Do you feel that all life is equal?

Question

Are the lives of living creatures other than human beings less important? There is, of course, the cycle of nature where certain animals gain their sustenance from other animals; man is no different in this regard. Man, however, has the ability to affect the quality of life of other creatures in a way that no other species in nature can. Does this mean that man is ultimately responsible for his conduct towards other life?

What are your feelings on this issue and how do your religious/ethical beliefs fit into this? Respectful answers only please.

This question has been brought to you courtesy of Jack, an Atheist, and yes, a vegetarian.

This is not a question of superior ethics; I'm simply asking for different perspectives. I have no qualm with people who eat meat; it just is interesting to me that many people choose a religious/belief system defense of their eating habits.

I do believe in the humane treatment of animals and think this can be integrated into the system that provides animals as food for humans--I understand that it is unrealistic to expect mass-scale embrace of vegetarianism.

By the way, I don't know who's giving the thumbs down; I've given everyone a thumbs-up.

Answer 1

If humans were to get involved with caring about the quality of life that they will eventually kill to eat, then they would never kill it to eat it...they would become attached.
This is why people don't eat their pets.
As far as my views personally I guess I would have to admit that deep down I don't like the way animals are treated in an effort to feed the masses, yet at the same time I really love bacon...so I have not made it a priority. I basically ignore it in a effort to fulfill my own desires.

So here come the thumbs downs for being honest. I am curious to see what any other meat eating people will say.

Edit: No contest here. I just wondered how people can get around the fact they we chose to ignore the fact that animals are not treated very humanely. If one has ever seen a Cattle Truck or worse a truck full of chickens you would know it's not very humane.

Answer 2

Are the lives of living creatures other than human beings less important?
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Tianrui: "No. They are as equal as ours. "
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---There is, of course, the cycle of nature where certain animals gain their sustenance from other animals; man is no different in this regard.
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Tianrui: "I like where this is going"
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---Man, however, has the ability to affect the quality of life of other creatures in a way that no other species in nature can. Does this mean that man is ultimately responsible for his conduct towards other life?
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Tianrui: "Yes! Man is ALWAYS responsible for how he/she acts in life. We are the dominate species of this planet...we can either abuse it, or use it towards sustaining a healthy place for all creatures, no matter how small.
After all....if there IS a nuclear fallout - coach roaches will be the only beings left this planet....don't believe me? LOOK IT UP!"
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---What are your feelings on this issue and how do your religious/ethical beliefs fit into this? Respectful answers only please.
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Tianrui: "I am a Pagan. I see nature and life as sacred, along with chaos and death. They are both equal parts to this universe, and without one, there would be no other. In otherwords, we wouldn't exist!"

Answer 3

As a Buddhist, I feel that all sentient beings are important and should be preserved and loved and tended to. When we separated ourselves from the earth as a breathing organism, we set ourselves on the current path of destruction. As a devout yoga practitioner, I have also found that being part of all things on so many levels is something I no longer ignore and take very seriously. I made a decision to go vegetarian and also to make conscious choices about where I buy produce etc. It's just as important as being a vegetarian. Thank, Jack. Great question.

Answer 4

all life is important. we are part of the great cycle that you mentioned.

i believe that we have a responsibility to take care of this planet...that includes animals.

i would never mistreat an animal (no matter what some of my roaming questions say). i would never cut down a tree needlessly.

i am definitely a carnivore though. my family had a farm when i was little...i played with the chicks, but i still ate the fried chicken.

i would like to see the animals that we use for food treated more humanely...we can only do the best that we can do as individuals.

bright blessings to you jack

Answer 5

I base my feelings partially on my religious belief. God told us we have dominion over animals. Thus, from His point of view, I think human life is more important.

But I also have my own personal feelings and I think all life is important. I have no problem with eating meat or raising animals for food. I do have problems with cruelty to animals and neglect of animals. Packing chickens into small cages where they cannot move in order to harvest their eggs is unacceptable. Since I saw photos of how commercial egg laying is done, I cannot bear to buy any eggs except cage free ones which are more expensive.

