The “Abhorrent” Practice of Animal Sacrifice and Religious Discrimination in the Global South

Abstract

In September 2018, the majority Buddhist government of Sri Lanka approved draft legislation banning animal sacrifice at Hindu Temples. The Cabinet referred to these sacrifices as a “primitive” practice that can cause physical and mental harm to society. Similarly, the Federal Supreme Court of Brazil is presently evaluating the constitutionality of a proposed bill banning animal sacrifice in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Proponents of this bill argue that animal rights supersede the religious freedom of the adherents of Afro-Brazilian faiths who perform these sacrifices. They further contend that the practice of animal sacrifice poses a threat to public health. Through the evaluation of these cases, this article will consider the relationship between animal sacrifice and religious freedom in the Global South. Using Brazil and Sri Lanka as examples, it will explore how laws and litigation protecting animal welfare can often be a guise for racial discrimination and religious intolerance.

Beasts in the Garden: Human-Wildlife Coexistence in India's Past and Present

“…Using the example of African Parks, he points to the influence of such moral and discursive narratives in normalising violence against poachers. Similarly, as has been shown elsewhere, injunctions against hunting, meat eating, animal sacrifices and similar practises situated outside modern Western ethical frameworks could align with intolerance related to race, ethnicity or religion (Boaz, 2019;Oommen et al, 2019).…”

Pursuing Racial Order and Social Progress: Violence, Afrophobia and “Religious Racism” in Brazil

“…2 Three short years later, in 2002, state assemblyman Manoel Maria also targeted Afro-Brazilian religions when he penned the State Code of Animal Protection bill prohibiting "sorcery" and the use of animals in "religious ceremonies" (Boaz 2019, 3). Although activists pressured Maria into removing all offending language, the stance that Africanderived religions contribute to animal harm is a robust argument that continues to threaten Afro-Brazilian religious freedom (Boaz 2019).…”