I am convinced that were it not for the convenience and the distance afforded by the myriad available venues from which we purchase all manner of of consumer goods, we would see some changes in our shopping lists.
It’s so easy to buy things without the vaguest idea of the real story preceding their arrival in the marketplace. In many cases, perhaps most, the supply-chain history would be of little interest, let alone sufficiently disagreeable to prove a “deal breaker”.
In some cases, however, I believe that many people would find the real story very disturbing, indeed.
If fully aware of the process by which the lamb chop, pork chop, veal or steak has arrived at the grocery store, where we find it, neatly packaged and covered with plastic, or the bacon cheeseburger at the fast food restaurant, some people, I expect, would find these items at least a little less appetizing.
This “process”, by which these “products” are made available, is actually a truly heart-breaking story of birth, confinement, suffering, terror, and finally, premature death by unnatural causes (slaughter).
Still, no doubt, many who might find this story unpleasant will find a way to forget it..
…just not think about it.
BUT…
I am willing to bet everything I have that if the prospective diner were required, in person, to choose a living animal, and, looking into her or his eyes, slaughter her or him (regardless of method), we would see many millions more people opting for a “meatless” meal.
Of course, there is absolutely no likelihood that the vast majority of meat eaters will ever be confronted by this face to face scenario, and there is an enormous industry to make sure of it.
However, if, in your heart, you know that you are one who would not, or could not, kill an innocent and helpless animal for your casual dining pleasure, I would, respect-fully, encourage you to consider the fact that, insofar as you are paying someone else to kill these animals for you, there is, unfortunately, complicity and compromise.
To those who believe that they need to eat meat to live, I must say it’s simply not true. It is well documented that many of the longest lived and healthiest peoples on earth have diets consisting of little or no meat.
There was, perhaps, a time in the distant past of human evolution, when killing animals was a necessity for survival. That time is long…long… gone for the vast majority of present day civilizations, yet we continue to drag the ball and chain of dead habit on and on.
In closing, I wish to say that, although I certainly don’t see sufficient evidence that would justify an assumption, I do have good reason to hope that real change for the better regarding concern for the rights and welfare of animals is, at least, a possibility.
…..why?…..it happened to me.
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Chia (328 comments)
Hi Glen, thanks for sharing this! I like your music.
glen smith (6 comments)
Thank you for caring.
happycowgirl (37 comments)
I couldn’t agree more with your thought process and your conclusion.
I was particularly struck by your comment, “… if the prospective diner were required, in person, to choose a living animal, and, looking into her or his eyes, slaughter her or him (regardless of method), we would see many millions more people opting for a “meatless” meal.”
I think making that connection is the key event that needs to occur for people if we are to reduce (in a perfect world, eliminate) meat consumption. For me, my “awakening moment” was when I was served a particularly veiny, thick slice of turkey. With knife and fork in hand, I looked down at my plate and made the connection — I was eating the carcass of what was once a living, breathing animal. It was the fact that I saw it’s vein, a piece of the animal, rather than it being all ground up into an even more faceless burger, that allowed me to make the connection.
I’ve read accounts of others who make the connection upon seeing a trailer truck of cows or pigs on the highway being driven to their deaths. You drive by and look into their eyes.
For my husband it was going to a petting farm at an apple orchard. We spent the afternoon watching and petting the adorable baby pigs, sheep and cows. At the very next meal my husband announced he would no longer be eating pigs, sheep or cows. He’d made the connection.
I’m curious for anyone else commenting…what was your experience? how did you make the connection?
glen smith (6 comments)
Even though i had adopted a vegetarian diet 40 years ago, i had lapsed tempor-
arily for short periods.
Then, in 2003, it was my great good fortune and privilege to make the acquaintance of an animal commonly referred to as a Guinea Pig. She had been rescued by a dear friend, from a family who, though well meaning, were, sadly unable to perceive the Great Spirit that resided in this little animal, and they had decided to find another home for her. Interestingly, though, they had, most appropriately, named her “Angel”.
A couple years later, my friend, recognizing how smitten I was by Angel, was
kind enough to allow me to take her in as my roommate where I live.
Living with Angel, I clearly realized and understood that all the sensitivity, gentleness, spirit, and pure joy of living that I unmistakably saw in her, are all there in all the animals who, through no fault of their own, are consigned to suffer because people regard them as a commodity, and they are powerless to defend themselves.
it saddens me deeply that there’s nothing I can say or do to change this
…but then I have some “problems” with some aspects of NATURE ITSELF, so, at least this juncture in world history, I guess I’m something of “the odd man out”, or, at least, part of a very small minority…but, who knows, perhaps in a thousand years….
Keep Hope Alive!