Speciesism and Veganism: Transcending Politics and Religion

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Although this may come as a surprise to some, there are ethical vegans across the political spectrum and in every major religion. Veganism transcends politics and religion because it is based on the simple matter of rejecting a particular form of prejudice: speciesism.

Speciesism, racism, sexism, and other prejudices rely on a morally irrelevant criterion (in this case, species) as the basis on which to deny the interests of an individual belonging to a different ‘group’, even if those interests are more significant than one’s own. As such, speciesism is simply a different form of the same underlying wrong at the foundation of all prejudices. It really doesn’t matter which morally irrelevant criteria we base our prejudice on – sex, race, skin color, age, sexual orientation, species – it is ethically wrong to use such arbitrary criteria to deny the rights of others.

Despite the cultural evolution that has brought humanity a long way from the ‘kill or be killed’ mentality of prehistoric times, the world today remains profoundly speciesist. The extreme prejudice of our cultural speciesism reaches far beyond disregarding an individual’s right to avoid persecution. It extends as far as absolute indifference to the right to be free from unjust imprisonment, mental and emotional torment, extreme physical violence in the form of mutilations and the infliction of injury and death. Owned as chattel property, with no laws to protect their most fundamental rights, those who are not human are condemned to a life with no protection against the brutal and unremitting oppression from those who control their world: Us.

Animal exploitation is perfectly legal and socially acceptable everywhere in the world, despite the emergence of satisfactory alternatives to virtually all uses (not to mention those yet to be developed, once our society rejects our current speciesist practices). Although there is a growing movement drawing attention to the many brutal rights violations routinely carried out against nonhumans being used for human gain, we continue to confine, injure and kill animals of all kinds, maintaining unnecessary, antiquated exploitative practices for food production, research, fashion, and even entertainment.

The ubiquitous nature of this extreme cultural prejudice explains why speciesism (and the proper moral response to it: veganism) is unrelated to political leaning. Although social justice movements generally arise from the left, there are some political conservatives who are principled vegans, while some on the political left, sadly, continue to scoff at issues of animal rights. In fact, it is remarkable that the vast majority of those on the political left choose to remain uninformed and to deliberately ignore these glaring justice issues, including their own participation in practices that would be rightly abhorred by anyone in touch with their conscience.

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Read more: animal cruelty, speciesism, veganism, vegetarianism

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Pego R.

9:58AM PST on Feb 22, 2012

I am pretty frustrated by the trivialization of the plight of animals in ill-regulated CAFOs by people who constantly try to force a world-view that anything humans touch is "evil and unnecessary" as VS any other predator.

This religious belief has nothing to do with helping humans deal humanely and sustainably with the animal world about us, it ignores the total amount of harm that humans do to simply target meat consumption. It seems more about some personal supercilious superiority and nothing to do with the good of life on our planet

send a green star

Past Member .

9:54PM PST on Feb 21, 2012

Unlike death in the wild, unlike death in the barn, unlike death in kill room, etc. Yep, we can all choose a merciful route. Simply allow everyone the opportunity to live.

Be kind, be gentle, be grateful, and don't eat anybody.

2:01PM PST on Feb 21, 2012

That is just one of the many nonsensical and uninformed opinions that you have adopted from PETA.

I do not eat my food alive, rip their flesh apart as they scream. I, instead, buy meat that has gone from a small free-range ranch or farm to a quiet, calm facility close enough to not cause too much travel stress, nor kill too many animals for it's transport.

Unlike death in the wild, I can choose a merciful route. Humans enjoy that opportunity, to see those choices and to choose one that benefits our prey and not just ourselves. In the wild, these animals would neither live as long, nor die as easily... with the exception of CAFOs which I and most here fight...

People like you trivialize the difference. You are callous to human needs, blind to the fate of other animals and callously indifferent to the costs to animals in the big picture, just so long as you can ride your high horse.

1:27PM PST on Feb 21, 2012

There is no such thing as a "humane" killing facility since there is a component of "mercy" in the definition of "humane."

You can only kill someone "humanely" if he or she is living in such despair that the hopeless conditions of living are a far worse alternative than death. And, in addition, of course he or she must be killed painlessly.

The word "humane" is being used incorrectly all over the place these days to try to convince people that some form of violence or "use" of animals is acceptable, even kind.

It is unreasonable to think of setting up a system of violence that could ever be neutral for animals. We should make an effort to lean forward instead of sideways. It is so far away, that it seems like never, that there may come a time when kindness towards the most vulnerable, innocent beings will be nothing more than common intuition.

12:50PM PST on Feb 21, 2012

You still have not described being at any humane facility, rather than a typical abatoir or CAFO. Nobody who participates in these discussions are interested in maintainingthe brutality of CAFOs. However, veganism simply is not an option for everyone.

Myraida D.

9:11AM PST on Feb 21, 2012

Cont
NOT MAKE VEGANS. For the amount of meat eaters in the world and their insistence on satisfying taste, we can deduced, suffering is not important for a lot lot of people, otherwise, response to hunger in the world, the loss of resources, animal suffering and dying would be other.Period. Suffering is suffering No excuses to let it happen to any sentient being.

