A very interesting development involving the water of Zam Zam. After smuggling some out and having it tested, some British scientists are contending that it's so high in arsenic as to be "poisonous." For those that don't know, Zam Zam is a Meccan well to whose waters Islamic tradition imputes miraculous properties (something like Lourdes for Catholics). Muslims around the world seek out bottles of the water and pay a pretty penny for it. Of course, from a believer's … [Read more...]

An interesting paper on the place of compassion in Islam and Buddhism by Dr. Reza Shah-Kazemi is available for download on the website of the Institute of Ismaili Studies.The Institute of Ismaili Studies - Loving Compassion in Islam and Buddhism: Rahma and Karuna … [Read more...]

I'm reminded of the "you know you're a redneck if" jokes. ILLUME :: Ku Klux Klan Says It Doesn't Condone Tea Party or Qur'an Burning A clear sign that perhaps you've gone off the deep end? When even the Ku Klux Klan tries to distance itself from your actions.According to some little noticed 2010 press releases on the KKK's main website, which turned up this week on Reddit, it seems as if America's most famous hate group is actually very concerned … [Read more...]

I have a new post on Tikkun Daily about Osama bin Laden's death. … [Read more...]

Here's an interesting case of religiously motivated censorship. Religious paper apologizes for erasing Clinton from iconic photo – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs Faith has outweighed fact at Di Tzeitung, a Hasidic newspaper based in Brooklyn, New York. The ultra-Orthodox Jewish publication ran a doctored copy of the iconic “Situation Room Photo” last Friday – you know, the one taken of President Barack Obama and his national security team during the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound. … [Read more...]

If you like good movies, you need to see this amazing film. … [Read more...]

Happy Easter to Christian friends out there. … [Read more...]

Sickening news from Gaza. A volunteer for the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) appears to have been murdered by a rogue Palestinian faction. God rest his soul and reward him for his work for justice.Vale Vittorio Arrigoni, 'hero of Palestine' | Pennie Quinton | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk Hearing of the murder of Vittorio Arrigoni, a committed peace activist who for the last 10 years campaigned for recognition of Palestinian human rights under Israeli occupation, has left … [Read more...]