Atheists: Is there any solid ethical reasoning for eating meat?

Question

So I understand the Christian reasoning for eating meat; man is special and above the animals in Gods eye... something like that.

I also understand the Buddhist reasoning behind vegetarianism (*all* sentient life is special).

But what ethical reason does an atheist have for killing (and almost always torturing) other animals for no reason (that I can see) other then cultural habit and their own personal desires?

Extra points if your ethical reasoning can also explain away the environmental destruction of raising 8 billion animals every year for slaughter.

Ron, look up the word ethics.

Its so funny to see atheists talk about 'ethics' and 'reason' in the R&S section and then see a whole long list of them who clearly don't even know what these words mean.

Also, no where do I say I'm a vegetarian (I'm not) so all of the rambling ‘vegetarian’ and ‘PETA’ assumptions... are just that... rambling assumptions.

And finally, of course this is an ethical question. Is it right to kill? It's not an ethical question to those who do not want to honestly answer it, but it is still an ethical question since we do have a choice.

Answer 1

No there isn't. I became a vegetarian at a very young age (when I found out meat was animals). At the time, I was being raised Catholic. I didn't convert to Buddhism until much later. Their belief on sentient beings had a lot to do with my choice. Having said that, the rest of my family eats meat and I do not consider them unethical for doing so. They have just chosen differently than I have.

Answer 2

Most studies show that we are omnivorous which means we eat "what's available". I agree that there's no obvious reason for us to eat meat anymore since we have enough knowledge to make sure we get everything we need from veggies, fruit, grain etc but when I'm really hungry I want a rare rib-eye steak, not an apple, so that is what comes natural, at least to me. Not saying it's right or wrong. I believe in most civilized countries the animals are treated in a humane way even though here in Europe there's been some incidents that has made me feel bad about eating meat.

I could probably do more when it comes to knowing where my meat comes from, all I do right now is buying "happy eggs" (from free range chicken) I respect vegetarians and their choices reasons behind it and hope I can be respected in the same way for doing what so many other creatures on earth does, what comes natural. It's not like I want animals killed to wear their fur..

Have a good day

Answer 3

Ethics don't enter into this. It's simply a matter of survival (a genetic imperative). Human beings are omnivorous. We can take nutrition from both plant and animal. Just because we can survive on one or the other, doesn't mean that we should. I'm sure you've heard of the four food groups and the food pyramid.

Case in point: While it is true that a person can take in protein from many different vegetable sources, our bodies take in protein from meat, and use it more efficiently in producing lean muscle mass.

"But what ethical reason does an atheist have for killing (and almost always torturing) other animals for no reason (that I can see) other then cultural habit and their own personal desires?" OOPS...looks like you've bought into PETA's bullsh!t. Our society is no longer desensitized to the slaughter of animals for food (since we are no longer a hunting society), that by showing the bloodier moments of the process, they can play on sympathy to push their misguided agenda.

"Extra points if your ethical reasoning can also explain away the environmental destruction of raising 8 billion animals every year for slaughter." You're aware that the methane blamed for this comes from every single animal that farts, right? It doesn't matter whether the animal (human included) is raised on a farm, or grew up in the wild...if it farts, it releases methane. When you look at the number of millenia that animals have been on this planet (eating and farting the whole time), you'll see that a point like this is a propaganda point.

EDIT: Since you've chosen to quanitfy your question: "And finally, of course this is an ethical question. Is it right to kill? It's not an ethical question to those who do not want to honestly answer it, but it is still an ethical question since we do have a choice."

When it comes to survival, and taking proper care of your body (thru nutrional needs)...yes, it is ethical to kill. In the case of survival, its not only ethical, but a genetic imperative.

BTW, if you don't want people to make assumptions concerning your priorities, don't give them ammunition in your question.

