Sacred Cow-Sacred Car

QUESTION: Why is the cow considered sacred in India? Harris mentions that we have a "sacred" car. List the functions of the Americans' "sacred" car in the same way that Harris does with the functions of the Indians' sacred cow.

The belief that the cow is considered sacred in India is an integral part of Hinduism because it is essential for the maintenance of Indian society.  In Marvin Harris’ article “India’s Sacred Cow”, he describes the functions of the cow as: serving as a symbol of health and abundance, being a producer of yogurt and ghee, as well as being a producer of dung for fire & fertilization. However, of all its functions Harris asserts that the cow’s most important function is it’s breeding, by which the existence of the oxen and bulls essential to the survival of the Indian agriculture is assured. 

For much of American society, the car is not just a serviceable machine to aid one in the pursuit of getting from point A to point B. The “sacred” American car is one of the most important status symbols of our society. The newer and more costly a car one drives, the more prosperous it’s driver is presumed. Ironically, this is often not the case.  People so badly want to be bathed in the golden light of wealth and prosperity, that they often “purchase” cars far more expensive than budget allows, thus worsening the driver’s true economic status. 

The “sacred” American car is an extension of one’s personal space.  The car can be used as a mode of self expression, by means of bumper stickers, plastered on the car, proclaiming the driver’s moral and ethical beliefs, sense of humor, hobbies, likes, dislikes, pride in offspring, etc., etc. Even the paint job and accessories of a car can speak to the personality of its driver. There are drivers who get murals painted on cars and some install elaborate sound systems with which to inflict the chosen song of the moment on other people nearby. Whether the general public wants to hear the music or not, is not relevant apparently.

The sacred American car often times also serves as a “dining room”, since Americans live such frenzied lives that many meals are eaten on the go, in the car en route from one activity to another. Likewise, the car can serve as a “living-room” of sorts, equipped with multiple TV’s, DVD/Blue Ray players, CD Players, IPOD players, Phones, Sirius XM Radio-providing commercial free broadcast of news, sports, comedy, audio books, traffic, weather and a ridiculous amount of music choices. The “sacred” American car can also serve as a means of facilitating amorous endeavors of teenagers without any other available place of privacy, or the means to “rent a room”.  The car can also serve as a sort of “baby nursery”. It is a common practice for parents of colicky babies to drive the baby around in the car, allowing the car to lull the baby to sleep. The car also can literally serve as an actual “home” for those who find themselves in the unfortunate position of being homeless.

The “sacred” American car also often provides a medium for release of pent up aggression, expressed in the form of road rage. This is not a healthy medium in which to release aggression, as it is dangerous. Nevertheless, it remains the chosen medium for many unhappy/passive aggressive people.   An interesting phenomenon with connected with the “sacred” American car is the issue of emotional attachment.  Some drivers become emotionally attached to cars, and refer to the car as “she”, or even name the car, usually assigning a feminine name.

The “sacred” American car can also function as a means of employment. The auto industry is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that employs masses of people.  The oil and tire industry are also dependent on the existence of the “sacred” American car.

And finally, there is a whole subset of society that “worships” cars, and car drivers, in particular, race cars and race car drivers.  NASCAR, the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing, is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that has millions of fiercely loyal fans.  The driver’s race cars are covered with sponsor’s advertising slogans, companies which NASCAR fans naturally support as well.