CALL YOUR WITNESSES

HIGH-PRESSURE SALESMANSHIP

In trying to prove their dogmas 1, they invent shocking statements and posers — one of which has been used as the title of this book — “CHRIST CRUCIFIED – Hoax or History?” 2 No doubt it sounds provocative; but it is a borrowed title — from the Christian’s own extravagances; from his own vocabulary.

Garner Ted Armstrong, the Executive Vice-President and Co-Publisher of the “PLAIN TRUTH” (a Christian Magazine from America, which boasts a current, FREE, world-wide circulation of 6 million copies a month) 3, attempts to answer his own puzzle under the heading:

“WAS THE RESURRECTION A HOAX?” This is the typical American way of selling religion. He elucidates his poser -“HOAX?” – with the words, “THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH IS EITHER THE SUPREME FACT OF HISTORY OR A FLAGRANT. DELIBERATE FABRICATION FOISTED OFF ON THE FOLLOWERS OF CHRISTIANITY.”

Another budding, young “Billy Graham” from America, Josh McDowell effuses in his book “THE RESURRECTION FACTOR”, saying, “I WAS FORCED TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST IS EITHER ONE OF THE MOST WICKED, HEARTLESS, VICIOUS, HOAXES EVER FOISTED UPON THE MINDS OF MEN, OR IT IS THE MOST FANTASTIC FACT OF HISTORY.” Since it is not possible for an Oriental to match American superlatives and extravagant verbiage, I do not have to apologise for humbly borrowing their words for the title of my book: “CHRIST CRUCIFIED -Hoax or History?” 4

1. Dogma: “Principle, tenet, doctrinal system; arrogant declaration of opinion.” — Oxford Dictionary.

2. Original title of this book.

3. As claimed in their February 1984 issue.

4. Now changed to — “CRUCIFIXION or CRUCI-FICTION?”

CHRISTIAN OBJECTION

To the Muslim belief that Jesus Christ was “neither killed nor crucified”, the Christian objects, “how can a man (Muhummed pbuh) a thousand miles away from the scene of a happening, and 600 years after an event, pronounce as to what had transpired?” The Muslim says that the words Muhummed (pbuh) uttered were not his own, but that the Words were “put into his mouth” by the All-Knowing, All-Seeing God. The Christian retorts that he is not prepared to accept the metaphysical aspect of Muhummed’s revelation; moreso, in view of the written records by “eye-witnesses” (?) and “ear-witnesses” (?) as regards the happenings on that Easter week-end some two thousand years ago.

The Christian plea is valid. Their logic is good. To entertain their plea we will call up their witnesses and cross examine them to discover the truth or falsity of the matter from their own authorities. Admittedly, the key witnesses in the case are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John — the alleged authors of the Canonical Gospels. But they have all died and are in their graves. “Yes, that is true, but we have in our possession their sworn affidavits!” says the Christian.

DEMAND FOR PROOF

When confronted by the extravagant and conflicting claims of the Jews and the Christians to their exclusive rights to salvation, Allah subha nahu wa-ta aala1 commands us to demand for proof. He says:

(SURA BAQARA)Holy Quran 2:111

And they have produced the only proof they have; in over fifteen hundred different languages! Eleven different dialects of the Bible for the Arabs alone! Are we going to swallow them hook, line and sinker? No! It is presupposed that when Allah commands us to demand for proof, that we would be in a position to analyse the proof, once it is produced. Otherwise, it makes no sense to demand for proof; it would be nonsense!

1. subha nahu wa-ta aala meaning, Glory Be To Him!

CHAPTER 3