The following causes of animal-unfriendly
behaviour can be found (please e-mail us if you can
mention more):
- Traditions that can sometimes be traced back a long
time, such as hunting and ritual
slaughter.
- Ideology, such
as the notion that mankind can and should rule animals.
- Religion, for
example Mithraism. In Roman times this religion was
an important rival of Christianity. Practitioners
of Mithraism used to sacrifice a bull every year,
and because of the rivalry between these two religions,
the Christians decided to mix the imagery of the devil
with that of the bull. It is possible that bull-fighting
finds its origin in the ritual slaughter of bulls
in the times of Mithraism. It was said that a bull's
blood would purge one of one's sins, f.e. the "feast"
of Farra Do Boi in Brazil.
- Ignorance, be it or
not on purpose.
- Indifference,
powerlessness and denial.
- Arrogance,
inability of man to accept the equal rights of other
living souls.
- Economic gain, sometimes
pushed to extremes.
- Image building, "look at me", being stronger
than animals (circus, hunting and bull-fighting),
or with remarkable pets,
or by wearing e.g. fur coats to look 'pretty'.
The way people treat animals reflects their beliefs,
values, knowledge and the importance of the animal for
them, either financially, socially or morally. |
