The violent side of Sri Lankan Buddhism

[mota bhai 2,675]

Hardline Buddhist monks are targeting Muslims and Christians in Sri Lanka, where the civil war’s end has spurred a new wave of sectarianism bent on preserving Sinhalese culture. Since the conflict ended nearly five years ago, groups like Bodu Bala Sena have emerged as Sri Lanka's self-appointed watchdogs of Buddhism.

...

Nationalist Buddhist groups say their mission is to "save the Sinhala race," which makes up 74 per cent of the population. In recent years, nationalist groups such as Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and Ravana Balaya have campaigned against religious minorities in Sri Lanka. They say they are non-violent, yet minorities accuse them of attacking mosques and Christian churches and prayer centres.

...

Buddhists mobs attacked nearly 20 mosques last year, according to Sri Lanka's capital police. And more than three Christian places of worship were reportedly targeted this year. BBS denies involvement in the sectarian violence.

However, the group has warned of the spread of Islam and actively leads a campaign against the Muslim system of certifying halal foods and other goods. According to the BBS, they are not against halal products, but believe halal food should not be imposed on Sri Lankans of other religions.

http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201403101247-0023539

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I'd wager this thread is going to be missing a few key posters...

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

"However, the group has warned of the spread of Islam and actively leads a campaign against the Muslim system of certifying halal foods and other goods"

I don't approve of the other things this group does but I wish there was campaigning against halal in England.

[Darnell 8,478]

it would have been great if the Christians in Nigeria organized in the same method and fought the hard fight against the Muslims...

[mota bhai 2,675]

"However, the group has warned of the spread of Islam and actively leads a campaign against the Muslim system of certifying halal foods and other goods"

I don't approve of the other things this group does but I wish there was campaigning against halal in England.

Why? Do you also have a problem with food being certified kosher?

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

Why? Do you also have a problem with food being certified kosher?

Companies in England decide to cut costs by serving halal food so they don't have to serve halal and non halal. But they won't tell customers this as they know it's hugely unpopular. It's a big issue at the moment but people are reluctant to say how cruel it is because they are afraid of being labelled racist or anti muslim.

[Novembro 1,763]

The article about the little boy seeing heaven really makes me want to believe in the validity of the Daily Mail.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

The article about the little boy seeing heaven really makes me want to believe in the validity of the Daily Mail.

I can't stand the DM but it was a handy way of showing how halal is a big issue in the UK at the moment.

[Novembro 1,763]

I don't get the issue though. What's wrong with halal?

[mota bhai 2,675]

Companies in England decide to cut costs by serving halal food so they don't have to serve halal and non halal. But they won't tell customers this as they know it's hugely unpopular. It's a big issue at the moment but people are reluctant to say how cruel it is because they are afraid of being labelled racist or anti muslim.

I see no reason why people like you can't have a parallel certification, something that certifies slaughter as being humane or whatever. Then if there's enough of you who actively elect to consume meat only if it has that certification, then manufacturers will provide.

Sounds to me like there's a large demand that is in need of supply.

Or, there simply aren't a large number of people who care that they're eating halal. I eat halal all the time and it's not because I'm Muslim, it's because I don't actually care.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I would think that halal meat is more expensive, and I think the rate of slaughter is slower than some mechanical device, so I don't buy the money saving thing.

Plus, if it is not certified officially, then people that really care about it wouldn't eat it, I presume. I don't think someone that cares is going to take the waiter's promise that it comes from a halal slaughterhouse.

I get the discomfort in the pressing of foreign needs onto a native population, but I think you'll find that halal is barely different from what was normally done anyway.

[mota bhai 2,675]

I would think that halal meat is more expensive, and I think the rate of slaughter is slower than some mechanical device, so I don't buy the money saving thing.

Try shopping at any of the halal butchers in Woodbridge (you are in NJ, right?) and then price compare with ShopRite/Pathmark/StopnShop. You'll find the buying from the halal meat butchers is significantly more cost effective.

Edited June 16, 2014 by mota bhai

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Try shopping at any of the halal butchers in Woodbridge (you are in NJ, right?) and then price compare with ShopRite/Pathmark/StopnShop. You'll find the buying from the halal meat butchers is significantly more cost effective.

Uh, well, I have seen some halal butchers sending out their wares to local shops. And in their trucks, I see a load of skinned goats all piled on one another just resting on the floor of the truck, which is just like wood and metal and old meat fat. Yuck.

Why do you think they are cheaper? I would think they would be more expensive.

I don't know what is Woodbridge.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Why do you think they are cheaper?

Because I have mastered the Comparing Numbers skill as part of my preschool coursework.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Because I have mastered the Comparing Numbers skill as part of my preschool coursework.

*cough* Let me try again: For what reasons do you think it is cheaper? What leads to it being cheaper? You nob