Acknowledging slaves’ religion would have conceded their humanity under the law

Evidence

Eliminating the religious identities of slaves was central to the process of bifurcating black from Muslim identity during the antebellum era. Although Africans thrust into the American slave market hailed from a diverse range of tribal, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, their heterogeneity had no relevance to the law’s conversion of them into property. Legal recognition of the religious identities of Africans would amount to a concession to their humanity and undermine the project of converting them into subhuman beings whom it was ethically permissible to enslave. — Khaled A. Beydoun, American Islamophobia_ Understanding…, 171

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Khaled A. Beydoun, American Islamophobia_ Understanding…, 171
• XREF: connects to: Islamic slavery offered slaves mobility and rights unmatched in Christian law; Enslaved people were human beings despite slavery’s alterations of their being; Obeah was a genuine African-derived religion to unassimilated slaves. (+7 more)

Broader Connections

• Denying religion to slaves served to prevent resistance and revolt #expands (0.55) — Khaled A. Beydoun, American Islamophobia_ Understanding…, 172
• Enlightenment thinkers argued slaves had the right to violent resistance #corroborates (0.45)
• Religion and myth armed enslaved peoples for eventual impossible rebellion #complicates (0.40)
• Slaves maintained an autonomous culture and consciousness apart from their rulers #corroborates (0.40)