The Purpose of Animals

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Xanthippe_Voorhees:

am not a nutritionist but I have enough knowledge from university, from seeing a nutritionist and from looking at valid websites to understand what a vegan diet may lack.

i have a background in analytical chemistry, specifically in food and a couple of other areas.

this thread is not about how to balance a diet and where zinc or Vitamin D are found, its about how we view animals.

are they created to give Glory to God. or for our use. or both?

what about wool, leather, feathers, gelatin, hair etc.

as far as Vit D goes , its incredibly dangeous to quote web sites about lacking in D . thats for starters .

Credential waving is all well and good, but we don’t have any way to know if you’re telling the truth or really a meter maid who scrapes gum off of sidewalks. I didn’t quote any web sources so you’re confusing me with someone else. However, there are many places where one can get trustworthy medical information online like John Hopkins, MedicinePlus, Mayo Clinic are all very good sources.

I think understanding how we need animals and what they provide for us as humans is extremely important in understanding why God allows us to consume them. So far, this thread has focused on nutritional reasons that animals must die for our benefit. The other things you mention, wool, leather, feathers, gelatin are all things that have been adequately replaced in our modern world and are generally available to all, even those who are living in poverty.

 

[Shakuhachi]

q"My point is that it is a modern luxury that vegan diets can be nutritionally sound, and one that is still only afforded to those who are in wealthy countries with good food distribution systems. Having a sound vegan diet is not as simple as it is for those who eat meat–and that’s a fact."

Right. it requires mindfulness of what we are consuming. But it certainly is not a burden and far healthier according to guidelines now urging less meat and more fruit and vegetables in spite of the influence of meat and dairy industry.

But I certainly respect the choice of others to eat whatever they want. I just don’t think human consumption was the primary purpose for animals . I believe they, like all creatures give glory to God independent of humans.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

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“My point is that it is a modern luxury that vegan diets can be nutritionally sound, and one that is still only afforded to those who are in wealthy countries with good food distribution systems. Having a sound vegan diet is not as simple as it is for those who eat meat–and that’s a fact.”>

Right. it requires mindfulness of what we are consuming. But it certainly is not a burden and far healthier according to guidelines now urging less meat and more fruit and vegetables in spite of the influence of meat and dairy industry.

But I certainly respect the choice of others to eat whatever they want. I just don’t think human consumption was the primary purpose for animals . I believe they, like all creatures give glory to God independent of humans.

Certainly. Our modern advertising system has done much to create a system that thrives on the abuse of animals. My husband and I do eat meat, but it’s around 4oz a day, which is plenty to get meat’s benefits. We are fortunate to be well educated, “wealthy” (ie not in poverty) and live in an area where we can get the produce we need to maintain a healthy lifestyle without excessive meat consumption. It is pure hubris to think otherwise.

Since God made animals before the fall, and they did not consume each other and WE did not consume them it can be rightly surmised that there is a greater purpose to animals.

To me, I think it’s to show some aspect of God…His creativity, His beauty…and in the case of the platypus…His wicked sense of humor.

 

[Shakuhachi]

what about wool, leather, feathers, gelatin, hair etc.

But dies obtaining those product cause suffering that can be avoided?

 

[Peebo]

I do eat meat…although I can go for months at a time without eating any…what I would question more is…did God intend for us to breed animals in the hundreds of millions just for the sole purpose of slaughtering them so we could enjoy a juicy steak or fried chicken every day

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

I do eat meat…although I can go for months at a time without eating any…what I would question more is…did God intend for us to breed animals in the hundreds of millions just for the sole purpose of slaughtering them so we could enjoy a juicy steak or fried chicken every day

I think the clear answer to that is no. God never intended abuse of animals. If the only way to consume daily amounts of meat is animal abuse than its wrong. However, for an Inuit who eats only meat during winter it would not be wrong to do so as that would be their only way to eat.

 

[Shakuhachi]

I think the clear answer to that is no. God never intended abuse of animals. If the only way to consume daily amounts of meat is animal abuse than its wrong. However, for an Inuit who eats only meat during winter it would not be wrong to do so as that would be their only way to eat.

I think what bothers me is the inhumanity of the massive industrial meat system. Yes, it provides products at reasonable costs but I would rather not participate in it nor support it.
The Inuit or anyone else close to the source of their food is another matter.

