RITUAL SLAUGHTER: WELL DONE MINISTER MERYWN SILWA!
Posted on September 20th, 2011
Christopher V. Pulle Thousand Oaks, California
The recent actions by Minister Mervyn Silva against the ritual but barbaric, cruel, anachronistic practice of ritual slaughter have much to be admired and commended. Such ritual practices are repugnant in any civilized nation and ought to banned outright ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” without delay.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Besides, Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country ( I am Catholic ) and such barbaric cruelty in the name of religion is incomprehensible. It is totally incompatible, contradictory, with Buddhist precepts and the Buddhist way of life, that include the humane treatment of all living things, including goats, cows, buffalo,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦.. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ His bold initiative to save innocent animals from the ritual orgies of horrific slaughter and ensuing bloodbath in the name of religion will, hopefully, be emulated by others in Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A smug tolerance or apathy in the face of such barbaric practices cannot be accepted in a civilized country, let alone a Buddhist one at that.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Indeed, I would suggest that the Government of Sri Lanka require that all restaurant menu cards explicitly state that the People of Sri Lanka believe in the humane treatment of animals ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” no halal or kosher meat served here! ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This would also serve as a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”public goodƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ to those who take lightly the treatment of animals.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sincerely,
Christopher V. Pulle
Thousand Oaks, California
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
September 20th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
At last Mervyn Silva did something good.
It is time to put an end to this BARBARIC practices of animal sacrifices and halal. Sadly they are done in the name of religion! How stupid is that!
If religions that are supposed to do good things indulge in BARBARITY we need other means to enforce civilised behaviour.
Mervyn will be blessed by the gods for saving hundreds of souls.
Now the barbarians will blame Mervyn. All this time they were with Mervyn!
September 21st, 2011 at 5:50 am
Re Tribal practices of animal sacrifice, here is an interesting story from Florida, USA :
“Animal Sacrifice and Religious Freedom
Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah
David M. O’Brien
March 2004
208 pages, 5-1/2 x 8-1/2
Landmark Law Cases and American Society
Cloth ISBN 978-0-7006-1302-1, $29.95
Paper ISBN 978-0-7006-1303-8, $12.95
The Santeria religion of Cuba–the Way of the Saints–mixes West African Yoruba culture with Catholicism. Similar to Haitian voodoo, Santeria has long practiced animal sacrifice in certain rites. But when Cuban immigrants brought those rituals to Florida, local authorities were suddenly confronted with a controversial situation that pitted the regulation of public health and morality against religious freedom.
After Ernesto Pichardo established a Santeria church in Hialeah in the 1980s, the city of Hialeah responded by passing ordinances banning ritual animal sacrifice. Although on the surface those ordinances seemed general in intent, they were clearly aimed at Pichardo’s church. When Pichardo subsequently sued the city, a federal court ruled in the latter’s favor, in effect privileging the regulation of public health and morality over the church’s free exercise of its religion.
The U.S. Supreme Court heard Pichardo’s appeal in 1993 and unanimously decided that the city had overstepped its bounds in targeting this particular religious group; however, the court was sharply divided regarding the basis of its decision. Three concurring opinions registered distinctly different views of the First Amendment, the limits of government regulation, and the religious freedom of minorities. In the end, the nine justices collectively concluded that freedom of religious belief was absolute while the freedom to practice the tenets of any faith were subject to non-discriminatory local regulations. ….etc”
In India & Sri Lanka, animal sacrifice is not really a present day Hindu religious practice as such. Though animal sacrifice was practiced in ancient India, in the present times, it is more an Indian Dalit practice, now brought into the Hindu Temple. Dalits have no Caste or religion, and they were earlier allowed only so called household gods and various practices of their own, such as animal sacrifice. In Tamil Nadu, law has been passed prohibiting animal sacrifices in Temples and laws to implement the earlier law of prohibition was passed in 2003, making it clear of non tolerance of animal sacrifice.
September 21st, 2011 at 6:37 am
RITUAL SLAUGHTER: WELL DONE MINISTER MERYWN SILWA
Christopher V. Pulle
Our minister did not have any other work ?
if any court order than Police should carry out law and order if necessary ask Miltray help (eg: NP & EP).
Court should order this Sandiaya Minister to sent school first to get atleast GCSE pass !
