How can we call ourselves civilised and yet support bull-fighting ? I mean it is such a barbaric thing?

tell me about it.. boxing too.. I thinks it's stupid that boxing is called sports.. What's so sporty about proving that you can hurt better than your opponent?

Yes. .they do kill the bulls. But at least in some cases they eat them. And for that matter why support horse racing? Do you know what they do with the horses that lose?? They KILL THEM. Yes that's right, if Seabiscuit doesn't perform he's a goner. What's the profit in breeding slow thoroughbreds? Get those genes outta the pool.

Okay that may sound crass to some, but I find it pretty condescending and nearly blasphemous of humans to decide which animals deserve to die, be eaten, entertain us and which ones don't. So it's not OK to go hunting for stray cats because they're cute and cuddly? Now if I murder kittens and throw carcasses in the street. .that's pretty sick. But in some cultures cat/dog stew is good meal.

My point is, "civilized" is a culturally subjective concept. Personally I don't love the idea of watching a bull die in front of me, but hey I'm a meat eater too so I'm cool as long as maybe he feeds a family. At least that bullfighter goes head up with the bull, a full grown beast. I appreciate that more than some drunk guy in a tree stand and a long range rifle sniping animals.

All the phrase "barbaric" really refers to is "Someone who does not speak Latin"- (Because romans thought everyone else sounded like they were saying "bababababa" when they talked).

But the Romans, the "Civilized" people that they were, had gladiatorial combat including many cruel things done to wild animals.

Today we have "Ultimate fighting Championship" as well as media entertainment. And outside of that, some of the most highest grossing summer blockbusters have violent, bloody deaths on antagonists and protagonists alike, yet we call ourselves "civilized."

I guess there is a small part of Humanity that has a blood lust- thirst to see something die, violently, for entertainment purposes.

Many Individuals hate bloody bouts of entertainment, but Groups of people? "Show me the blood!"

The matador wants to fight the bull. If we threw prisoners into the ring to be mauled by bulls, then that would be uncivilized.

Usually the matador is fine, though. It's no different than Nascar or any other dangerous sport. People get injured all the time.

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Oh, if you mean the animal, come on, it's an animal, silly. We eat them anyway. Animals ARE uncivilized. It's not our job to ensure they live a harmless and fulfilling life.

I completly agree with you! I have NEVER understood to whole Bull Fighting thing. Its just horrible what they do to those poor animals.

They don't even hurt the bulls.

You're a vegetarian, then?