Ethics of eating meat

[Nature of a Man]

Won't get into the nitty-gritty of it, however my views on the subject are that eating meat in moderation is more or less fine, and might arguably be a 'necessary evil' in some cases in life - veganism might be a more enlightened path for some to strive for, but wouldn't be expected for most paths in life, nor should it accompanied by excessive guilt if one doesn't.

I aim to eat more or less vegan most days of the week, and still occasionally eat meat or fish - but try to aim it for a weekend or special occasion, as well as make an effort to aim for meat which is ethically raised or procured (one reason I now prefer wild-caught fish or farm-raised meats to commercial processed meat).

[hugodrax]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but who cares?

[Nature of a Man]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but who cares?

People who care about the ethics of eating meat, I'd assume.

[artsygeek]

While I'd agree on elements of this in terms of the waste of resources that goes into the production of meat (resources that can feed hungry people), I'd be careful about wasting time in the avoidance of meat when that time can be better used. Sometimes it's better to look for what's cheap and use the fiscal savings to help others. It all depends on the resources you have in your pocket and/or what resources you have in terms of time.

[John-Boy]

...is more or less fine...a 'necessary evil'...a more enlightened path...wouldn't be expected...excessive guilt...

What's this based on? Is this a description of your judgment upon all? Or how you view your own actions?

[gaining_age]

I have pets. Please don't eat them.

[John-Boy]

I have pets. Please don't eat them.

Pet plants?

[jruegg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV4Jl0Q-beE

[gaining_age]

I have pets. Please don't eat them.

Pet plants?

not recently

[coco]

Given that the Bible says that meat may be eaten, the ethical issue seems pretty much solved, isn't it?
(Gen 7:2; Lev 7:9, 10:4; Deut 12:22, 14:11: Matt 15:11; Acts 10:9-33; Rom 14:20)

[DepartedLight]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but who cares?

People who care about the ethics of eating meat, I'd assume.

Have we identified any single human on CPS that finds eating meat unethical?

[UncleBob]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but who cares?

People who care about the ethics of eating meat, I'd assume.

Have we identified any single human on CPS that finds eating meat unethical?

Coco?

[artsygeek]

Given that the Bible says that meat may be eaten, the ethical issue seems pretty much solved, isn't it?
(Gen 7:2; Lev 7:9, 10:4; Deut 12:22, 14:11: Matt 15:11; Acts 10:9-33; Rom 14:20)

I think the issue with meat that many folks see is resource frugality. You have to have the land to grow grain to feed the animals and then have the land to raise the animals (as well as the land for slaughter and processing). If you use all of that land to grow grains and vegetables, you can feed a lot more people at a much cheaper price. Then there's the issue of waste and how it has an impact (e.g. farms' huge tanks/ponds of manure can become disasters when flooding occurs). Now, I don't think it means that folks should eliminate meat, but they should be smart and frugal in how much they use (and that would prevent most of the problems I've described above). Other folks take a much more hardline stance.

[gaining_age]

Given that the Bible says that meat may be eaten, the ethical issue seems pretty much solved, isn't it?
(Gen 7:2; Lev 7:9, 10:4; Deut 12:22, 14:11: Matt 15:11; Acts 10:9-33; Rom 14:20)

I think the issue with meat that many folks see is resource frugality. You have to have the land to grow grain to feed the animals and then have the land to raise the animals (as well as the land for slaughter and processing). If you use all of that land to grow grains and vegetables, you can feed a lot more people at a much cheaper price. Then there's the issue of waste and how it has an impact (e.g. farms' huge tanks/ponds of manure can become disasters when flooding occurs). Now, I don't think it means that folks should eliminate meat, but they should be smart and frugal in how much they use (and that would prevent most of the problems I've described above). Other folks take a much more hardline stance.

We have enough food-- distribution is the issue (not land usage vs. feeding animals):
https://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating ... ion-hungry
(I found this info on a few sites-- I'm not exactly sure the accuracy or if they are quoting each other, though)

Waste and Resources Action Program (Wrap), a British anti-waste organization, released the report that estimates that a third of the food produced in the world is never eaten. Each year, an about $400 billion is also wasted because of the uneaten food. That food, if collected and distributed effectively, is enough to feed the world’s 870 million hungry people.

Some places should consider land usage differently but it would not be a general requirement (globally).

[coco]

I have pets. Please don't eat them.

