Animal sacrifice in religious rituals: a reflection from the atheist and vegan universe

a reflection from the atheist and vegan universe

Abstract

In this article, based on bibliographical research, some moral and ethical aspects underlying the relationships between humans and animals are discussed in the light of Virtue Ethics and the consequentialist doctrine. According to this last theory, the result of our actions should guide human behavior, because what matters to those affected by them are their consequences. On the other hand, Virtue Ethics focus on the value of the intentions that guide such actions, not their consequences. However, the values that guide behaviors considered ethically correct can be arbitrary. Despite the demonstration of traditional moral virtues, there are practices supported by religions and cultural relativism that cause harm and death, without the consent of the victims. Furthermore, 'good intentions' are not enough for practitioners to manifest compassion towards the suffering of their victims, whether they are human or not. As science proves that several vertebrate and invertebrate animals are sentient beings, some even self-conscious, their use, exploitation, suffering and death become morally condemnable. For these ethical and scientific reasons, veganism preaches the abolition of the use of animals in any context. Human morality is the result of Evolution, and religions can even be harmful when it comes to consolidating ethically correct behavior. Thus, within a vegan and atheist perspective, we preach the abolition of any religious practices or rituals that use animals, regardless of whether they are killed, since there are no ethical or moral justifications to make such an exception.