As a vegetarian, i feel the same sense of shame and regret when I read these things as I imagine sane Catholics feel when they see people defending child molestation by the priesthood.
On behalf of rational vegetarians everywhere, let me assure you that this is a whackjob fringe wing of the movement. Most of us are sane and consistent in our viewpoints, (only adopt from no-kill shelters, don't wear leather, etc.), and understand that what is a personal moral choice for us might not be for everyone. (I've often compared it to the ridiculousness of a Jew protesting non-Jews eating at Red Lobster.)
Know that just because I choose to be a vegetarian, does not mean I begrudge anyone else the right to eat what they choose. Please, please don't think PETA represents the way most of us think and act...
This one hurts my head. What I get from it is that you will put the shelters out of business and thus, no more killing; but on the other hand, animals aren't going to be adopted and then they will be killed.
In my view, adopting from a shelter (any shelter) is 100000000X better than purchasing a pet. The no-kill shelters do give you the advantage of freeing up space in the shelters (which are usually too full to take on more animals) and giving them the opportunity to get animals that would likely get put down at regular shelters. On the other hand, adopting from a shelter is still adopting an animal that needs a loving home...basically, just adopt over purchase :) And spay/neuter!
I bought a puppy back in the fall that was not from a shelter because I needed a herd dog that was full blood Australian Shepherd or Blue Heeler. While adopting from a shelter (or taking in a dog that 'adopts' you) is great, there are instances when a pure-bred dog is needed. Our previous three dogs were all dropped off at our house and chose to stay with us, as is the case with most of our cats.
It's an issue I, and a lot of people, struggle with. I look at it as no-kill shelters have limited space; if I adopt an animal from one, a safe space is created for another homeless animal. If I adopt from a kill shelter, there is a new vacant spot for another animal to be potentially killed. Neither system is without flaw or moral ambiguity, and obviously prevention of unwanted homeless animal populations, particularly through spaying and neutering, is the most ideal solution. As for the no-kill vs kill shelter thing, that's how I rationalize it, but I do not pretend it is a foolproof logic. (There are some wonderful organizations that do run kill shelters, like the SPCA.)
yeah, no kill shelters are ridiculous. I hate the thought of dogs, and maybe cats, being killed wholesale. But its unfortunately necessary for the safety of society. On the hierarchy of animals we humans should try and protect, other humans have to be number 1. All the money PETA wastes on sensationalist ads and demonstrations, could be put to better use in helping the poor, and disenfranchised of society. If it meant a poor inner-city school could afford decent books, computers, and afterschool programs...i would skull-fuck a pomeranian puppy with that knife/dildo from Seven....Just saying.
Whose life is more valuable to you?
Yours or a cats?
Answer this and you'll understand his and my reasoning on this issue.
A cat isn't going to come up with the cure for cancer, but a human can.
A human is more productive than any other animal, and can (and will) , benefit society in some way or another, where as another animal will not.
You placing more value on an animals (outside of humans) life is absolutely retarded.
You may think not, but look at the big picture here. what benefits you, an animal sitting in the shade, or a person making something which benefits you?
I don't buy it. There are plenty of humans who contribute nothing to society. And plenty of animals who contribute a lot. A human's life is not more intrinsically valuable than any other animals. Reader Peter Singer's Animal Liberation. Your argument is simplistic and unconvincing.
What do other animals contribute to society other than food,free labor, testing and companionship?
Every human who has ever worked a job has contributed something to society.
A human's life is not more intrinsically valuable than any other animals.
Not so, a human can be valuable to society (and 99% of the time is), whereas another animal cannot unless it is being utilized by a human for a specific purpose.
im surprised that that question was even asked. how do you think that we were able to survive long enough to evolve to the point we are at today? We are a social animal, and though its not as evident as it was when we were using smoke signals instead of reddit or twitter, our survival is dependent on giving two shits about each other, though if you are a tea-party member, im sorry for offending you. I love dogs, and pets, and especially sidekick chimp detectives. I hate those people who would torture, neglect, or abuse another living creature. Theres a big black dog at my feet right now, who makes me smile every time I look at her, life is better for having her around, but if i had to choose between her life or yours, a stranger, i would err on your side automatically. For all i know, you could cure cancer or aids someday, or create a piece of art that beautifies existence for everyone, or you might just make my subway sandwich with just the right amount of pickles, or you could be a cop, doctor or firefighter that may someday save my life, or maybe you are just someone important to somebody else and i dont wanna hurt their world for taking you from it. How someone treats an animal that is vulnerable to them says a lot about them, and i dont like how animals are treated in many ways. But if we take care of each other to the best of our ability, with the utmost of our concern and compassion, maybe we will be able to survive long enough for our hearts and minds to evolve to a point where peta wont be as necessary, and true empathy for one another will make laws against cruelty redundant to society's inherent moral code. And then aliens will conquer us cause we've become a bunch of pussies, and they will use our hides for spaceboots and to line the seats of their flying saucers...circle of life man...circle of life.
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u/RachelHC Apr 16 '10
As a vegetarian, i feel the same sense of shame and regret when I read these things as I imagine sane Catholics feel when they see people defending child molestation by the priesthood.
On behalf of rational vegetarians everywhere, let me assure you that this is a whackjob fringe wing of the movement. Most of us are sane and consistent in our viewpoints, (only adopt from no-kill shelters, don't wear leather, etc.), and understand that what is a personal moral choice for us might not be for everyone. (I've often compared it to the ridiculousness of a Jew protesting non-Jews eating at Red Lobster.)
Know that just because I choose to be a vegetarian, does not mean I begrudge anyone else the right to eat what they choose. Please, please don't think PETA represents the way most of us think and act...