September 21st, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Mr Christopher V. Pulle
What Mervyn did was a very good thing. Killing animals for a ritual has nothing to do with Hindu religion. It is uncivilised. No animal “sacrifice” (needless killing) should be allowed. It is sinful and uncivilised.
However, Halal is a humane way of killing animals for food.
September 21st, 2011 at 3:06 pm
Hello Muhammad FS
What Mervyn did was absolutely incorrect. Hinduism didn’t prohibit killing animals for food.
Civilised way of life for a particular religious followers is uncivilised for other religious followers.
The people who criticise others who are uncivilised, should be tolerance to other followers of religions.
We should make unity among Sri Lankans irrespective of different opinions, practices, etc.
September 21st, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Ranjith
This is not killing animals for food. It is needless killing of animals. Whose blood thirst are they trying to quench? God never told them to do this. Humans told them to do it.
This is against Hindu civilised way of life. Do they kill animals in Nallur kovil? No. Why kill here? It makes no sense.
Tolerance of other religions has nothing to do with this. This is not religion. This is uncivilised. There is no mentioning of religion when they slaughter animals.
What Mervyn did was 100% right. He did lot of good things by Hindu religious beliefs saving these animals from needless killing in the most barbaric way.
Funny these people shout about a 40,000 number when they themselves kill thousands needlessly every year. God will punish those who needlessly kill animals which are God’s creations. Again and again.
Keep religion aside. Look from common sense point of view. This is bad, man. You don’t just kill for nothing.
September 22nd, 2011 at 4:20 am
Muhammad FS,
No one kills any animal in Sri Lanka for a joke!
Everyone kills animals only for food.
Methods of killing differ from one community to another.
We should be tolerance towards the other communities’ methods of killing, even if we disagree.
September 22nd, 2011 at 4:40 am
Andy got a point bt people also need to help animals and people who cannot defend themselves.Slaughtering animals to please God is disgraceful and sholud be made unlawful.
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:27 am
Ranjith
In this case animals are not killed for food. Can’t you understand that?
Animals are killed in vain to satisfy bloody thirsty people. Not gods.
…..
There are humane ways to kill animals for food. Pity some fools don’t get it and talk nonsense about Halal. It is an accepted way of humanely killing animals separately for food needs. It causes least hurt to the animal.
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:30 am
Now the court has issued another order banning needless killing of animals at another close by Hindu temple.
Good move. Thank you. Truth prevails over lies.
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:59 am
Ben Silva,
In any religion, no one slaughters animals to please God.
Slaughtering animals whether in temples or slaughterhouses are meant only for food.
The meat will be used by the only poor end-users.
September 22nd, 2011 at 2:16 pm
MFS,
Yes. The news is on http://www.adaderana.lk now.
Chapter closed. LOSERS have lost again!
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:46 am
Without seeming to interfere in various traditions, might I suggest that :
The purpose of sacrificing animals in Kovils & Mosques is done in order that the meat is given to the poor as food. Cannot this same kindness of feeding the poor be done with meat and any other food without actually having the act of ‘sacrifice’ of animals at Temples & Mosques ?. The actual feeding of prepared meals to the poor and others can be done on Temple or Mosque premises.
How are such matters managed in the Hindu Temples & Mosques in the west ?
I am no expert on this subject, but I am interested in that a solution is reached through reasoning and without causing undue trouble to any sector of society in Sri Lanka.
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:23 pm
I’m in agreement with Fran, if the sacrificial animal is eventually given as food to the poor (like a further almsgiving) I cannot see what is wrong with this religious tradition or ritual which obviously has been practised for many many years without undue interference by vote seeking busy bodies.
There has always been a religious tolerance in Sri Lanka where all communities have taken part in religious festivities like Vesak, Christmas, Diwali or Hadji until the fundamentalist have started to work on their own agendas to satisfy ones own weaknesses.
I have visited abattoirs at work, coming away sickened with the sight, promising myself never to eat meat, only to be broken weeks later. I have stalked in the Highlands of Scotland shooting stag and deer following weeks of practice to shoot to kill not maim or injure the animal as that was the humane thing to do. (Regret the unethical sport)
I wonder what happens to these animals saved by Merwyn Silva?
I bet it’s going to end up in somebody’s dinner plate.
Why not a religious ritual or traditions that is practised for years? Why now object to it?
