The "Monkey Theorem"

First of all, let me state clearly that—at least up until now—I am a theist. I am an Orthodox Coptic Christian. I believe in the existence of one God, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. But I am not just taking this for granted, for my mind aches to find a logical understanding to religion and a divine model that does not have contradictions. Therefore, I started reading with interest books that discuss theism versus atheism, hoping to find some answers to some time-old questions about the divine. I came to read professor Antony Flew's book "There is a God. How the world's most notorious atheist changed his mind" and, although he defends the theism I believe in, had an objection to one of his arguments quoted from Dr. Gerald Schroeder, a renowned Israeli scientist and a PhD holder in nuclear physics. I do not claim to be a professional and experienced philosopher like professor Flew or a nuclear physicist like Dr. Schroeder. However, I hold a Doctorate degree in anesthesiology; I have some interest in philosophy of religion, mathematics and physics; and I trust my mind with logical explanations as far as my mind can comprehend. So, I present herein the reasons I object to Dr. Schroeder's argument, quoted by professor Flew, against the "monkey theorem" in order to defend theism.

The relationship between religion and civilization

Let me start with a very important question, which is: is there any causal or conditional relationship between religion and civilization?

Causal relationships are characterized by two important criteria: temporal succession of the events, and correlation between the occurrence of events. Temporal succession means that the cause must precede the result. Correlation of the occurrence of events means that occurrence of the cause and that of the result are strongly statistically correlated; i.e. the occurrence of the cause indicates a very high probability of the occurrence of the result, and the occurrence of the result indicates a very high probability that the cause has occurred (and in case of the only cause, the occurrence of the result mandates that the cause has occurred. If it is assumed that the event 'E' results from the cause 'C', then 'C' must temporally precede 'E'. The occurrence of 'E' indicates that 'C' has most probably occurred, and the occurrence of 'C' indicates a high probability of the occurrence of 'C'. If 'C' is the only cause for 'E', this means that the occurrence of 'C' indicates a high probability of the occurrence of 'E', and the occurrence of 'E' indicates that 'C' has certainly occurred.

Do Copts demand the application of Islamic Sharia Law?

I thought a lot before writing this article, and I concluded it was necessary to spread knowledge about this issue, because it is the most concerning one for Copts these days, because the Islamic political current has dominated the political arena in Egypt, and because the second round of the Egyptian presidential elections is near. I thought it was my duty to demonstrate certain important points concerning the tolerance of Islam, and in particular the Islamic Sharia Law, which the Muslim Brothers wish to apply. Furthermore, the Muslim Brothers adopt the project of the Islamic Caliphate, which is built on the concept of a single Muslim Caliph who leads the entire Islamic nation, which will encompass all countries with Muslim majorities. If this becomes the case, Egypt will be one Islamic state and not a sovereign country. All these projects that are defined by Islam as a motive and a characteristic stirred anxiety and fear in the hearts of non-Muslims. I mention Copts in particular because they are the largest minority in Egypt, and because I am one of them. On the other hand, Muslims in Egypt ascertained that they have lived with Copts as citizens for long peaceful years, and the Muslim Brotherhood ascertained that Copts have the same rights and same duties of Muslims, and they also have the right to refer to the Gospel in issues that concerns them in particular. Should these statements relive the anxiety of Copts? This is what I am going to discuss in this article.