Meat eaters often criticize vegetarians as having "too much
sympathy for so-called non-sentient" animals. Well, I guess
it depends on how you define the word "sentient." If you
mean that animals don't have a nervous system, or are unable
to sense or appreciate pain--your dead wrong...Mammals have an excellent ability to sense pain, in that their
nervous system is very similar to ours, and we sense pain
beautifully. Pigs and humans have a very similar nervous
system, so similar, that it's a bit frightening. Scientists
like to say "Rats are not men." True, they are not, but
they damn well sense pain.
As an atheist, I don't necessarily have any "sympathy"
for animals associated with any biblical interpretation.
However, I am not able to disavow animal suffering on
the basis of their human oppressors. Most writers
on this forum have stated correctly; that since humans
have a choice not to be cruel, even though nature is...
than why should we be? It's a reasonable argument.
But I would propose a hierarchy of cruelty, based
upon need: If the need is great, then perhaps some cruelty
toward animals is justified. Is the need for food in that
category? Probably not, since humans (and the environment)
are much better off with plant food.
What about medical research? Some animal experimentation is
absolutely necessary--much of it though--is cruel, wasted, and stupid.
Cruelty toward animals for manufacturing cosmetics should be a crime.
Meat eaters like to bait vegetarians by "shocking" them with
comments about huge steaks and bloody meals. I find it amusing
that the last laugh will be on them! After their first heart
attack or stroke--we'll see who's still laughing.
When it comes to food, I still salivate at the smell of a
barbecued steak. Would I eat one, NO. I realize my childhood
exposure to animal food is well programmed. Why should I
allow myself to be seduced by an industry that cares nothing
for my health and welfare, and less even than that for the
environment? I am a prime candidate for prostate cancer due
to a genetic predisposition. Why would I tempt "fate"?
It is my choice not to be duped by corporate
advertising. It's also your choice.
Michael M. Rosenblatt
None.
