Posted on 12/30/2005 11:55:26 AM PST by presidio9
If you are Hindu and believe cows are especially holy, should you be able to have cows on your property? How about if that property is a house and yard on Main Street in a rural village?
"In this circumstance, it's ridiculous not to allow animals," says Linda Voith of the Allegany County Village of Angelica. She and her husband Stephen practice the Hindu religion and believe it is their right to keep cows on their property and in their house. For several years, they boarded six cows at a nearby beef farm but occasionally brought them to their home and to Village civic events.
"America is the land of freedom of religion," Stephen says. The Voiths moved to Angelica in 1999. In 2003, a State Supreme Court judge ordered their cows removed from the Village.
Linda tells us, "I think people are unfamiliar with the holy cow, and wonder what does it mean."
Stephen says the cow is symbolic of motherhood. "We're trying to keep a couple of cows, according to the Veda epistemology, to show the sanctity of all life," he says.
But the cows in the yard led to antagonism with many neighbors. What began as religious expression became a source of irritation to some in the Village who saw a danger to public health. "This is not about religion," Angelica Mayor Peter Johnson tells us. "We had a lot of complaints about the smells, the proximity to the neighbors."
The Voiths complied with the 2003 court order and removed their cows from the Village. But they say they will appeal the ruling. We asked Stephen, "Have you considered moving to a more appropriate place?"
"We have," he replies, "but it wouldn't be a good idea in the middle of a court case."
"The case would become moot," says Linda.
We ask Linda, "Do you think Stephen and you might have done anything to aggravate the situation?"
"I think there were times when we went downtown chanting Hare Krishna, that wasn't favorably viewed," she says. "But there was so much deprivation that went on before that, we didn't know what else to do."
What they'll do now is follow through with their court appeal, in a case which they say is a matter of religious freedom, but which the Village contends is an issue involving public health.
I'd have a lot more sympathy if they were actually Hindus.
The cows probably make their house smell better.
If they live in a rural village, I would imagine a small farm would be rather inexpensive.
Of course, if I was a neighbor, I'd roast a cow on my lawn as often as possible, and I might start practicing my "searchlight and air siren" religion.
There is a whole bunch of BS going on in this story.
My religion is to kill cows, cut them up and have steaks...
I'm sorry but I feel the same about cows in suburbia as I do cats in suburbia. You have a right to keep them. Keep them in your house. We will all be happy with the results!
That's what you call stockpiling moo-nitions.
The subject of the picture I included looks positively delicious.
I need more Cow Bell!
This is a very Mooooving story. I hope they can get off the horns of their dilemma...........
Yes, if God had not wanted us to eat cows, He would not have made them out of beef.
"I'd have a lot more sympathy if they were actually Hindus."
LOL!!!! I guess I never thought about the Hindus being plagued with "crazy convert disease" they way we Orthodox often are!
Hey now there's lots of us Texans that have cows in our yards. We just have big yards. :)
I raised a calf in the yard when it's mother died and we weren't able to drive out to the ranch every day to feed it. Everyone thought it was a very large dog, lol. Also, had about 100 chickens in the garage for an FFA project one year. A couple would even ride on my shoulders when I went for walks. The only animal the neighbors complained about was a goat that couldn't take a step without pooping. Oh, did I say our freezer was always full?
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