Humane slaughter

[Guest guest]

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.