In regards to eating meat

[Tenet Nosce]

I see now what you mean, and I wholeheartedly appreciate you making it clear that you see them suffering in those videos as well. This makes it easier for me to understand your wider point and not get sidetracked, so thanks!

You're most welcome. Not that I would expect you to go back and read all of my posts in this thread, but suffice it to say that my view has been quite consistent throughout.

I see a simple, immediate need for change that can be addressed without a definitive answer to the question of how the Animals, as a group, might feel about the suffering and cruelty in factory farms.

In this we also agree.

I would also like to say that I agree with you, in principle, that there might be some reasoning or higher purpose to this situation that is incomprehensible to my 3D mind. That is why I try to have self-respect, but an underpinning of humility in all of my views. Behind the veil, we just don't have all the information, and it behooves us to cut eachother some slack and not judge other people for their perceptions and choices. I could be totally wrong...as could everyone else. Honestly, who knows for sure?

Exactly.

This is something I think we can build upon because when discussed rationally, I think most people tend to disagree with factory farming practices, regardless of what they think about the general appropriateness of meat eating.

I think you are quite right about that.

It's good to work from common ground, under something that is unifying rather than focus on the areas where we disagree, in my view.

I not only agree, but would go so far as to suggest this is the only way things actually get accomplished.

Meat eating or not is a complex decision involving practical, economic, and spiritual considerations, among others.

Exactly.

In my situation, when I DO have plentiful vegetarian food available, I have no reason to kill other beings intentionally for my sustenance. In another point in time, in another place, and under different circumstances I may not feel the same way.

Perhaps this is a bit overly philosophical point, but your other-selves are right here/now choosing to kill other beings and eat them.

And even now, I feel qualified only to make that decision for myself, and not judge others who perceive reality differently than me and make different choices.

This is probably why your posts have not attracted any sort of negative attention or criticism from others who may disagree with your personal view.

Here again, I find myself agreeing with you.

Are you surprised by all this agreement? Did you have a different perception of my view before this post? If so, why do you suppose that is?

To me, though, it makes sense to put some emphasis on where the majority of the suffering is occurring -- which is the factory farms all over this earth.

Agreed.

Sure, I think other animals, including insects, should be left to live their lives whenever possible, but I don't see the termite treatment problem to be on the same scale, that's all.

So then, when there are outbreaks of massive hordes of insects destroying crops intended for human consumption- would you support a non-interventionist stance? How do you feel about the use of pesticides, including natural pesticides?

When there is an available choice that avoids killing and respects life as much as possible, that's the one I'm going to take every time.

Your body's immune system kills microbes and cancer cells all the time. How do you feel about this?

Thank you for this clarification, Tenet. Honestly, I find these kinds of statements from someone who eats meat to be very encouraging. It sounds like you can at least SEE what we see, even if your interpretations of what to do about it, if anything, are different.

You're welcome!

But if we can come together and agree that something should be done about the factory farming situation, then I consider that an important area of collaboration and common ground.

Instead of arguing the more ambiguous points, I'd rather work together for things we all agree on.

I agree.

Thanks for your thoughtful reply.