@ Khaled
Its unfortunate that you insulted the brother's logic when you seemed to not understand it.
I called it weak because of its flawed nature in my view. No intent to insult.
He made it out be that the Shia's were more confused than the Sunnis though they had Imams to protect the religion.
I argued, the differences could arise in any age, even if the truth was protected. It's how one perceives the truth. The Sahabah differed on many issues even when they had lived during the Prophet's time.
Regular Muslims acknowledge that our scholars are humans and that there is room for differences and reinterpretations, and that's one of the (many) reasons Islam is so attractive.
We believe in the same thing, thanks.
On the other hand, we are told that what makes 12ersim better than regular Islam is that you guys have the truth 100% of the time because you have an Imam who protects the religion.
The truth will exists in all ages, and Islam will be protected from alterations, but that does not mean the differences will not creep in. Such a thing was possible during the Prophet's time too and changes did occur, the differences did arise.
[qoute]Considering that 12ers make up less than 10% of the Ummah, all while having more differences of opinion among them then the regular Muslims (including some very dangerous fundamental issues) makes the brother question what the benefit of this supposes protector of the religion?[/quote]
It is untrue that the Shia's have more differences than the Sunnis. Besides, such things cannot be counted on fingers for the brother to conclude on that mattter. It's nothing more than an assumption.
If the Imams protected the religion, but the information was not, then what is the point of the Imam?
Whatever the case, the truth has been preserved. The solutions have been given. It is up to us how we work with them. To answer your question, what is the point of the Imam, then I'll say, in a nutshell, the point of the Imam changed after the 11 Imams, to teach the Sunnis a lesson due to their disobedience and non recognition of the divinely selected Imams and the most of the Shias for not strictly following them. The latter had let them down when the Imams needed them. Both parties were at fault, the Sunnis did the most damage.
We have changed our fate by being ungrateful to the favours of Allah.
You may not understand the issue, since what I have stated was in a nutshell or that it may clash with your preconceived views and beliefs.
Anyway, not my topic to go into at the moment. Perhaps another time.
It was just a one off reply to the brother, who was mocking us.
Do pardon me, you have raised many other issues. I do not like speaking about multi various things all in one go. It's a waste of time. It's good to discuss one specific point at a time. Do excuse me, from further replies. Wana use my time on the topic of the 12 successors with Farid.
Thank you for your response.