Jump to content
An Old School Catholic Message Board

killing animals question


MarysLittleFlower

Recommended Posts

julianneoflongbeach

Right. Some people would see it as extravagant or wasteful to kill an ensouled being when it is not necessary. 

We may never use a human being for any purpose. But animals, are for our use. Ought we use them when nature demands it, or merely when using them gives us pleasure?

No, no one would say it's extravagant or wasteful to kill an "ensouled being" because the only ensouled beings are humans and killing humans is wrong. And people use people all the time, they are called employees. Using animals for any sensible reason is within our right. It only becomes immoral if you cause undue pain and disregard it as a living thing that is in our care, even if they are bred to be temporary.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

MarysLittleFlower

No, no one would say it's extravagant or wasteful to kill an "ensouled being" because the only ensouled beings are humans and killing humans is wrong. And people use people all the time, they are called employees. Using animals for any sensible reason is within our right. It only becomes immoral if you cause undue pain and disregard it as a living thing that is in our care, even if they are bred to be temporary.

I think Lilllabettt meant that animals have material souls as St Thomas said :) not spiritual immortal souls like humans.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sure there are ways to eat a healthy diet without meat. But meat is a legitimate dietary choice. No further justification is necessary. Meat is good for sustenance, humans tend to like meat, so eat meat. 

As long as we are not wasteful we can use all of creation for its intended purposes.

One could argue that meat consumption is intrinsically wasteful, since it requires vastly more resources to produce and isn't necessary for good health. In particular, bovines emits a lot of methane which cuts into our CO2 budget. http://www.wri.org/blog/2013/09/world’s-carbon-budget-be-spent-three-decades 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nihil Obstat

 

Right. Some people would see it as extravagant or wasteful to kill an ensouled being when it is not necessary. 

We may never use a human being for any purpose. But animals, are for our use. Ought we use them when nature demands it, or merely when using them gives us pleasure?

We ought to and can use animals when that use is in conformity with their purpose as creatures, and the purpose of our God granted dominion over them. Eating meat is in conformity with the purpose of our use of animals, as is making fur clothing. If such uses also being pleasure then all the better. Eating animals and eating plants are, for the purposes of our stewardship, morally identical. It is lawful and for our benefit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One could argue that meat consumption is intrinsically wasteful, since it requires vastly more resources to produce and isn't necessary for good health. In particular, bovines emits a lot of methane which cuts into our CO2 budget. http://www.wri.org/blog/2013/09/world’s-carbon-budget-be-spent-three-decades 

Raising beef and pigs is extremely consuming of water.   In addition, pig waste in the midwest is very polluting, and is getting into the ground water.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lilllabettt

No, no one would say it's extravagant or wasteful to kill an "ensouled being" because the only ensouled beings are humans and killing humans is wrong. And people use people all the time, they are called employees. Using animals for any sensible reason is within our right. It only becomes immoral if you cause undue pain and disregard it as a living thing that is in our care, even if they are bred to be temporary.

you are incorrect on a number of counts. 

1. As MLF pointed out, animals do have souls.

They also: 1. are incapable of sin 2. fulfill God's will perfectly 3. would not suffer whatsoever except for the disobedience of men. We are guilty where they are concerned.

2. Employers do not "use" workers, except in the context of unbridled capitalism, which is immoral. Employment is a mutually beneficial relationship, freely entered into by both parties, or it is an immoral relationship. We may use animals without thought to their freedom or benefit. But is it good to use them for pleasure and our own satisfaction? Or is it better to restrict their use to those times and occasions where there is need?

 

 

Edited by Lilllabettt
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...