Busybee, It does not mean that anything our forefather have been doing is good or sane. There is nothing to explain this that an insane act. As far as bali pratha or slaughter house is concern, that is cruel too, but this festival is above the limit I mean killing the living creature by just snatching flesh when its alive... it is similar to saying "chimoti chimoti marnu"... at least during bali or slaughter home they kill them in one shot.