HOLIDAY ANIMAL SLAUGHTER HOLY MEAT RITUAL

According to religious tradition Arabs and Saudis hauled animals in the trunks of their Chevys and Toyotas to sacred ground in order to perform the ancient Al-Adha sacrifices. Goats and sheep had their throats slit and were hung from dozens of trees. They were then butchered for their *meat* to celebrate these high feasting days which remember God's mercies... During the holiday much money is made by animal sellers and the slaughterhouse only miles away. But the lines are long and one can save costs by butchering their own animals. It's a grizzly scene with remains of animals strung from trees and unconsumable organs and blood scattered on the ground. Onlookers were disturbed at the sight but officials did nothing to protect the sensitivities of these people in Alkobar.

Reading this story reminds me of a similar tradition here in the U.S. where slaughterhouses are cranking double time to fulfill orders of turkeys and hams in preparation of our own holy days. Only we're much more "civilized" in this country. Most animals are trucked in huge livestock cars escorted to stainless steel rooms and hung on metal bleed rails while they are disassembled. We then wrap their body parts not in simple cloth or paper but rather in clean white foam and cellophane. Neatly arranged in florescent lit grocery store meatcases. Consumers can then paw through each of the remains to find their choice of "cuts". What might one decorate their holiday table with this year? A leg of a lamb? A rib-roast? A beheaded bird? A spiral sliced buttocks of a pig? Whatever the selection, it's presence is intended to symbolize the joy and goodwill of the season. And to honor a god for his kindness and generosity.

And then some of us are vegan and reject the rituals of killing and animal sacrifice...

Choosing instead to celebrate life with non-violence believing that peace begins with what (or rather "who's") not on your your plate...