I just read this short article (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16841995/site/newsweek/) in the latest Newsweek today. I'm so incredibly naive about the religions here (and elsewhere) that these stories actually surprise me. I've been an atheist for as long as I can remember, but I never went out of my way to learn what exactly was going on around me in the name of religion. I'm doing my best to make up for that now.
I realize that chickens (and cows, and pigs, etc) are slaughtered all the time for other reasons, but somehow the idea of killing a living thing for the sole purpose of appeasing a god (or whatever the exact religious explanation is) seems more disturbing. Couldn't anyone strangle a dog to death and claim it's a vital part of their personal religion, if these other activities are legal? Even if there are technical reasons why one is legal and the other isn't, they're equally insane and inhumane in my book. I also think that if it wasn't farm animals who are the most common victims - imagine cats and dogs, for example - there would be more backlash against it.
it makes you wonder what happened back in the day to originate the slaughter of animals to appease the gods. Was some shamanistic guy just angry at certain creatures and wanted to be rid of them? Was one accidently "slaughtered" and then a bountiful crop of rice randomly happened at the same time? hmm...
The idea is that life was the greatest gift from god. So waht do you give to the god that has everything? You give him/her/it life back.
QuoteThe idea is that life was the greatest gift from god. So waht do you give to the god that has everything? You give him/her/it life back.
then it makes sense to commit suicide
Quote from: "ImpaledSkier"QuoteThe idea is that life was the greatest gift from god. So waht do you give to the god that has everything? You give him/her/it life back.
then it makes sense to commit suicide
Well, they did do that with human sacrifices, but humans, being the selfish creates they are, chose to slaughter non-humans over humans because it's easier on their conscience. Killing anything in the name of religion is ridiculous and unneccesary.
Hey but hamburgers are nice.
I prefer the religions where you have tons of sex to honor the fertility god.
Quote from: "Big Mac"Hey but hamburgers are nice.
Speak for yourself! Yuck :x
No, he's right, hamburgers, especially with bacon, are Delicious
I agree with BigMac and Donkeyhoty. Hamburgers are great! My favourite one got a slice of pineapple and cheese on top.