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Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1  This movie is soooooo much deeper than just the "betterment of animals". This is clearly stated, several different ways, in several different places, on the site. This idea of "speciesism", of human beings being no higher than any other animal on the planet, is old fodder. I personally do not equate humans with animals. I think we are caretakers of this planet and the animals that inhabit it. In my thinking, that is a responsibility to defend and protect all animal's welfare. Cruelty should not be tolerated, not because the animal has "rights", but because as intelligent, thinking, educated, responsible, compassionate humans, it is thrust upon us to protect any animal's welfare, because that is what distinguishes us from animals....the ability to know and appreciate right from wrong, and follow that path. Animals do not have that capacity.....a dog will savagely maul a baby, if the desire strikes them. No one should take pleasure or "understand" where the dog's intent was....it is an animal....period. Likewise, seeing inhumane treatment or cruelty forced on animals by humans, is inexcuasble and should not be tolerated. But that is not because the animal "has rights"....it is because the animal has no rights....it has no concept of "rights" and must be protected by humans, who are capable of knowing what is right and wrong. I make no assumptions about what this movie is trying to promote...it is clearly stated throughout the site, even giving instructions on how to nudge friends and family into thinking like this movement does....."The Movie brings viewers face-to-face with the leaders of this developing movement, and, for the first time ever on film, fully examines the purpose of what they are setting out to do." I do not follow the same train of thought these people do, and will not allow them to "enlighten" me to their way of thinking. I do not believe this thinking is correct or beneficial to humans or animals. I can be called names....closed minded, short sighted, whatever....I respect everyone's RIGHT to believe what they chose to believe and hold in their hearts to be true. Animals are NOT humans, they are not equal to humans, and must be guarded and protected, because they can not do it for themselves. I am a vigilant proponet of animal welfare, not animal rights, and there is a huge difference. |
Well said, Judy. I, too, agree that humans are not animals that evolved from pond scum but inspired, spiritual beings who are so much more than just a functioning animal body that dies and goes back to nothingness without a purpose to life or hope of an eternity. I understand there are many who don't agree with that worldview and that is their perfect right but disagree mightily with anyone efforting to get me to equate the human being with any animal, fish, fowl or insect species, using the subject of cruelty to animals as a preface to their reasoning that humans and animals are equals. I don't know if this movie does that or not so I'd have to check it out further but it seems to be leaning that way from what I can tell so far from the information on the website.
We must all do a far better job policing the way all nations' animals and fowl are treated in feeding, clothing and providing leather for furniture, handbags, wallets, etc., for humans and other animals, and speaking up loudly, using the ballot box, etc., when we see lovely, noble animals treated horribly in their living conditions or handling or in how they die to provide us food, leather. Just as objectionable to me is how animals must die for for high-dollar sport using precision, war-like weaponry that requires little actual hunting skills and the animals dead bodies just dumped rather than being used for food or actual clothing or are stuffed to reside in someone's den as a kind of grisly symbol of some sort. I wonder how it is someone gets a high or a thrill from needlessly taking the life of a wild animal unless they are going to perish from starvation but understand many still do love to "hunt" exotic animals, deer and wild boar, though how they can enjoy that kind of hobby, I will never know. The only way to change cruelty to animals is through reasoning with others, boycotting, the ballot box and using all forms of media, as far as I can tell.
Trying to elevate an animal to that of the human being as to its purpose and function in this life or rights is hard for me to get my mind around but I take great exception to animal cruelty in any form. It's no doubt the way we sit back and allowed our cattle, pigs and fowl to be kept in one small space or cage for its entire life, handled and slaughtered sometimes inhumanely, so we can have a wonderful, cheaper meal or carry a fashionable bag, eyeglass case or expensive briefcase is absolutely immoral to my mind and I'm always glad to see any move to try to change that. Then poor creatures we keep in zoos and sea tanks all of their lives - rather than letting them live free - is just awful to me. And those who hurt or kill animals just for the "joy" of it - I'll never get that mentality.