Debate on humane slaughter

[Guest guest]

Debate:HUMANE SLAUGHTER

*Auschwitz begins wherever someone looks at a slaughterhouse and thinks:

they're only animals. " *

—Theodor Adorno (1903-1969), German Jewish philosopher forced into exile by

the Nazis

 

* (India) wrote: *Anyone who has watched the film

'Schindler's List' cannot fail to be moved

by the sequence where the Germans are providing water to Jews in railway

compartments on their way to concentration camps. Schindler is distressed by

the captives' plight and goes around ordering more water by saying, " Here,

more here, there, more there. " The prisoners gulp the water desperately,

struggling to obtain a few drops of the much cherished drink. Listening to

the fatwa on humane slaughter reminded me of that sequence in 'Schindler's

List'. No matter how kindly you treat the animals prior to killing them, the

truth is that these unfortunate creatures are being sent to concentration

camps where they will be gassed, hammered, stunned, stabbed and battered to

death. The comparison is potent and the film 'Earthlings' bears testimony to

this. It is therefore a matter of concern whether one should be satisfied

with humane treatment of sentient beings before eventual extermination or

take steps to question the killing altogether. Animal welfare is comfortable

with more water and more cage space before slaughter, animal rights decries

the slaughter itself. I share the apprehension that the Egyptian fatwa will

promote meat eating and encourage cruelty in killing. And as I said before,

I find the whole idea of promoting morality by issuing fatwas repugnant,

illogical and plainly insane. I accept that many in this forum will disagree

with this but just wanted to write about this beacuse I feel very strongly

about this issue.

 

*Kim Bartlett (U.S.A.)wrote:*A note about the Fatwa: while it originated in

Egypt, it is applicable to Muslims throughout the world, and while it is

specific to animal transport and slaughter, Sheikh Tantawy made it clear

that the Islamic requirement for merciful treatment is applicable to all

animals. Islam does not prohibit meat-eating but neither is it required. The

AfA resolutions call for humane slaughter but do not in any way promote

meat-eating.

 

 

*Dr.John Wedderburn(Hong Kong) wrote:*This last sentence contains the key to

understanding the position of myself

and other animal rights supporters. The AfA resolutions calling for humane

slaughter - if implemented - DO promote meat-eating! If people are enabled

to believe that slaughter is humane, they will have reduced motivation ever

to become vegetarian.

In some animal protection issues, incremental improvements can be seen as

helpful in the short term while not slowing long term progress. But very

often, these improvements allow for complacency and put off the day when the

suffering can end.

The Bali Zoo is a good example. Any efforts to improve this shocking zoo

will be used by its owners to make the zoo look more acceptable to visitors

and thus diminish any pressure to have it phased out.