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that's really terrible. do you think you could try to get out of witnessing the slaughter by saying you think it might make you sick? or do you think she wouldn't care? i think i'd vomit. :(

The TA is not the only authority figure around. She must have superiors you can go talk to about this.

I think it may be beneficial for you to witness a slaughter so you can have first-hand experience and use it as an opportunity to teach others. Of course you shouldn't eat goat meat, and I wouldn't participate in the tagging or feeding of the animals, but I think attending these events (not the eating of the meat, but the ones involving live animals) will give you both more information and, if nothing else, a sympathetic presence to those who are being tortured and killed. I know that all of this would present a terrible emotional experience, but the strength of that experience may help to influence your peers. I would talk to your TA though and explain that you will not participate in any of the activities.

I took an animal care course a few years back and dropped out half way through because I couldn't stand the type of stuff they wanted us to do, like going to a slaughterhouse, taking out class squirrel hunting, disecting stuff, this from an animal CARE course!!
Obviously I'm not suggesting you drop out though, try talking with someone in charge about how you feel about this, maybe you can do essays or stuff instead, although I agree with CeilingofStars about witnessing a slaughter being good if you can stomach it, I wish I had decided to see mine so when people ask "have you ever seen a slaughter?" while having an AR debate I could say yes and tell them what it was like.

Talk to your instructor first (pointless though it will be...) and inform her in no uncertain terms that your beliefs about the ethics of intentionally causing harm, pain and death to animals to rationalize a personal dietary choice is something you will neither participate in nor be academically penalized for not participating in. If and when you get nowhere, do the same with your department chair, dean, college president, board of trustees, and local print/electronic media. In that order. :love:

That must be horrible.:( But if you still have to go, can you tell me what happened? Like take a few pics? I've never been to a slaughterhouse, and I can't trust big companies to provide info since they might use photoshop. You don't have to, it's just I've never been to one, and I'm not sure if you can tour one. But if you don't feel comfortable going to one, I understand, I wouldn't really want to see gore either.

Sorry to hear about your plight. I believe you have a valid argument that it violates your belief system, much like the Creationist versus the Darwinist. Also, another angle is a note from a doctor that it will traumatize you.

I think you should do what you really feel is right in your heart. Examine that. It's not for us to tell you how to behave. We can only offer options to consider, and ideas for how to help you follow your decision.

That said, I have been reading more and more lately about students who refuse to harm animals for the sake of a grade, at the highest levels of education no less, so you are not alone if you decide to stand up for your beliefs on this. If you encounter any sort of hostility for doing so, make a record of everything that happens, and escalate the situations as far as you need to. Involved the media. Hell, involve PETA. They love to intervene in scenarios like this when there's publicity to be had.

Good luck.

I would never go to see animals get killed.

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What the hell kind of class do they have you taking?! Ha. I'd for sure have to be talking to the professor about my ethical problems with the upcoming projects. You need to let them know as soon as possibly any concerns that you might have. If I needed to play the Religious Discrimination card to get out of killing a cow, I most definetely would.

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Take a video camera, at least.

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Personally, I don't think you should be ashamed to cry, vomit, faint, or do whatever you need to do to express your true feelings. :hug:

This creates quite a paradox. You will have to decide if you which is more important, your beliefs...as they are TODAY or your schooling and education that will last forever. Just because you are against eating animals today, doesn't mean you will be against it tomoorow.

Comprimise with your teacher and tell her you can't partake in the killing but want to learn more about ti, therefor will attend but wont partake. As for the Goat, putting an eartag on is no big deal. Livestock have a far less tolerance for pain therefor a simple eartag will hardly hurt. The taste test is a problem though...:dizzy:

Further, perhaps by observing the killing you can decide if you feel it is a humane way of killing the animal or if there is a better way. I grew up around farms and in some instances there just isn't any other way of doing it without ruining the meat.

We won't stop people from killing animals so we should work at making it as humane and effective as possible. We should try to embrace one another not hurt one another.

Good luck!

We should try to embrace one another not hurt one another.

Good luck!
So it would be OK with you if she hugs the animal while s/he is killed? Somehow, I think not.

I know that if you don't want to do a dissection in a lab at school, you can ask the professor to do some kind of alternate project or research paper....Have you asked yours if there is an alternative to this "lab" and if they say no, then I'd go over their head and ask the dept. head, dean, etc.

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I don't know how long ago class started for you, but is there anyway you could switch into another lab, if there is one? Or maybe take this classes another quarter with a different TA?

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Eating Goat sounds like a BAAAADDDDD....idea. :bobo: :-/

Why dont you have a quiet word with that teacher and explain your ethics and dilemma with her. If (and I suspect) she will not co-operate, see her superior boss. If there is no joy there. You would have not option but leave the course. Because believe you me, if you witness a slaughter it will haunt you for the rest of your days.

My friend is a RSPCA inspector and part of his training was to witness and kill a animal in a slaughterhouse and even now some years later he has nightmares about it. He even refuses to tell his wife what he witnessed.

I really think ou have no option here than leave.. After all its only a job/course.

I was going to talk to her but she said "I expect everyone to participate, and I dont want to hear any of that oh the poor animals crap" on the first day
Teaching Assistant, right? 100% tenure track material this one is.
Best o' luck to ya.