My opponent's statement demonstrates some distinct rhetorical tactics and strategies. Let's breakdown,
Key point 1:
Because of less space I have provided them in link below.
Key point2:
Science is capable of studying the brain's activity and physiological changes during dreaming, such as neural patterns and REM sleep. However, it cannot access or analyze the actual content of dreams. The interpretation of dreams, including whether they hold spiritual significance, is inherently subjective and personal, shaped by an individual’s beliefs, culture, and experiences. Since science relies on empirical evidence, it cannot objectively classify dreams as spiritual or non-spiritual, as such classifications extend beyond its measurable scope.
Key point 3
My opponent instigated the debate, naturally a person who instigated a debate claims something, so the burden of proof lies on him not me. While he is shifting it on me. Even though, I have proven that dreams have guided people throughout history, which I have given a lot of examples about. Dreams have forseen historical evidence with much precision which also proves they are divinely inspired and no machine can prove it wrong. Dreams help people and warn on a daily basis in the world. The proverb "dream come true" is often seen in practical life.
My opponent's demand:
"The only requirement of the pro was to prove that dreams have divine or spiritual meanings behind them"
Response:
Dream:
A series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep. (Oxford languages)
Explanation:
Extent of physical involvement:
As we can see dreams occur in the mind or brain, so as far as human beings are concerned, the physical nature of the dream is that, it occurs exactly in the brain. Nothing more, but thoughts images and sensations are not physical, and my opponent failed to prove that thoughts, images and sensations which occur in the brain during sleep are of physical nature. I think this is something science could not prove or comprehend on a physical scale just like consciousness.
So,
What I would call them content of dream or dream itself.
Contention:
As a dream is not physical or material in nature but it occurs in a brain which is material does not mean they are materialistic in nature or we can measure them physically or evaluate or observe them physically.
My opponent's assertions so far,
My opponent claims that, what we see happens within the brain when a person is dreaming on MRI, CT scan or PET scan or any kind of imaginary scanning of brain activity shows that dreams are physical.
My contention:
What you will find in the brain or changes that occur in the brain during any activity are neurological pathways which never determine what is happening in the brain. There are devices which if inserted in the brain let you control some machines and you can manifest commands through your brain signals but still analysing the content of the brain is far far away right now.
Further,
Even if they know all the content of the brain, or they can scan complete brain imaginary, thoughts and sensations somehow still this is not relevant to what my opponent claims.
How?
Because this process can verify the content of the dream which my opponent is discarding of my own example because he considers them unverifiable. But whether the content of a dream is normal one or spiritual or divine guidance or inspiration is still subjective and needs interpretation, mostly of the 3rd party or the person himself.
So,
The real debate is about the interpretation of the dream not the dream itself.
So,
How can we verify that dreams or content of dreams are normal or spiritual, about them being merely physical is out of question.
Why,
Because we already see that what is physical in a dream is that, they occur in the brain. Which is common for all kinds of dreams no matter what.
So,
It's irrelevant to measure their physical nature or even discuss it. Because the problem at hand is their interpretation which I kept telling my opponent in the last 2 rounds.
Contention:
Here I have explained everything in great detail about the mechanism of dream and what our resolution is.
So I am going to discuss the interpretation of the dream onward. Now I would say the resolution itself is subjective or personal interpretation for everybody as far as dreams are concerned. If a person interprets his dream to be normal or spiritual (divinely inspired or demon's influence) anybody else can object to it. But his personal perception would remain subjective and valid for himself.
Contention:
Now I have established that the interpretation of dreams is subjective so the resolution of debate as well. So my personal examples or examples from other people are relevant and valid for this debate. Now I am going to discuss proving their spiritual interpretation.
Contention:
Keys which determine dreams being divinely inspired:
1. Time of dreaming (Islamically just before dawn or at the time of tahajut) not very much relevant to my opponent but for viewers.
2. Relations of dreams with the real world, for example a futuristic historical event or prophecy or we can say prediction of the future.
3. Revealing the past event to a specific person which is not related to that person is known to that person but is true.
4. Vision of anything which really exists but not known to the dreamer and verified. Like seeing a place or event which is occurring or occurred in reality and a person gets to know it through a dream and verified.
:Point of importance here:
Everything I said in this contention shows that, it's all subjective and relates to personal testimonials.
5 Guidance, warning and assurance through dreams which was helpful for dreamers and later verified. Even ignored by the dreamer but still happened in reality.
Contention:
All what I said above could prove their dream was divinely inspired or had a spiritual element.
My proofs in the light of the above examples:
1. I have given my personal example.
2. I have provided an example of a disbeliever whose dream revealed the history of five great nations or empires.
3. I have given the dreams of prophets.
4. There are millions of testimonies from people around the world, across all eras, of dreams that have come true.
5 All these examples are substantial and carry significant weight in supporting my claim.
Contention:
Everybody can see that science has no role in determining the spirituality of dreams, nor is any machine required for it. Regardless of the type of dream a person experiences, its significance depends entirely on the interpretation of the dream, not on how it forms in someone's mind.
Contention:
Below are real, documented examples of people whose dreams came true, recorded in historical accounts, media, or personal testimonies:
1. Abraham Lincoln's Prophetic Dream
Details: Abraham Lincoln reportedly had a dream about his own death just days before his assassination.
The Dream: He dreamed of walking into a room where a corpse was laid in state, surrounded by mourners. Upon asking who had died, he was told, “The President.”
Outcome: Lincoln was assassinated on April 14,
1865, shortly after sharing the dream with his wife and close friends.
Source: Ward Hill Lamon, Lincoln’s close friend and bodyguard, documented this account.
2. Mark Twain’s Vision of His Brother’s Death
Details: The famous author Mark Twain had a vivid dream about his brother Henry’s tragic death.
