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Originally Posted by alyanna
belated eid mubarak 002cents and everyone and sorry for jumping in like this:).
this is a very interesting discussion you are having here. Honestly, while I don't have a very strong view on animal rights and I am a consumer of meat, I still do care about humane treatment of animals and I had seen the images of the 'bloody' river with horror on the news.
I think knightofalbion is onto the core of the matter here when he discussed the metaphor of the lamp and the sacrifice in an earlier post. It does not need an actual sacrifice.
I think that we must keep in mind that religious practices are culturally influenced and as all cultures they are dynamic and can change along with our sensitivities and our belief systems. Just because this practice exists, it does not mean that it is the core element of the religion or the holiday for that matter. There is something wrong if that is the case.
Also: 002cents, just an observation here about a previous post on this thread. I have watched with great interest your other thread about converting to Islam and have been touched greatly with the spiritual journey you have gone through as well as a general sociopolitical motivation behind it. My respect to you for your noble feelings. However, there is nothing great, romantic or thriving about a society where (poor mostly) people do not have access to refrigerators and we, in the Western world can too evaluate our responsibility there. Yes, people who have lived without a refrigerator can do without it and find ways to bypass them BUT I urge you to consider that this has a great toll on their time and resources that could be used elsewhere... also, improper storage of foods may lead to diseases and mortality rate because of foodborne illness is higher in states like that. Just because some people survive or they do not know how to live with a refrigerator -or water infrastructure, or electricity -it does not mean that these won't make their lives easier and give them more time and resource into creative and spiritual endeavors that will help them grow more.
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Thank you, I agree the need of the world is great.
From what you said it sounds like you have a cause of your own and that is admirable.
The world needs a great deal if diversity among its activists. As no one person could possibly do it all. And not that I mind animal rights activists, but certainly some methods are more effective than others. Its like abortion rights activists who want to shove pictures if dead babies in your face.
And it does bother me that I am being put on the spot and expected to answer for how certain Muslim celebrate their holiday when that was quite obviously not how I celebrated mine. As a Muslim in their infancy with much learning yet to do, I am not about to start taking a critical stance on everything that is hurled in my face. My journey is about establishing what it means to me and how I will incorporate the teachings and traditions into my life and heart.
I am curious now though... What Albion's stance is on abortion as in my experience those who are vegan... Ironically also tend to be pro-choice...
As for the aforementioned friend without a refrigerator, they also went to a school that was bombed by the Taliban. So, there are issues that take higher priority that are beyond any of our means to be able to repair. Also, I never inquired as to why they didn't have one I just accepted that they didn't. I don't presume that our way of life in the west is or should be the standard globally or that having or not having a refrigerator is an indicator of well being. This person had access to higher education and being able to immigrate to the USA so... It didn't seem like the issue was one of being without resources. Some ways of life are just different.
I don't live a life of excess, I have always preferred simplicity and I do not live a life that is blind to the need in the world. I would take the time elaborate to what extent I try to be involved with contributing to the issues of the world at large but it would only feel like I was bragging.
Giving monetarily... I will never say we shouldn't try. But there are many ways to contribute to the need in addition to or instead of that. The causes I get involved in tend to focus on human rights but I do not forget the needy, those who are without means both locally and on the larger scale be it lacking the resources for clean water, food, clothing or medical care. Also, I have found that keeping friends who are passionate about helping others is a good way to keep yourself inspired.