The idea of animal sacrifice is embedded in most religions. For me, that is enough reason to avoid them! Judaism had animal sacrifices until the destruction of its last temple, and some ultra-orthodox Jews still dream of building a new temple. Samaritans still practice sacrifice of innocent animals to this day. See: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Samarit...ual-452001
Christianity has inherited the principle, but not the practice, by citing Jesus as the "Lamb of God", who takes away the sins of the world. Some churches in Greece and Armenia still sacrifice animals. Islam still has animal sacrifices at Mecca and everywhere for Eid. Yazidis sacrifice, too. So do some (but not all) Hindus.
There are exceptions, principally Buddhism and Sikhism. They are only rays of hope in an otherwise bleak view of the rights of animals to live within the world's religions. There is an good article here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_sacrifice
The slaughter in the article which started this thread describes the primitive beliefs behind this so-called "religious" practice. But we should be clear that the practice is not just restricted to some rural areas in India. The abhorrent and primitive concept of animal sacrifice is, tragically, very widespread and common.
Good posts above, Catherine and Tobi. I agree with you both. Less religion (at least, ritualistic religion) and more emphasis of love and respect for all other life forms on earth (especially their right to live) is really the only way to stop animal sacrifice.
Christianity has inherited the principle, but not the practice, by citing Jesus as the "Lamb of God", who takes away the sins of the world. Some churches in Greece and Armenia still sacrifice animals. Islam still has animal sacrifices at Mecca and everywhere for Eid. Yazidis sacrifice, too. So do some (but not all) Hindus.
There are exceptions, principally Buddhism and Sikhism. They are only rays of hope in an otherwise bleak view of the rights of animals to live within the world's religions. There is an good article here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_sacrifice
The slaughter in the article which started this thread describes the primitive beliefs behind this so-called "religious" practice. But we should be clear that the practice is not just restricted to some rural areas in India. The abhorrent and primitive concept of animal sacrifice is, tragically, very widespread and common.
Good posts above, Catherine and Tobi. I agree with you both. Less religion (at least, ritualistic religion) and more emphasis of love and respect for all other life forms on earth (especially their right to live) is really the only way to stop animal sacrifice.
