vegetarian murder = murder?

Okay, some troll was asking where he could go to eat human. A vegan chimed in that eating meat of other animals was exactly the same, there was no moral difference, and murder = murder.

Now, I am not vegetarian, but I do have some friends that are, and I can respect their belief because through their diet they are trying to prevent what they view as unnecessary suffering. They say humans do not need to kill animals for furs because we can make much better winter cloths, humans do not need to eat meat because we know enough about diet to have healthy meals entirely from plants and fungi. But every one of them, if driving a car and faced with the choice of swerving right to avoid hitting person and instead hitting 2 deer vs swerving left to avoid the 2 deer and instead hitting one person, would ALWAYS choose to swerve right and hit the deer rather than the person.

They also think that the hunter/gatherers of the neolithic, or the frontiersman of the 1700s weren't evil or even immoral, they just didn't have the technology to make alternate choices. But we do now.

So, vegans, a bit of an informal poll.

Which statement do you MOST agree with?

1. 'reduce animal suffering as much as possible, but killing people is more wrong that killing animals'

2. 'animal = people...killing one is the moral equivalent of killing the other'

If neither of those are correct, please post a third option, but please post which one of the above is the least incorrect.

For those of you who choose the second answer please answer the following:
-when you drive do you go extra slow as to not kill bugs on your windsheild?
-when you walk do you make sure you never tread on an ant?
-because we have skin mites that die in the thousands when we shower (or bathe) how do you stay hygienic without killing?

2012-09-23T10:14:44Z

For those who asked...if you don't swerve one way or the other you will hit BOTH the person AND the two deer.

As far as skin mites, yes, EVERYONE has them. There are many different types of mites that cause little or no harm. In fact most of our skin mites help us by eating dead skin AND by displacing harmful mites. Mites are animals. I don't see how someone can kill 10,000 animals every day and feel superior to the person who kills 10,001 animals because the second person has a cheeseburger.

For the person who says that they don't SEE the bug that his the windshield so that makes it okay, well what about the people who don't SEE the animal being slaughtered, just see the meat of an already dead animal to eat, what is the difference?

Finally for those who are saying that skin mites are different because those deaths are unavoidable just like stepping on ants are unavoidable..you could stop showering all together, or shower only once every 2-3 days. In may places

Crazybird2012-09-23T09:36:44Z

Favorite Answer

1

I have been a vegetarian for 14 years, and while I do my best not to contribute to harming or exploiting animals, one also has to use common sense. My choice to not eat meat helps animals on a large scale (over my lifetime, my lack of demand for animal products will have saved hundreds, if not thousands, from ever being born into cruel conditions). My choice to take in multiple, unwanted (by their prior owners) critters destined to be put down, flushed down the toilet, or released into the wild when they were incapable of surviving (2 newts, a bearded drangon, and a parrot) and care for them in the best way possible made a direct impact in these beautiful animals lives. My decision to opt to take my family to observe animals in nature or a sanctuary VS a zoo or circus reduces the demand for those types of exploitation. However, while I do what is within reason, I really can't prevent hitting a bug on my windshield, or maybe accidentally stepping on an ant or something like that. And because of our higher intelligence, humans DO and MUST come before animals in a situation like "hit a deer or hit a human". It boils down to common sense. Don't go out of your way to harm animals, don't support industries that notoriously exploit/torture animals, and try to help animals, but they can't come before human life, nor can you prevent every being on earth from meeting an unfortunate death.

@Feral- so you would honestly give your life, or sacrifice your child/loved ones life to save, say, a sewer rat or a sand flea? After all, animals come before humans in your opinion. Please, spare me your extremist BS, because when it comes down to it, it's all talk. How long have you even been a vegan? Also, how brainwashed are you that you seriously think that after becoming vegan you have in no way contributed to the harm or death of an animal? Just because you conciously avoid contributing to the industries or personally haven't (noticed) hurting an animal doesn't mean there aren't things you simply don't see. What about the bird that choked in a landfill on that boca burger wrapper YOU threw out? What about the sugar ant YOU stomped on walking down the sidewalk that you never noticed? What about the baby rat down in the sewer that drank the water YOU tainted with dish soap? Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. You have to be realistic about things, and reality says, there is only so much you can do.

?2012-09-23T12:55:35Z

Actually no, I probably would hit the person instead of the deer. That might sound heartless but... it's what I'd do.

And I agree with 2. Why should anything be killed by man when it isn't unnecessary?
I don't drive so I can't really answer that...
I try my best not to tread on ants.

As for the skin mites thing, I think that in biology I was taught that invertebrates don't feel pain but there isn't any way on checking that (this might be wrong though so feel free to correct me).

I think that most people just don't understand how cruel the meat industry is and are unaware of other options out there, but if they had the information then they could make there own minds up.
I understand that some people just want to eat meat and aren't going to stop and I respect that- what I'm trying to do is stop the unnecessary suffering in factory farming because I know that in my life time not everyone will be vegan but I can help stop suffering.

Emily2012-09-23T12:27:41Z

I'll take a stab at option number two. "Murder is murder".

I take this stance, because I believe that it is evil to harm another being without the necessity of doing so. Necessary situation (animal): you're being attacked by a bear. Shoot it. ... Necessary situation (human): Someone breaks into your house in an attempt to kill you. Shoot him. ... Unnecessary (animal): Hmmm... a cheeseburger sounds good. Nevermind the vegetarian version, I'll eat the dead animal. Unnecessary (human): that guy cut me off. I think I'll shoot him.

To kill without necessity is indeed "wrong" in my eyes. Why kill, the ultimate form of disservice to life, when there are nonviolent, and much less harmful options available to you?

Choosing meat when the vegetarian equivalent is available is choosing to kill when it is unnecessary. And I don't think that is okay in my life.

As far as the deer vs. human driving scenario? I'd slam on the brakes and hope for the best. How is braking not an option? I have to choose to hit one or the other?? o.O What kind of person would do that?

lozandier2016-07-29T00:26:35Z

You cannot murder vegetation or animals. Murder is a pre-meditated malicious act towards human beings. Now not all vegetarians are PETA freaks, so it might be best when you wouldn't generalize.

Anonymous2012-09-23T08:53:30Z

I think killing anything without any sensible reason is cruel and unnecessary. Those hunter gatherers (Actually of the paleolithic, neolithic was the farming revolution, fyi) and the frontiersman generally were not able to survive without eating animals. Killing anything when not necessary is wrong. I would not say anything is more wrong than anything else.

And in your hypothetical situation, why am I swerving? If I didn't swerve wouldn't I just I go straight and avoid both? :P

Show more answers (6)