The Dream: Twain dreamed of seeing his brother lying in a metal coffin with a bouquet of white flowers and a single red rose on his chest.
Outcome: Shortly after the dream, Henry died in a steamboat explosion, and Twain was shocked to see the funeral setup match his dream exactly.
Source: Twain detailed this in his autobiography.
3. Carl Jung’s Premonitions in Dreams
Details: Renowned psychologist Carl Jung experienced several prophetic dreams throughout his life.
The Dream: Before World War I, Jung had recurring dreams of a great flood engulfing Europe, which he interpreted as a sign of widespread destruction and chaos.
Outcome: Soon after, World War I began, confirming his interpretation of the dreams as premonitions of war.
Source: Jung discussed these experiences in his book Memories, Dreams, Reflections.
4. The Sinking of the Titanic
Details: Several passengers and individuals unrelated to the voyage reportedly dreamed of the Titanic sinking before the disaster.
Example:
Jessie Serre: A woman in England canceled her Titanic ticket after dreaming about drowning in icy waters.
Outcome: The Titanic tragically sank on April 15,
1912, validating their fears.
Source: Documented in Titanic: Psychic Forewarnings of a Tragedy by George Behe.
5. British Soldier During World War I
Details: A British soldier named Corporal Edward F. Black shared a dream about narrowly escaping death.
The Dream: He dreamed that his platoon would be shelled in a particular location.
Outcome: He convinced his comrades to move out of the area, and soon after, it was shelled, saving their lives.
Source: This story was documented in historical war accounts.
6. David Booth and the American Airlines Crash
Details: In
1979, David Booth, a Cincinnati office manager, had recurring dreams of a plane crash.
The Dream: He vividly saw a plane veering off the runway and bursting into flames.
Outcome: Days later, an American Airlines DC-10 crashed shortly after takeoff in Chicago, killing 273 people. Booth had reported his dreams to the FAA, but no action could be taken.
Source: Covered in news reports and psychic phenomena studies.
7. Harriet Tubman’s Visions
Details: Harriet Tubman, the famous abolitionist, claimed to have prophetic dreams and visions guiding her on the Underground Railroad.
The Dream: Tubman had recurring dreams and spiritual visions showing her safe routes and warnings about dangers.
Outcome: She successfully led hundreds of slaves to freedom, crediting her dreams as divine guidance.
Source: Documented in biographies like Harriet Tubman: The Moses of Her People.
8. The Aberfan Disaster Dream
(1966)
Details: Several people dreamed of a school being buried under a landslide in Aberfan, Wales.
The Dream:
A child reported dreaming of their school being buried by black sludge.
Another woman dreamed of a group of children crying out for help.
Outcome: On October 21,
1966, a coal spoil tip collapsed, engulfing a school and killing 144 people, mostly children.
Source: Documented in Premonitions Bureau by Sam Knight.
These examples illustrate how dreams have been recorded as foretelling real-world events, sometimes with astonishing accuracy.
The list goes on; these are well-documented cases, while unverified and casual instances from ordinary people often go unnoticed.
1. J. Allan Hobson (Neuroscientist)
In his work on the physiology of dreams, Hobson has proposed that dreams are a form of cognitive processing tied to the brain's REM activity. However, in his book, He states:
“The brain produces dreams, but the meaning of the dreams is a question that lies outside the realm of pure neuroscience.” (The Dreaming Brain,
1988)
While Hobson leans toward a physiological explanation of dreams, he recognizes that dreams can carry emotional, psychological, and even symbolic significance, which opens up room for spiritual interpretations.
2. Stanislav Grof (Psychologist and Transpersonal Psychologist)
Grof is a major figure in transpersonal psychology and has conducted extensive research into altered states of consciousness, including through LSD and other psychedelic substances.
“Dreams can serve as a means of accessing profound states of consciousness, and their symbolic meanings can have spiritual relevance.” (The Holotropic Mind,
1992)
Grof suggests that dreams can be part of a larger spiritual process, connecting the unconscious mind with higher spiritual states.
3. Evan Thompson (Philosopher of Mind)
“Consciousness cannot be fully explained by physical processes alone. There remains a mystery about how subjective experience arises from the brain.” (Waking, Dreaming, Being,
2015)
4. Rick Strassman (Psychiatrist, Researcher on DMT)
“In the DMT state, individuals report vivid, spiritual experiences that cannot be easily explained through materialistic views of the mind. These experiences share many qualities with certain types of dreams.” (DMT: The Spirit Molecule,
2000)
5. Additional Experts
Alan Wallace (Buddhist Scholar and Consciousness Researcher)
“Consciousness is a vast and unexplored terrain, and spiritual practices provide insight that cannot be derived from the materialist framework alone.” (The Taboo of Subjectivity,
2000)
Roger Penrose (Physicist):
“We may one day understand consciousness through quantum physics, but it is likely that the process will reveal a deeper reality that is far beyond current scientific comprehension.” (The Emperor’s New Mind,
1989)
David Chalmers (Philosopher of Mind):
“The hard problem of consciousness remains unsolved, and there is no clear explanation for why or how we have subjective experiences. This opens the door to alternative interpretations, including spiritual ones.” (Consciousness and Its Place in Nature,
2002)
My opponent’s reliance on brain scans and EEGs to argue that dreams are purely physiological fails to account for the subjective and spiritual dimensions of of dreaming, which many prominent thinkers acknowledge as significant and unexplained by modern science.
Materialistic approaches of scientists:
While materialist scientists, such as J. Allan Hobson and Francis Crick, have provided fascinating insights into the physiological mechanics of dreams, they often focus on the "how" rather than the "why." For example:
1. Mechanics vs. Purpose: Studies like the Activation-Synthesis Theory explain how neural signals during REM sleep create dreams, but they do not explain why specific dreams contain meaningful or predictive content that often aligns with real-life events.
