue development, wisdom, conscience and creative solutions to problems, must be superior to the one that is more focussed on reptillian and limbic instincts. NT theology builds the Neocortex. (and I wonder if this could be one of the reasons why the western world is so prosperous?).

Therefore, if Allah is the real God, then Allah's teaching in the Koran must be superior to the teachings of the NT. What you must do then, is show me this, by giving me a rational and logical argument to convince me that the Koran's primary theology of rules, laws and punishments etc; as an 'imposed' theology, is superior to the NT's primary theology of virtue development, and the development of the part of the brain that is to do with skills that only humans are gifted with; ie that which sets us apart from reptiles and animals.

Hahahaha what a pathetic display of deceptive picking or choosing of certain verses without stipulating the literary context to support a bogus hypothesis that Islam's theology encourages or derives primarily from the reptillian and limbic instincts.

heheheh, Who you trying to fool with your biased presentation here Narnian? I see you have already duped JC33andDivine with your "superb, well thought out thesis".

Narnian, If we can convince you through rational and logical argumentation that Islam primarily encouages the use of the highest part of the brain that is to do with virtue development, wisdom, conscience and creative solutions to problems and furthermore is more superior to the NT's theology of virtue development, WOULD YOU EMBRACE ISLAM AS THE SUPERIOR RELIGION AND ACCEPT MUHAMMAD (pbuh) AS THE FINAL MESSENGER OF GOD AND ACKNOWLEDGE JESUS AS ONLY A PROPHET AND MESSENGER OF GOD AND ADHERE TO THE TEACHINGS OF THE QURAN?

WOULD YOU ABANDON YOUR POLYTHEISTIC BELIEFS AND COME TO THE TRUE RELIGION MANKIND?

let me know if your sincere for the truth. If you are, then I'd be more than happy to present 1000's of hadiths and verses from the Quran that demonstrate abstract thinking, creativity, lateral thinking, art appreciation, rationality and verbal communication - Agape, Altruism, Empathy, Compassion that comes from the Neocortex that is superior to the NT theology.

ladies and gentlemen and those who have a brain of a reptile, below are extracts from the Bible that comes from the Reptilian brain. Enjoy reptilians!

Ezekiel 9:5-7 (If your a Trinitarian then the pre-existing Jesus consented/ordered/agreed to these killings, given he is one with the father)


"Then I heard the LORD say to the other men, "Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead is not marked. Show no mercy; have no pity! Kill them all – old and young, girls and women and little children. But do not touch anyone with the mark. Begin your task right here at the Temple." So they began by killing the seventy leaders. "Defile the Temple!" the LORD commanded. "Fill its courtyards with the bodies of those you kill! Go!" So they went throughout the city and did as they were told."



Matthew henry's Biblical commentary writes this on Ezekial 9:5-7 :

A command given to the destroyers to do execution according to their commission. They stood by the brazen altar, waiting for orders; and orders are here given them to cut off and destroy all that were either guilty of, or accessory to, the abominations of Jerusalem, and that did not sigh and cry for them. Note, When God has gathered his wheat into his garner nothing remains but to burn up the chaff, http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=mt+3:12&t=kjv
They are ordered to destroy all, (1.) Without exception. They must go through the city, and smite; they must slay utterly, slay to destruction, give them their death's wound. They must make no distinction of age or sex, but cut off old and young; neither the beauty of the virgins, nor the innocency of the babes, shall secure them. This was fulfilled in the death of multitudes by famine and pestilence, especially by the sword of the Chaldeans, as far as the military execution went. Sometimes even such bloody work as this has been God's work. But what an evil thing is sin, then, which provokes the God of infinite mercy to such severity! (2.) Without compassion: "Let not your eye spare, neither have you pity (Ezekiel 9:5 <http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=eze+9:5&t=kjv> ); you must not save any whom God has doomed to destruction, as Saul did Agag and the Amalekites, for that is doing the work of God deceitfully, Jeremiah 48:10 <http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=jer+48:10&t=kjv> . None need to be more merciful than God is; and he had said (Ezekiel 8:18 <http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=eze+8:18&t=kjv> ), My eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity." Note, Those that live in sin, and hate to be reformed, will perish in sin, and deserve not to be pitied; for they might easily have prevented the ruin, and would not.

2. They are warned not to do the least hurt to those that were marked for salvation: "Come not near any man upon whom is the mark; do not so much as threaten or frighten any of them; it is promised them that there shall no evil come nigh them, and therefore you must keep at a distance from them." The king of Babylon gave particular orders that Jeremiah should be protected. Baruch and Ebed-melech were secured, and, it is likely, others of Jeremiah's friends, for his sake. God had promised that it should go well with his remnant and they should be well treated (Jeremiah 15:11 <http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=jer+15:11&t=kjv> ); and we have reason to think that none of the mourning praying remnant fell by the sword of the Chaldeans, but that God found out some way or other to secure them all, as, in the last destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, the Christians were all secured in a city called Pella, and none of them perished with the unbelieving Jews. Note, None of those shall be lost whom God has marked for life and salvation; for the foundation of God stands sure.

