So you believe that the texts are intact, but that they aren't being followed properly by the worshipers? Would that be an accurate summary?
No, just wondering what the thinking of our resident theists is. I've heard a lot from experts and from those that I know, so it's nice to see another perspective. Might hear a new argument or approach.
Thanks for the earlier reply. It deserves a better answer than I can give right now, and you're right, I am being genuine and wanting to discuss it. I'm not out for an argument. For this reply, I haven't said their cannot be a creator. In my opinion, there is enough to cast serious doubt and not enough evidence for the existence of an omnipotent, omniscient creator mapping and judging our lives. His existance is certainly not a fact, and that's where the burden of proof falls. There's certainly 'factual' evidence god's not a gentle soul, if the holy books are a basis. In general terms, and I realise it's a mixed bag, but what did you find about Hinduism that deterred you? A gross oversimplification, but I find the God of Abraham to need too many caveats and explanations for the things he's attributed with. Eastern philosophy sits more comfortably with current science, in that it largely relates to our start in the cosmos and the conservation of mass.
I would say in this time, Torah is most likely intact but interpreted differently, Bible I wouldn't agree its intact fully and on top has been interpreted differently. There is so many versions of Bible at the moment, plus people after Jesus(as) claiming a lot of things as it was from Jesus(as) which it wasn't.
When they gathered up the versions of the transcribed texts, didn't they decide to leave out several of the collected versions? If so, on what basis did they decide which of his words to exclude? Doesn't some of the text the editor included contradict what's written elsewhere in it?
When you say text don't forget we are talking about thousands of years ago and they were not in written text mostly verbal so in that sense it isn't changed, the change came about later when people interpreted in a certain way or added things to it with their own agendas. You will find in the Qur'an for instance there are numerous examples of nations and tribes from the past where they were given part revelations for guidance and they moved away from it to suit their own needs if you like, I don't find that contradictory in the sense its more of an example to mankind what happens over time and to be weary of it.
I am not sure where you are going with this? There isn't several versions of the Qur'an and which ones were excluded or what contradictions you are talking about, if you can reference something then I can tell you more about it.
Hinduism again has lot of divinity attached to lot of beings that are not immortal if you like, simplifying it from me. There are questions around reincarnation and human divinity just don't stand for me, higher caste and lower caste etc...
I understand that, but aren't there several passages in the Quran that state that this is impossible? God's word cannot be changed or corrupted?
Yes it does, this as far as I know refers to Qur'an the final revelation itself rather than previous revelations and it stands correct.
I'm ot sure I'm 'going' anywhere as such, but I recall something about the collation of the stories that became the koran, and that not all the documents were included. I'm on my phone at the minute, but will look later for a better example to explain with.
Ok, that's fine. The Qur'an in its literal form means recite/recitation, when its read. The written text is Kitaab literally means Book. As the Quran was being revealed, Prophet Muhammed (saw) made special arrangements to ensure that it was written down. Although the Prophet Muhammad himself could neither read nor write, he dictated the verses orally and instructed scribes to mark down the revelation on whatever materials were available: tree branches, stones, leather, and bones. The scribes would then read their writing back to the Prophet, who would check it for mistakes. With each new verse that was revealed, the Prophet Muhammad also dictated its placement within the growing body of text. When the Prophet Muhammed (saw) died, the Quran has been fully written down. It was not in book form, however. It was recorded on different parchments and materials, held in the possession of the Companions of the Prophet.