I am a theoretical physicist and currently Director of 
July 03, 2011
Dutch ban on the ritual slaughter of animals
The Dutch government has taken the first steps towards banning the slaughter of animals without stunning them first. This means that the way Jews and Muslims produce kosher and halal meat is no longer allowed since that requires the slitting of the animal's throat while it is still alive.
These two religious groups are upset and joining together to claim (surprise!) religious persecution. As one might have predicted, the specter of Hitler is being invoked, with the chief rabbi of the Netherlands comparing this action to the Nazi persecution of the Jews. On the Muslim side, one imam told Reuters, "This is a political decision. Who has the authority to determine whether the way of killing animals is good or not?"
Well, duh. When a country's parliament passes a law, it goes without saying that it is a political decision. And surely that same body has the authority to pass laws governing its food supply?
Religious people cannot seem to get it into their heads that just because some obscure and anonymous desert nomads wrote something a couple of thousand years ago, that is not a basis for deciding policies in the 21st century. You need to make the case based on contemporary knowledge and mores.
The selectivity of religions on such issues is glaringly obvious. They would not dare make the same arguments for their other religious rules such as the killing of people for various transgressions because that would show how barbaric their religious books are. But because the humane killing of animals is still not a universal value, they think they can get away with asking for religious exemptions for their practices.
Comments
There is no defensible reason for this sort of cruelty in the modern age. Perhaps when the rules were made there was a sanitary reason for not allowing pooled blood. The rules that the Jews have for being Kosher are ridiculous to the extreme and a modern society should in theory push against these practices. Halal as well.
What the hell does "unclean" even mean? They are afraid of dogs. They don't get to make the rules or have special rules that the rest of us have to listen to.
Religion makes people stupid and enforces continued barbarism.
I wonder what the United Nations and the rest of the Global community are going to do when the Third Temple is re-built and the Jews start with the daily animal sacrifices again. I guess Peda the animal rights group will have a "cow"
If only the israelites had had a Prometheus of their own they would have managed to trick their God into accepting only the bones and fat as sacrifice like the Greeks did with their own pantheon.
Firstly, the law is in breach of their human rights (freedom of religion).
Secondly, how can some recreational drugs like cannabis be legal when they are proven to cause damage to humans?
Thirdly, it is proven that animals feel pain when they are electrically shocked when they are slaughtered. This releases increased levels of chemicals by the animals which are in the blood. This makes for a worse taste. These studies were carried out in Japan. That is why Japanese drain the blood of the animals they slaughter (including large fish like tuna).
Furthermore, the sight of a weapon or knowing that the animal is to die releases these chemicals the studies have shown.
Fourthly, animals feel less pain when slaughter with a knife cut to the throat than electric shock.
Lastly, kosher/halal meet apparently tastes better.
And Mano, remember in the US there is capital punishment - largely based on religion because the US is a country of faith (not secular). "In God We Trust."
Michael,
The only argument that I take seriously is which method of killing is more humane.
As for religious freedom, it should not extend to giving a license to be cruel to animals. The taste of meat is hardly something that should factor in to animal treatment. As for recreational drugs, the case can be made that people are choosing to do it for themselves. That is different from inflicting something on other people or non-human animals
I am not sure of the relevance of capital punishment but for what it is worth I am opposed to that too.
Michael, Thanks for the very informative article. I understand the process of inhumane slaughter of Gods creatures. I know we need to be more responsible for the process. Thanks.