Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kirsten on June 15, 2011 at 5:15pm

I'm so happy I found this group. 

 

   A good portion of people have trouble thinking more than a few months into the future unless they are reminded very, very often. And diet is something that currently has huge effects across the board: shipping, packaging, health (human and animal), land use, water pollution, and plenty of others. 

 

   It seems to me like a majority of people either assume that there is plenty of time to fix the issues we have (tell that to the species already on the brink of extinction, or already extinct), that humanity has a right to keep doing it because we have in the past, or that it's a non-issue because animals aren't as smart as we are and are meant to be used by us, just like all other resources. This demonstrates a clear lack of education on the matter of ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as the definition of sentience. 

 

   Just like with atheism and rationality, if someone doesn't talk about this we can't expect it to get better. The reasons to switch our diets (where possible) aren't just hippy-dippy mumbo-jumbo based on how cute little baby chickens are. We need to speak out and educate.

 

  So yes, I am speaking out (politely, but firmly). I care about the planet. I care about life. I want all people in the future to come into a world where respect is the norm, not exploitation. I want responsibility to be important, not desire. 

Permalink Reply by Dogly on June 18, 2011 at 3:54pm

It seems many agree that it is OK to object when something another person does can be shown do cause personal injury to us. Defending the interests of another, especially one from a scorned group like other animals, is what is considered rude and fanatic.
If I say that eating meat raises my taxes because of government subsidies, that's ok. If I say eating meat means hurting and killing my friends, and that I want to protect them from your predation, that is unacceptable. I am a vegan Nazi, or fellow atheist say veganism is a religion and that is not worth talking to us. Compassion and empathy is NOT a religion. What about that "Being Good Without God!" stuff?
Defending the weak against bullies is a good thing to do. Preventing unnecessary suffering is an ethical thing to do. Eating meat is dumb, mean, and totally unnecessary. OK carnists, wipe the blood from your mouths and deny, lie, and excuse. Talk about the lions, the cavemen, the subsistence hunter. Tell me that no-one loves animals more than you. And no-one loves children more than a pedophile. When you tell me you "LOVE" animals, I ask, "With catsup,or gravy?"

Permalink Reply by JD Rasco on July 13, 2011 at 6:22pm

You are like jesus...but real. You are right, if people are murdering my animal friends I need to take a stand!

Permalink Reply by Dogly on August 15, 2011 at 11:43pm

I have noticed that some vegans only feel justified in speaking out about those aspects of meat eating that affect them personally, like pollution.  Why is it less acceptable to speak for the other animals who are tortured and killed, than our own interests?  Whatever serious and terrible environmental effects meat eating has on the planet, most vegans who I know became vegan because of compassion for the other animals.  It is also MY business if someone is hurting and killing my friends and distant relatives.

Permalink Reply by Dogly on April 2, 2012 at 5:36pm

It is none of our business!  Just as it was none of our business when witches were being burned at the stake in this country, and when black people were held in chains, when women were not allowed to vote, and when bear baiting was legal.  Wouldn't America be a better place if nosy, pushy, self-righteous people just backed down and shut their mouths.

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