What does it mean that "animals are not people" so it's okay to kill them?

Question

What is the difference, specifically, that affects their killability?

Answer 1

what is your sick fascination with killing animals..get a life will ya?

Answer 2

The difference that affects their killability? They're delicious.

You can't eat humans, because cannibalism actually somehow causes the brain to deteriorate and drive the cannibal mad, with time.

Answer 3

Animals are a food source. We are ominvores, after all. If we are killing for food or to put an animal that is suffering out of its misery, then I believe it is "okay". Killing them for their pelts, ivory, for pure sport or because they're a nuisance is not "okay" in my opinion. Though I have no qualms with putting down a mouse or rat trap, because the cute little critters spread disease.

Medical uses are a grey area. I would like to see the time come when we don't have to use animals for experiements, but I don't think we're there yet.

Answer 4

Were this a perfect world, we'd still live in a hunter-gatherer society where we'd still be a proper part of the food chain--i.e., we would potentially be prey as well. At which point I don't see a thing wrong with it.

But we've gone and messed all that up, and since we've thrown off the level playing field, we've got the opportunity to choose what to eat. In this situation, I choose not to eat animals.

Answer 5

There isn't a real distinction. This is why there are a significant amount of religious people who are vegetarian and vegan. The usually focus on "the body is a temple", "shall not kill", and that animals are God's creation also.

I attended a Lutheran and Pentacostal (sp) high school where over a 1/3rd were vegetarian/vegan for religious reasons.

Answer 6

Thank you. Animal killing is abominable and eating them one gets the same Karma for killing them. Its just plain unconscious eating. Not thinking of what one is supporting by eating meat. If one wants to help the world they should stop eating meat. The Vedas say As long as there is animal slaughter their will be war and famine. The killing karma hast to come back some how. The only difference between humans and animals is their level of conscience. Animals eat sleep mate and defend and so do humans but humans have the intelligence to question their existence and animals do not. That does not mean we should kill them. If one misuses their human existences and does not make any spiritual advancement they will take birth in an animal body or lower species. It' the law of nature go to http://www.stephen-knapp.com for universal truths

Answer 7

Some people believe that god breathed the breath of life into humans, but did not do so with animals. Therefore humans have souls and animals don't, and this difference makes it ok to kill them.

However I dont think we should kill animals. I am vegeterian. Animals are flesh and blood creatures who feel pain. They have emotions and can even feel love. Anyone who has had a pet knows this is true!

Answer 8

The difference is that God says not to "murder" people but that it's okay to kill animals for what they can provide.

If you are trying to come up with a consistent moral code completely separate from the Word of God, good luck.

Answer 9

As I have seen posted...God gave man dominion over them...They don't have souls...blah, blah, blah.

I think it's more like Humans can think, rationalize. We can kill all the animals we want and come up with numerous reason why it's ok... Heck we do that to each other. The poor critters don't stand a chance.

Answer 10

Animals do not have souls. Period. That is why man was given dominion over them. God told Adam to kill and eat.

Answer 11

Some people feel they are smarter and better than animals.

I am an avid hunter. I eat what I kill.