Equally, people were horrified when the PM announced last year that 2600 boys were to be ordained as Buddhist Monks aimed at boosting Buddhism and lifting young people out of poverty. Incentives of financial assistance to the families granting their boys to Buddhist hood. Where is the ethics in that?
Children have the universal right to be with parents, siblings and friends until an age where guidance can be given for a certain path. It has been the Buddhist way and tradition for centuries. So be it.
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Fran Diaz,
Sacrificing or slaughtering animals in the West, whether it is religious or commercial purposes, is done only in the abattoirs. Not in the worshipping places.
Meat of the sacrificed animals goes to the poor needy.
“The actual feeding of prepared meals to the poor and others can be done on Temple or Mosque premises.”
Yes, of course!
Dear Fran, You mean the prepared meals to the poor, vegetarian or non-vegetarian?
September 23rd, 2011 at 5:18 pm
I am against killing animals.
September 29th, 2011 at 7:00 am
Ranjith: Prepared meals can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian, according to preference of the giver and receiver. I am generally against the killing of animals for food in the premises of places of worship (animal sacrifice).
I myself used to eat chicken & sea food. I no longer eat any flesh of any animal and am in better health. Nature seems to have constructed the human body to be mostly vegetarian and I therefore like to go along with that idea. It also suits me for ethical reasons.
However, I have nothing against people who do need and want to eat flesh in moderation.
September 29th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Franz Diaz
Poultry and sea foods are not sacrificed in worshipping places. You can enjoy with chicken and sea food forever.
Having vegetarian or non-vegetarian food doesn’t enhance the ethical standards of a person.
To be a vegetarian cannot be an essential condition for being spiritual. There have been spiritual people who were vegetarians, and there have been spiritual people who were not.
Many nutritionists argue that raising children nowadays as vegans is ‘unethical’ and people shouldn’t be purely as vegans.
September 30th, 2011 at 5:59 am
Ranjith: For me, it is not a matter of eating chicken & sea food just because these animals are not used for Temple sacrifices, and therefore ‘acceptable’. When I think of the dead animal, my stomach turns ! – it is as simple as that. It used to happen to me even in my younger days, but I used to ignore it. Now I have acknowledged the repugnance and acted accordingly and am feeling much better & happier for it. Children who have a distaste for animal flesh should never be forced to eat it – it will not do them any good. Whatever nutritionists say, it is NOT ‘unethical’ to bring up kids who dislike fleshy foods on a vegan diet which can contain plenty of good & healthy proteins such as those found in beans, nuts, seeds, MILK & milk products (cheese, yoghurt, curd), and Eggs. Also, Amino acids which are the basic cell producers are now available in inexpensive tablet form.
But, if a child wants meats, meat should be given. Certain body types need meat & fish. Adults who crave meats should eat it.
Some nutritionists are also lobbies for the meat industries ! Also clever advertising on food in glossy magazines makes the mouth water for fleshy foods, making people feel that they must serve & eat fleshy foods to ‘arrive’ in society and be socially accepted. This has something to do with the western concept of the image of the wealthy, the kings’ food tables in the ancient times loaded with meats. In any case, it is the added flavors, sauces & salt that makes the meats tasty. Why not add the same sauces to soy meats which are broken down to get the right texture and with added flavoring to perfectly imitate meat ?
Excessive protein intake makes the blood acidic and viruses & bacteria thrive the acidic medium. Conversely, viruses & bacteria cannot thrive in non-acidic (alkaline) blood. A mainly vegetarian diet will certainly help avoid diseases, whatever the age of any person.
I don’t know of any special links between flesh eating and spirituality, but I am sure there is – but that is entirely separate topic too wide to address here. Basic rule is: If you do not enjoy the meat & fish, don’t eat it !
September 30th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Franz,
I never heard vegan food includes dairy products. Dairy products are non-vegan food.
At last, you have concluded that meat can be given to children and adults if they prefer.
When you give beef burger and veg. burger to children, I do not think children’s hands touch veg. burger. This is a common sense.
Whatever the sauces we pour into vegan foods, it won’t get tastier as meat. This is reality.
In my conclusion, as I said earlier, neither vegan food nor non-vegan food is a complete diet food.
Mixed food of both are the best.
You too prefer to eat chicken and sea food.