2. Limitations of Science: As acknowledged by scientists like Christof Koch, we have not yet fully understood consciousness. If science cannot explain the full extent of waking consciousness, how can it conclusively dismiss spiritual dimensions of the unconscious mind?
3. Room for Interpretation: Even neuroscientists like Antonio Damasio admit the complexity of mental processes. This leaves room for phenomena beyond the scope of current methodologies, such as spiritual interpretations of dreams.
4. Unexplained Predictive Dreams: The testimonies and experiences of individuals with dreams that accurately predict future events remain an area that science has not fully explored or explained. This gap suggests there may be more to dreams than mere brain activity.
Hard problem of consciousness:
The problem of consciousness is often divided into two main challenges:
1. The Hard Problem of Consciousness refers to one of the most profound challenges in understanding the human mind, as introduced by philosopher David Chalmers.
Core Aspects of the Hard Problem:
1. Subjective Experience:
Science can explain the brain's mechanisms (neuronal activity, sensory processing), but it cannot explain why these mechanisms result in the subjective experience of "what it feels like" to see, hear, or think.
2. Qualia:
This refers to the individual, subjective sensations we experience, like the redness of red or the pain of a headache. These are inherently personal and cannot be directly observed or measured.
3. Mind-Brain Gap:
There's a significant gap between the objective study of the brain's physical processes and the subjective nature of consciousness.
Examples in Action:
Why does seeing a sunset produce a feeling of awe, rather than just a mechanical processing of light waves?
Why do dreams sometimes feel vivid and meaningful, even though they are products of unconscious brain activity?
Why It’s “Hard”:
Unlike the "easy problems" of consciousness (e.g., understanding brain functions like perception, memory, or attention), the hard problem cannot be studied purely through objective measures like brain scans or neural activity. It ventures into questions about the fundamental nature of reality, bridging science, philosophy, and spirituality.
This challenge leaves room for multiple interpretations, including metaphysical and spiritual perspectives, as science does not yet have a definitive answer.
The Question: How and why does physical brain activity (neurons firing, chemical reactions) produce subjective experiences, such as thoughts, emotions, and sensations?
The Mystery: While science can explain the mechanisms of the brain (e.g., neurons processing sensory input), it cannot yet explain qualia—the subjective, first-person experience of being conscious (e.g., what it feels like to see red or taste sweetness).
2. The Easy Problems of Consciousness
These refer to understanding the mechanisms underlying brain functions like:
Perception, memory, attention, and decision-making.
For example, how sensory data is processed or how we focus on specific tasks.
While called "easy," these problems are complex, but they are more approachable because they can be studied empirically.
Hard Problems Related to Consciousness
Here are some key challenges:
a. Consciousness vs. Unconsciousness
How does the brain transition between states of consciousness, such as sleep, dreaming, and wakefulness?
Why do dreams have meaning or feel vivid, even though they arise in an unconscious state?
b. Integration
How does the brain integrate information from multiple sources (e.g., vision, sound, memory) into a single unified experience of "self"?
c. Free Will
Is the experience of making choices a real phenomenon, or is it just the brain rationalizing decisions it has already made unconsciously?
d. Brain and Mind Connection
What is the exact relationship between the physical brain (neurons, chemicals) and the non-physical mind (thoughts, emotions, awareness)?
Why These Problems Matter
Consciousness lies at the heart of what it means to be human. While science has made great strides in understanding brain mechanisms, it still cannot fully explain the nature or origins of consciousness, leaving room for philosophical, spiritual, and metaphysical interpretations.
There is significant scientific research suggesting that our brains initiate decisions before we become consciously aware of them.
Key Research Findings:
Benjamin Libet's Experiments
(1980s): Libet's studies demonstrated that the brain's readiness potential (a measure of preparatory neural activity) occurs several hundred milliseconds before individuals consciously decide to perform a voluntary action. This implies that the initiation of actions begins unconsciously.
Subsequent Studies: Later research has reinforced Libet's findings, showing that brain activity can predict a person's decision before they are consciously aware of it. For instance, a study from Caltech notes, "Several studies have shown that brain activity indicates what a person will choose, before they are consciously aware of the choice."
Predictive Brain Activity: Research from
2008 found that patterns in the prefrontal and parietal cortex could predict a person's decision up to seven seconds before they became aware of it.
These findings suggest that what we perceive as conscious decision-making may actually be the result of unconscious neural processes. This challenges the traditional concept of free will, raising questions about the extent to which our choices are autonomously made.
Ongoing Debate:
The interpretation of these findings is a topic of active debate. Some argue that while the brain initiates actions unconsciously, conscious awareness still plays a role in modifying or vetoing these actions. Others suggest that free will may be an illusion, with decisions predetermined by neural activity. Which I say is governed by divine will.
Taqdeer as the Driving Force:
1. Quranic Foundation:
Islam teaches that taqdeer is the divine plan ordained by Allah, and everything in the universe operates within His knowledge and will. The Quran states:
> “Indeed, all things We created with predestination” (Surah Al-Qamar 54:49).
This verse implies that every action, thought, and event is within the realm of Allah’s decree.
2. Scientific Corroboration:
Recent neurological studies suggesting that the brain acts before conscious awareness can be interpreted as evidence of taqdeer. If our decisions are initiated before we are aware of them, it supports the idea that an unseen force, or Allah’s divine will, governs our actions beyond our immediate comprehension.
3. Balance of Free Will and Divine Decree:
Islam emphasizes a delicate balance between free will and fate. While humans are responsible for their actions, their capacity to choose operates within the boundaries of Allah’s decree. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
> “The pens have been lifted, and the pages have dried.”
This Hadith reflects that Allah’s knowledge encompasses all things, but humans still experience choice, making them accountable.
