God delusion and the future of humankind....

[_truth dancer]

I agree with you that the time will come when we will no longer eat animals, but I disagree with you that the reason is because eating animals is somehow repugnant. As far as I'm concerned, if Jesus ate fish there's nothing inherently wrong with it.

Well, the time has already come when most of those in developed nations do not eat many kinds of animals... and billions of people around the world find eating meat repugnant, immoral, and cruel. Are you OK with eating monkeys? Or your dog? Is animal sacrifice OK with you? :-)

Of course there was nothing wrong with Jesus eating meat in his day. Why would that mean that there won't come a time when this is considered cruel? Lots of things were done in ancient days that today, we consider horrific.


~dancer~

[_asbestosman]

Are you OK with eating monkeys? Or your dog? Is animal sacrifice OK with you? :-)

I would eat them if I were hungry enough, but in general I wouldn't. I would rather die than participate in the Donner dinner party, but I also think a lot of that is arbitrary taboos that society has placed upon us. I don't see any logic nor scriptural prohibitions on monkeys and dogs. As for humans I just don't think I could change my mind there. Good thing that when I partake of the flesh and blood of Christ it is only symbolicly so.

Frankly I don't see animals as deserving the same rights as humans. On the other hand, I do believe it's wrong to harm another animal just out of a whim. Yet I'll always feel it's OK to ruthlessly slaughter bacteria, roaches, and various uninvited guests that wonder around my home or my food. I'd rather let them starve than let their offspring eat my crops or make me ill. I don't necessarily oppose animal sacrifice either if it is religious. I simply don't see a sufficient justification for it nowadays.

It's funny I say all this. I tend avoid eating lots of meat. I usually don't have any for breakfast and often have none for dinner. Lunch is usually a ham sandwich, but I'd be happy with Peanut butter too. Heck, falafals are one of my favorites. There's just something about the idea of eating meat being wrong that seems to be nothing more than mere opinion.

Of course there was nothing wrong with Jesus eating meat in his day. Why would that mean that there won't come a time when this is considered cruel? Lots of things were done in ancient days that today, we consider horrific.

I was responding to the idea that people would look back on us and consider us horrific for eating meat.

[_wenglund]

Of course there was nothing wrong with Jesus eating meat in his day. Why would that mean that there won't come a time when this is considered cruel? Lots of things were done in ancient days that today, we consider horrific.~dancer~

The question, though, is if eating animals becomes immoral in the future, would it be valid for future generations to deem, as immoral, Jesus and others in the past, and those, such as myself, in this day and age, who don't view as immoral eating fish and other animals?

likewise, is it appropriate for people in the present to judge the morality of people in the past using current moral standards?

This is what some have called "presentism".

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[_truth dancer]

Hi Asbestos man... :-)

You actually speak directly to Dawkin's point. The fact that you don't see anything wrong with eating animals is a great example of his assertion.

He asserts that similarly to how the great man, George Washington had slaves, and we look up this today with horror, there will come a time when future generations look upon things we do today, (thinking they are just normal), with horror.

George Washington most likely did not think there was anything wrong with having slaves just like many people today don't think there is anything wrong with killing animals.

My point is not really to make a statement about the rightness or wrongness of eating meat... it is more about, the idea that there most certainly are things we do today that will be looked upon as horrific in the future.

I happen to think eating animals will most likely be one of those things but I totally could be wrong. :-)

~dancer~

[_truth dancer]

Hi Wade,

The question, though, is if eating animals becomes immoral in the future, would it be valid for future generations to deem, as immoral, Jesus and others in the past, and those, such as myself, in this day and age, who don't view as immoral eating fish and other animals?

likewise, is it appropriate for people in the present to judge the morality of people in the past using current moral standards?

Do you want my personal opinion on this? :-)

I do not think it is appropriate to judge the "morality of the people" at all. I think humankind's attempt to understand what is "good" (I would use the term healing or healthy), is continually growing and expanding.

I think humankind is evolving and becoming more conscious and aware all the time and will continue to be more enlightened as the future unfolds. (I feel quite certain of this, if we figure out how to stop killing each other). :-(

I do however, think we can look at various species and the past history of humankind and understand the dynamics of how we evolved. We can certainly look at historical events and gather information on how they helped support and bring forth the depth of the human, OR, how they hurt and thwarted the story.

I not only think this is appropriate but I think it is essential if we are to continue our existence. The more we understand how the universe is bringing forth compassion, care, ultruism, concern, etc., the more we can consciously align ourselves with this process. Conversely, the more we ignore the past and thwart the possibility of healing, the less likely we are to survive as a species.

So, in sum, it is certainly, in my opinion, important to understand the past and to notice what hurt or hindered the furthering of the story. And, to notice what events brough forth new awareness and deeper care into the minds of the human.

Obviously at some point there is a judgment there, (life is significant, abusing children is harmful, etc. etc.).... but the more we observe and understand, the more we know what ultimately brings forth the depth and beauty of life and our existence.

Just how I see it....

:-)

~dancer~