Was quite funny. He pretty much directed the course of the conversation but couldn't reply to any of my counter arguments and kept changing subject, which was surprising because i'm not even educated, or exceptionally intelligent. I didn't try to drill him on one subject, mainly because I wasn't that bothered, and I actually found it entertaining.
He believes Aisha's age is disputed, but he stated that if she was 9 it was applicable in those times was ok, but not applicable now. I stated that if they believed that a 9yr old who began puberty was a mature adult then they did it out of ignorance, and the Quran or Muhammad should have let them know that (in accordance with scientific research into neurology, psychology and biology) that a human being isn't significantly mature until late teens... he changed the subject.
He also brought up Quran Miracles (which I knew little about aside from half remembered therationalizer vids) I asked him the verses on embryology which he stated in arabic and then I asked him to identify if the quran states that the stage of development that it outlines occurs simultaneously or sequentially. He said 'you tell me you're the scientist' I asked him to tell me what the Quran says, as he just quoted it, he looked down sheepishly and said he'd try to get me the info
.
He kept trying to set up the 'you believe science has all the answers' I basically countered each time with arguments centred around 'I believe science has the best method through observation, predictive models, and peer reviewing'. I also told him I believe in God but openly admit my belief is personal conjecture, and asked what proves that his religion is from God... he actually didn't attempt to respond to that question even though I put it to him several times.
I was bemused that an alim who apparently runs an institute in bristol was evading my questions, and was trying to constantly counter with science (the entity apparently) is arrogant - or maybe he was referring to me
. (I forgot to ask him his name, but he wants to get together again next week, so I'll ask him then).
Another local revert Imam wants to talk with me, he actually was a former marine biologist who used to lecture on evolution and when I knew him used to read up on Dawkins, etc. I'm looking forward to meeting with him, he'll hopefully give me some good responses that challenge me intellectually.
Sounds like you did a great job dude.
One remark though: you really should have kept asking about the embryology (simultaneous or sequential). It is a 100% sequential (according to Lane's lexicon), and it's a 100% simultaneous according to modern day embryology (see TheRationalizer's latest video on embryology).
Remember this for next week, I'm really wondering what his reaction will be!
Topic: Hamza Tortoise on The Magic Sandwich Show!