Questions I’ve Been Asked About Animal Rights

Originally I planned on writing a different entry today, on Islam, but this has kept emerging ever since the last entry about the subject.You wouldn't object if I crushed a cockroach. This is hypocritical, and proves that you don't respect all living things equally as you claim.You probably wouldn’t torture the cockroach before you killed …

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Language Supremacy, Power and Authority in Islam

Because the Qur'an was revealed in Arabic there's consensus in the Islamic community that Arabs who speak Arabic from birth and are fluent in the language know the Qur'an best. Consequently, Arab religious leaders are viewed as more authentic compared to religious leaders of other ethnic groups. And it trickles down. (Or up.) Arabic is …

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Prevalent Perceptions on Animal Rights, and on Vegetarians & Vegans

I am not good with ultimatums. I once told myself, If anyone is anti-choice, I can't be friends with him/her. But then I met someone anti-choice, and dammit I had to like her. She was kind and sweet and fascinated with astronomy. (Also I am convinced that in the future she will change her mind.) …

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Islamic History and the Women You Never Hear About: Zubaidah bint Ja’fr

She built a pilgrimage route to Mecca from Baghdad, constructed Mecca's water supply, and financed the construction of several different cities. She was notorious for her generosity, and for the water supply in particular, a series of pools and wells along the route to Mecca. She was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women …

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