Killing people vs killing animals. Better, worse, or no difference?

Question

Think about it before you answer.

Answer 1

Both are extremely unethical, unfortunately somewhere along the way, us 'humans' decided that people are more important than animals- which to me, is complete bullsh*t!!!

Answer 2

Why do you leave out plants? Are they less alive than you?

I think some people believe it is wrong to kill animals simply because of the bias we have in *being* animals. Examine your feelings on this and you will likely find that you are biased towards your own kingdom and feel as though anything outside it is fair game. If people had evolved from trees instead of mammals we would be having a very different discussion.

If we accept that killing plants is less evil than killing animals, then we are accepting that the act of killing itself is not evil, so we have to look elsewhere.

Let's look at nature: Animals kill other animals for food, so there's nothing unnatural about it. It is far more rare for animals to kill members of their own species. Let's look at cultures/religions: Most cultures all over the world - regardless of their religion or ideology, condone the killing of animals for food and nearly none condone the killing of people. Let's look at health: Most meat is healthy to us. There is no biological reason to kill people other than to steal their food, shelter and clothing.

I don't think a very sound case can be made either that killing animals for food is evil, or that killing people is not. So, killing people is definitely worse than killing animals.

Remember, vegans are the only people in the whole world who eat all their food *alive*. :-)

Xan Shui
Philosophic Philanthropist, Honest Man

Answer 3

In both cases you are taking a life but I think killing people is worse than killing animals. Some animals were put here for the purpose of being our food but there are no such reasons to justify killing people

Answer 4

Killing people isn't right... period. Comparing the killing of animals to the killing of people is like comparing apples to oranges. There's a HUGE difference! God gave us dominion over ALL animals.. for food, pets, work. There are those who trophy hunt just for the sake of getting a big trophy mounted on their wall, but do not care for the meat or other useful parts of the animal... they're the ones that abuse the God's gifts.

Answer 5

Feeling justified in killing animals just because some old book, largely inscrutible and full of inconsistencies, says that it's ok...Never have understood the mindset of such people.

That said, if inter- and intra- species killing did not occur, the Earth would quickly become overpopulated - both with animals, as well as with people. We would be crawling on top of one another. Therefore, the killing of humans, though a terrible thing, is absolutely necessary, given the alternative that dare not be spoken of, and which is too hideous for most people to even consider...which would be for each woman to only bear 2.1 children (theoretical replacement number), to rear those children with as much love and direction as possible, so that they grow up better equipped and able to handle life and solve the problems of this Earth.

As for controlling the animal kingdom - it is unfortunate, but we have to let the natural order handle population control, aided by humans, who should "cull" those animals necessary to sustain species' populations. We humans do have a moral duty to maintain the populations of all species and to treat animals as humanely as possible. We are not superior to animals, just better able to impose our will on their existence.

Answer 6

Well, killing people will get you 20 to life or, perhaps the death penalty. Killing an animal allows you to put its head on your wall.

Or is it the other way around?

Answer 7

No difference. Now a days, people are killed without any reasons, whereas animals are killed for some purpose.

Answer 8

For everyone who says that there's no difference, maybe you should get killed since you killed an ant, or fly, within your lifetime. Not my problem that now you regret it by saying there's a difference when you're about to be killed in cold blood.

Answer 9

Killing people is wrong. God put animals on this world for us to kill and eat.

Answer 10

no difference they're both living things that's like asking whats worse killing one twin or the other

Answer 11

killing people is wrong. God put animals on this world for us to kill and eat them. people have a souls animals dont.