: I'm sorry if I misunderstood your motivation. This is why psychological arguments are bad, because they can very easily be totally mistaken and out of line as mine was. It is interesting, though, that in Jeff's post baove he does state that his non-religious stance hellps to justify his opposition to this practice.As you know, religious rituals have changed over time, and have progressed along with other "progressive" movements. Current examples are the inclusion of women and gays in various priesthoods. As for Hinduism: some years ago, when I was in school, I was part of an interfaith animal rights group. The head of the group was the school's Hindu chaplain (forgive me, I don't know the exact term for the name of the Hindu religious leader). Since he was a committed animal rights activist, I know he would not sanction the killing of goats for religious reasons. Times change, and as our understanding of other, formerly excluded or oppressed groups -- including animals -- broadens, religions can and do change with the new understanding. Please try to bear in mind that one can both honor one's god, and treat animals humanely.
: I don't think that torturing animals is necessarily a right, but I cannot place animals rights above the freedom of religion. Once you begin infringing some religious practivces, where do you draw the line?
: Relationship with one';s God makes all of the otehr things in life much less important, including animals rights.
