Join WPP’s Fight Against Animal Sacrifice
WARNING- the information on this page is extremely disturbing, however, the only way to incite change is by bringing awareness.
Animal sacrifice in the name of religious freedom is a savage practice that needs to be stopped. Every year, millions of animals are killed in the name of religion during various religious ceremonies, and it’s time for us to end this senseless violence. These animals are frequently tortured before they are murdered, and their blood is used in ceremonies that are believed to grant good fortune and wealth to those involved. Our team at Wounded Paw Project believes that our responsibility is to be the voice for the voiceless. And we are lending our voice to the animals being killed and tortured during these sacrifices. We need you to help by raising your voice and helping us bring awareness to animal sacrifice in the name of religious freedom.
Religions That Take Part in Animal Sacrifice
While in the past, around the world, animal sacrifice was a common religious practice, it has now largely been abandoned by most major religions. However, a few still take part in this barbaric ritual. Here are some of the main ones:
Santeria
Santeria is an Afro-Cuban religion that combines elements of Catholicism with traditional African beliefs. Animal sacrifice is a central part of this religion, and chickens, goats, and even dogs are frequently killed during ceremonies. Individuals who practice Santeria take part in these animal sacrifices for many reasons, including black magic rituals, religious ceremonies involving curses, and even requesting assistance from spirits. They believe that the more an animal struggles or fights back during the sacrifice, the more “special strength” that animal has. And this strength will then be passed on to the spirits and those involved in the sacrifice after the animal has been consumed.
This leads to an incredibly heinous and painful torture ritual where they force an animal to struggle to make the sacrifice “better.” They will often beat the animals to death by slamming their heads until they die and sometimes ripping their heads entirely off.
Voodoo
Voodoo is a religion that originated in Haiti and animal sacrifice is also a central part of this faith. Chickens, goats, pigs, dogs, and even turtles are sacrificed during religious ceremonies. The animal’s blood is used to “seal deals” with the spirits, and it is also believed to bring good luck. The animal’s carcass is then often buried or burned as part of the ritual.
As with Santeria, Voodoo practitioners believe that the animal must struggle during the sacrifice for the ritual to be effective. This leads to many animal torture methods being used, such as beating them or slamming their heads into objects until they die.
Hindu and the Goddess Kali
Hinduism is the primary religion practiced in India, and animal sacrifice has been a part of it for thousands of years. Goats, sheep, water buffalo, and many other animals are sacrificed every year in the name of Hindu gods and goddesses. One of these goddesses is the goddess Kali. She is the goddess of death and destruction, and animal sacrifice is one of the ways her followers worship her.
During Kali’s festivals, which can last up to ten days, hundreds or even thousands of animals are sacrificed. These animals are often decapitated or have their throats slit as part of the ritual. Their carcasses are then strung up and displayed as part of the celebration.
As you can see, animal sacrifice is still a very real problem in today’s world. These innocent animals are being tortured and killed for no reason other than someone’s religious beliefs. And guess what… it’s legal.
Legislation Involving Animal Sacrifice in the Name of Religious Freedom
In the United States, animal sacrifice is protected under the First Amendment as a form of religious expression. This means that, even though animal cruelty laws exist, religious groups are exempt from them when it comes to animal sacrifice.
One example of religious protection involving animal sacrifice can be found in a Supreme Court case that took place in New York. In 1993, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Santeria church that had been charged with animal cruelty after sacrificing a dozen chickens. The court ruled that animal sacrifice is a form of religious expression and was therefore protected under the First Amendment.
This is an outdated and barbaric law that needs to be changed. We need to start putting pressure on our legislators to update animal cruelty laws to include punishment for animal sacrifices done in the name of religion. We need to clarify that this type of animal torture and killing is not acceptable in today’s society, regardless of whether or not the animal is a dog or a goat.
Help WPP Fight Against Animal Sacrifice in the Name of Religious Freedom
Please join our team at Wounded Paw Project in speaking out against animal sacrifice in the name of religious freedom. It’s time for this barbaric practice to end. Sign this petition to take your stand against animal sacrifice.
