What's Your View on Animal Rights?

[3aqua]

To me its a question of whether its necessary or not.
-Fur coats for rich people, in first world country. Unnecessary
-Fur coats for poor people in cold countries. Necessary.
-Animal testing for medical purposes. Necessary.
-Animal testing for cosmetics. Unnecessary.
-Pitting animals against themselves for the purpose of entertainment. Unnecessary.
You see where I'm going with this.

 

[darksakul]

Now why do you find nothing wrong with society prioritizing itself over animals?

Because of logic and common sense. My (as well as any human) survival, way of life and and comfort comes before any animal, period.

 

[hotsauceman]

I think this
1ets arent like property that you can abuse.
2: I SUpport testing for medicine but not cosmetice
3: Eat little meat, You dont have to scarf down meat all the time, Veggie burgers can be good too.
4Kinda religious here) God made all creatures and loves them, We have no right to think we are superior to them.

I'm also religious, but I'm here to burst your bubble. God actually said in the bible "Go, kill, and eat" to Peter (I think, one of those guys).

Yes, But now that we can survive without eating meat on a daily basis i think we should respect animals more.

 

[ElPatron]

slaughtering animals simply for your own leisure just seems outright psychotic.

So a quick death by firearm is slaughter, but animals suffering for profit isn't? Okay.


Hunting is leisure. Nobody said you leave dead meat behind. Look at me. I have relatively soft, unsharpened nails and my jaw can't force teeth into wild animals. If that isn't a handicap for a predator, do you want me to use bow and arrow? Fine by me.

And I imagine that for you the fact that animals have predators in the wild is irrelevant?


OR even the fact that alien species are actually ENDANGERING biodiversity? Sometimes hunting is the only way if they have no suitable predators to control their population.

 

[Emperor Nat]

The difference here is that, despite what organisations like PETA say, the vast majority of farms do not mistreat their animals, and in the few cases where they do (suck as battery hens and veal) most of us are rightfully disgusted by it. For example, a pig or a cow living on a farm gets fed regularly and well, they always have a safe place to sleep, most of them get the chance to breed, and the farmers do their best to protect them from predators and diseases, so on average they actually get to live much longer lives than they would in the wild; and when their number eventually does come up, they are killed in a way that keeps their suffering to a minimum. That is a million miles away from 'mistreatment'.

What are you talking about. Live longer than they would in the wild? They wouldn't exist in the wild because they have been bred specifically for consumption. And I'd say getting slaughtered is about as mistreated as you can get. I hate that it's assumed that as long as they're not trapped in absurdly small spaces until adulthood (and many of them are) that suddenly it's excusable.

Look; I'm not going to say it's "immoral", and I'm not going to say that it's "unnacceptable" or "unethical". What I will say is that it, and the way it's justified, disgusts and terrifies me.

It's less that we think animal life has no value (at least in my case - hell, I loved my pet hampster dearly until it died) and more that animal life is secondary.

That's the thing. I don't see the difference between people and animals.

Do I think cows should be treated cruelly? No, not in the slightest.
Would I eat cow? Yes. It's dead, it no longer cares.

People don't care about much when they're dead either. Does that make it okay to kill them? It's not the eating of the dead thing that bothers me. It's just that to eat it you have to make it dead, and I don't like the idea of making things dead. It sickens me.

As for meat being part of the human diet? It actually -is- necissary. Protein is essential for growth and body repair and whilst we now have the -option- to change our diets it doesn't necissarily mean we should. We are omnivores, our bodies are biologically set up for the consumption of meat.

Oh god I'm so tired. I know what protein is. Yes, the fact that we are able to is reason to change our diets, because eating meat is shit stupid and unsustainable. "I like the taste" is literally the only justification in the western world. Admittedly in some places they may have difficulty getting all the protein they need from other sources, but for fuck's sake, don't pretend it's necessary. You're killing them because you want to. Spare me your crap and at least accept responsibility.

Eh, fair enough. I still disagree that humans and animals are equal, but I can see your point that in the West we have enough variety in food choice that we could eat far less meat than we do now without many ill effects. I'm not sure I'd call it unsustainable though, since we -have- been farming animals for a long time without too much issue. Then again I'm 17 and don't keep that up to date with the prices/quantities of food products, so I may be wrong.

As for the 'humans don't care what happens to them when they're dead' - I'd have to again bring it back to the point that I hold human life as more valuable than animal life, and therefore requiring more respect for the dead.

And I'm fully willing to accept my share of responsibility - I eat meat, I condone the farming of meat, and therefore there are animals being killed so I can have my ham sandwiches.

(I also apologise for the exceedingly long quote box thing, I'm new to the forum and don't know how to edit these properly yet.)

 

[Denmarkian]

My position is that I will be happy to grant animals the same rights as humans when they stand up and ask for them.

Until then, humans just need to learn they do not have the right to abuse animals.

 

[Emperor Nat]

I think this
1ets arent like property that you can abuse.
2: I SUpport testing for medicine but not cosmetice
3: Eat little meat, You dont have to scarf down meat all the time, Veggie burgers can be good too.
4Kinda religious here) God made all creatures and loves them, We have no right to think we are superior to them.