I do not think animals should be mistreated or killed for sport. If they are used in medicine, I'd like to know that all arrangements have been made so that they don't suffer needlessly.

Funny thing about this is that I have a pet dove. He loves me. I mean he really loves me to the point where you can see it. I understand that doves mate for life. I've seen him demonstrate love, anger, jealousy, happiness, excitement and sadness. If an animal as basic as a dove can experience and show emotions, then I realize that all animals must have that capacity to some degree. To me, that makes them more important than I once thought.

Answer 6

Jack, my friend, you have hit the nail directly on the head with your question. Most Wiccans believe exactly as you have stated. ALL life has it's OWN existence as the reason that we ALL must and should respect its existence. This idea of HUMANS being in dominance over ALL of nature is ONLY peculiar to the Judeo-Christian-Islamic religions. All others injsist upon the concept that Humans are a part of nature and they are charged with having to CARE for the world in a loving fashion. Yes, we consume life to live ourselves but, that STILL means that we should treat those that we eat with respect, grattitude, and appreciation for the sacrifice that is made so that we may survive.

BB,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 7

Jack,

I believe all life is sacred.

I am a Christian, and I believe that all life is a result of creation. I believe that life and nature have been put in a delicate balance and cycle, and that as humans, we have a responsibility to preserve that cycle, since God in Genesis gave man dominion over the earth and all its creatures.

We've sorely abused our power.

I am not a vegetarian, simply because I believe that we as humans are as much a part of the cycle of nature as the lion or the zebra. The zebra eats the grass and the lion eats the zebra. No one gets mad at the lion and tells him the zebra is an endangered species and he needs to stop eating it! He just does what's in his nature.

As omnivores, we can eat both meat and vegetables. Either way, be it animal life or plant life, we have to live off of other things in order to survive. We need to be respectful of that balance though and somewhat humane in our treatment, understanding that when we eat meat or anything living that it should be eaten with thanks and not taken for granted.

Answer 8

i might desire to handle this in 2 perspectives Technically, all lives are of equivalent well worth yet very nearly, it is not. In our every day existence we see a human as an incredible character or an incredible contributor to the society/mankind or a individual preserving an significant place which incorporate president etc based on the measurements what we do against the yardsticks provided with the aid of the society. In our social circumstances human beings in no way have same well worth and our society might in no way ever enable to have one in each and every of those undertaking. even though, those are all mere mortal regulations. there are a number of things above the 'guy made regulations'. while a organic calamity happens, it does not do away with lives based on the importance given to a individual. the well worth of a greenback lies in the utilization. U could throw it out, or u could purchase some thing for self, or you're able to provide it as charity. In each and every of those circumstances, technically it has an identical well worth , yet very nearly it has distinctive values. So, internet, i might say that technically or from a philosophical attitude all human lives have equivalent well worth, even though, in our functional terminologies , it varies.

Answer 9

I think if we could begin to try to understand the way the Native Americans were so careful to use every part of an animal killed for food, including hides, bones, fat, etc. They did not litter! I love the land, and resent the runoff of chemicals from surrounding farms that keeps us from allowing our horses to drink from a lovely stream with a little water fall. We are afraid the chemicals would do them harm. My faith teaches that we are to be good stewards, and not be wasteful. My family is from the south, and we tend to eat a lot of vegetables and less meat. We could also learn much from many Asian cultures, who tend to eat more vegetables and use meat for flavoring, instead of the main course. We have "Americanized" that by adding more meat.

Answer 10

We are the only animals with large enough brains to conceive of affecting the quality of life of other creatures. Hence husbandry. I don't believe in cruelty, but making food of living creatures is a cruel business. I would not want to slaughter them myself, though. Saying that man is ultimately responsible for his conduct towards other life is philosophical, but judgmental. Every person needs to find their own code. If everyone would start by not being cruel, it would be a start. It is a matter of personal ethics, but not religion. I do not have the inclination to be a vegetarian. Does that make me unethical? Maybe in your eyes.

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