Why is it more "Wrong" to eat Horse meat than to eat Chicken?

Question

I think morality based on aesthetics is pretty shallow.

I'm not saying I think eating horse is a good thing:
I'm just saying it's not any less moral than eating chicken, beef, etc.

Why is it that whenever I've told a Christian that I've eaten horse meat they scream "OMFG YOU SINNER! YOU CAN'T EAT HORSES!?!??! THAT'S SO.....WRONG!!!"

Answer 1

In order for some things to live, other things must die. That is the nature of life. There is no right or wrong in this, other than what people assign. If we deem it unethical to consume ANY animal, than logically it is unethical to consume ALL animals.

It could be argued that it is simply unethical to eat sentient forms of life, because they experience existence more like we do. Plants, fungi, bacteria, etc, do not seem "aware" of their own existence, so destroying them, in a sense, is not unethical.

Christians have been "instructed" to dominate the earth, so according to their holy book, animals - ALL ANIMALS - are equally beneath humans, and are subject to consumption without regard. The fact that some Christians find it morally repugnant to eat a particular animal is not a result of their religion, but of their culture and upbringing.

Personally, I find no reason to eat animals at all, since it is quite easy to survive on other forms of food. A truly loving being does as little harm to other life forms as possible.

Answer 2

It's all a question of culture. Different cultures have different taboos, and in fact until quite recently you could find horse meat in French supermarkets. It's not there now though, last time I went was two years ago and they don't sell it any more. I think its also to do with anthropomorphism, ie assigning a personality to a particular animal or species. For example, we think of horses, cats and dogs as having personalities whereas we don't assign the same thing, in general, to cows and sheep. Other cultures do this differently, hence the taboos and permissions are different in every culture.

Answer 3

This may be a result of old Europian mythology, when people have a special connection to horses. However, certain countries still do eat horse meat and is not considered to be wrong. Ever since our country started, people never really ate horse meat and so in moderen days, the fashion continues.

Answer 4

It's a cultural thing. While it's widely practiced in many parts of the world and considered a delicacy sometimes, it is not at all practiced in the USA. No, I don't believe that would be a sin. Food acceptance varies greatly from country to country. We should all be more tolerant of each other's customs and not be so rude and shallow as to point and call names just because someone has a different view point. That is, after all, what makes us all so unique.

Answer 5

Their smarter than chickens, but I don't know if that makes it less moral.
Pigs are supposed to be smart,

And very few Christians refrain from eating pork, since it was only because of health reasons and also in the old testament.

Answer 6

Horse meat is actually pretty yummy. They eat it raw in Southern Japan. Now trying to eat dog, the way they do in Korea and parts of China -- just could never get myself to do it.

Nobody would say it was a "sin" though. Nothing in the Bible about horses.

Answer 7

Well a Christian should not say OMFG- that is against the commandments.

I think that in most civilzations it is frowned upon because they are our pets. Most people have them to ride nowadays, sometimes they are work-animals.

People have always eaten chickens, mostly horses have been work animals.

I say you want to eat a horse, more power to you.

I wouldn't want to.

Answer 8

It is not a sin to eat horse meat. People merely find it repugnant because horses are viewed in our society as companion animals. Ever raise a calf, bottle-feeding it from infancy? It is as sweet, playful, and affectionate as any puppy. Whether or not it is "wrong" to eat any kind of animal's flesh is strictly in the perception of the humans.

Answer 9

It's entirely a societal thing. They eat horse all the time in France. In fact, you need to specify "Bifteck" when you order off a menu in France, because if you just order a steak it's likely to be horse meat. At least, it was that way when I was in high school back in the '90s.

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Answer 10

aside from any religious considerations....

chickens are raised for food....and really do not have any other purpose.

horses have been domesticated to serve many purposes from transportation to entertainment to agriculture. Horse and rider often develop a bond and relationship that transcends the species. They become our loyal friends and companions. They attain a certain nobility. We assign them names. To then turn around and serve it up for dinner comes to border on the unthinkable.