Long before, human sacrifice existed in Paleolithic Europe and ancient China. But over time, it was considered barbaric, and animal sacrifices became the replacement practice.
Here are some ways animal sacrifice continues to be ritualized — and how these practices have evolved.
A FAVOR FROM THE GODS
For ancient Hindus, animal sacrifice was a way to curry favor with gods, such as Kali, a demon slayer who drank blood.
Initially, human blood was offered, but to quench Kali’s relentless thirst, animal blood became the eventual substitute.
The Sanskrit Bhagavata Purana (6th to 8th centuries CE) says that Krishna denounces the cruelty of animal sacrifice. Nonetheless, animals are still being offered by fringe groups around the world.
THE REASON BEHIND THE RAM
During Dhul Hijjah, Muslims sacrifice animals to honor Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah’s command to sacrifice his only child, Ismail.
As Ibrahim was about to do so, Allah intervened and sent a Ram instead.
THE FINAL SACRIFICE
The Old Testament Christian Bible contains many stories of animal sacrifice to forgive sins. Usually, part of the animal was burnt as an offering. Another portion was food for the Levite priests, and a portion went to the animal’s giver.
In the New Testament, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross prevailed over all others, ending animal sacrifice.
THE GOOD AND THE BAD
A friend mentioned that animal sacrifice is no different from eating fried chicken. The difference, however, is the religious factor underpinning animal sacrifice. Also, some animal sacrifices burn the animal completely or bury them alive, leaving no meat for people to consume.
In other cases, animal sacrifices had a positive secondary benefit. For example, Christian animal sacrifices were vital for the Levite priests (who weren’t allowed to have a second occupation). Animal sacrifice provided their sustenance.
In Islam, Qurbani is still practiced today. However, the animals are killed quickly to minimize their pain, and their meat is given to people, especially benefiting poor people and families who can’t afford to buy meat.
ETHICS AND BELIEFS
Viewing animal sacrifice through religious context endorses its practice. Even then, despite the mentioned secondary benefits, many would argue that during these modern times, animal sacrifice is fundamentally cruel.
As different religious rituals have evolved through the centuries to involve less bloody offerings, perhaps the trend will sustain itself in the future where animal sacrifice can be done away with, especially as the spiritual value of respecting animal life continues to be realized in different faiths.
SAVING VERSUS SACRIFICING
As some religions ended animal sacrifice, humans became closer to animals. And today, rescue goes both ways.
ANIMALS AND THEIR HUMAN GUARDIANS
While humans are known to rescue community animals, many of these rescuers claim that these animals have saved their lives in return.
CATS AND A CANINE
Then, there’s the story of how six Kittens and a Dog rescued each other, as written by Laurence Cawley in a 2023 article for BBC. Finally, fisherman Grant Dickson was rescued by a pod of Dolphins from a group of hungry Sharks, according to a 2012 article by Frank Thorne for The Standard.
WILDLIFE AND WOMEN
Saving lives doesn’t end with the above mutual heroics. For example, pregnant African Elephants self-medicate by eating the leaves of Cordia goetzei Gürke to induce labor.
Learning from them, local women also drink tea made from the leaves of this same tree for the same purpose.
Today, humans’ friendly interactions with animals exceed any other time in history when this type of closeness existed. Animal sacrifice is just a blip compared to its prevalence in ancient days. Hopefully, this blip soon becomes a relic from the past.
