Scientific Errors in the Quran: Difference between revisions

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{{Main|Dhul-Qarnayn}}
{{Main|Dhul-Qarnayn}}


The author of the Qur'an repeats a legendary Christian story of Alexander the Great as a great king who helps a tribe of people build a massive wall of iron between two mountains. Even with satellites and near universal exploration of the world, no archaeologist has ever found even a trace of such a massive structure.
The author of the Qur'an repeats the Syrian legend of Alexander the Great as a great king who helps a tribe of people build a massive wall of iron between two mountains. Even with satellites and near universal exploration of the world, no archaeologist has ever found even a trace of such a massive structure.


{{Quote|{{Quran-range|18|96|97}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran-range|18|96|97}}|
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===Supernatural Destruction of Cities===
===Supernatural Destruction of Cities===


The Qur'an author thought that outside the vicinity of Arabia there were cities and tribes destroyed by God. He acquired this information through hearsay from Arabian folklore as well as Jewish and Christian legends. Those cities and tribes probably were destroyed by natural disasters, famine, wars, migration or neglect.  
The Qur'an author thought that outside the vicinity of Arabia there were cities and tribes destroyed by Allah. He acquired this information through hearsay from Arabian folklore as well as other legends. Those cities and tribes probably were destroyed by natural disasters, famine, wars, migration or neglect.  


{{Quote|{{Quran|40|82}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|40|82}}|
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===Humans can Sleep for Three Hundred Years===
===Humans can Sleep for Three Hundred Years===


The oldest verified human life has been a little over 120 years. Humans cannot live without food and water for more than a few days. However, the Qur'an incorporated a myth from the 5<sup>th</sup> century legends of the [[w:Seven Sleepers|Seven Sleepers of Ephesus]] who sleep in a cave for over 300 years and then miraculously awaken in perfect health. There is no historical evidence that this ever happened or could even been scientifically possible.
The oldest verified human life has been a little over 120 years. Humans cannot live without food and water for more than a few days. However, the Qur'an incorporated a myth from the 5<sup>th</sup> century legends of the [[Seven Sleepers of Ephesus in the Quran|Seven Sleepers of Ephesus]] who sleep in a cave for over 300 years and then miraculously awaken in perfect health. There is no historical evidence that this ever happened or could even been scientifically possible.


{{Quote|{{Quran|18|11}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|18|11}}|
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===Humans can Live for a Thousand Years===
===Humans can Live for a Thousand Years===


The oldest verified human life has been a little over 120 years. Based on fossil records and testing on human remains, anthropologists have concluded that human life spans are increasing, not decreasing. Nevertheless, the Qur'an repeats the unsubstantiated myth that Noah lived for almost 1,000 years.
The oldest verified human life has been a little over 120 years. Based on fossil records and testing on human remains, anthropologists have concluded that human life spans are increasing, not decreasing. Nevertheless, the Qur'an claims that Noah lived for almost 1,000 years.


{{Quote|{{Quran|29|14}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|29|14}}|
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===Requirement to Learn in Arabic===
===Requirement to Learn in Arabic===


There are over 5,000 languages and dialects in the world, with less than 4% of the world's population being native Arabic speakers. However, it is incumbent upon Muslims to pray in Arabic, recite the Qur'an in Arabic, and understand commentaries and the traditions of Muhammed in Arabic. We are left wondering why an all-knowing being would not provide a more efficient way to send his message to all people on earth and why he does not account for the immense diversity of languages.
There are over 5,000 languages and dialects in the world, with less than 4% of the world's population being native Arabic speakers. However, it is incumbent upon Muslims to pray in Arabic, recite the Qur'an in Arabic, and understand commentaries and the traditions of Muhammad in Arabic. We are left wondering why an all-knowing being would not provide a more efficient way to send his message to all people on earth and why he does not account for the immense diversity of languages.


{{Quote|{{Quran|43|3}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|43|3}}|
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{{Main|Parallelism Between the Qur'an and Judeo-Christian Scriptures}}
{{Main|Parallelism Between the Qur'an and Judeo-Christian Scriptures}}


The Qur'an repeats a legendary story of Mary receiving food sent down from heaven. There have never been any scientifically verified accounts of fully cooked food falling from the sky.
The Qur'an states Mary received food sent down from heaven. There have never been any scientifically verified accounts of fully cooked food falling from the sky.


{{Quote|{{Quran|5|115}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|5|115}}|
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===A Stick Transforms into a Serpent===
===A Stick Transforms into a Serpent===
{{Main|Parallelism Between the Qur'an and Judeo-Christian Scriptures}}
{{Main|Parallelism Between the Qur'an and Judeo-Christian Scriptures}}
The Quran repeats ancient Jewish myths about Moses turning his staff into a snake.


{{Quote|{{Quran|7|107}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|7|107}}|
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===Jonah Performs Repentance inside a Fish===
===Jonah Performs Repentance inside a Fish===


A human could not live inside a fish and pray. This story, found in the Quran, is again a repetition of ancient Jewish myths.
A human could not live inside a fish and pray.  


{{Quote|{{Quran|37|142}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|37|142}}|