Is it more of a luxury to kill or to show mercy?

Question

This question includes the killing of animals for food. For me every meal i eat which forgoes the end result of a slaughtered animal is a spiritual event. In the past in certain areas of the world such an act was not possible without the probability of forfeiting ones life.

Yet we live in such a day and age that if we merely wished we can not only spare another beings life, but do so healthier than if we did not. This is what I call a luxury and a blessing. I hope more people will realize this act of daily mercy which only serves to increase our spiritual practice.

I find it interesting that you would not kill an animal but you would have another do it for you. Sadly most people probably fall into this camp. Honestly I have more respect for people who kill there own food as they are closer to the source and truly know what it entails.

Mirage, the above detail pertains to your response.

Jim B, i'm sorry did I even mention the bible. One can have an independent spiritual practice without having to heed to that particular paradigm.

frostybelle68, Animals are not plants that you can consider as a harvest. A shark can eat you so show we be considered a harvest. When the opprotunity presents itself to alleviate suffering in the world we should take it. Not only does give us the potential to be spiritual beings but it is also a joy. You should try it sometime and see how it transforms your life. Of course you need to do it in the right spirit. Not eating meat can be a product of legalism as well. But if your motivation springs from compassion you will see what I mean.

I was with you until the sentient plant part. Even if that was a concern there are annual plants whose life cycle is gearing down before the harvest. Second most vegetarian sources do not actually have to kill the plant as grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits all are the product of plants not the plants themselves. The only thing I can think of that would actually outright kill the plant is eating its roots. And call me silly but my conscience just does not pang me when I eat a carrot.

simplyshahid, I appreciate that when you do eat meat you do so mindfully. I'm certain that many people do not do so in such a spirit. With that said know that vegetarianism has been around a lot longer than this century. In fact a whole subculture existing up until 12 century called the Cathars were stricted vegetarians. Unfortunately the pope at the time had genocide performed on them simply because they believed in reincarnation and the inclusiveness of the feminine Divine.

Answer 1

I think that the option to either kill or show mercy is a luxury, myself. However, things like personal preference are also involved. For you, it is a personal preference to show mercy, which you are lucky enough to be able to do in a society where alternatives to meat products are available that can give you almost as much in the way of protein and other nutrients as the meat would. On the other hand, it's also a personal preference and a luxury to be able to order something as simple as a steak because you do not need that cow for other things, like having more cows and providing milk. We are indeed fortunate to live in a time when we have the luxury of choice.

Of course, one wonders how far we could take showing mercy. How do we know that there aren't any intelligent plants out there? Could we be slaughtering by the millions? Also, if we were to ever reach another life giving planet, what if the criteria for "being" has to be changed drastically.

I love thoughts like these.

Answer 2

You are just an animal just like any other. What makes you think you are any better just because you can read a bible? The bible tells you that you are better and the bible tells you that man is better then women and so on and so on.

Man is changing things everywhere, Ants dig holes and make mounds, Birds build a nest. Bears build them a home. I don't understand why people don't want to call what humans are doing anything more then nature doning it's thing. Because a human does it means it is bad. Just because the being is not classed by a human to be a human then they have no sole and can't go to heaven? That is a little too strange.

You are meant to live and you are meant to eat. What makes you say it is wrong to eat meat? You are just meat as well. Nothing any dif then anything else living on this planet. But because a book called the bible tells you to live your life in a set way you are no longer a human but a sheep.

I so wish people would get off that bible kick and understand how much death that it causes and not even for food. Kill because your god tells you to.

There is no god and the bible is as real as it can be meaning a story book. Why would you want to live it?

Buy a copy of Ole Yeller or Where the red fern grows or something and live like that. Follow either of those books and you might stop killing each other in the name of god.

Answer 3

I'm of the opinion that it comes down to a biological imperitve in the end. The body must be fed, whether it's with the flesh of another living being or of the harvest of the earth, the spirit knows both the intent of the person whom ingested the meal.

It's the nourishment and fulfilment of that which a person takes from that meal that they are in fact blessed both in body and in spirit.

*Karma/kismet/the golden rule/ all share a basic rule in that what you put out will come back to you. I believe that can also be said for WHATwe take into our bodies for nourishment as well as HOW we gather it. Surely if one stops to ponder for even a moment to consider the last time they over indulged in anything, good, bad or indifferent... your body let you know about it for at least three days.

In keeping with the spirit of the writers question, the harvesting of food in any manner is, to me part of the necessary ongoing cycle within nature that allows all living things the opportunity to flourish in it's own time. I don't see the harvesting of food as neither a luxury, nor a particular means to show mercy. Harvesting food is a necessity.

Answer 4

It is quite natural and perfectly right to kill certain animals for food. It is natural as it has always been. If the nature of general right and wrong, and our perception for it, has not changed over the thousands of years then why should be think that we have now intellectually and socially evolved into something better to redefine our natural needs?

It may be natural but is it right to kill animal, can we do better than that? This question requires relatively deeper thought that the issue of nature above. When we slaughter animal do we also slaughter our ability to feel compassionate towards other species, and ultimately towards each other.

I am a Muslim, and we slaughter animals to feed ourselves and our families but we do this in the name of Go, thus making sure that our act are not due mindless frenzy, or due to greedy instincts. I believe other religions have similar systems in place. I eat meat but I still feel real compassion for animals.

Answer 5

Man is an omnivorous creature. I am against slaughter houses and deathfarms, but meat that is hunted by another or farmed using traditional methods is fine. Of course I myself would never kill an animal, but that does not mean I cannot eat meat.

Answer 6

I personally think it depends on the situation.

Everyone has a differing opinion on this issue. I think you have to look within yourself for the answer.

Answer 7

Show mercy.

Answer 8

mercy triamps over killing. my opion ?