Head I Win, Tail You Lose.

         I watch Ahmed Deedat talk on ''Arab and Israel: Conflict or Conciliation'' yesterday. He is a very good speaker, we are lucky to have his talk and debate documented on video because during his time much discussion were not recorded as camera was still in its early years and broadcasting is at its dawn. I am sure everybody who watch his lecture or debate, though kept the opposing view, must admit his erudition in religion studies specifically Islam, Christianity and Judaism and his unbeatable logic in presenting his argument while maintaining a dramatic and funny composure. His ability to pinpoint his opponent hypocrisy made his argument even more convincing and hard to revile. While enjoying his talk, I take note of few things he mentioned of the many important things he presented, one of which is 'head I win, tail you lose'. He was telling a story about the Jews that planned to trick Jesus by asking a 'head I win, tail you lose' question. Because Jesus was also a Jew, he manage to come up with a witty rejoinder that pays back the trick on them.

      What is a 'head I win,tail you lose' question? Its a trick question which always in favor of the questioner. Let me give example of one of these question. The first time I encounter this type of question was when I watch a Tamil movie past few years ago, until now only I actually decide to term it 'head you win, tail you lose' question in tribute to Mr. Deedat flamboyant speech. In the movie, the hero was caught by the police and had to undergo court trial. The lawyer ask him a simple yes or no question which he refuse to give an answer. Instead he showed that mere simplistic answer can only be in favor of the lawyer whether the answer is yes or even no. In making his point clear, he ask the lawyer a yes or no question back," Have you stop taking bribe?", if yes means the lawyer had taken bribe before while no means he still practising bribery. You get it?

      Prima facie, the argument that deny God as goes, can God create a stone which is so heavy that he Himself be unable to move it, if can then it means God's strength is limited, if He cannot create it means His power is not limtless, seems legit and sound but however the premise of the question regard God as only the Creator and the All-Mighty, but God is also the Law Giver and All-Wise. He have His own will. Why would He willed to create a stone so heavy that He can't move it.? An All-Wise God, whether He can or cannot create such stone, would never even built such stone. He is still All-Mighty and the Creator because there's still no one on the same level as Him. In Arabic we say God behave as mukhalafatuhu taala binafsih ( God is like no other ). 

   In chess, we can also see the game version of 'head I win, tail you lose' situation. It's when you trap your opponent with just a set of movement that which ever way he take you would still get to pin down one of his pawn, in other words, there's no other way but to sacrifice one soldier to protect the eminent one, in this case the king.