This
blog will probably raise some eyebrows and I hope stimulate a conversation or
two. My thoughts revolve around the topic of the choice to be vegetarian, vegan
or omnivorous.
Most
of my vegan friends have moral reasons for choosing to forgo meat. Some have
simply found that vegetable matter better suits their constitution. When one
considers the moral aspect of eating meat, this involves an emotional
investment in animals. I am referring to the recognition of animals as sentient
beings that are being exploited for human gain. There is no regard for their
natural state. They are placed in feedlots and batteries, literally force fed
on unnatural feed, to produce a product for human consumption. And, quite understandably
many people, myself included find this barbaric!
The
second aspect of choosing veganism has to do with the manner in which animals
are slaughtered. Abattoirs are a curse of modern society and its overpopulation
of the planet. Transport to the place of killing is stressful and physically
damaging; the manner of death is inhumane. Those animals waiting are exposed to
this trauma.
Dr Temple
Grandin has done much to
improve these situations. She has made it her life’s mission “to educate people throughout the world
about modern methods of livestock handling which will improve animal welfare
and productivity”.(Click on the hyperlink above to access her website.)
Other
proponents of the vegan lifestyle speak of energy acquired through consumption.
Eating (whether meat or vegetable) is necessary for our survival. Eating is a
conversion of energy. Energy is required to sustain our bodies.
If
one considers energy in a plant, it is possible to improve the nutritional
value of the vegetable harvest by growing plants not only in a nutrient-rich
and chemical-free environment, but also in a loving space.
In an article titled: ‘Scientific Evidence Thoughts & Intentions Can Alter
The Physical World Around Us’ (The Mind
Unleashed.org, Jan 23 2014), the work of Dr Masaru Emoto is discussed. Here the
effects of words and thought on rice and water are scientifically recorded in a
way which leaves the reader much more aware of his or her use of words. (Click on the hyperlink above to access
the website.)
The Intention Experiment has been carrying out a series of
‘Germination Intention Experiments’ since 2007.
In these scientifically controlled experiments Dr. Gary Schwartz and his
laboratory team at the University of Arizona
test whether intention can affect the growth of plants. (Click on the hyperlink
above to access the website.)
So,
by consuming meat that is produced in the conventional arena what sort of
energy are we absorbing? Unnatural, stressed and with hormones and other
additives. Would it be possible to raise animals in their natural state, with
love and respect? Then, follow this with slaughter that is quick, painless and
not witnessed, preceded by a prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving (as performed
by many ancient tribes). How would these exercises affect the end product?
Would this be a palatable option to those who still choose to eat meat?
Finally,
what about the concept that plants too, are sentient? Are you sure that the
reactions we measure in trees growing next to those that are cut down, are
purely chemical? If you could entertain the fact that plants may have feelings
(I believe they do and that we have not yet learnt to communicate with them)
then what are we going to eat?
In
an article entitled ‘Humanity is waking up to the intelligence of nature’,
(Wake-up World.org, Aug 2015) Paul Lenda
discusses the growing body of science supporting the view that both animals and
plants display signs of sentience and should be afforded certain rights on that
basis. (Click
on the hyperlink above to access the website.)
In
conclusion, I believe that all beings (plant, animal and mineral) have huge
value. Our salvation lies in recognising and honouring their contributions. All
beings deserve respect.