4. Taqdeer and the Unconscious Mind:
If scientists observe that unconscious brain processes precede conscious decisions, Muslims can argue that these processes are part of the qadr of Allah. The unseen mechanisms of the brain reflect the perfection of His creation and the intricacy of His plans, aligning with the Quranic verse:
> “And they cannot encompass a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255).
5. Philosophical Resolution:
While science may explore "how" decisions are made, it does not answer "why" they occur or the ultimate purpose behind them. Taqdeer provides this answer: all actions and events are directed toward a divine purpose, beyond the scope of scientific inquiry.
By framing taqdeer as the force behind human decision-making, you can bridge the gap between science and spirituality, showing how Islamic beliefs complement scientific discoveries rather than contradicting them. This perspective highlights the limitations of human understanding and the infinite wisdom of Allah. Subhan Allah.
1. The Brain: Materialistic Perspective
The brain is a physical organ composed of neurons, synapses, and neural networks. It operates on electrochemical signals and is studied through neuroscience.
Key Points in Favor of Brain's Materiality:
Physiological Basis of Thought:
Modern neuroscience has mapped regions of the brain responsible for specific functions like memory, speech, emotions, and decision-making. For example, damage to the prefrontal cortex affects judgment and personality.
Neuroimaging Evidence:
Techniques like fMRI and EEG show that every thought, decision, or emotion corresponds to neural activity.
Drugs and Brain Alteration:
Psychotropic drugs and anesthesia can alter consciousness, suggesting that the mind’s activities are rooted in the brain’s chemistry.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Analogy:
AI systems mimic cognitive functions, supporting the idea that mental processes could be entirely material and computational.
2. The Mind: Beyond Materialism
The mind is often viewed as encompassing consciousness, self-awareness, and subjective experiences that go beyond the physical brain.
Key Points for Mind’s Non-Material Nature:
Consciousness and the Hard Problem:
Neuroscience struggles to explain qualia—the subjective experience of sensations (e.g., the “redness” of red). This is known as the “hard problem of consciousness.”
Near-Death and Out-of-Body Experiences:
Testimonies from people who report experiences during clinical death suggest consciousness can exist independently of brain activity.
Intentionality and Free Will:
While the brain processes signals, the mind is believed to guide purpose, meaning, and decisions, which cannot be fully explained by neural networks.
Philosophical Dualism:
Philosophers like René Descartes argued for a dualistic view: the mind (non-material) interacts with the brain (material) but is not reducible to it.
---
3. Challenges to Pure Materialism
Mind Over Matter:
Placebo effects, where beliefs and thoughts cause physical healing, suggest that the mind influences the body in ways not fully explained by material processes.
Unexplained Phenomena:
Dreams, intuition, and spiritual experiences resist full explanation through neurobiology.
Quantum Consciousness:
Theories like Roger Penrose’s Orch-OR suggest consciousness might involve quantum processes, hinting at a non-material basis.
4. Islamic and Spiritual Perspective
From an Islamic standpoint, the mind or ruh (soul) is distinct from the brain.
The Quran mentions:
> "And they ask you about the soul. Say, ‘The soul is of the affair of my Lord, and mankind has not been given of knowledge except a little.’" (Surah Al-Isra 17:85).
This implies that while the brain governs physical functions, the mind (or soul) is a divine entity beyond human comprehension.
Taqdeer (Destiny):
Human thoughts and actions are guided by Allah’s decree, reflecting the spiritual dimension of the mind.
5. Bridging the Gap: Integrated View
Complementary Interaction:
The brain provides the hardware for mental functions, while the mind (or consciousness) acts as the software or the driver. They work together but are not identical.
Science and Spirituality:
Science explains the mechanisms of the brain but does not answer questions of purpose, morality, or ultimate meaning—areas where spirituality and philosophy step in.
Future Exploration:
Advances in neuroscience may uncover more about the brain-mind connection, but the non-material aspects of consciousness might remain elusive.
Conclusion:
1.
As we can see dreams are not physical, because they are images, visions and sensations of unconscious mind.
2.
Dreams originates in mind which is
Non materialistic part of brain and science does not know anything about it because science only operates into physical realm.
3.
Science does not know consciousness of mind and claiming to know everything related to unconscious mind is not understable. Mind being conscious or unconscious both are out of physical dimension although it's very much related to the brain.
4.
Dreams or unconscious mind or even thoughts of consciousness mind are not materialistic so my opponent's claim to know their nature and origin is baseless.
5.
Dream being not physical suggest that if they are measured or examined physical would not be the realistic approach to deal which is not physical.
6.
As dreams are most probably related to spirit or soul so they might be wholy spiritual, we can conclude them at this point.
7.
Our personal experiences effects dreams, and this category is identified by islam. We can say that our physical existence or parts like brain can effect the dreams. But oh the other hand we can say that our actions can effects our spirit or soul and yet finally effect the unconscious mind so our dreams too.
8.
My opponent shall not feel insult if I mentioned his belief to be atheist.
A person who deny diety and religion and spiritual existence is enough to conclude that the person is atheist.
9.
I mentioned Richard dunkin because my opponent is already talking about science and scientist so talking about someone who even has direct quote about this matter should be relavent.
10.
I have proven that dreams are a product of the unconscious mind which is not physical and not understood by science at any level. So considering them spiritual or metaphysical should be considered more meaningful and proven with multiple verified examples given in this round and previous rounds.
11.
I personally received may spiritual dreams among which I have mentioned one which is very special and profound in my life.
12.
My opponent just presented assumptions and even did not quote the finding by scientist on this matter. Just few modified definitions.
13.
This topic is very vast and impossible to be discussed perfectly in 3 round debate.
14.
I invite voters to read debate completely and reflect unbiased genuine vote in the favour of who deserve to win.
15.
I still apologize to my opponent if anything let him feel disrespectful and I will try my best to be more in up coming debates with anyone.
16.
