Freethinkers in history: Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi

[Roshina]

This opening of a conversation, and the continuation of it, between jurists of different sects, scholars of different traditions, gentlemen of varying ideas, has precisely this effect.

Well. Thank you for leaving out the women interlocutors from the debate! You'd think we haven't been eschewed enough throughout Islamic history -- or any other history, for that matter! And then, in November 2010, comes this man called "PI" who acknowledges only *gentlemen's* contribution to the debate. Goodness gracious. And don't you tell me that "gentlemen" includes women because it does not. "Man" no longer means both men and women; "mankind" no longer means all of humanity. I consider your deliberate inclusion of me among gentlemen a vituperation. Hmph!

But, yes, the start to progression is the welcoming of debates/discussions, especially of topics that are traditionally considered controversial.

P.S. Um, sarcasm intended in the first paragraph.

[3.14159265...]

My mistake.

"This opening of a conversation, and the continuation of it, between jurists of different sects, scholars of different traditions, gentle people of varying ideas, has precisely this effect."

I actually enjoy being corrected on this, it shows others care too