Accepting that we have no greater right.

 

The idea that we are not only the most important animal on the globe but the only one that counts goes back to religion; especially the three Abrahamic religions. 

Buddhism and some of the eastern religions see being human as a superior condition, but they acknowledge all animals as sentient beings. All of the tribes indigenous to North America whose spirituality I have studied believe that we are a part of nature just as are other animals. 

If you have a hard time accepting that an animal other than a human has the same right to exist as do we, I would lay odds on you having grown up in a Jewish, Christian or Muslim home. 

To accept this reality does not mean that we must stop eating meat. We are omnivores, which is an advantage to our species.  Personally I couldn't kill an animal for food so I'm a vegetarian. That does not mean that I think hunting and eating your kill is bad. Since I couldn't kill another animal, I think it would be inappropriate for me expect someone else to do it for me.  Many cultures thanked the animal they killed to eat, and there are modern American hunters who do the same.  So don't panic. You don't have to give up meat to accept that we have no greater right to exist. 

To accept that we are equal does not mean that you must sudden stop taking care of yourself and your family first.  I would assume that you accept that I have an equal right to be here as you.  If you were suddenly faced with the choice between saving my life or the life of one of you family, who would you pick?  You can be honest. The family member would come first.  That doesn't change my equality. You can accept that all sentient life has an equal right to life without changing you priorities. 

What it does expect is that you will not kill for fun or hunt to extinction. It means that you won't destroy other animals because they annoy you, or get in your way or look funny. You will be mindful of their need for food and water, and not destroy their habitat. The balance of nature has done an excellent job without human interference. It is when we start messing with nature, because we think we are more important, that we cause tremendous problems for everyone. 

#animalrights, #nature,  #sentientbeings, #OldConservationist