Quote:
It's not hypocrisy it's human nature. People die in wars and famines and are shot down in the streets everyday. And as humans we feel badly for them and think dear God how can this go on and in the next second our attention shifts to something in our own lives because we really don't know these people personally so it doesn't effect us in the same manner as if a sibling or parent were killed in the same fashion.
The murder of a dog, a pet, effects us on a different level than say a deer or cow because as we read these thing OUR pet is sitting beside us and we imagine someone doing it to them and we are outraged because it effects us on a deeper level because it is more personal. We can imagine someone doing this to someone we know, someone we love, our 'child'. Doesn't make it right and it doesn't make us hypocrites just makes us human.
I don't eat as much meat as I used to but I will admit to enjoying a really good steak three or four times a year. And chicken is a staple in our home. Did your documentary make me rethink my stance on eating meat? Not really. It just made me rethink where I get it. |
I completely understand what you're saying and you make an excellent point; perhaps hypocrisy was a bit of a strong word, but it really, really disturbs me to see otherwise-compassionate people calling for someone to be burned alive.
I don't have a problem with people eating meat raised sustainably and under humane conditions. It doesn't bother me at all - I live on a small farm, and have considered raising organic livestock to ensure that at least
somewhere they're being treated humanely. I just wish more people paid attention to where they get it and recognize the fact that farm animals raised for food are still animals with feelings - they feel isolation, terror, and pain.
Factory farms make up 80% of meat and dairy production in the United States, and the animals there are treated abysmally behind closed doors, completely unprotected by animal welfare legislation because they're a "commodity", not individuals that deserve to live a life of dignity that is free of unneccessary suffering.
Chickens have their beaks cut off without anesthesia and live in cages that are 6/10ths of a square foot. Pigs are tortured and beaten with steel rods and they're as smart as a three year old human, smarter than a dog. It's like beating a toddler to death. Some of the videos you can find exposing these places would chill your very blood.
I love dogs, and I know other people here love them too. I just think we as a society need to let that love and compassion direct our decisions in other aspects of life as well. Just because an animal isn't as cute as a Yorkshire terrier doesn't mean it doesn't suffer when it's boiled alive or struck with a crowbar...
I'm glad the documentary made you think though. It made me think too.
