Comments on: The Theological Necessity of Goats http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/03/theological-necessity-of-goats.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:42:27 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Carly http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/03/theological-necessity-of-goats.html/comment-page-1#comment-2063 Carly Fri, 08 Aug 2008 19:54:00 +0000 http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/03/the-theological-necessity-of-goats.html#comment-2063 Personally, I will probably never sacrifice animals as part of ritual, since I am one of those who is generally squeamish about any sort of blood, guts, etc. However, just because I am uncomfortable with the act does not mean that I have the right to limit other peoples' right to do it. That is the idea that these religious rightists need to figure out. Their rights only go so far, and stop when they begin limiting other peoples' rights. Personally, I will probably never sacrifice animals as part of ritual, since I am one of those who is generally squeamish about any sort of blood, guts, etc. However, just because I am uncomfortable with the act does not mean that I have the right to limit other peoples’ right to do it. That is the idea that these religious rightists need to figure out. Their rights only go so far, and stop when they begin limiting other peoples’ rights.

]]> By: Yvonne http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/03/theological-necessity-of-goats.html/comment-page-1#comment-1529 Yvonne Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:57:00 +0000 http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/03/the-theological-necessity-of-goats.html#comment-1529 I think the general squeamishness about animal sacrifice stems from two things: 1. misapprehension about what it involves (in the Bible it is sometimes described as the total destruction of the animal); and 2. a general inability to face up to the fact that meat comes from dead animals.<br/><br/>I have no problem with a humanely killed animal being dedicated and shared as a communal meal.<br/><br/>I do have a problem with ideas of substitutionary sacrifice for propitiation or expiation. I think the general squeamishness about animal sacrifice stems from two things: 1. misapprehension about what it involves (in the Bible it is sometimes described as the total destruction of the animal); and 2. a general inability to face up to the fact that meat comes from dead animals.

I have no problem with a humanely killed animal being dedicated and shared as a communal meal.

I do have a problem with ideas of substitutionary sacrifice for propitiation or expiation.

]]> By: Jason Pitzl-Waters http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/03/theological-necessity-of-goats.html/comment-page-1#comment-1528 Jason Pitzl-Waters Fri, 07 Mar 2008 03:28:00 +0000 http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/03/the-theological-necessity-of-goats.html#comment-1528 Keith,<br/><br/>"killing animals in a sacred manner which are then eaten to sustain the community is FAR more ethical than eating a burger churned out by an industrial slaughterhouse. (Frankly, the burger has no claim to the "ethical" label at all.)"<br/><br/>I completely agree. Keith,

“killing animals in a sacred manner which are then eaten to sustain the community is FAR more ethical than eating a burger churned out by an industrial slaughterhouse. (Frankly, the burger has no claim to the “ethical” label at all.)”

I completely agree.

]]> By: Keith http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/03/theological-necessity-of-goats.html/comment-page-1#comment-1526 Keith Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:07:00 +0000 http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/03/the-theological-necessity-of-goats.html#comment-1526 Thanks for paying attention to stuff like this; I think it's important. I'm going to quibble with the last sentence of your footnote, though: killing animals in a sacred manner which are then eaten to sustain the community is FAR more ethical than eating a burger churned out by an industrial slaughterhouse. (Frankly, the burger has no claim to the "ethical" label at all.)<br/><br/>I have only performed a live animal sacrifice once, but I would venture to say that that was probably the most ethical, respectful, sacred meal I have ever prepared. I will certainly be doing it again. If I lived rurally or communally, I'd do it as often as I could manage it. I feel FAR better about killing the animal myself than I feel about the rotisserie chickens I'm occasionally forced by necessity to bring home from the supermarket. And I don't see anything in the world wrong with offering the gods Their share, and using every part of the sacrifice as thoroughly as possible, on every level. Thanks for paying attention to stuff like this; I think it’s important. I’m going to quibble with the last sentence of your footnote, though: killing animals in a sacred manner which are then eaten to sustain the community is FAR more ethical than eating a burger churned out by an industrial slaughterhouse. (Frankly, the burger has no claim to the “ethical” label at all.)

I have only performed a live animal sacrifice once, but I would venture to say that that was probably the most ethical, respectful, sacred meal I have ever prepared. I will certainly be doing it again. If I lived rurally or communally, I’d do it as often as I could manage it. I feel FAR better about killing the animal myself than I feel about the rotisserie chickens I’m occasionally forced by necessity to bring home from the supermarket. And I don’t see anything in the world wrong with offering the gods Their share, and using every part of the sacrifice as thoroughly as possible, on every level.

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