Answer 4

I am an atheist....but that doesn't mean I don't have ethics. I believe in doing no harm....not because I'll one day be rewarded...but because it is the right thing to do. I don't see how that is hard to understand. I do not change my behavior because I am afraid (god fearing) or because I want special privilages in heaven. I do it because it is the right thing to do and I like to be able to hold my head high and be happy with myself. This of course does not pertain to just vegetarianism. I think it is a personal choice. I just like my personal choices to support what I believe in. I don't buy certain brands that do a lot of harm to the environment.

Oops, totally misread your question. I don't know about that one. How about nutritional value? If you live off the land and hunt for food that will sustain you the longest? The cold northern regions would not survive without meat.

Answer 5

considering the enviromental devastation and human exploitation involved in the factory farming of fruits and vegetables, as well as the manufacture, packaging and transportation of ALL food, why would you center out livestock farming in your demands for ethical reasoning? Oh wait, it's because you are a vegetarian, isn't it?

Why should those who eat meat have to justify doing so to someone whose own dietary choices would not necessarily withstand the same scrutiny? Furthermore why should those of a particular religious belief be held to a higher standard of proof than another?


Eating meat is no more unethical than, say, drinking Coke instead of Pepsi, or preferring cherries over grapes. The ethics of how meat animals are raised is another matter--but one for the people who raise those animals.

Answer 6

We're omnivores, we eat both meat and plants, like any omnivore would.

In what ways does raising animals destroy the environment? I'm asking because I want to know.

There is no ethical reasoning behind it, but I don't think barns are run by Atheists, or any particular (non)religious background. It would probably be more ethical if every community hunted and farmed for their food. But greed and demand calls for the supply of 8 billion animals every year for the world.

Answer 7

The reasons we eat animals is for survival. Sure we could sustain our selves by eating only fruits and vegetables. But we are one of few creatures that includes both meat and vegetables in our regular diet. As for torturing animals, that's because we as men are greedy creatures. Carnivorous animals will hunt as needed, but we will kill for almost any reasons. The people who supply meat to the consumers knows that most people will not go get their own meat. Thus creating a market for them to make money. They don't care how the animals are treated, as long as they are making money and the most consumers don't give much thought beyond how much the meat cost and how fresh they look.

Answer 8

It is not a matter of ethics, very often do I think about where the meat came from that I eat. I have also watched multiple videos of how the animals have been slaughtered. The simple fact of the matter is, I can not afford to sustain myself without animal products.. While people can scrutinize me for this, I would likewise ask how they get back and forth from work.. Is it any more ethical to drive? I put survival above ethics in many situations, that coupled with I place humans above other animals.

With all of that said, if I could afford to live without eating animal products I would do it. I do feel sad that my survival depends on the pain of other creatures.

Answer 9

Why does eating have to be an ethical issue?

Ethics aside, there is an evolution-based reason to eat meat (or at least one hypothesis). The more meat our ancestors ate, the bigger their brains got. The link is somewhat conclusive (sorry, I don't have the research here in front of me), it's just hard to tell if our brains got bigger because we ate more meat (got more protein in our diet), or if we ate more protein because our brains were getting bigger.

That, by no means, is an ethical reason to continue eating meat products. I don't have any moral qualms about eating meat. I grew up on a working cattle farm and it's just been a part of my life. But don't try to tell me I don't respect the life of a cow almost as much as any other animal. I worked as hard or harder tending to the needs of the cattle growing up as I did my own.

I'm sorry, I guess I just don't understand the reasoning of "moral" vegetarians. But I guess if you don't want to eat that steak for ethical purposes, no problem...more for me.

Answer 10

Heh... Got your opinions in line already huh? OK, I'm an atheist. I'm immoral and do not deserve any respect, nor to live without holding your standards. It's only OK to eat meat for religious reasons and therefore I am a bad person. Forgive me.

On a less sarcastic note, people are better than animals. We evolved and climbed to the top of the food chain for a reason. And that reason wasn't to go around munching on bark and twigs. Besides, there are lots of farmers who raise these animals for money. Should they starve just because I believe there is no God?