In conclusion then my Friends , while animals may not be as intelligent or as talented or as communicative as you or I , they most certainly are equally self-aware – equally aware of their own existence , equally afraid of their own death , equally capable of forming emotional bonds with their loved ones , and as such , equally capable of suffering from their imprisonment , their abuse & their death .
Indeed , just because we have been conditioned to see certain behaviors – like killing animals for food — as “ normal ”, does not make these choices correct or moral or harmless . And just because we have been conditioned to see animals as “ less than ” does not change the fact that they are equally conscious , experience pain similarly , love their children with equal passion , and fear death with similar terror .
Essentially , if animals are not mere things ; if they have any moral value whatsoever ( two Truths that every single child and almost every adult – certainly every adult pet owner -- already understands ), then we simply cannot justify enslaving them , abusing them , eating them , wearing them , or using them in any way for our mere personal pleasure or sense of empowerment .
Yes , it is common convention to see animals as “ only animals ”; yes , it is common practice to treat animals as mere things – mere commodities to be used however we wish ; and yes , it is a common belief that animals do not suffer mightily as a result . And yet these are all lies – lies with very uncommon consequences ; lies that create a most awfully uncommon amount of suffering for millions upon millions of our gentle , sentient cousins every single day .
And yet one look into the eyes of any animal is all it takes to wake up – one extended gaze is all it takes awaken your own Soul to the fact that animals posses a “ Soul ” as well … that they each possess a consciousness that is just as vivid … that they each feel a desire to live & love that is just as viable … and that they each know an awareness of ( and have an appreciation for ) life that is just as strong .
So please , invest a few moments and take this all-important look today … … and then please act accordingly thereafter .
Thank you .
“ If people were superior to animals , we ’ d take better care of them .” ~ inspired by A . A . Milne
Current status of this Myth : Nixed Justification it provides for eating animals : NONE
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