On Wednesday May 15, Dr Joseph Noor, author of Document X: Direct Evidence of God’s Existence lectured on the book at the Somerset West Library.
The event was opened by Professor Harold Herman. “It’s both a privilege and an honour for me to introduce to you one of my former students which I taught at Gordon High School and I want to thank Karen Ellis from the library for hosting us.
“I’m glad she accepted our request in bringing this speaker to lecture even though it’s such a controversial topic,” he said.
Dr Noor, born and raised in Strand, matriculated at Gordon High School and thereafter went on to qualify first as a pharmacist and later a medical doctor at Stellenbosch University after which he practiced as a GP.
He started his lecture by listing the reasons why he felt writing the book was important.
“Number one is people don’t actually really truly believe in a God, they profess belief, they say God exist and they act as if God exist, but do they really truly believe? Do they have the evidence that God exist?
“The second thing why I think it’s important that we answer this question is that whether there is a God or not determines our philosophy, our world view, the way we conduct our lives and there’s a question of ethics, are we answerable to a higher authority for the consequences of our deeds?” and added the third reason for exploring this topic was how those who claim to believe in God are “stiff scared” of dying.
Furthermore, he discussed the views of non-believing scientists and how scientists studying the universe say they find no proof of any deity being involved in any of the cosmic activity. Thereafter he proceeded to recount his research.
The lecture was more of a lively discourse, with compelling questions posed by attendees leading to detailed responses by Dr Noor.
Professor Riek Eiselen, from Somerset West, asked about the correct calculation of time frames in creation of the universe.
Another Somerset West resident Vicki Burke, voiced her opinion on how not all religious books convey the same essential message, questioned why only the Quran and not the Bible was used as research tools and raised other points.
“The lecture was not quite what I expected, but he was polite, engaging and respectful,” she told Bolander.
“I just want to thank you everything you said tonight has resonated with me and I can’t wait to read your book, I’m sure its going to open up a new world for me and a new way of looking at things,” Strand resident Mia Otto, told Dr Noor.
Karin Ellis, assistant librarian of the Somerset West Library said: “The lecture was good and very interesting.” Dr Noor gifted the library with a copy of the book.
Speaking to Bolander, he underlined his motivation for penning the book: “The main motivation was the inconsistency between my religious upbringing and my observation of reality.
“I couldn’t understand how it could be as it was, one would expect it to be complimentary not contradictory.
“What I want people to take away from the book is for them to feel comfortable with the fact that science shouldn’t threaten religion; they should not be in competition with one another but be in harmony.”