I have talked in last round about the most important and driving force of universe is unknown to scientists and even other weak and strong forces are very much unexplained and their origin and physical nature is totally unexplored. We only know from their effect on physical matter.
Slogan:
Islam is best,
Be a Muslim,
And show they are good people.
Aslam o alykum wa rahamat-al-Allah wa barakatho.
I consider this vote bomb, I want the voter to give concise RFD not another debate in which he present bible verses and argument. He should not forget he is voter and whatever is in debate, should be voted for that.
Are you debating with me?
Give a concise RFD, and do not impose your belief on me. I do not know why you gave vote to my opponent. I do not know why I have to debate separately with voters all the time.
RFV 1/6
Title
Well, might depend how you define "divine" or "spiritual"
Description,
Might have been good to put definitions here.
Con Americandebater24 R1
Opening
"special significance"
Some might argue that people with PTSD and night terrors, nightmares, are spiritually sick.
Depends on how one defines spirit.
First Argument
The source doesn't say dreams are "nothing more than", But does say, "Dreams are stories and images that our minds create while we sleep."
It also says,
"There are several theories about why we dream."
"Possible explanations include"
"Much that remains unknown about dreams"
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/284378#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
Hm, does 'every dream need to have a divine or spiritual message?
It's not as though they 'couldn't, some people see all of life that way, just because humans don't pick up on it all, or don't view small dull parts as adding to it all, doesn't mean that they are not, to people who view it that way.
Second Argument
Source is okay.
Berean Literal Bible
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves." Matthew 7:15
That something can be manipulated by humans, does that prevent it from being used by the divine, or to show divine understanding?
(Personally I'm still an Atheist, just saying)
Third argument
Wikipedia says
"Anecdotal evidence, with a few safeguards, represents the bulk of evidence in court."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anecdotal_evidence
My thoughts
Despite my criticisms, I don't think Cons arguments are 'bad. But I think there might be room for Pro to make a case.
I think definitions might have been valuable to Con.
RFV 2/6
Pro tigerlord R1
Arguments
Identifies 'some dreams as divine/spiritual, and others not.
While I think their arguments would be convincing to one already a believer in the divine/spiritual aspect of dreams.
I think they will be less so to a person who takes a more materialistic/conceptual/metaphor/emergent property view of the divine/spiritual.
I expect later rounds might include arguments on when records/history is seen as fact or not.
Brings up rebuttals to Cons arguments,
Argues for personal experiences place in observation and conclusions in life.
Argues for historical records and outcomes.
My thoughts
I lean a bit towards Cons arguments.
While personal experiences 'might be true, I tend to discount them, as they 'might not be true.
The logical reasoning of Allah's control, 'requires the voter to think such true as well.
I think history is not always perfectly recorded, sometimes it is recorded after, or with mistaken perspective.
Con Americandebater24 R2
Argument 1
What 'would be sufficient evidence?
Logical statements and conclusions can have flaws, yeah.
Argument 2
Brings up the argument of Pros arguments presupposing their religion to be correct, might not convince people nonreligious or of other religions.
Argument 3
Con source does not quite say what they claim Divinity to be, looks to me.
I'm not sure that 'theoretically divine experience could not work side by side with modern science.
There 'are religious and spiritual scientists, I would think.
Brings up objections to Pros use of the Qur'an.
Rebuttals
Argues that some of Pros arguments require presupposition of religion being true.
Presents alternate explanations for Pros personal experience.
My thoughts,
Still leaning towards Con.
RFV 3/6
Pro tigerlord R2
Rebuttal 1
I think this is the type of debate that often 'happens between people of a more Materialistic bent, and people of a Religious bent.
They sometimes have 'very different views and presuppositions. So the debate becomes one between two systems, not the implications or uses of said systems.
Con 'has included sources where people have studied dreams, sources commonly recognized as scientific.
Rebuttal 2
I think it is true that science and academia, 'especially in the past,
Have a long history of being supported by religious institutions, and some directions people have taken science, were motivated by their love of their religion, and wanting to understand it more.
There 'is a difficulty though, in claiming science and religion to be the same,
Or in convincing people that religious books are science books.
'Especially if one is 'not religious.
Rebuttal 3
A person's skin being scratched, and their skin under the fingernails of a subject of homicide,
Vs someone who saw the individual killing the victim,
While I do not say that a witness holds 'no weight, I think the physical evidence would hold more.
Rebuttal 4
Hm, I don't think Con has brought up Dawkins,
But I don't think Con is wrong to use authorities as evidence to support their position.
Though such does not mean that individuals are 'wrong, or did not experience what they did,
But, the point of authorities is to have something one can turn to, as something recognized as fact by a group.
Pro himself used their religion as an authority.
Rebuttal 1
Con 'has used sources on people studying dreams and possible origins of them.
Having something verifiable 'helps voters lean to one side or the other.
Though some people have their experiences and might be leaned by less verifiable experiences, thoughts, and reasonings.
'Without those experiences, thoughts, and reasonings. One is left with the verifiable.
RFV 4/6
Rebuttal 1
I don't think Con was calling Pro a liar,
But seeing is believing, humans are fallible.
People who are Materialists, have the assumption of alternate explanations for the experiences of Spiritualists,
As Spiritualists, have the assumption of alternate explanations for the experiences of Materialists.
(I am just 'assuming Con is a Materialist in this debate though)
Rebuttal 2
Even if Con cannot 'find the Divine nature, if they can find a Materialistic explanation, it sems reasonable they should be satisfied with the Materialistic explanation.
Rebuttal 1
Logic is often a chain of thoughts, if even one link is Illogical, then the logic can become wrong, even if 99% of the rest was logical. I think.
Rebuttal 3
King Nebuchadnezzar, that some dreams come to pass, does not mean to the Materialist that the dream 'knew of the future. If I have a dream that a quarter is going to flip on heads and it 'does, that doesn't mean the dream was divinely inspired.