Pet plants?

not recently

[JMG]

Just ate a bacon sandwich for lunch. Gave thanks to the Lord for it. I feel happy.

[Nature of a Man]

Given that the Bible says that meat may be eaten, the ethical issue seems pretty much solved, isn't it?
(Gen 7:2; Lev 7:9, 10:4; Deut 12:22, 14:11: Matt 15:11; Acts 10:9-33; Rom 14:20)

Yes and no, my understanding is that there's a difference between "may" be eaten, and "should" be eaten. I more or less agree that the "may" be eaten part is addressed, and there was no overt commandment for any and all to be vegan (much as there was no overt commandment for any and all to practice a lifestyle of asceticism or renunciation, like that of John the Baptist).

Likewise, I'd argue that health concerns, as well as concerns for the welfare of the beasts in question would have to be taken into account - whether in regards to the life of the beasts (e.x. Proverbs 12:10), or in regards to other factors, such as bodily health (ex. 1 Corinthians 6:19) - especially given the facts of modern meat raising and preparation methods and their potential differences from traditional methods of farming.

This is my take.

Just ate a bacon sandwich for lunch. Gave thanks to the Lord for it. I feel happy.

I enjoy a heaping helping of saturated fat on occasion, or at least the beast in me does.

...is more or less fine...a 'necessary evil'...a more enlightened path...wouldn't be expected...excessive guilt...

What's this based on? Is this a description of your judgment upon all? Or how you view your own actions?

It'd say it's a description of my views and judgments on the somewhat broad subject of eating meat, and the myriad of types, ways, and reasons by which meat could be prepared and eaten.

[coco]

Given that the Bible says that meat may be eaten, the ethical issue seems pretty much solved, isn't it?
(Gen 7:2; Lev 7:9, 10:4; Deut 12:22, 14:11: Matt 15:11; Acts 10:9-33; Rom 14:20)

Yes and no, my understanding is that there's a difference between "may" be eaten, and "should" be eaten. I more or less agree that the "may" be eaten part is addressed, and there was no overt commandment for any and all to be vegan (much as there was no overt commandment for any and all to practice a lifestyle of asceticism or renunciation, like that of John the Baptist).

Likewise, I'd argue that health concerns, as well as concerns for the welfare of the beasts in question (e.x. being a steward of the earth) would have to be taken into account,- especially given the facts of modern meat raising and preparation methods and their potential differences from traditional methods of farming.

This is my take.

Just ate a bacon sandwich for lunch. Gave thanks to the Lord for it. I feel happy.

I enjoy a heaping helping of saturated fat on occasion, or at least the beast in me does.

So, as God teaches us ethics, he sometimes states what we may do (what is permissible) but not always what we should do (what is morally right)? Is that correct?

[Nature of a Man]

Given that the Bible says that meat may be eaten, the ethical issue seems pretty much solved, isn't it?
(Gen 7:2; Lev 7:9, 10:4; Deut 12:22, 14:11: Matt 15:11; Acts 10:9-33; Rom 14:20)

Yes and no, my understanding is that there's a difference between "may" be eaten, and "should" be eaten. I more or less agree that the "may" be eaten part is addressed, and there was no overt commandment for any and all to be vegan (much as there was no overt commandment for any and all to practice a lifestyle of asceticism or renunciation, like that of John the Baptist).

Likewise, I'd argue that health concerns, as well as concerns for the welfare of the beasts in question (e.x. being a steward of the earth) would have to be taken into account,- especially given the facts of modern meat raising and preparation methods and their potential differences from traditional methods of farming.

This is my take.

Just ate a bacon sandwich for lunch. Gave thanks to the Lord for it. I feel happy.

I enjoy a heaping helping of saturated fat on occasion, or at least the beast in me does.

So, as God teaches us ethics, he sometimes states what we may do (what is permissible) but not always what we should do (what is morally right)? Is that correct?

Yes, more or less.

Essentially, my take is that what God might expect from a layperson wouldn't be the same as what would be expected from an ascetic like John the Baptist - in the case of the ascetic who was attempting to life of nonviolence and worldly renunciation, things such as eating meat, or owning any worldly or material comforts wouldn't be permissible, while in the case of the layperson, they would.

(Likewise, I see no evidence that God expected any and everyone to practice asceticism to begin with, so in the case of non-ascetics, eating meat in practice would be fine, even if renouncing meat, in theory, would be making more personal sacrifice toward ideals such as nonviolence).

[Jocose]

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