I'm also religious, but I'm here to burst your bubble. God actually said in the bible "Go, kill, and eat" to Peter (I think, one of those guys).

Yes, But now that we can survive without eating meat on a daily basis i think we should respect animals more.

Depends on your religion. If you're Jewish or Muslim, meat is condoned within your scripture depending on the animal. If you're Christian, meat in all forms is condoned within the New Testament.

 

[AreYouDumb]

Now why do you find nothing wrong with society prioritizing itself over animals?

Because of logic and common sense. My (as well as any human) survival, way of life and and comfort comes before any animal, period.

Now I am sure you are sick of me probing you with questions buuuuuuuuuuut! Why do you feel your's and any human's comfort and way of life takes precedence over an animals life?

Now I am not trying to say that you are wrong, I am trying to see why you feel this way.

Also we do not need animals to survive food wise, however I do accept there a lot of useful animal products that are very important in several industries. But (and I know I sound like a luddite now) we do not need those industries to survive directly.

 

[AlexNora]

Human life > Animal life, in all circumstances in my opinion, regardless of maturity or born. I would eat a chimp if it came to it, but I would never eat a human (or abort a foetus). Yes I'm pro-life, no this is not the time or place to discuss it.

So long as you are acutely aware of why this is your opinion I'm not going to be able to pursuade you.

human life is greater then animal life = fact. animals have no potential they will always be the same they can not fix problems let alone understand most. without us (humans) animals have no hope for a future this earth will not last forever and only humans could solve such a big problem.


should people do things like make dogs fight, I don't really care but it sound boring compered to watching people fight that's for sure (and i don't really like fighting)

 

[Gibboniser]

I'm all for animal welfare, but I'm more extreme than average, I admit. In a lot of cases I would prefer humans would die to animals, like in war and such. I feel bad for the horses in cowboy films, not the cowboys. I refrain from even killing annoying flies and such, I don't really see why our entitlement to life is greater than theirs, when you ill an animal, even an insect, you have ended their entire existence, all they will ever know.
That said I am not a vegetarian, we have been living off meat for our entire existence, its natural, but I will only eat meat where the animals for the most part have lived comfortable lives, I can't stand the thought of having to eat something whose entire life was misery, and then death to feed me.

I imagine some of you are going to consider me an utter idiot, your entitled to your opinion, and I'm entitled to mine.

 

[Guffe]

Same as most here.
I eat meat, I think for medicine testing on animals is fine as long as it's not abusive for the animal in any stupid way. This means that you have them live in cages smaller than the actual animal and treat them like shit on the side of the testing. But animal fighting and hitting your pet, that's completely wrong!
But we humans also need to survive, and not eating for example, cow, is the same as saying Lions shouldn't eat Zebras...

 

[Mrrrgggrlllrrrg]

I am an animal rights supporter but I do not support the jackasses that commit acts of foalish terrorism.

We are all animals so other species deserve respect. If you hunt, respect the kill and honor the animal by using as much as you can, hunting for trophy only is a disrespect to our collective heritage. Farming should be without abuse, it creates a happier environment and better quality meat. Medical research is to protect us as a species. If you have a pet have the decency to take care of it.

I am a proud hunter and a supporter of animal rights and animal education. The most vocal of the animal rights organizations dont actually care about animals or education (such as PETA who would rather kill unwanted pets than fund animal shelters), some organizations are really terrorist groups under the guise of animal rights (groups such as the Sea Shepherds) and those people are despicable. But there are groups that do immense good such as the Humane Society, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Ducks Unlimited, and many more that get very little attention and funding compared to PETA and that is just a terrible trend.

To quote Ted Nugent
"We have this wonderfully productive planet. Eat! Eat, drink, build! Have a good time, but put more back? Shut the fuck up, Sting! You want to save the rainforest you should nut up and go plant some fucking trees!?

And of the great Bob Barker
"Do your part to control the pet population, spay or neuter your pets."

 

[Delsana]

The creatures that are there for you whenever you need them and who keep you company and love you no matter what... should probably be respected and treated well.

That's my view.

 

[Raven's Nest]

Human life > Animal life, in all circumstances in my opinion, regardless of maturity or born. I would eat a chimp if it came to it, but I would never eat a human (or abort a foetus). Yes I'm pro-life, no this is not the time or place to discuss it.

So long as you are acutely aware of why this is your opinion I'm not going to be able to pursuade you.

human life is greater then animal life = fact. animals have no potential they will always be the same they can not fix problems let alone understand most. without us (humans) animals have no hope for a future this earth will not last forever and only humans could solve such a big problem.


should people do things like make dogs fight, I don't really care but it sound boring compered to watching people fight that's for sure (and i don't really like fighting)

Do me a favour, go and research the word "evolution" before I come back to ridicule your opinion. I believe in a fair fight after all...

 

[SonOfVoorhees]

Im fine with animal testing for medical stuff. But for crap like shampoo and makeup, we really should be pass that by now and should no what we can or cant use for cosmetics. Animals are ok to eat as food as long as they are treated humanly as possible. Also animals should be free from abuse and violence from their owners. Also any hunting for anything other than food is wrong, especially if its for a fur coat or to put its head on your wall.