I think you prefer the poultry should be slaughtered in slaughterhouse/farms instead of worshipping places.
Yeah, that sounds good.
October 1st, 2011 at 8:29 am
Ranjith: Some corrections to your statements.
* Vegetarian food has many categories. Check it out. I am referring to vegetarian food, not vegan. There is a difference here. The vegans you refer to do not take dairy products & eggs. I am referring to vegetarian foods that allows these items.
* I have not said anywhere here that meat should NOT be given to anyone who wants to eat it. Nothing can be forced on anyone. Only our own understanding & feelings on any matter will bring lasting change, including food preferences.
* Children generally eat what they see adults eating. If the parents & siblings in home are vegetarians (not vegans), the whole home will remain vegetarian. When people leave the vegetarian home and go and live in environments that are non-veg they too tend to be non-veg. It all depends on the environment.
* You have probably not tried the veggie burghers produced in USA which I have had the good fortune to try on travels. There is no difference from the real thing. It requires really clever food technologists to produce vegetarian food for people who have got used to texture & flavors of meat.
* I preferred (past tense) not prefer, to eat chicken & sea food to eating beef, mutton (four legged mammals). I am vegetarian now, not a vegan person.
You yourself say that you felt sick at the sight of the killings of cattle in the abattoir you visited. It is similar for most people. Other people should be taken on a tour of abattoirs too.
On my part, I am now closing this thread of the debate.
October 1st, 2011 at 8:38 am
Ranjith : Sorry, it was Marco and not you who stated that he visited an abattoir and felt sick.
October 1st, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Dear Fran,
I am not going to grind the flour which is already grinned.
I know very well the difference of vegan and vegetarian. Even the vegetarians have different categories of their own. Some have pure vegetarian foods without milk and egg. Some vegetarians with dairy foods and egg. Even some vegetarians have dried fish, etc.
Dairy foods and eggs come from animal. Those shouldn’t be vegetarian foods.
The texture and flavours enhanced to vegetarian foods are really from animal stocks, fat, etc. If the texture and flavours are pure vegan food, the taste is so different.
After all, according to you, dairy foods and egg are vegetarian. Then if you mix the egg flavoured texture to the so call veg. hamburgers, then it would be tastier. But really, it is not the vegetarian burger.
Whatever it is, beef/ham hamburgers are more tastier than veg. or vegan hamburgers.
October 1st, 2011 at 10:57 pm
I enjoy reading the article and comments . Well done Hon Minister
I gave up eating non veg 5 years ago. I eat fish
May be I could call myself Fishtarian
I gave up eating meat because I did not like killing animals. It is very sad there are people eat Dog food
in some parts of China and Vietnam
It is unimaginable . How could any one eat mans best friend
May be one day with the help of God I could give up fish also
It is my opinion we should not harm any one whether it is a human or animal in this very very short life we live on this earth
Most of my friends do not agree my views on this
October 2nd, 2011 at 4:09 am
Hello Jimmy,
Avoid Fish also. Let the fish to live in water as long as they can.
After all, plants have also lives. We shouldn’t slaughter plants too.
Ultimately, we have nothing to eat on earth left.
Let us eat sand.
How can humans live, without killing animals or plants?
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:23 am
I do not agree my good friend Ranjith
I remember my grandfather used to be a pure vegetarian from the time he was born and lived for 86 years
I may be wrong but I think because we humans eat Animals and we sometimes behave like animals
We sometimes hate , get angry for no reason . These are the characters of Animals not humans
Plants are different from Animals . We have to eat plants and vegetables to survive
October 2nd, 2011 at 2:27 pm
jimmy,
My grandmother was a meat-lover who passed away at the age of 97.
That doesn’t mean all the meat-lovers’ life expectancy will be up to 97 or more.
According to you, vegetarians are free from hate, angry, etc. This is illogical.
Humans behaviour and character do not change when we adapt to vegetarian or meat foods.
The so called Hindu Brahmins who are vegetarians have hate policy and discrimination towards the low caste hindus. They treat them worse than animals.
Hate, jealousy, angry, etc are born characteristics of humans which are somewhat similar to animals to a certain extent.
Humans too are animals, according to rationalists, which I do not agree.
Plants and animals are different. But both have lives.
Without slaughtering animals or plants, we can’t consume anything on this earth in order to survive.
Please try to understand my friend.