the vegan/animal rights issue astonishes me. I'm a vegan and very active in the animal rights movement around here. I'm also a recovering heroin addict. I quit smoking using electronic cigarettes. People always want info about my e-cig when I'm at my doctor's office [outpatient opioid dependance program] but whenever you say 'you know what's really healthy? a vegan diet' people just ignore me.
Some animals were meant to be eaten? I don't agree. The omnivorous diet is extremely unhealthy. Not because red meat is fatty. Not because of hormones or whatever else. Look at the rates of cancer among vegans. Vastly fewer vegans have cancer. [I'll dig up some research later...]
Why were some animals meant to be eaten? In asia, they believe dogs were meant to be eaten. In newfoundland, seals. In Japan, dolphin and whale. Here, it's cows, but in India this is deplorable. This is called cultural relativism. The problem is,
all of these animals are sentient, they all feel pain, fear, sadness, loneliness, or happiness, etc. They are not volunteering their lives. We take them away. We take them away and we don't thank them. There is no dignity in humane slaughter. We take something that doesn't belong to us.
The thing you should consider is that:
1. When you think of a slaughterhouse, what's the picture in your head? Something quick, painless and merciful. You don't imagine the psychological terror these animals experience, or the fact that it's actually very slow and agonizing, and that they are fully almost always fully conscious at slaughter. Some of these animals are 'processed' while conscious.
2. When you yourself actually
see a slaughter, you'll see that it's not what you think, and is utterly deplorable.
3. When you interact with domesticated cows, chickens, or pigs, you'll notice they no different than dogs, cats, hamsters, parakeets, finches, whatever. They respond to affection or discipline positively and negatively. They experience feelings, are self-aware, and think independently. The details of slaughterhouse conditions and the act of slaughter would probably astonish most of you.
Were some animals meant to be eaten? I challenge any of you to watch
this film
It's called Earthlings. It's about our relationship to animals. It also demonstrates the link between abuse of companion animals and livestock. Most of you will ignore it. Many will say 'I don't want to see that peta propaganda'. This is cowardly. If you want to eat a cow, you should see how they are treated. The few who actually do watch it - I'd love to have a discussion about it.
On a lighter note,
here's a trailer for a beautiful and moving documentary that you might find easier. I saw a lecture by farmer Brown and it was astonishing. You can see the animals rescued from slaughter actually
celebrate because they understand they are safe. Babies reunited with their mothers. They
know and
remember each other and that is love.
Are some animals meant to be eaten?
Why do we love dogs, eat pigs, and wear cows?
