Religion is an indispensable part of many people's lives and serves as a source of spiritual comfort. However, a recent report on the Japanese "Uma Shinji" ritual has prompted us to question whether many religious ceremonies lack humane considerations. The report reveals that Tado Taisha Shrine in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, Japan, holds the traditional ritual "Uma Shinji" every May. However, in the May 2023 ceremony, a horse reportedly fell, suffering a broken bone, and was promptly subjected to "humane destruction."

Similarly, in Taiwan, there is a ritual known as "Sai Shen Zhu," where pigs are raised to a large size as an offering to deities in the hope of ensuring the well-being of the entire family. However, with the improvement of living standards and the rising awareness of animal welfare, public enthusiasm for sacrificing sacred pigs has gradually diminished.

Such animal sacrifice rituals, common in various religious beliefs including Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity (Old Testament), Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and various folk traditions worldwide, involve offering living animals as sacrifices to please gods, demonstrate loyalty, seek blessings, or atone for sins.

As society evolves and awareness of animal rights grows, new discussions and directions are emerging. Through this petition, we hope to urge everyone to collectively reject and oppose the continuation of such rituals and instead advocate for the adoption of alternative ceremonies that align more with modern consciousness and animal protection principles.