It goes by the ritual name of being kosher or halal. Under this practice, the animal is butchered by slitting its throat so as to allow its heart to continue to pump the blood out of its body before it dies. Both Islam and Judaism prohibit their followers from consuming blood; this is the underlying“ reason” for the practice. Most developed countries require that the animal be stunned before being slaughtered, but give an exception to slaughter houses established for these“ religious” practices.
I have read many apologist arguments that this is somehow not a cruel practice and that the animal dies very quickly, though this has never been supported by any independent study. I have seen animals slaughtered this way. It’ s not fast. It doesn’ t matter how sharp the knife is( which some authors contest is a critical factor in their support of this practice), the animal either dies from blood loss or asphyxiation if the windpipe has been fully severed. It is prima facie more cruel that stunning the animal first before killing it. If atheists killed animals this way, in most countries it would be illegal, and we’ d go to jail.
3. Practicing Medicine Without a License Don’ t you just love all the faith healers out there? Those who claim to heal the sick, or claim to throw out the demons whose presence caused you to miss out on that last promotion? The ironic thing is that if you are not healed, it’ s not the preacher’ s fault. God didn’ t find you worthy of a cure. But then preachers don’ t get“ paid” to heal, they just accept donations...
If an atheist had a new“ cure” for a medical condition, and tried to sell it without going through the legally mandated procedures that are in place for approving pharmaceutical products or medical practices— procedures designed to prove that they are safe and effective before they can be administered to the public— they would go to jail, or be sued, or fined for false advertising.
4. Earn Respect For Your Opinions Without Evidence Isn’ t it wonderful how believers can justify the position they have on the basis that they are being guided by their faith? It would be rude to challenge them on this; after all, they have a“ personal relationship” with their favorite god. Does this mean God leaves you voice mails on your phone? Maybe
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