In regards to eating meat

[Monica]

First of all it was not generic, so to say it's generic now is kind of self-serving.

I didn't say it was generic. Did you read my post? I mentioned that I had made a similar analogy in the early days of this thread, and got the same reaction, and even worse, and it lasted for weeks before the dust settled. But my analogy was generic!

Therefore, this indicates that the analogy itself will trigger such a response, regardless of whether it's generic or not. Meaning that it's not the personal reference, but the analogy itself that people find offensive.

I was asking why.

Did that clarify my meaning?

Now I am wondering: why be so quick to say my intentions were "self-serving," when all it was was a simple lack of understanding of my point? That sure seems odd to me. If I misunderstood something you said, or disagreed with it, I wouldn't say you were self-serving.

Secondly, I feel there is a difference between my children and my pets. An example from my life (though I realize i am inviting all kinds of negativity by sharing from my life, I've come this far on this thread)

My mother-in law loves my dog. She'll buy gifts for her, take care of her, make a big deal about her. I also have three children whom she doesn't seem to care much for. There have been several things that have happened through the years that led me to see it this way. Maybe i am wrong, maybe she cares for my kids, but it seems she cares more for pets than kids. So with my unmet desire for my children to have a loving and warm grandmom, I have some disappointment over this. Does it cause me to rage, and ban her from my home? No, she is welcome here, still there is this discomfort.

That's awful! Gosh, Shemaya, I would be very upset if my mom (if I had a mom) did that to my kids! I adore all my cats and dogs, but my child comes first!

I feel that she transfers her love and compassion to animals because it's easier, it's not uncomfortable and difficult like dealing with humans. Just my opinion, but still I wish my kids had a grandmom that they knew loved them.

I can sure sympathize with that! My child didn't have any grandparents at all. But it would be even worse if they had doted on my dogs or cats more! That would bother me too! In fact, I'm quite sure that, were I in your situation, I would find such behavior intolerable, and would speak up about it, for the sake of my kids. I would probably establish some rules in my house, to avoid my kids growing up with the idea that Grandma loves the dogs more than them. But that's just me.

But Shemaya, no one is suggesting that animals be considered more important than humans or even as important. In fact, I've said repeatedly on this thread, that I'd save the human child before the dog, no question. We're just wondering why there can't be enough compassion to go around.

If I don't have equal compassion for animals and humans, so what? Some people have more compassion for animals than humans. That's just not me.

Again, no one is suggesting equal. Just enough to have compassion for their pain and suffering.

And I am not saying that I have no compassion for animals , because I do. But I have more compassion for humans.

Of course. So do I. But I see no reason I can't have both.

And if I don't want to discuss this anymore so what? I am not succeeding in helping you understand my point of view, what's the point of spinning wheels going nowhere? There are other things that deserve my attention that would be productive.

I agree with you on many things and it's fine to leave it at that.

You can choose to quit participating at any time you wish, Shemaya. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Peace to you (and to your kids! and to Grandma...and to your dogs and cats...in that order ).