Should Bullfighting be banned?

Question

Should Bullfighting be banned?

Answer 1

I am not going to weigh in pro or con, but I think that in order to have a reasoned discussion we have to first dislodge from our minds a particular western bias, namely the assumption that bullfighting is a sport.

Experts on spanish culture will say that bullfighting is ritualistic animal sacrifice, not a sport. It traces back to ancient primal ideas of identifying ones own suffering with that of the bull, and experiencing a cathartic effect.

This sounds very alien to our modern, western minds.

I have long been of the opinion that Spain, through most of its history, has not been a "western" country in the way the rest of europe has been, in the following sense. When we study the history of Europe, we tend to break it down into periods:

ancient, medieval, renaissence, enlightenment, reformation, industrial revolution, etc. But Spain's history followed a completely different path, largely due to the centuries of Moorish occupation , the primacy of Catholicism, and the isolation afforded by the Pyrennees.

To have an informed opinion of bullfighting, I think we need to study the uniqueness of spanish history over the centuries, and try to understand the uniqueness of the Spanish character. Spanish literature, for example, is largely a literature of suffering. The younger generations in Spain today are no doubt as western as in any other country of europe, but that in itself is a relatively recent cultural transformation.

After all that, we still might conclude that bullfighting must go!

Answer 2

I think it should be, it's very cruel to the bull and dangerous. Although it's really down to the people of the country where it's taking place, as foreigners may be thought of as interfering in there traditions.

Answer 3

That's for the spanish people to decide, they don't tell brit's to stop fox hunting!

Answer 4

To visitors from  many     other countries this spectacle is abhorrent, but, considered to be a sport in the countries where this occurs,I would personally ban this for ever more. As an alternative to the very one sided fight, make it less so, by having the bull fighter, enter the ring from the start and not, after the bull has been tortured out of its mind.

Answer 5

Yes - its cruel!!!!

Answer 6

Yes for sure

Answer 7

I went to a bull ring in Mijas, Majorca. It was closed, but you were able to look around it, there was blood all over the bull ring in the sand, and then we saw baby bulls in a cage at the back of the seating area, it was so very sad. So yes it should be, bulls wernt put on the earth for us to kill them and cheer

Answer 8

It is banned, in civilised countries.

Answer 9

MOO!

Answer 10

No, it is the one thing that makes Spain different from the rest of Europe

Answer 11

Leave this decision to the Spanish people.

Answer 12

I have to agree with translatorinspain. I find bullfighting a cruel and abhorrent 'sport'. However, although many Spanish people are turning against it, many Spanish consider bullfighting to be a part of their culture and tradition. The Spanish are passionate about there right to continue with these traditions. There needs to be a huge change in the Spanish mentality and the laws need to be changed and enforced. Spain has a reputation as being a very animal unfriendly country.

Answer 13

yes definately!! it's a cruel sport and basically since the bull is injured when the matador finally puts the killer dagger in, doesn't take much courage at all. If he fought it when it wasn't injured then that may be a sign of courage but still should not account for a sport.

Answer 14

No, why should it be?

Answer 15

I think it should be its cruel and barbaric! i know its an age long tradition but times have changed and it should not be allowed!

Answer 16

to all the people listed above who live in spain - your views are valid and interesting (and i think lean towards the continuation of bullfighting as it is)

to all the people who don't live in spain, what makes you think you have the right to tell the spanish how to live and die?

you'll all be up in arms when "europe tells us to give up the pound for the euro" or "give up miles for kilometres".

i say we have no right to tell them what to do, and our views are irrelevant unless we are part of that country.

one more thing;- your view is also irrelevant / invalid unless you have actually been to a bullfight.

Answer 17

Yes. I can't understand how it is not subject to the laws against animal torture!

Answer 18

Its disgusting and cruel and many of the younger generations are turning against it. I help at a local animal shelter here in Spain and many of the volunteers have been on protests at bull rings.

The trouble is that bull fighters are seen as these big stars in Spain and are loved by many people.

Answer 19

I personally don't like bull fighting, but as a resident of Spain I don't feel it is my place to criticise their traditions. Their argument is the bull gets to live 4 years in a wonderful environment, which is true, but the end appears to be a very cruel end for such a noble animal. Some cities in Spain are starting to ban bullfighting. The problem here is there are not enough animal cruelty laws, and many animals suffer and live horrendous lives through ignorance and masochistic treatment.

Answer 20

I think it should be banned and as a previous answerer says, I cant understand why its not classed as animal cruelty like other blood sports.