We live in a world where, in theory, we have the freedom to choose. If you have the means, you can decide what to consume, including what you eat. So, if you decide to eat a steak or chicken wings, you can buy them, cook them, or have someone else prepare them for you in a restaurant.
Up until seven months ago, I was part of that world too.
But what happens when that freedom of choice isn’t just about deciding between beef or chicken? What happens when our decisions go beyond personal preferences and start impacting other living beings?
Who is affected by our choices?
Animals. Living beings who, like us, feel pain, and fear, and have an innate desire to live and enjoy their existence.
Do we have the right to take their lives? Even if we’re not doing it ourselves, by purchasing meat, we’re supporting and funding that action. Is it morally acceptable to enjoy a steak that, while delicious, cost an animal its life? We eat that meal and quickly forget it, but the cost to the animal is irreversible. Many animals endure extremely harsh living conditions, only to end up in the process of slaughter that we could choose to avoid.
Is this morally justifiable? And from an environmental perspective, is it ok? I don’t think it is.
We shouldn’t consider our momentary satisfaction to be more valuable than another being’s life. That decision has consequences far beyond our plate: it affects animals, the environment, and ultimately, our health, with well-documented risks such as cancer, heart attacks, and diabetes, among others.
Even on a spiritual level, consuming animals means absorbing their suffering and fear. Can that be nourishing for us?
Instead, imagine your refrigerator filled with the vibrant colors of vegetables, a palette of life that reflects a thriving garden. In my opinion, that is much more valuable than a fridge that contains the remains of animals.
Be mindful of your choices. Think before you eat.
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