The Ethical Dilemma of Animal Sacrifice
Every year, on a few specific days, I feel very sick, weak, and hopeless. This feeling is not just physical but deeply emotional and psychological. It stems from the conflicting messages, pictures, and videos I see around me, especially regarding the treatment of animals on social media. On the one hand, every religion preaches compassion, urging us to save animals, not abuse or torture them. On the other hand, these same religions often endorse practices that involve killing animals. This contradiction is something I struggle to reconcile.
Photo by wildartbysam
The Global Perspective on Animal Abuse
I’ve traveled to many foreign countries, and I can tell you that animal abuse is a global issue. It doesn’t matter where you go; you will find instances of animals being mistreated every single day. Whether it’s for religious reasons or other purposes, the abuse is rampant. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism—every religion has its own set of practices that involve animals. Some of these practices are humane, but many are not. This way or that way, the end result is often the same: animals suffer.
The Pain and Tears of Animals
Forget about religion for a moment. Let’s talk about pain and tears. Do animals sacrifice themselves and willingly hand themselves over to us? Do they not feel pain or shed tears? Imagine for a second that we trained birds to talk like humans. If these sacrificial animals could talk, what would they say to you? They have brains and feelings, experience pain, and act in ways that show they are sentient beings. Yet, we often ignore this because it is inconvenient for us to acknowledge their suffering.
The Broader Context of Human Suffering
Look around you. People are dying from war, disease, natural disasters, and many other reasons. These are the consequences of our actions, often referred to as Karma. We protest the killing of thousands of innocent people in places like Palestine. We mourn when large numbers of people die in tragic incidents. But on the other hand, we are the ones killing animals every single day. Don’t you see the inconsistency here? People are choosing slaughter as a method to kill each other. They find mental satisfaction in cutting throats and dismembering their enemies. We boycott foods and beverages, but we can’t seem to avoid killing animals.
The Modern Perspective on Sacrifice
Today’s modern perspective is buying sacrificial animals at the most expensive prices to prove your capability and wealth. It’s a status symbol. The more you spend, the more you are respected in society and have a unique personality. Similarly, people perform Umrah and Hajj as often as possible to eliminate their sins and improve their well-being. After refilling their sin quota, they return to Medina and ask for mercy. It’s a cycle that never ends. Social media platforms like Facebook are full of posts about animals, including brutal videos of their killing. Mentally sick people do these kinds of things, thinking it makes them better Muslims or better followers of their religion.
The True Essence of Religion
Killing animals will not make you a better Muslim. If you are practicing Islam and you are a Muslim, then you must know that there are many other ways to make the Creator happy. Ways that we ignore every day. Animal sacrifice is not mandatory. People think it’s a joy to kill a voiceless being because it’s easy. But playing with someone’s life and thinking that the Creator will be happy—where is this mentioned in any religion? I want to know, and if this is the mandatory rule or thinkup in any religion, then I am Proud not to be a biased religious person.
The Ethical Dilemma
The ethical dilemma of animal sacrifice is something that has troubled me for a long time. On one hand, I understand the cultural and religious significance of these practices. On the other hand, I can’t ignore the suffering that these animals go through. It’s a complex issue with no easy answers. However, one thing is clear: we need to start questioning these practices and look for more humane alternatives.
The Need for Compassion
Compassion is a fundamental principle in all religions. Whether you are a Christian, Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist, your faith teaches you to be compassionate. Yet, when it comes to animals, we often forget this principle. We must extend our compassion to all living beings, not just humans. This means rethinking our practices and finding ways to alternate suffering.
The Role of Education
Education plays a crucial role in changing mindsets. People need to be educated about the suffering that animals go through. They need to understand that animals are sentient beings with feelings and emotions. This can be done through awareness campaigns, educational programs, and by incorporating animal welfare into school curriculums.
The Power of Choice
We have the power to make choices. We can choose to continue with practices that cause suffering, or we can choose to find alternatives. This applies to all aspects of life, not just religious practices. For example, we can choose to adopt a plant-based diet, which is not only healthier but also more humane. We can choose to support organizations that work towards animal welfare. Every small action counts. I will post a Veg and Non-veg blog after a few days.
The Call to Action
It’s time for us to take action. We must question our practices and seek kinder alternatives. Extend compassion to all living beings. Educate ourselves and others about animals’ suffering. And most importantly, we need to make choices that alternate suffering. This is not just about being a better follower of your religion; it’s about being a better human being.
In conclusion, the ethical dilemma of animal sacrifice is a complex issue that requires us to question our practices and look for more humane alternatives. We must extend our compassion to all living beings and make choices that reduce suffering. This is not just about being a better follower of your religion; it’s about being a better human being. Let’s start today.
Please follow our Instagram, Thread, Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube for more blogs and news.
