Religious Slaughter: Science, Law, and Ethics

Abstract

This chapter discusses the ethics of killing animals in religious slaughter. A particular emphasis is placed on Judaism and Islam. The concepts of “kosher” and “halal” are analysed and the science relating to pain and consciousness is examined, in an effort to weigh up whether the rationale for religious slaughter holds up to current scientific evidence. Various legal considerations and contemporary philosophical perspectives in relation to killing are also discussed. The chapter concludes that not only are the concepts of kosher and halal no longer tenable, but so too is the notion that animals killed using stunning is “humane”. Both methods of slaughter cause significant pain to animals and therefore conflict, not only with contemporary philosophical perspectives regarding the ethics of killing, but also the very religious principles used to justify religious slaughter.