Last year they had to kill 60,000 turkeys near us because of disease all the antibiotics they use could not control. Imagine 60,000 living so closely together.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Xanthippe_Voorhees:

I think the clear answer to that is no. God never intended abuse of animals. If the only way to consume daily amounts of meat is animal abuse than its wrong. However, for an Inuit who eats only meat during winter it would not be wrong to do so as that would be their only way to eat.

I think what bothers me is the inhumanity of the massive industrial meat system. Yes, it provides products at reasonable costs but I would rather not participate in it nor support it.
The Inuit or anyone else close to the source of their food is another matter.

Last year they had to kill 60,000 turkeys near us because of disease all the antibiotics they use could not control. Imagine 60,000 living so closely together.

Because of farm shares it is now fairly easy to get fresh, well-treated meat. The cost is still reasonable.

You’re right though, the factory farms are inhumane.

Remember, you only need about 4-6oz of meat a day, so paying $5 a pound can still be affordable.

 

[AdamP88]

I lean toward Veganism for all sorts of reasons from health to compassion for the animals. When I share my views I often hear religious people tell me that God created them for human use. That sounds too anthropocentric to me, as if all things were created just for humans and have no innate God given value. It seems to me that all creation and all creatures give glory to God and that is their purpose… to give glory to God simply by being as God created them to be regardless of their usefulness or hindrance for human well being.

I was wondering how many here feel that animals were created mainly for humans to eat.

Animals were created by God and they give glory to Him along with all his creations. But I do think animals are primarily here for man’s use and enjoyment. We have been tasked by God with being stewards over creation, so we have a right to use animals as we see fit, as long as we respect God’s creations in doing so.

Christianity is an anthropocentric faith. We do believe that God created humans superior. And, in fairness, the evidence would seem to confirm this theory.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

I think what bothers me is the inhumanity of the massive industrial meat system. Yes, it provides products at reasonable costs but I would rather not participate in it nor support it.

The Inuit or anyone else close to the source of their food is another matter.

Those massive feed lots and “farms” are a relatively new phenomenon, and in the course of human history, a blip on the radar. There is already enough consumer demand (in the US) to drive alternatives such as localy sourced foods. Better distribution, ironically thanks to big business, is making smaller farms and co-ops more viable than they were 30-40 even 5 years ago.

If you don’t want to buy from the big packing houses then don’t. Local or smaller farm products are usually available in just about any major grocer. As opposed to 10 or more years ago - not so much; you had to find a local butcher who sourced local farms for it’s product. But, on the up-side, the local butchers are still around, and choice (in the US, anyway) is better, and quickly continuing to get better.

 

[RandomAlias]

Animals are not just for humans. In nature, animals are part of a complex ecosystem. Some animals are eaten by other animals. This seems bad for those individual animals, but it is good for the species as a whole since predators preferentially kill the weak and sick animals. Thus it might be argued that both predator and prey have a purpose and give glory to God by their lifestyles. The complex ecosystem also gives glory to God.

Scripture has it that the lamb and the lion will recline together. That may be figurative, or it may be literally true in the coming Kingdom of God.

 

[Shakuhachi]

Animals are not just for humans. In nature, animals are part of a complex ecosystem. Some animals are eaten by other animals. This seems bad for those individual animals, but it is good for the species as a whole since predators preferentially kill the weak and sick animals. Thus it might be argued that both predator and prey have a purpose and give glory to God by their lifestyles. The complex ecosystem also gives glory to God.

Scripture has it that the lamb and the lion will recline together. That may be figurative, or it may be literally true in the coming Kingdom of God.

Good point. Another thing that has always bothered me is the predator/prey dynamic. Who wants to see a bunny get caught and eaten by a coyote? Yet that is nature, one example in the complex chain of life.

 

[Shakuhachi]

Shakuhachi:

I lean toward Veganism for all sorts of reasons from health to compassion for the animals. When I share my views I often hear religious people tell me that God created them for human use. That sounds too anthropocentric to me, as if all things were created just for humans and have no innate God given value. It seems to me that all creation and all creatures give glory to God and that is their purpose… to give glory to God simply by being as God created them to be regardless of their usefulness or hindrance for human well being.

