(no subject)
I've been reading about the fur trade a lot lately. I have read the opinions of some people who think that by skinning a fox or a mink or a coyote and turning it into a coat that the animal is being "enobled". In this persons words:
"Indeed, the only true "purpose" in the life of a mink or rabbit is that bestowed on it by the hunter, skinner and fur-maker: Through their efforts, an animal is elevated from an instinct-driven bundle of reflex responses to an item worthy of being displayed in Paris, London and New York." (whole article http://www.reason.com/hod/bo101005.shtml <--- here)
Does this opinion seem bizarre to you guys? It reads sort of arrogant. Maybe some would consider this just a low level of respect for mankind, but i don't consider us really "above" another creature when "above" is being seen as a stance in which to exploit animals. If people want to eat meat or wear leather I am not about to step in front of them and prove true the typical image of a vegan: a completely biased, self-centered skinny kid with a superiority complex. You guys know this. But I would think most of you out there would agree to at least treat animals with the respect they deserve, right? (certainly the amount of respect deserved varies from person to person, but you get my drift)
I don't want to be the type of person who only reads or listens to what they want to hear about themselves. I don't want to sit around and pat myself on the back for a decision I made three years ago. I want to hear the arguments against veganism. I don't believe I should put pressure on my friends to go vegan. I think this trait stems from the way my friends treat christianity. Jennifer, Louise, Natalie, and Duck are all extremely religious, amazing, compassionate people. They have never preached or grandstanded to me. And because of this, they have influenced me to scrap the skepticism about christianity that I preveiously held. They lead by example. I want to do the same.
It bothers me when vegans get so furious that they turn into a cartoon. Remember vegans, most of us wore leather not that long ago. Four years ago I rocked a leather coat, leather shoes, and if you would have given me leather pants, I would have worn them too. So I certainly don't feel I have the right to get in peoples faces about that sort of thing. But i'm urging all you guys, my pals, please read into the fur argument if you are considering investing in a fur garment. It's pretty shocking.
"Indeed, the only true "purpose" in the life of a mink or rabbit is that bestowed on it by the hunter, skinner and fur-maker: Through their efforts, an animal is elevated from an instinct-driven bundle of reflex responses to an item worthy of being displayed in Paris, London and New York." (whole article http://www.reason.com/hod/bo101005.shtml <--- here)
Does this opinion seem bizarre to you guys? It reads sort of arrogant. Maybe some would consider this just a low level of respect for mankind, but i don't consider us really "above" another creature when "above" is being seen as a stance in which to exploit animals. If people want to eat meat or wear leather I am not about to step in front of them and prove true the typical image of a vegan: a completely biased, self-centered skinny kid with a superiority complex. You guys know this. But I would think most of you out there would agree to at least treat animals with the respect they deserve, right? (certainly the amount of respect deserved varies from person to person, but you get my drift)
I don't want to be the type of person who only reads or listens to what they want to hear about themselves. I don't want to sit around and pat myself on the back for a decision I made three years ago. I want to hear the arguments against veganism. I don't believe I should put pressure on my friends to go vegan. I think this trait stems from the way my friends treat christianity. Jennifer, Louise, Natalie, and Duck are all extremely religious, amazing, compassionate people. They have never preached or grandstanded to me. And because of this, they have influenced me to scrap the skepticism about christianity that I preveiously held. They lead by example. I want to do the same.
It bothers me when vegans get so furious that they turn into a cartoon. Remember vegans, most of us wore leather not that long ago. Four years ago I rocked a leather coat, leather shoes, and if you would have given me leather pants, I would have worn them too. So I certainly don't feel I have the right to get in peoples faces about that sort of thing. But i'm urging all you guys, my pals, please read into the fur argument if you are considering investing in a fur garment. It's pretty shocking.