There are 'many dreams recorded, often vague, Oracles often vague. Leaves room for interpretation to be 'correct.
Gist of My Opponent’s Arguments
Con offers explanations, and cuts off what they see as unneeded explanation.
Religions can often be subjective.
If spirituality does not exist, then it cannot be the explanation.
The 'facts of religion, are often not the facts for people not 'of that religion, as Con has argued earlier.
Argument
Pro offers argument of Allah existing in a way that impacts the physical realm. While this 'does offer some explanation of divine/spiritual in the physical.
I think Con has an easier time by not 'needing said explanation for their argument.
I think Pros arguments could do well with people of the same presuppositions as Pro, but have trouble convincing people of different presuppositions.
Millions of testimonies,
The 'problem for Pro here, is that millions can be wrong, literally 'everyone in the world during various time periods can be wrong.
Not that it has 'no weight for consideration, but some people including myself, prefer explanations that explain it various ways that they were mistaken.
. . . Or that they were not 'wrong, but that some were not speaking literally.
Pro does offer 'possible explanation, and argues the limit of current science is not proof.
. . . It 'is true, that people can think something is impossible by their own limitations, when in truth it was possible, already in existence, or done.
But until said proof is shown, or shown as likely, many will not find the arguments of 'maybe it could exist, to be convincing.
Glancing down I see Pro and Con 'are both including videos,
WHYYYYY. Eh, I'll watch them.
RFV 5/6
Pro Video
1:25 Taking up arms,
Well, it 'can be dangerous to take up arms. It can become an all or nothing situation. Can be 'big consequences if you lose. 'And even if you win.
Violence, 'I think can often end up one's last resort, because one can be destroyed if one loses.
Even when one wins, members of one's own faction can 'again use violence and turn on you.
Infrastructure can also end up being destroyed.
3:00 Libraries being burned
Knowledge often isn't the primary loot people take before they burn, yeah.
I'm not well read enough to have a view on how seriously the military was viewed at various times in Islamic history.
8:14
Eh, I think one might see more Atheists in USA than Europe, due to there being more people in USA who view Bible literally. I could be mistaken though.
End
I 'do find it interesting to hear the viewpoints of people of other places and cultures.
Not quite how 'I see it myself. 'Lot to unpack though.
Con Americandebater24 R3 Video
Had sources.
Argues opponent used Authority of their religious book themself.
2:53 Eh, I can conceive of religion helping one in a biology class, though it would be more about the religions commentary of human effort, than any biological claims religions may or may not make.
3:44 Argues against personal claims being placed over proof.
4:21 Notes Pros use of 3rd party authority.
4:58 Notes flaws that can occur when using logic.
6:00 I'm not sure the studies say that God 'wasn't involved. But they 'do offer explanations that don't mention God, I think.
7:20 I'm not really keeping a count or knowledge of 'when, but you guys have 'both been a little aggressive. Not 'outright insulting, but 'little 'tiny bits. 'Seems to me.
9:10 Eh, I 'really don't care to comb over the debate again for conduct.
Pro tigerlord R3
Less space.
You know, 'both of you, the word/character limit in debates exists for a reason, but eh, if you both don't mind bypassing it.
I don't 'think it is 'wrong to talk to the voter in a debate, though I imagine there can be Pros 'and Cons to said tactic.
Fair to point out that it can be done to create a connection, but I don't think such is 'necessarily wrong myself.
I am of the position that emotion holds a place in debates, though a lot of people talk about 'just using logic in debates, I think such people ignore the real life application of debates.
Overemphasis on Scientific Empiricism, will appeal to some people more than others,
Will appeal to some people less than others.
For people big on science, it often 'can be a debate between religion and science,
Doesn't 'have to be, but often way it turns out,
You 'both agreed to this debate and your opponents it sounded to me when reading.
RFV 6/6
Undermining the Use of Religious Evidence
Is a fair point to make, and a consistent theme that Con has argued.
People of different beliefs, will often lack the presuppositions required to take the claims of different beliefs at face value. I think.
. . . Though one 'can argue science is not a monolith, not 'all groups believe in the same scientific claims.
Key point2
I'm not so sure about Pros claims, sources would be valuable to Pro.
Key point 3
It's too late to argue who the burden of proof rests on, (Last round)
And there are various arguments on how to apply the BoP.
I've been applying it equally to both, since it wasn't mentioned.
Pro makes decent argument about the 'application of dreams mattering more than whether the dreams are physical.
However, In my view Con has been arguing effectively against people applying only to Pros religion as well as the existence of Divine or Spiritual argued by Pro.
Though it is possible that a person possessing many of Pros views would be more convinced by Pro than myself.
Hobson and various other sciences.
The 'problem is that Pro and Con have been using the terms Divine and Spiritual, in a way I would classify as 'more than psychological/human culture/Emotion/Will/So On.
Another problem, is this all 'really feels like a final round rush, which generally is frowned upon in debates I think.
It 'is offering a lot of sources claiming the limits of science regarding dreams and consciousness.
It is also difficult to digest easily.
"I still apologize to my opponent if anything let him feel disrespectful and I will try my best to be more in up coming debates with anyone."
I think that is a nice gesture.
RFV End Thoughts
I'm not sure of DARTs stance on final round arguments.
https://www.debateart.com/forum/topics/6503-debate-protocol-last-round-new-argument
But I'm still taking the view that Cons arguments were more consistent, more simple throughout debate.
While many of Pros were last round additions.
While Con added many sources and arguments of others in the final round,
I view it more as quantity in application, than quality.
I view Cons sources of studies as more objective than the Quran.
It is possible were I a Muslim I would hold the Quran as a good source, but I am not, and do not.
I thought Pro and Con both have interesting perspectives.
