Thanksgiving arrives every year with a heated debate over how to best cook that plump and juicy turkey. But the idea of a tofu turkey (also known as a “tofurkey”) has gone from a joke a couple years ago to a reality for many. While vegetarianism has been practiced for over a thousand years in some countries, it is a relatively new concept in the West. And so, with the question cropping up more and more often, should we eat meat?
Please select the category that most closely reflects your concern about this content,
so that we can review it and determine whether it violates Civility 101 or isn't
appropriate for some other reason.
Abusing this feature is also a violation of Civility 101.
Explanation:
7
6
7
1
5
5
7
10
Biweekly updates on new debates and experts
Please check your email to confirm your subscription.
© 2008 Opposing Views, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Opposing Views, Inc. is not responsible for the content posted on this website. Please view full disclaimer under Terms
There is No Such a Thing as a “Humane” Slaughterhouse
- From PETA
By PETA - People for Ethical Treatment of Animals
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
A pragmatic approach
Agreed that those who believe 'meat is murder' and that any murder is too much murder will in no way be appeased with this argument. But there were a number of other arguments presented by PETA including the ones about the environment, world hunger and others that would also be resolved by a reduction (not cessation) of meat eating. Meat eating has been part of human cultures for thousands of years, but the industrialization of the process (killing) has turned it into something so brutal that few of its consumers would be able to stomach watching it let a lone participating. Boycotting or (more likely to have an effect) legislation requiring certain minimal standards (after all we do have cruelty to animal laws) would likely improve conditions and increase price decreasing consumption. Asking people to stop entirely to some people cancels traditions, alienates friends and family, forces people to change their identities. Transitioning from a society where meat is consumed 3 meals a day to once per week would accomplish most goals and focusing on improving standards might be an inroad to that process.
- GreenLove
September 3, 2008 1:16PM
Reply to this Recommend (2)
Side: Uncommitted
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Is a partial fix really a laudable goal?
Sure, a reduction of meat eating would achieve a good deal for the environment, global human hunger, and human health and welfare. But you said some interesting things about what's wrong with asking people to give up animal products entirely that I'd like to address. You mention tradition. Is tradition ever a justification for an otherwise unethical practice? Think of slavery or sexism, for instance.
I think I only alienate friends and family who have unacknowledged conflicting feelings about eating animal products. The people who are confident they're doing the right thing have no problem with me. Occasionally someone will be 'put off' by the inconvenience my presence brings to an occasion. Often, though, I can mitigate or remove the inconvenience and turn it into a positive experience for everyone. I am very grateful for the people who were unafraid to live their values and thereby introduce me to new and welcome ideas. Living my values brings me more intimacy than alienation.
If someone's identity is wrapped up in their beef burrito, then I think they have a serious problem.
- Sammy
December 30, 2008 10:14PM
Reply to this Recommend (0)
Side: No
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
But if 'meat isn't murder'
A reduction in consumption would be a full fix to the environmental problem and the world hunger problem. It would only partially appease those who consider meat to be murder. A tradition of slavery and a traditional turkey on Thanksgiving are really two very different things in my opinion. Those arguing for the environment and world hunger should be arguing for more efficient and sustainable land-use policies (which would result in less meat) not a ban on meat. Those bringing up the poor treatment of animals before they are slaughtered should be advocating improved standards for the treatment of those animals. Those who believe ethically that meat is murder should be advocating that no one eat meat. Lumping all these issues related to meat together prevents any action on any of them until there is a lot of support for a strict vegetarianism . Considering where we are and where we have been that support may never come.
- GreenLove
December 31, 2008 6:25AM
Reply to this Recommend (0)
Side: Uncommitted
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
We are not the only animal to farm others
Ants. They do just as people do and herd aphids and other smaller insects. It's a fact that while they protect them from others just as a farmer protects his sheep or cattle from wolves and coyotes , they also use them the same way dairy cows are used for milk. Chimps have learned how to fasion spears to hunt other smaller primates. Food for thought and I was not supprised no-one mentioned this since while most AR activist are schooled in various subjects, I have not seen this one or other eco system facts stated. Or that all domestic animals are part of our society , not really any ecosystem outside of man. That topped by the fact that all plant life eating animals in this group would be competing for our own crops putting them in with coyotes,rats, mice, and all other creatures that eat our crops or herds. Their future still wouldn't be all sunshine.
- Mcdowelli76
May 31, 2009 6:54PM
Reply to this Recommend (0)
Side: Uncommitted
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
we can choose to not farm animals
Ants do not have a developed nervous system. Neither do aphids. These creatures do not suffer when they are farmed.
Cows feel pain, anxiety, and fear. So do chickens, pigs, and other vertebrae. Especially in cramped and miserable conditions seemingly prevalent in mass produced meat factories and farms.
Farming is natural, yes. There is no doubt that it has emerged in other species. But if we are able to minimize the suffering of our animals , why wouldn't we do that?
- advance
June 12, 2009 4:05PM
Reply to this Recommend (0)
Side: No
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.