Ethical Dilemmas

Question: Aren't humans naturally meat eaters?

Answer: Human nature includes traits such as stealing and lying - this doesn't make these morally right. Humans hunter-gatherers have found from 10% to 90% of their food from plants. Wise food choices can add ten healthy years to our lives, and people who don't eat any meat live longer than average. The human animal has evolved to be able to eat plants, fungi and meat. We have also evolved the ability to understand the suffering of others, and the consequences of our choices.

Question: Doesn't God intend us to eat meat?

Answer: There are varying views on this subject. Some Christian groups promote a vegan diet; there are Christian, Jewish and Muslim Vegetarian Societies; many Jains, Hindus and Buddhists are vegetarian.

Question: Other animals kill for food, so why shouldn't we?

Answer: Animals such as buzzards and lions to kill for food by instinct. They do not know of any other way of survival. Humans can live a long and healthy life on a vegan diet. We have the ability to think through issues, and can choose to live without harming others.

Question: What about people, like the Inuit, who must eat meat because of the environments they live in?

Answer: There are a few people in the world who would struggle to live on a balanced vegan diet, with the limited food available in their local environment. This is not a justification for the rest of us to eat meat, fish, eggs and dairy products.

Question: What do you think of animal rights extremists?

Answer: It is important that we do not stereotype any group of people. Everyone has different views and different ways of behaving. Veganism is about avoiding all suffering and cruelty to both people and animals. We need to encourage individuals and organisations to enter into reasoned debate. If people feel they are being listened to they are less likely to take part in so called 'extreme actions'.

Question: Would you kill a wild animal if your life was threatened?

Answer: Most people would not carry a gun or knife. So, in reality, they probably could not defend themselves from a wild animal. A wild animal will normally only attack a human if it is hungry or feels threatened. If we do not encroach on their territory, they are unlikely to attack us.