One atheist’s view on eating meat
One atheist’s view on eating meat
When it comes to a topic like eating meat, you have to be able to separate what is viewed as food and what is not. We evolved as being omnivores, meaning we hunted for our food when the opportunity arose. We share many aspects with predators, forward facing eyes for added depth perception, an intestinal tract with enzymes specifically designed to consume meat, the ability to think strategically (higher intelligence), canines and incisors for tearing meat, the list goes on.  Â
Now that doesn’t give us an excuse for being cruel to the animals we consume, there are humane and inhumane ways to dispatch an animal. Ask a person how they would like to die and the answer (usually and hopefully) is quickly and painlessly, which is very achievable in this day of age.
Personally I hunt and fish, I don’t waste what I kill and don’t let the animal needlessly suffer, I understand animals ( even those I view as food) can feel pain. I don’t deny what I am, I’m a predatory animal, much like a bear, what differentiates us though from bears and other predators is our compassion and empathy to our fellow beast. My dog is my companion, we hunt together and when we hunt something, we share the bounty. I don’t look at my dog as food, my dog is my friend, that’s the key difference. There shouldn’t be a reason though to hate what you are, but you can do things to make it more humane for those animals you eat.
-Dan
Humans are the only organism on this planet that can make a real, cognitive decision about what we eat and the amount of harm we cause to others. Not only that, we are fortunate enough to live in a society where food is abundant, inexpensive (arguably), and easily available in wide varieties. So please don’t use evolution as an excuse for eating meat and willfully killing animals. Evolution has to often been used to justify terrible actions. You eat meat because it tastes good, you hunt because you enjoy it. You choose to do these unnecessary actions because you like them and change is inconvenient.
“I don’t deny what I am, I’m a predatory animal, much like a bear, what differentiates us though from bears and other predators is our compassion and empathy to our fellow beast.”
You’re also separated by presumably using a weapon from a safe distance and not needing to hunt to survive, so I’d say your pretty far removed from being a bear, or any other predator (outside of humans) for that matter. Sorry to shatter your illusion.
If you have compassion for or empathize with “our fellow beasts,” evolve beyond meat eating and stop killing and eating them.
Hello. magnificent job. I did not expect this. This is a great story. Thanks!
I have no doubt whatsoever that at least one space alien has read this article.