Why do vegans think it's wrong to eat and use some animal products?!
Why do vegans think it's wrong to eat and use some animal products?
First of all this is not to start some big argument. And I'm not trying to offend anyone here, because a lot of people might take it that way.
As someone who eats meat but all the same love animals (and yes, that is possible- some people would argue with this), I'm just trying to understand Vegan reasons.
Some things I am extremely against- fur, killing for only a few parts, some circuses and other performances and how they treat their animals, etc.
But why do some vegans think it's wrong to use some animal products, mainly food?
After all, many animals (aside from humans) will kill and eat prey. We do not view this as wrong, so I'm curious as to why is it wrong for us to eat meat?
And there are other things that I have heard not necessarily from vegans but big-time animal activist. One said that neutering pets and riding horses was wrong. And another said owning pets was wrong! Does anyone else feel this way? Why?
Once again I’m not trying to offend anyone.
Answers:
There are two big differences between humans and other animals who eat meat.
1) Humans can reason out our decisions, and we have a body that is capable of living as a vegetarian, so we have the *choice* to eat meat, or not eat meat. Obligate carnivores like lions, for example, do not have this choice.
2) Most of the meat people eat in developed countries is from factory farms which are unnecessarily cruel to the animals. Using lions as an example again, they will kill their prey fairly quickly compared to the prolonged torture we do to caged animals for reasons of "efficiency". (Example: Less space for animal = more animals crammed into small cage = more profit.) People who are against the prolonged suffering but think a quick death is okay sometimes only eat meat that they hunt... since I am against unnecessary suffering *and* killing, I am vegetarian instead.
As for pets and horses, the people who are against these are looking at veganism from a rights/freedom perspective, that even if, say, a cat were loose in an area it could fend for itself, but had a shorter, more difficult life than if it were a well-treated pet, it is better that it was free to roam. It is a viewpoint I can understand and respect (just as I can understand/respect your view that you can love animals and eat meat at the same time... maybe you love some animals more than others, or maybe you love animals but you love eating meat more, I don't know.) But neither are viewpoints that I share, since my veganism comes from a suffering perspective. I don't have any pets, but I would have them neutered because of the risks of pregnancy (overpopulation) and their extreme frustration when they go into heat. I don't eat meat, eggs, milk, wear leather, etc., any animal products, because of the suffering the industries cause, but I don't think it's wrong to share a home or farm with pets, cows, etc. or even drink your cow's milk (though you wouldn't be vegan if you did that), as long as the animals are well-cared for, happy, and never sold to be killed. I don't speak for all vegans though, there are many different perspectives in our group.