Hi Sidster, I also feel the same way about meat and animals. But having said that your point no.4 does imply that some group with the intention of spreading their own religion is behind the move to forbid this ceremonial slughter of animals in mass and to vilify hinduisme. So if that the truth, should we not change some practices in hinduisme so that it adapts to the modern way of life? Continuing these kind of practices would be to give a stick to the people to beat us. Samething with the caste system. Many nepalese from lower castes are converting to christianity because they find injustice in hinduisme. Should we not eradicate completely the caste system?