Sacrifice or Slaughtering
By bhanusb
@bhanusb (5709)
India
November 27, 2009 11:10am CST
The famous French actress Brigitte Bardot(spelling may be wrong) recently appealed the Nepalese Government to stop sacrificing millions of animals before their Goddess.Most of the Nepalese are Hindu.During Haj pilgrimage and Eid ul Azha festival Muslims sacrifice millions of animals(cows,lambs,goats,camels etc.).
In Islam it is said once God asked Hazrat Ibrahim(Abraham)to sacrifice his most beloved one. He thought his son is the most beloved to him and he decided to sacrifice his only son in the name of God. When he was about to sacrifice his son God prevented him to do so.God was satisfied seeing his faith on Him. Then the God ordered Ibrahim to sacrifice a sheep. Remembering this event in every year during Eid ul Azha Muslims sacrifice millions and millions of animals. To my opinion in the name of religion both the Hindus and the Muslims brutally slaughter (which is called sacrifice) millions and millions helpless animals. I must say this is the misinterpretation of Religion. This is brutality.
3 people like this
14 responses
@savypat (20216)
• United States
27 Nov 09
Causing pain to any life form cannot be God's intention, but these discussions are never one sided. I am sure that many make their living raising animals for such sacrificing, if you do away with that market how will they survive? People that request such changes are thinking of the animals not the eccomic shock such things cause humans. I know this doesn't make it right but it is a fact of life at present.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
29 Nov 09
yes thats terrible but doesnt surprise me considering whos doing it. 
its bad enough we do it for meat constantly. if i thought just one more person stopping eating meat would help i'd give it a total effort but i think it would not make a difference. so far it hasnt for the thousands that have stopped. nothing we do is going to stop muslims from killing. its a way of life to them.
its bad enough we do it for meat constantly. if i thought just one more person stopping eating meat would help i'd give it a total effort but i think it would not make a difference. so far it hasnt for the thousands that have stopped. nothing we do is going to stop muslims from killing. its a way of life to them. 
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
29 Nov 09
i have told them through peta many times. but thats for food also. not just for religion. nothing i can do alone about any of it. for food or religion.one person is not going to change thousands of minds unless they give their life to it. im to old for that.
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
28 Nov 09
With all due respect this a a good discussion but your facts are all mixed up.
1. The dominant religion in Nepal is Bhuddism. Bhuddists do not kill any living thing, not even insects.
2. Most people in India are Hindus. Some are Jains. Again most Hindus do not eat any animals at all, some eat chicken. Jains do not even eat root vegetables in case a living thing such as a worm is in them. Cows are revered by Hindus and roam freely in the cities.
3. During the Haj and Eid ul Azha muslims sacrifice animals, mostly sheep and only those people who can afford it, since the animal must be "halal". One third of the animal is to be given to the poor, the rest is shared in a feast by family and friends.
You are from India. Please point me to a reputable reference describing a Hindu festival where Hindus sacrifice millions and millions of animals.
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
29 Nov 09
Hello again,
Thank you for setting me straight on religion in Nepal. I researched it again and I found out that you are correct. 80% of Nepalese are indeed Hindu. I also read on a blog dealing with religious news about the mass sacrifice of animals that takes place every five years for a goddess by the name of Gadimai.
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/23928/nepal-gadhimai-festival-slaughter
I think this is totally disgusting. In this day and age we should know better.
In Canada about 1% of the population is Muslim and on those festivals goats and sheep are slaughtered but as I said the meat is distributed and consumed.
In answer to your question, no, I do not support animal sacrifices in the name of religion.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
29 Nov 09
well if they are eating the meat and not just sacrificing it, then it might not be such a bad thing. especially if some goes to the poor. im sure its a good thing for starving people and Jesus would approve that.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
29 Nov 09
Hi Linda, thanks for your response.You have some misinformations. Goutam Buddha the preacher of Buddhism born in southern Nepal adjacent to India.Then Nepal was not a single kingdom.Buddha preached his teachings in Magodha.Where he attained the Supreme knowledge that was Bodh Gaya in the then Magodha. Nepal is a Hindu dominating country. There are few Buddhists. Nepal's state religion is Hinduism.Recently in Nepal millions of animals was slaughtered before a goddess.The famous French actress Brigitte Bardot protested against this mass killings of animals.In Arabia during Haj and Eid ul Azha mostly sheeps are sacrificed. But in India during Eid ul Azha Muslims mostly sacrifice cows. I live in Bangladesh.This is a Muslim dominating country. Here Millions of cows are sacrificed in this occasion. Do you support slaughtering of animals in the name of religion?
@shobhan51 (376)
• Malaysia
28 Nov 09
Bhanusb, as far as I know, Hindus do not slaughter animals as sacrifice in Hindu temples. Practising Hindus in many parts of the world do not eat beef but I read that the Nepalese who are Hindus, slaughtered buffalos. I have also come across Hindus who slaughter goats and chickens in Kali temples as sacrifice. Well, there can be some explanation behind these sacrifices. I am no authority in religious practises, and I do not wish to raise objection of any form on religious beliefs. But, I would like to know if the slaughtered animals are wasted or eaten after the prayers. If the animals are slaughtered and wasted, then it is sin.
@shobhan51 (376)
• Malaysia
28 Nov 09
Mains50, thank you for your info. I really appreciate it. Have a nice day!!
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Nov 09
Hi shobhan, when Hindus slaughter animals before their god or goddess they say it "Balidan". Balidan means sacrifice. In Arabic it's called "Korban". Same meaning. May be slaughtered animals are eaten. But in only one festival to slaughter millions of animals are not brutality? If somebody wants to sacrifice that person should sacrifice himself or herself. Humans are not blind. They are rational. They should judge everything rationally.
