Kalam Short Circuited
The below item is part of my "Conversations" series.
A Christian and an atheist in a video game arcade
Yates: Look at that! You’re going to get a high score!
Zander: What? Yeah.
Yates: You’ve played this before then.
Zander: Lots.
Yates: You’re certainly good at it. God has blessed you with amazing abilities.
Zander: Not so much.
Yates: Come now, don’t be modest.
Zander: I’m not. I’m just taking all the credit.
Yates: Surely you believe in God?
Zander: No. I’m trying to play a game here.
Yates: Just hear me out while you play. Consider that all things that come into being have a cause.
Zander: Is this the Kalam argument?
Yates: Yes, the Kalam cosmological argument. You’ve heard of it?
Zander: Are you Muslim?
Yates: No — certainly not. I’m a Christian.
Zander: Then why are you trying to prove Allah?
Yates: It’s not a proof for Allah. It’s proof that God exists.
Zander: Do you even know what Kalam is?
Yates: It’s the person who came up with the argument.
Zander: No, it’s Islamic philosophy. Don’t they have Wikipedia where you come from?
Yates: I don’t think you’re right about that.
Zander: Whatever. I’m trying to play a game. I don’t want to hear about Muhammad right now.
Yates: I’m not Muslim.
Zander: Goodbye. Peace be upon you.
Yates: Are you even listening?
Zander: Ma’a as-salaama.
Yates: (Harumph!)
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