But my vote in arguments and sources goes to Pro
Conduct tie.
Legibility tie, though I might lean towards Con due to structure, I found both understandable.
No one votes?
My little bro, do not take it to heart, you mentioned about scientist before so I responded to that, and intellectually dishonest I said because you assumed religion false with the vampire example without even debated with me about this topic. How can you preasume religion false and gave vampire example. I responded to that. Everything I said was pre calculated and necessary..
Still if you are looking for respect and manners, by the command of Allah I have no right to be disrespectful to anybody.
I am toxic with toxic people. But by nature I do not like clashes and duels, this is debating platform where intellectual come and discuss their differences by debates and intellectual strength not disrespect. Mostly athiest are toxic and it's natural because their moral ground lies into nature. Which suggest survival of the fittest. We believes are bound by divine morality to behave well. Yet if a atheist demand it then it's great. So for that I say sorry. And let's move on.
"I never disrespected you, in fact in this debate I remain to the point, I do not know why you felt disrespectful. Tbh this was my best debate regarding respect, check my other debates they were far worse."
And once again, you decide to lie as if it's actually going to do you any good. Where do I start? how about the fact that you literally made claims that I was intellectually dishonest simply because I disregarded your hearsay story? Or the fact that you literally mocked my atheism by claiming that I wanted to listen to other atheists, like Richard Dawkins, even though that that was never part of the discussion to begin with. In fact, literally everything I gave was scientifically based, which had nothing to do with atheism at all. You simply made mention of it to personally attack me and my character.
Your subsequent responses have been to curse at me and call me a child. And that is before we get into you lying about me bringing up irrelevant topics and accusing of laziness simply because I took time and effort to make a video. If you genuinely can't see any of that as disrespectful, then you have some serious mental issues. that or your sense of maturity never passed the age of 5.
Lastly, telling me to look at your other debates and declaring them as far worse is actually pretty unintelligent of you. because you're essentially saying that this is the norm for you to be disrespectful and even worse manners, as if that somehow absolved your horrible behavior here, It doesn't. If anything, it gives credence to everything I've said about you. The reason why you can't handle formal debate is because you simply don't have the maturity for it. You would rather lie about your opponents and disrespect them rather than genuinely have tolerance for what they say or understand their point.
" I never thought of disrespectful at any instance in debate. Everything I said was for the sake of arguemnt. I do not know why you felt that way. Can you mentioned where my tone was disrespectful in last 2 rounds plz?"
It has nothing to do with tone. It had to do with the fact that you claimed I did intellectually dishonest things, which wasn't true, that I was somehow using atheist testimonies, which also wasn't true. And and any other accusations which were blatantly false. Then you try to make a false case of victimhood by saying I was narrowing your view simply because I made arguments against religion. At no point did I stop you from using religion as an excuse. I merely criticize the fact that you can't prove it to be true.
What you did in the comments you have made subsequently afterwards are obviously offensive and meant to be hurtful. You're not even ashamed of yourself as you willingly call yourself a toxic person as if that is something to be proud of. if you had any common decency, you could see the fault in your display of behavior. However, you've made it clear that you absolutely lack this quality that most humans possess. I don't know if it's simply because you feel emboldened by the Internet. or if it's because you had a terrible life filled with influences that were equally as toxic as you are today. or it's simply the person you're choosing to be, no matter what someone says to you. Regardless of the truth, you are a toxic person and somebody who no one can respect because you can't respect others. telling me that you've been far worse with other people doesn't justify anything.
I never disrespected you, in fact in this debate I remain to the point, I do not know why you felt disrespectful. Tbh this was my best debate regarding respect, check my other debates they were far worse. I never thought of disrespectful at any instance in debate. Everything I said was for the sake of arguemnt. I do not know why you felt that way. Can you mentioned where my tone was disrespectful in last 2 rounds plz?
You may crave the final word, demand it even, but let's be clear: this communication breakdown? It's on you. All it would have taken to preserve any semblance of dignity was a simple agreement to disagree. But instead, you chose rudeness, disrespect. Perhaps nobody has had the courage to tell you this before, but you are not the center of the universe. When you act out, throwing tantrums and ignoring all wisdom and decency, you become something far worse than irrelevant. You become toxic, a presence people avoid, a voice they tune out. Respect is earned, and right now, you're deeply in debt.
Waste of time, you r not my caliber, bye bye and burn
"Kid, you are already fked in debate why eating my brain here, you have not seen my toxicity yet. It's better you stop your poop eating monkey brain. And get the fk out of here."
First, if your going to call other people children, it's probably best not to act like a child yourself. Don't worry, I know a lack of a diploma, common sense, or manners has reduced you to this point.
"You have done the debate why eating sh8t here?"
Not sure if what I said triggered you to this level of stupidly or your really that pathetic. In any case, would it kill you to actually try insulting with some class? Assuming you have any to begin with.
"Brain dead person asking me to give empirical evidence of dream while it's totally related to subjective and personal interpretation and none machine or tool or measure invented which can analyse the content of dream and then coorelate it with mere physical or spiritual phenomenon."
Thank you for so willingly demonstrating what a sentence made with zero brain cells or foresight looks like. A+ for you. In other related news, You do realize that my whole point from the beginning was that because its a subjective experience we literally can't analyze it and therefore can't prove it right? In other words, you have just agreed that nothing can confirm your story.
"Your brain was tard when you instigated this debate."
So....I create a debate on a debate website no less, and that makes me a "tard"? flawless logic. Btw, while were on the topic. I guess according to that logic, you are also a tard because you not only ACCEPTED said debate and gave a personal sob story on top of it. I mean, I personally don't have enough self loathing or lack of dignity and certainly have never lacked the intellect enough to insult myself with my own reasoning. But, hey, since you can't respect others why respect yourself right?