Again: It is called: WELFARE. Intended for ALL animals and people in the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITCSEBuUDo0&feature=related ( Animal Welfare: Can food animal production be humane enough? - Dr Juklie Weikel - Big animals Vet, biologist and former rancher)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQlekfaPyaA (United Nations (and EU) say: Be vegan!) - not me - see the reasons.

8:47AM PST on Feb 21, 2012

I have seen personally, I do not leave in a bubble.I know how animals die in a slaughterhouse , for fun or in home, from Patagonia to Asia. I know first hand. And because I know, I try to exercise COMPASSION. Repeating that: Compassion IS NOT PITY.Compassion is to position ourselves in other SENTIENT BEING position (animals are sentient beings,recognized as that) and feel..identify. If you do not ignore suffering and pain, you will understand. You don't need PETA or any other to identify with suffering. Has to do with love, that, IF IT'S NOT UNCONDITIONAL,IT IS NOT LOVE. Love would never provoque suffering or pain on purpose. Less to satisfy taste. We are talking love to animals, environment and PEOPLE. - MEAT CONSUMPTION IS PRODUCING HUNGER IN THE WORLD AND THE LOOSE OF A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT WHICH INCLUDES THE LOOSE OF GOOD WATER. - I would love to say that Peta and other groups expressions and films is propaganda and only animal mistreated or killed were those in their films (which could be a movie trick ) but reality is, it is not. Would be interesting that instead of figure , imagine, suppose how other people find info, go to see the info for yourself, RESEARCH, READ!!! Go and tell UNITED NATIONS, FAO, PCRM, OIE, WHO, WVA, IFAW, WWF, CITES,WTO, World Bank Group, scientists! and a lot of other institutions and groups they are lying! Do not stop on me. TELL THEM! I am talking about MY OWN PERSONAL decision based on the desire TO EASE SUFFERING! - Not

10:20PM PST on Feb 20, 2012

It doesn't matter if anyone recites all the horrific realities of slaughter, or, all the realities of the negative environmental effects, or lists all the personal health benefits, it doesn't matter what anyone says about anything with regard to slaughtering animals. Certain people just really like the idea of small farm slaughter.

They don't perceive non-human life forms as anything other than "things" to use, to eat, to sell. They have a mindset of serving "self." Considering how a cow may feels never occurs to these people. The terror filled eyes of a cow or the screams of a pig during the slaughter, at Old MacDonald's Happy Farm, have zero effect on these people emotionally. It is just the way it is.

If it comes down to choosing between a bean burrito or causing someone to be terrorized for the fleeting indulgence of munching on a flesh burger, well, you can fill in the rest. If anyone invents a pill to cure insensitivity then the unfortunate beings called cows, pigs and chickens can sigh a breath of relief. Until then it's gonna be long road of unimaginable suffering for these guys as long as humans exist.

9:53PM PST on Feb 20, 2012

I guess you have never seen anything, personally, outside of CAFOs or PETA propaganda films?

8:02AM PST on Feb 20, 2012

I have never been isolated for being a vegetarian.I have more problems with my timing to eat than I will ever have with friends or relatives for the cause of vegetarianism . Everybody understands me and I am not interested in making new vegetarians but to help in the ease of suffering. I repeat every time we talk about this: EXCESSIVE MEAT CONSUMPTION IS THE CAUSE OF HUNGER IN THE WORLD AND THE LOOSE OF GOOD WATER. - MEAT CONSUMPTION IS THE CAUSE WHY WE ARE LOOSING WOLVES AND BUFFALOES, (AND NOW HORSES - MEAT TO BE SELL OUT OF US. HORSES FROM OUR PLAINS ARE IN THE PLATES OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES OR MEXICO).MEAT CONSUMPTION CAUSES SUFFERING TO THE ANIMAL THAT IS KILLED FOR IT'S MEAT ---- THERE IS NO PAINLESS KILLING IN SLAUGHTER HOUSES.---- THAT SIMPLY DOES NOT EXIST! STUNNING ONLY PROVOQUES SHOCK AND SPASMS BUT NOT NECESSARILY UNCONCIOUSNESS. ANIMAL DIE TERRORIZED,CONSCIOUS, PAINFULLY AND ALONE... FEAR, TERROR,STRESS CAUSES SUFFERING TOO!. THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED WELFARE. - WELFARE IS INTENDED FOR ALL ANIMALS (and people ) IN THE WORLD. IS AN IDEAL ALREADY IN ACTION AND WE SHOULD ASK FOR IT'S EXERCISE. It was embraced by the World Vet Assoc, World Health Assoc, World Org for Animal Health, FAO, IFAW, WSPA, United Nations and a long list of other institutions, Organizations and groups plus animal product labs, animal products manfacturers, animal medicine & equipment labs and manufacturers and, all if not ALL the countries in the world. Ask American Vete