"If we aren't meant to eat animals, why are we omnivorous?"?

Question

We're omnivorous, and they are meat... why the whole vegan thing?

Yes, Bunny, I like chicken, too!

Answer 1

LOL, you chickened out!

Answer 2

I don't believe in the "we aren't meant to eat meat" argument because I'll concede that humans really are omnivorous as a species. Our closest relatives in the animal kingdom are chimpanzees (about 99% genetically identical to us) and they eat a lot of insects and occasionally small mammals.

Choice based on reason, the power of positive change and even our evolution as a species are the real issues as far as I'm concerned. Our understanding and particular kind of intelligence allows us the option of choosing a healthier lifestyle for ourselves and the other beings on our planet. It's about being "good stewards" of the earth. Dogs, cats, bears and other meat-eating animals don't understand things like amino acids and vitamins, so they cannot make any other dietary choice. We can.

Answer 3

It doesn't mean killing and eating animals as a specific definition of the term dominion, but it does mean that man has ultimate authority over these creatures and the planet. All of this was made for our purpose and not the reverse. We will be held accountable for any abuse we inflict. Using animals and plants to sustain us is not abusive. Blessings

Answer 4

Some people just have a love for animals that goes to a whole nother level....I'm not saying THAT level lol but some people chose not to kill other animals for food when there is plenty of other nutrients to live by I guess....

Don't get me wrong, I love animals, but I guess I eat meat because thats what I'm used to. If I put my mind to it, I could probably become a vegetarian, but I enjoy meat.

Sorry if this offends anybody! Hey we are all entitled to our own thing right?

Answer 5

It goes beyond just what is edible.
It's a longevity thing. Humans until recent times died in their 40's usually. Didn't have to worry about cancer or heart disease. Or even food for health beyond simple survival.
We (in the US) also have had the luxury (mostly) of having plenty of food choices. That is not true for many others.
And while it's great to show concern for animals, and not treat them cruelly, it's a tough trend / habit / custom to buck to avoid meat and meat products completely.
Unfortunately, as the world human population continues to grow, there will be less and less room for other species.
First the endangered ones go, then the not so endangered ones.
Then, .....

Answer 6

I guess I'll be the first vegan to answer this, on the off chance this is a legitimate question. First of all, the statement "We're omnivorous, and they are meat" contains two inaccuracies. 1) They are not "meat" any more than we are. They are living, breathing, feeling creatures. 2) Whether or not humans are truly meant to be omnivorous is something that is still subject to much debate.

Yes, we have eyes facing forward, but so do other herbivores, including our closest relatives, the primates. This proves nothing. And to those that say our "canine" teeth are made for tearing flesh, try to bite the hind leg of a deer and see how much of a meal you can make out of that. Chances are, you couldn't even pierce the skin. Everything about our teeth suggests they were made for eating vegetables, tubers and grains.

People like to speak of humans as being at the top of the food chain and being "natural predators", but the fact remains that we do not have any of the abilities/attributes (large teeth, strong jaws, sharp claws, high speed/reflexes, ability to digest raw meat) that make a successful hunter.

The prevailing wisdom on the subject suggests that humans evolved over time to be able, as a last resort, to digest cooked meat during times of great hardship. We were not "designed" to eat meat originally, and it is not a necessity for us to do so now (with a few cultural exceptions).

If you like meat and want to eat it because it tastes good, then fine, enjoy. But everyone who answered should do a little research (rather than simply saying veganism is "bull****") before claiming we were "meant" to eat meat or we "need" meat. It simply isn't true.

Answer 7

The human body may be designed to eat meat. I have no arguement nor interest in that because.....

There is no need to kill animals to live. You can thrive perfectly healthily on a vegetarian diet.

humans may have been designed to eat meat, but animals were certainly not designed to be caged up, mistreated, and killed in early life

I think we would be more likely to humour the "its natural, we're meant to do it" arguements if all meat-eaters went out and hunted thier own meat, ripped it apart by hand and ate it raw. Its illogical to claim "its natural" and them put animals through the artificial meat process.

The arguments against eating meat, and the evidence of how animals are treated is vast, but your question does sound like you haven't thought about it all all. Perhaps research it, and come back with some specific questions ?

I was "meant" to father a child at 11 years old, or so my body told me. Would that be right ? Of course not. We have brains to determine whats right and wrong, there is no need to rely on cave-man instinct.

Having read most of the meaty-answers I think not being associated with thier level of logic is a good enough reason to be veggie. Such cliched nonsense, can any of them think for themselves or do they all have to continuously repeat the standard meaty-knock-a-veggie comments ? If they have anything to say, great, lets hear it, but try to make yourself sound older than 12, or failing that, show that you have at least thought about it for more than a millisecond.

Answer 8

If we are meant to eat meat then why do we have a conscience?

If we are meant to eat meat then why does it increase our chances of certain diseases like heart disease and colon cancer?

If we are meant to drink milk then why is it causing obesity and an increase in allergies?

And what do you mean by this term 'meant'? Technically we can digest human flesh but that doesn't mean we're meant to. Our reasoning and consciences tell us we shouldn't... well vegans just have a more sensitive conscience and believe we shouldn't consume the flesh of any living being either. I'm not saying we're 'meant' to do anything... I just know that my conscience won't allow me to regard my tastebuds as more important than the pain of a living creature.

Answer 9

Where does the idea of "supposed to" come from?

Yes, we have the capability to eat meat. Yes, at one point it helped human evolution to do so. However... we know we can survive and actually be more healthy, on a vegetarian diet. Also, we have the capability to think and choose what to eat, and we can recognize the damage that animal farming causes to the environment.

You can feed 10 vegetarians on the acreage it takes to raise one cow. In a world where there are people starving to death, does it really make sense to eat meat?

As to the "they are meat" comment, they are no more meat than YOU are meat. They're animals.. So are you. They're mammals... So are you. They think, feel pain and have emotions, just like you. The idea that other beings exist for our _use_ is a western concept which has permeated through the world, and it's the same attitude as believing the Earth is only here _for our use_. Look where that's getting us...

Unfortunately people forget that stewardship goes hand in hand with use, and that we need to respect nature, as without it we will not surivive. We are not separate from nature. We are a part of it.

mckahlan_2004: When I say you can feed 10 vegetarians on the acreage it takes to raise one cow, I'm not talking about one meal for 10 people. I'm talking about food year round. One cow isn't going to provide food for 10 people, with all the required nutrients, even if it were just for one meal, either.

Answer 10

all animals can survive on a vegan diet look at your dog in the wild there is no way he could live as long dog food has crap from all the food groups. now a days it's just a cheap source of protein your body digest plants better then animals

Answer 11

Okay, so we have the teeth of an omnivore, too ... but some people just don't want to eat animals, birds, fish, or sealife ... and that is their RIGHT. Vegans don't eat ANY animal products, including fat, milk, cheese, yogurt. They claim they are healthier ... I'm an omnivore, so I don't know ... but I do believe that these people do have the RIGHT to be vegetarians or vegans if they want to. What they don't have is the right to badger those of us who eat meat to stop ... although many do try.