http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/07/13/137824732/austrian-man-wins-right-to-wear-pasta-strainer-in-license-photo?ps=cprs

Also, it’s contradictory for the Qur’an to allow men to force sex on slave women. I’ll check that out too and respond as soon as I’m able as I’m in the process of moving in these days. I know there are verses in the Qur’an that may come off as illogical or strange or even evil as the one mentioning slavery and sex, but you’ll have to understand that the Qur’an is unlike any modern day text. It has its own methods for studying it, and I do not think it’s intellectual acrobatics if one believes that verses are taken out of context, or if we believe they are not seen under the same light that once shed on them.

Religion often times falls victim to the case of the person using or abusing the tool. It’s all too easy to pick on something, and twist it to satisfy our own perversions. And unfortunately this is nothing new. People have been using religion to justify their evil deeds since time immemorial.

I think you have been allowing the wahhabi interpretation of the Islamic religion to influence you and I don’t blame you, it’s the one that provides the most controversy.

And to clarify, (we get such bad press!) as a practicing Muslim, I am completely opposed to archaic practices of slavery, barbaric acts of torture and murder and any and all evil deeds. But are there people out there who call themselves Muslim and slit people’s throats in the name of their so called religion? Yes, but we can’t both be Muslim. The Islam I know does not contain evil. It is a simple way of life of striving to be the best versions of ourselves, helping one another, not seeing race or color, and transcending beyond the mundane. It is essentially about love and everything that branches out of it. It’s living a life of honesty, dignity and humility. And no, I am not Sufi. It’s to live doing good for others and by others. It is about justice. And these are not modern morals.
Have you read ‘Peak of Eloquence/Nahjul Balagha’? It’s a collection of letters, sermons and sayings by Imam Ali, and if you read any of it, it might show you an inkling of that man’s character and perhaps a much needed and different and look at Islam. (You may encounter some objectionable material as well–but you’ll have to read it thoroughly to gain an understanding of the subjects presented and to deduct that a person of such wisdom can not possibly go against his own intellect).

Again, I just wanted to say I enjoy your writings, I admire your passions and I love your animals : ) I feel blessed for having the company of 2 cats myself, and I’m hoping to some day call a horse my friend : )

Keep your posts up!
All the best,
Zoe

And while you are at it you should have the passages in the Quran removed about how men are allowed to force sex on any slave woman they own.

Read the hadith. Bukhari describes how Ali was bringing mohammeds booty, he had just taken a bath because he had raped one of the slave girls before bringing them to Mohammed. Mohammed was alright with that.
Bukhari 59:637 “The Prophet sent Ali to Khalid to bring the Khumus (of the booty) and I hated Ali, and Ali had taken a bath (after a sexual act with a slave-girl from the Khumus). I said to Khalid, ‘Don’t you see this (i.e. Ali)?’ When we reached the Prophet I mentioned that to him. He said, ‘O Buraida! Do you hate Ali?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Do you hate him, for he deserves more than that from the Khumlus.’”

A two year old can come up with better morality than that.