"Now you are fked up, so crying in comment section and you reached the point, where you choose the appealing to the audience/voters by Dropping arguments and appeal to emotion.
If you have done well, you would have not begged to voters and by passing me.
Pathetic"
By all means (assuming you actually know how) look up the definitions of "appealing" and "emotion" because clearly they don't work the way you think. At no point did I ever say to voters, "Vote me for me because I feel dreams have no divine nature" Or "My opponent said mean things to me. vote against him." You on the other hand made an EXTREMELY emotional personal story trying to sway people with claims of a mystic god saving your family from a disaster and how TERRIBLE it was for you to go through it.
Here is the reality: your an ignorant toxic troll who got mad because I gave educated and documented reasons for why Dreams are the result of physical phenomenon and brain stimulation. You have no argument beyond "But I believe in Allah!" And you know that simply isn't enough. Honestly, You must not care about your God all that much to be this much of a prick.
PS. I never dropped any arguments. I simply changed the form in which I delivered it.
Kid, you are already fked in debate why eating my brain here, you have not seen my toxicity yet. It's better you stop your poop eating monkey brain. And get the fk out of here. You have done the debate why eating sh8t here?
Brain dead person asking me to give empirical evidence of dream while it's totally related to subjective and personal interpretation and none machine or tool or measure invented which can analyse the content of dream and then coorelate it with mere physical or spiritual phenomenon. Your brain was tard when you instigated this debate. Probably you had argument with some guy in real life
Now you are fked up, so crying in comment section and you reached the point, where you choose the appealing to the audience/voters by Dropping arguments and appeal to emotion.
If you have done well, you would have not begged to voters and by passing me.
Pathetic
The assertion that I requested physical evidence of a dream is inaccurate. My request was for empirical evidence demonstrating the divine origin of dream meanings, specifically in relation to the claim that Allah is the source of these dreams. The reliance on a personal anecdote as proof is a methodological error that undermines any claim to reasoned argumentation. Furthermore, even if the request had been for physical evidence of a dream, it's a point of common scientific knowledge that brain activity associated with dreams can be measured via electroencephalography.
Look, it's time to heed your own pathetic little advice and actually grow up. The fact that you're this emotionally stunted despite supposedly being a divine Messager is embarrassing.
Kid grow up, you are asking me to give you physical evidence for a dream, lmao.
"You right away discarded my stance which was religion, when you discuss spiritual matters, they automatically belongs to religion. Yet you right away said "They also relied primarily on their own subjective experiences and religious interpretations as opposed to facts, evidence, or anything academic""
Spirituality and religion represent different approaches to meaning, purpose, and connection. In a structured debate, the Con's responsibility is to present a counter-argument. This is not a personal attack, it's the framework of the discussion. If that fundamental dynamic is interpreted as disrespect, it might be worthwhile to reconsider your involvement in formal debate.
Whether consciously or not, your argument rested on the shifting sands of subjective experience and religious interpretation. You presented an anecdote unique to yourself, followed by an assertion of divine intervention—neither of which lends itself to empirical scrutiny. Therefore, my earlier statement remains demonstrably factual, despite your apparent surprise
"You said you would believe something come out of empirical analysis.
And so on,
Probably you are a kid, you do not know what you are saying and what that means."
My position was crystal clear: I require concrete, physical evidence – and yes, that encompasses empirical analysis – before accepting a claim as true. It's deeply ironic that you, who clearly doesn't grasp the meaning of 'irrelevant' as evidenced by your arbitrary deletion of half my points simply because you lack a counterargument, would resort to condescendingly calling me a 'kid' and implying I'm ignorant of fundamental concepts. Perhaps, before you throw around such childish insults, you should familiarize yourself with basic vocabulary and address the actual content of what I'm saying, instead of resorting to censorship. It's a sad display of intellectual laziness.
"My response was according to your response and also adequate.
Do not cry bro."
Seriously? 'Don't cry bro' is the pinnacle of your response? You're the one who resorted to deleting my points, then hypocritically addressing them, and finally launching personal attacks based on my atheism – an issue I never even raised. If anyone's 'crying' here, it's the insecure, religious zealot who crumbles into petty insults the moment their cherished narrative is questioned.
If this is how Allah's 'ambassadors' behave, then either you're utterly incompetent, or your deity has exceptionally poor taste in followers.
You right away discarded my stance which was religion, when you discuss spiritual matters, they automatically belongs to religion. Yet you right away said "They also relied primarily on their own subjective experiences and religious interpretations as opposed to facts, evidence, or anything academic"
You said you would believe something come out of empirical analysis.
And so on,
Probably you are a kid, you do not know what you are saying and what that means.
My response was according to your response and also adequate.
Do not cry bro.
Frankly, your repeated disrespect has rendered my attempts to engage with you futile. The accusations of intellectual dishonesty, the mischaracterization of my statements, and the attacks on my character based on my atheism, along with an apparent religious bias, signal a complete disregard for constructive engagement, leading me to disengage entirely.
Respect is reciprocal – a fact you ignored. You accused me of emotional reasoning, while presenting your anecdote as evidence. Declaring yourself 'Ambassador of Islam' confirms that your engagements were always driven by bias and emotions more than mine are.
I adhered to the debate; you were the one who introduced personal narratives and religious dogma. You need to either take your own advice or avoid hypocritical criticism in the first place.
Your 'lazy' label is as baseless as all other biased positions and does not change that facts of videos always needing way more time than just a written format. So respond however you like – with a detailed response, a video like mine, or not at all. None of that is any longer a matter of my interests. Any level or action you want or think you must produce is entirely at your liberty.
This guy is so lazy.
Do not bring irrelevant topics. 3 round and even 1 debate is not enough for it. I needed to delete some part and end up deleting little more. So tired so did not add again or added more. If you want we can start another debate about that.
Looking forward for good debate, I shall share my own experiences about dream which comes true.