You have to remember that no original manuscripts exist. There is probably not one book that reads anything like its original. You mention the Dead Sea Scrolls and the oldest manuscripts, but you neglect to mention there are hundreds of differences between the oldest manuscripts of any one book, as well as no 2 "oldest manuscripts" are exactly alike. These differences make it obvious that numerous additions and alterations, were made to the originals by different authors, editors, translators and copyists. In some cases this was due to error but in some it was intentional.

Most biblical authors are unknown. The names were chosen by religious men of the time and not by the author. The four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are perfect examples of this. These names were given long after these four books were written. Biblical scholars are now almost unanimously agreed that none of these authors was a disciple of Jesus nor even an eyewitness to his teachings.

How can you claim all 40 authors validate each other, when they clearly do not. Paul's writings are completely different, and in some cases, completely opposite, to the ministry of Jesus. There are errors you claim are minute and is due to different perceptions. Have you ever asked yourself what would happen if Paul's perception was the one that differed? Considering a lot of his writings are completely different and stand alone...your entire salvation is also in question.

John, even your nic is in question. John 3:16, as it is written in the KJV and NJKV is not how it was written in the oldest known manuscripts and has been corrected in almost all modern versions of the Bible.

Take the blinders off, John, and learn with an open mind. Don't blindly follow. It doesn't mean you will lose your faith or even change it...but at the very least it will give you a better understanding of exactly what it is you are following.

As a former Christian, I know it's not an easy task and I remember how difficult it was. I was angry, very angry but because of my desire for truth, I studied the scripture and it led me directly to Islam. I questioned scripture since I was a little kid, but no one could or would answer and many times I would get in trouble for asking because "my faith wasn't strong enough". Strangely my faith was VERY strong, I was simply looking for clarification to have a better understanding. Much later I started reading about this "Islam" and within 5 minutes I was shocked to realize this was what I had always believed! Did I immediately revert? Absolutely not. It took about 3 more years of study and trying desperately to hold on to the faith I grew up with, the faith I dedicated a large portion of my life to. But, Alhamdulillah, in the end, I was guided to the truth of Islam.

So, be open enough to take a closer look and human enough to admit when you don't know or understand why something is the way it is.

We are not God to know everything, but He gave us the mind and the ability to use logic...use it.

As a side note Deedat and Naik only claim the way the bible is TODAY is not authoritative, but in its original form is the truth. Some of that truth still remains in pages of the Bible which is why Muslims are suppose to respect it. Of course, the determination of where it is accurate is in the places where it agrees with the Qur'an.

With peace,
Hana

Can I ask any one of you why you were Christians? First of all I do not expect people to think exactly the way I do. And I do not believe in any organised religion as such. but a relationship with God. as most Christians may believe. I do not believe God is weak enough to get his word distorted by men. And idolatory is has a whole different meaning.

to be continued...........

what a brilliant and insightful post! thank you for enlightening me!
i guess that explains why christians spent so much of their time and energy slaughtering jews century after century.
and here i thought christianity was foreign to the semitic world!
only on islamicboard....

I would like to return to this point John is making.

The website he has posted a link to seems to compare Muhammed's bahaviour with Jesus' - thereby indeed seeming to demonise Jesus as a man who did not care for his fellow man, did not respect Gentiles, promoted the killing of children ...

Surely this is not how Islam sees Jesus??!
I always thought he was seen as a highly respected and revered prophet in Islam.
Why would an Islamic refutation site present him in such a way?
I find it quite upsetting ...

Peace

Why would an Islamic refutation site present him in such a way?
Because first and for most it is a hate sight.
It is just the flip side of Answering Islam.

I believe the site is simply quoting from the bible, the way the same counter site does against Islam..
I mean that is how both make their points correct?
they take excerpts that are '****ing' and augment them for all to see..

peace

Well to set the record straight
I am no respector of persons. Promoting hate sites and forcing beliefs is unbiblical. Christianity was never a religion to begin with. There were Jews who were still Jews and accepted Jesus Chrsit as Lord and Savior. There are Muslims who accpet Jesus as Lord and Savior. I respect the Islamic way of life. in only certain aspects where it agrees with the Bible. I dont believe every muslim is like Osama bin ladin. I believe there are some sincere muslims whom I really want to talk to. But I believe in relationship with my creator, redeemer, and comforter and I want to glorify Him in the best way I can. I am not here to may fun of Muslims or insult. As far as my belief goes, without Christ I am worthy of insult. I dont take pride in what I believe. I like people who are humble. And I want to talk to the humble muslims and share my beliefs with them.

As I mentioned in a previous post, possibly in another thread, I don't visit such refutation sites - neither those against Islam nor those against Christianity.
On this occasion, however, I followed the link John gave, because I was intrigued as to why any Islamic site would want to present their prophet Isa (PBUH) in such a negative light.

As you say, the quotes given from the Bible to support the argument, are completely out of context and say nothing of the sort, as suggested by the article ...
And yes, I take your point that the sited against Islam probably use the very same tactics.
All the more reason to stay clear of such sites.

On a more personal note, how do you feel as a Muslim, to see Jesus described in such a way?

Peace, sister.

My point is that the people who run 'Answering Christianity' may very well hate the Christian faith. They may even hate Christians.
But they should not hate Jesus! Being Muslims, how can they??

this is how the bible describes Jesus not the Quran or the hadiths.. the folks of the site can only work with what is available from biblical literature.. and agreed out of context-- isn't that exactly what they do with Quran and hadith? I am grateful someone answers back because frankly I am so sick of the church's antics for centuries and the people who commission such sites, it is only befitting they get a taste of their medicine.. and pls glo don't quote me some biblical passage about 'love thy neighbor' frankly the fact that such sites exist is a testament to the hypocrisy preached by christians, who are indeed anything but loving.. it isn't enough to have it written down.. perhaps they should practice what they preach?
peace

Peace John:

I was a Christian because that's what my family was and it's what I was taught. I wasn't taught nor was I encouraged to learn about other faiths.

Peace,
Hana

You surly aren't under the delusion that all Muslims are good Muslims.

For some, hate is more important than there religion.

We see it here every day.

Peace Glo:

The site is not trying to portray Jesus, pbuh, in this light. It is trying to show that it is the bible and Christians that show him in that light because those are verses taken from the bible NOT the Qur'an.

I'm assuming on the other site it said Muslims do not accept or revere Jesus, and this site was trying to prove it was the opposite by posting verses from the bible.

By the way, I'm not saying I agree with the methods used and calling it a "comparison" was very poorly done. But, they were trying to turn the tables on the false accusations of the other site.

Hope that clears things up.

Peace,
Hana

I'm sorry to say Hana. but I have to say that Christianity is about what your parents teach. or what other teachers will interpret for you. I believe my personal relationship with God is the same as what God had with Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, to name a few and of course Jesus. I was Catholic because my parents were Catholic. It doesnt matter which denomination you are or what you did in the name of Christianity Jesus said if you are not born again you will not inherit the kingdom of God. I believe all these denominations are just ideolagies as I can think of it right now. And I dont consider myself belonging to any denomination or whatsoever.