As for PETA, people would take there cause more seriously if they didnt keep pulling retarded stunts all the time.

An if their are any vegetarians commenting here, im happy you dont eat meat. Well done. Just stop bringing it up just because others prefer to have a steak. We are all free to eat what we choose, but not all of us feel the need to belittle others over those choices.

 

[Venator_Prime]

Having a right without having the ability to execute on it is of interest to no one failing lobbyists and lawyers. Imagine a quadriplegic with a right to walk. That, coupled with the fact that "rights" is a man-made concept, makes the whole animal-rights business silly, in particular when fantastically ridicules entities like PETA get involved.

Worse still, these people are exceptionally hypocritical: a few years ago I was having a cigarette while sitting on my motorcycle in a strip-mall parking lot, I was wearing lots of leather, gloves, boots, jacket as were a number of my riding buddies. With something remotely resembling interest, as we are in Toronto and these people seem to gravitate to the city, we were watching a group of protesters with signs reading something about fur being murder. Not one of them as much as looked at us twice. While I cant be certain, I have a strong suspicion that had there been a group of women in fur coats they would have gotten a lot of attention from the protesters. So animal rights are worth fighting for as long as the people you are fighting look harmless? Remarkable.

What animals deserve, from a human perspective, is fair treatment - meaning, no unnecessary pain, no cruelty for the sake of it, and so on. That said, there is nothing wrong with eating meat, hunting (again, for the purposes of food, not sport), fishing or wearing leather or fur. There is quite a lot wrong with experimenting on animals when it comes down to cosmetic products but not when it is for medical research.

In conclusion, it needs to be understood that the controlling species gets to determine what rights everything else in its domain has. In first world countries we have done a decent job of being fair about it. Asking for more rights crosses into the land of increased uselessness and obscurity.

 

[Fanfic_warper]

I can say I 'like' animals in the sense that I adore kittens, love cows for hamburgers, pigs for sausage and chicken for...well chicken.

Regarding animal RIGHTS though....well when huminaty is at peace with itself and we aren't killing each other for land, religion or rescources THEN I MIGHT give some attention to animal rights.

 

[Harveypot]

I believe that you should only kill animals for food or for defence. I eat meat a lot but I think that battery farming is disgusting and killing an animal for fun is horrible and cruel. I do think that animal testing is ok for medical reasons but not for cosmetics. Also, fuck PETA. Did anyone know that they kill hundreds of dogs and cats every year instead of trying to re-home them? Yeah, good animal rights protesters.

 

[DanielDeFig]

My brother did his Extended Essay on this (Basically, a University-level paper/essay as part of the 2-year IB high school programme). And his conclusion was we should support on animal welfare, rather than animal rights.

The argument was that if we want to give animals rights, then we must treat them like we treat other human beings. Not only could we not harm/kill them, we would also have to protect them from each other. Also, by giving an organism rights, you make them responsible for their own actions. We would end up with a society that puts the lion on trial for the murder of the Zeebra, with Antelopes as witnesses (And that's just plain silly. Not to mention impossible for law enforcement to keep up with).

Animal welfare, on the other hand, demands that we treat animals well. That we don't needlessly harm them (this includes giving animals destined for food a quick and painless death), that we take care of the domesticated ones, as they cannot fend for themselves like wild animals (Or kill them, rather than let them live out their lives in a cramped cage, waiting to be adopted). Finally, outright cruelty to animals, at the hands of human beings (who are fully responsible for their actions), should be punishable by law.

 

[Treblaine]

Lately I've been doing a paper for Civics on why I dislike PETA and many other AR organizations.

I think that their ideas are stupid and naive at best, and that they spend too much time focusing on animals suffering, rather than the benefits that other animals may get from it.

For instance, medical research done on animals, or hunting and farming animals for food (although there are certainly some instances of animal farming that are just plain messed up, like Veal).

I love animals, but I don't ignore that meat is half of the human diet, and that a lot of medical science we have today wouldn't be available without testing on other animals. Granted, if you are a supporter of animal rights, and your ideas and opinions actually make sense and can hold up in a debate about it, then I'd be more likely to agree.

I believe in Human Responsibilities, not Animal Rights.

If animals had rights like humans then we'd have to be out there in the national parks making sure eagles, coyotes and other predators were not cruel to their prey. Nature is a cruel and unfair place, it always will be.

Humans have a responsibility to be HUMANE to animals not because they are animals but because WE are humans. So that means if there is to be a kill it is made only if sustainable (if that is desirable) and is quick and clean. And medicals testing is a balance of harm with need. Cosmetic testing is not appropriate use of test monkeys. But finding a cure to deadly or debilitating human diseases is, only if it is unethical to test on humans. Like a cure to childhood paralysis... that could be incredibly deadly. You test on chimps first as what if you kill one of the kids who is taking the experimental new treatment, I think risking the lives of a few primates is worth saving little children. That is the correct balance of right and wrong.