3. They are directed to begin at the sanctuary (Ezekiel 9:6 <http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=eze+9:6&t=kjv> ), that sanctuary which, in the chapter before, he had seen the horrid profanation of; they must begin there because there the wickedness began which provoked God to send these judgments. The debaucheries of the priests were the poisoning of the springs, to which all the corruption of the streams was owing. The wickedness of the sanctuary was of all wickedness the most offensive to God, and therefore there the slaughter must begin: "Begin there, to try if the people will take warning by the judgments of God upon their priests, and will repent and reform; begin there, that all the world may see and know that the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God, and hates sin most in those that are nearest to him." Note, When judgments are abroad they commonly begin at the house of God, 1 Peter 4:17 <http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=1pe+4:17&t=kjv> . You only have I known, and therefore I will punish you, Amos 3:2 <http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=am+3:2&t=kjv> . God's temple is a sanctuary, a refuge and protection for penitent sinners, but not for any that go on still in their trespasses; neither the sacredness of the place nor the eminency of their place in it will be their security. It should seem the destroyers made some difficulty of putting men to death in the temple, but God bids them not to hesitate at that, but (Ezekiel 9:7 <http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=eze+9:7&t=kjv> ), Defile the house, and fill the courts with slain. They will not be taken from the altar (as was appointed by the law, Exodus 21:14 <http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=ex+21:14&t=kjv> ), but think to secure themselves by keeping hold of the horns of it, like Joab, and therefore, like him, let them die there, 1 Kings 2:30,31 <http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=1ki+2:30,31&t=kjv> . There the blood of one of God's prophets had been shed (Matthew 23:35 <http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=mt+23:35&t=kjv> ) and therefore let their blood be shed. Note, If the servants of God's house defile it with their idolatries, God will justly suffer the enemies of it to defile it with their violences, Psalms 79:1 <http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=ps+79:1&t=kjv> . But these acts of necessary justice were really, whatever they were ceremonially, rather a purification than a pollution of the sanctuary; it was putting away evil from among them. 4. They are appointed to go forth into the city, Ezekiel 9:6,7 <http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=eze+9:6,7&t=kjv> . Note, Wherever sin has gone before judgement will follow after; and, though judgement begins at the house of God, yet it shall not end there. The holy city shall be no more a protection to the wicked people then the holy house was to the wicked priests.

II. Here is execution done accordingly. They observed their orders, and, 1. They began at the elders, the ancient men that were before the house, and slew them first, either those seventy ancients who worshipped idols in their chambers (Ezekiel 8:12 <http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=eze+8:12&t=kjv> ) or those twenty-five who worshipped the sun between the porch and the altar, who might more properly be said to be before the house. Note, Ringleaders in sin may expect to be first met with by the judgments of God; and the sins of those who are in the most eminent and public stations call for the most exemplary punishments. 2. They proceeded to the common people: They went forth and slew in the city; for, when the decree has gone forth, there shall be no delay; if God begin, he will make an end.

Deuteronomy 13:6-18

“If your brother, your own mother's son, or your son or daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your closest friend entices you in secret, saying, "Come let us worship other gods" - whom neither you nor your fathers have known from among the gods of the peoples around you, either near to you or distant, anywhere from one end of the earth to the other: do not assent or give heed to him. Show him no pity or compassion, and do not shield him; but take his life. Let your hand be the first against him to put him to death, and the hand of the rest of the people thereafter. Stone him to death, for he sought to make you stray from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thus all Israel will hear and be afraid, and such evil things will not be done again in your midst.”


“If you hear it said, of one of the towns that the Lord your God is giving you to dwell in, that some scoundrels from among you have gone and subverted the inhabitants of their town, saying, "Come let us worship other gods" whom you have not known you shall investigate and inquire and interrogate thoroughly. If it is true, the fact is established that abhorrent thing was perpetrated in your midst put the inhabitants of that town to the sword and put its cattle to the sword. Doom it and all that is in it to destruction: gather all its spoil into the open square, and burn the town and all its spoil as a holocaust to the Lord your God. And it shall remain an everlasting ruin, never to be rebuilt. Let nothing that has been doomed stick to your hand, in order that the Lord may turn from His blazing anger and show you compassion, and in His compassion increase you as He promised your fathers on oath to your Forefathers, because you obey the Lord your God, keeping all his commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in his eyes”




Also:


Numbers 31: 17-18


17. Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.

18. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.



The Jewish soldiers were commanded by “God” in the bible to keep the woman children (little girls) for themselves! In addition, they commanded to kill every woman that hath know a man by lying with him as commanded by “God”.


Numbers 31: 25-40


25. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

26. Take the sum of the prey that was taken, both of man and of beast, thou, and Eleazar the priest, and the chief fathers of the congregation:

27. And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation:

28. And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons,(including the little girls) and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep:

29. Take it of their half, and give it unto Eleazar the priest, for an heave offering of the LORD.

30. And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons(including the little girls), of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.

31. And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses.

32. And the booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had caught, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep,

33. And threescore and twelve thousand beeves,

34. And threescore and one thousand asses,

35. And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.

36. And the half, which was the portion of them that went out to war, was in number three hundred thousand and seven and thirty thousand and five hundred sheep:

37. And the LORD'S tribute of the sheep was six hundred and threescore and fifteen.

38. And the beeves were thirty and six thousand; of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and twelve.

39. And the asses were thirty thousand and five hundred; of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and one.

40. And the persons(including little girls) were sixteen thousand; of which the LORD'S tribute was thirty and two persons.(preteen girls)


The verse 40 is to dedicate the little girls (of women that had not known man by lying with him-32 of them) to “God”! As God, himself commanded above that wants these preteen girls.



I could also list many more reptilian sexual, territoriality and 'aquisitive' behaviours, but suffice to say the picture is clear enough that the bible is from the reptilian angle of this brain theory!!!