Eating Animals

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I was vegetarian for about 2 years. Then, I became a selective omnivore. People (mother mainly) were concerned about my protein intake. I wouldn't eat red meat or pork… but chicken and some fish were okay. This confused people…for good reason. Why was a cow's life any more important than a chicken's? Why was my conscience contradicting itself? I haven't had red meat in about 6 years. I haven't had any meat for about 6 months. To be honest, I have never really enjoyed the taste of meat. 


I am currently reading, EATING ANIMALS, by Jonathan Safran Foer and it has certainly got my mind thinking. I will not preach about vegetarianism. However, I will challenge you to consider the justification behind your choice, animal or no animal. 


An excerpt: 


"Humans are the only animals that have children on purpose, keep in touch (or don't), care about birthdays, waste and lose time, brush their teeth, feel nostalgia, scrub stains, have religions and political parties and laws, wear keepsakes, apologize years after an offense, whisper, fear themselves, interpret dreams, hide their genitalia, shave, bury time capsules, and can choose not to eat something for a reason of conscience. The justification for eating animals and for not eating them are often identical: we are not them." 




Food For Thought: 

• 26 pounds of other sea animals are killed and tossed back into the ocean for every 1 pound of shrimp: manta ray, devil ray, spotted skate, copper shark, night shark, blue runner, dolphin fish….and so on. Consider: sacrifice 

Sorry Mom. I know this used to be our New Year's tradition. 

• In the typical cage for egg-laying hens, each bird has 67 square inches of space. Step your mind into a crowded elevator, an elevator so crowded you cannot turn around without bumping into (and aggravating) your neighbor. The elevator is so crowded you are often held aloft. This is kind of a blessing, as the slanted floor is made of wire, which cuts into your feet. After some time, those in the elevator will lose their ability to work in the interest of the group. Some will become violent; others will go mad. A few, deprived of food and hope, will become cannibalistic. There is no respite, no relief. No elevator repairman coming. The doors will open once, at the end of your life, for your journey to the only place worse.                  Consider: factory farming 

• You come home from work to find your dog greeting you at the door. You play with him, maybe even go for a walk. You feed him, as you are making your dinner: Pork tenderloin.  Consider: the species barrier. 

Do vegetarians eat animal crackers?  ~Author Unknown