I was wondering how many here feel that animals were created mainly for humans to eat.

Animals were created by God and they give glory to Him along with all his creations. But I do think animals are primarily here for man’s use and enjoyment. We have been tasked by God with being stewards over creation, so we have a right to use animals as we see fit, as long as we respect God’s creations in doing so.

Christianity is an anthropocentric faith. We do believe that God created humans superior. And, in fairness, the evidence would seem to confirm this theory.

And with that superiority comes superior responsibility.

 

[ANV]

Good for you, you are avoiding harming them when it’s not a necessity and you can be healthy and, all the vitamins can be found in plants or plant made food, God didn’t create them, in fact if there is any god he must be evil for creating prey and predators, and suffering, but still humans don’t need to eat any animals.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

harming them when it’s not a necessity and you can be healthy and, all the vitamins can be found in plants or plant made food, God didn’t create them, in fact if there is any god he must be evil for creating prey and predators, and suffering, but still humans don’t need to eat any animals.

Come again? There is literally no way to get certain vitamins without animal products and others are incredibly difficult to get. That’s not up for debate, it’s a fact. Modern food distribution systems, vitamins, and knowledge of nutrients are the ONLY reason that veganism is an option.

And it is an option in this modern world. However, for a good portion of humanity–and for many people, today–meat and animal products remain the only way to remain healthy. There have been vegan societies that do exist, but they are in fertile crescents that do not deal with the incliment weather. Most of the humanity cannot live in those areas.

 

[ANV]

Like what vitamins? All can be found in plant food and in high quantity in different and several plants except maybe for b12 which is formed bacteria and plants in modern societies come super clean and animals get injected with these vitamins. Other than that, plants have high sources of all vitamins, depends on the type of vitamins and plant food.
Do you live in these areas where it’s hard to find plants? You are talking about hard exceptions, mainly the poorer country is, the less consumption of meat per capita.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Like what vitamins? All can be found in plant food and in high quantity in different and several plants except maybe for b12 which is formed bacteria and plants in modern societies come super clean and animals get injected with these vitamins. Other than that, plants have high sources of all vitamins, depends on the type of vitamins amd plant food.

Please read up thread. There are many concerns besides B12 of difficult to achieve vitamins. Again, veganism is ONLY a healthy possibility in modern societies because of modern knowledge, food distribution and wealth.

It wasn’t until all of those factors came together that veganism was viable. To pretend otherwise is to ignore the limits of the human body. As I mentioned there have been vegan-based societies but they are extremely limited to places where the weather is glorious year-round and both sea and land plants are in good supply. Veganism was not possible in the desert, arctic, and even places like North America until fresh foods could be provided year round.

 

[KatyCatholic]

Outside of the nutritional and personal preference arguments, let’s just look at what Jesus told Peter … it’s not what goes in a man that makes him unclean but what comes out.

Within our means, we have been given the ability to control our food from plants and animals. The danger in seeking spirituality where there may not be any spirituality may lead to scrupulosity … why do you think it’s evil to raise animals as food?

I only use the word “evil” because it simply means “not good”, thus I sense that there is a reluctance to consume meat because it takes the life of the animal and all life is sacred … something along those lines.

But, to answer the original question, my opinion is that God has provided what is needed and wanted. I’m not sure if God had this thought “Oh, I need to make chickens so my people can have eggs and buffalo wild wings”. I don’t think that God created certain animals just for the sake of a meal, it follows more in line with the natural way of the world and creation that humanity found and developed agriculture and livestock practices that ensured our health and longevity as a peoples.

Best of luck in your nutritional ventures and stay healthy!

 

[Pug]

No, I don’t think animals as a whole are primarily for humans to eat. Animals are part of all of creation and belong in their own place there, and give glory to God by being. Animals may be companions and assistants, or teach us. By us finding out how a woodpecker can bang his head so much, we learn. By examining wings, we learn. Animals can give us wool and helpful items. Dogs can lead the blind. I think they do a lot of things.

For all I know, perhaps someday mosquitoes will be a delivery system for a health item.

 

[Crusaderbear]

Depends on where they fall on the food chain…if animals didn’t eat each other, they would all starve eventally. Likewise, we have disturbed the natural food chain, so now it’s almost our duty to help keep populations in check by eating some!

We are just keeping things running smoothly!