@gazza555 (36)
•
28 Nov 09
The animal does not know if it is being slaughtered for food or religion, all it knows is that it is being killed. In my country (England), it is very easy to live without eating animals, in other countries the situation might be different. Animal flesh is not required for a healthy life if you have access to grains, beans/peas and vegetables. The story mentioned (where we get the phrase "the lord shall provide"), is common to the the Koran, The bible and the torah. The message imparted is that we should always obey god no matter how crazy it seems. There is no reason why the event should be commemorated by killing more animals.
The only religion that I follow is my own path (and I dont eat meat BTW). People need to have more balls and question things rather than just follow some tradition or living in fear (most religions are based on fear, have a think about that).
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but our selves can free our minds
--Bob Marley
@shobhan51 (376)
• Malaysia
28 Nov 09
Gazza555, With due respect to your belief of vegetarianism, I wish to state without malice, that one should respect another's view of life and living. Religious beliefs are deeply entrenched from childhood in many and it takes a long time for one to relearn new doctrines or accept new ideas. Apart from that, one should accept concept and ideas without enforcement of external pressure. This is the true approach to realisation. Being a Hindu, the majority of whom are vegetarians, the idea of vegetarianism is entrenched from childhood and many of us accept the doctrine without question. But for many who practise Christianity, Islam, Confucianism etc.... this concept has not been defined spiritually through religion. So we cannot blame those who slaughter animals as sacrifice. I say once again, that the animal slaughtered as ritualistic sacrifice should be not wasted.
There are hunters who kill animal for game, remove certain parts as exhibits and leave the remaining to rot and go to waste. There are yet others who skin animals for leather and leave the rest to waste. Yet, there are still others who kill animals for pleasure. To this they have to answer to the CREATOR
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
29 Nov 09
Not only Muslims,Hindus also sacrifice animals in the name of religion. Any religion does not encourage killings.My point is there. I have no objection of killings of animals for the consumption of meat.I can't support killings of animals in the name of religion.
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
27 Nov 09
Maybe Ms Brigitte Bardot should find out more about these sacrifices before she protests. It is my understanding that the animals that are sacrificed are eaten at this time but they are also given to family,neighbors and the poor. o me that is no different than the animals we here in America consume for our thanksgiving day feast, or the animals that are slaughtered daily and sold for consumption.
Many animals were sacrificed in the Old Testament times for the forgiveness of sins. Those animals were also consumed. I'm sure that the animals were killed as humanly as possible.
By the way bhanusb do you eat meat of any kind?
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Nov 09
Yes deebomb I eat meat. But I have an objection with the word 'sacrifice'. Sacrifice and slaughtering is not the same thing. Someone sacrifice himself or herself for any great cause. Killing of an animal can't be called sacrifice. Killing is always an inhuman act.
@6precious102 (4043)
• United States
1 Dec 09
I know the ancient Israelites sacrificed animals as a sin offering to God, so their sins could be pushed back a year; but I don't know why other religions do or have done animal sacrifices. Since I am a Christian and know that Jesus Christ was and is the final sacrifice for the sins of mankind, I see animal killings today as unnecessary. However, since those that perform animal sacrifices today have not accepted Jesus as the final sacrifice, they would be disobeying their holy laws if they didn't continue with these sacrifices. If you want animal sacrifices to stop, you're going to have to convince these people that animal sacrifice is no longer necessary. That means we're going to have to preach acceptance of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for the sins of the world.
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
28 Nov 09
Animal sacrifices no longer have any redeeming value before God. Christ sacrificed his human life once and for all for our sins. So no more human or animal sacrifices are needed. The scarifices that God takes delight in is when we do acts of kindness. What a beautiful act of kindness it would be not to hut God's beatiful animal creation. That would please God well.
Hebrews 9:28 (New International Version)
28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
30 Nov 09
Hi bhanusb! I look forward to when no animal will ever be killed again. When we will live at peace with them as the Bible fortells. I personally am a vegan and this has nothing to do with my religion. It is a way of life that I have personally adopted.
Micah 6:6-8 (New Living Translation)
6 What can we bring to the Lord?
What kind of offerings should we give him?
Should we bow before God
with offerings of yearling calves?
7 Should we offer him thousands of rams
and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children
to pay for our sins?
8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and [b]this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.[/b]
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
29 Nov 09
Hi 1hopefulman, Yes Christ sacrificed his life for the sinners. In this age also many people sacrifice their life for the greater cause of their country like achievement of independence. To satisfy God killing of animals can't be the teaching of any religion.It is misinterpretation of the teachings of religion
@vandana7 (100535)
• India
27 Nov 09
Yeah, I completely agree with you. I once had a lamb rush to me, as if requesting me to save it. I think it is barbaric to kill another life. I can understand if it is to quell hunger though I wouldnt be happy doing that, but that is nature. However, nowhere in nature do we find lions sacrificing any lions, or monkeys sacrificing monkeys, or any animal sacrificing another animal. Only man has advanced to that level of barbaric activity. Shame.
@hvedra (1619)
•
30 Nov 09
The word sacrifice actually means "to make sacred". When animals are slaughtered the main concern is that it should be done humanely regardless of whether it is "sacrifice" or not.
Every year millions of animals are raised in terrible conditions - factory farms and feedlots - and then taken to an abbatoir (which may or may not be a good facility) just so people can eat. This is better or worse than a religious sacrifice how?
