HABITUATED HARM

"Given the opportunity, I believe that most people would care for a nonhuman animal. Some may not "love" animals, but they know that to harm an animal would be wrong."

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Except for extreme circumstances, I cannot think of any circumstance where it may be acceptable  to harm your, "however much valued", buddy. *Except, for example; when your life is immediately threatened by him or her, and therefore it is as is in self defense (In a sense accidentally and in order to survive, compelled to do so to save one’s own life, beyond one’s own will.).

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So was there something that happened that caused humans to start eating and therefore killing other animals, even though their own brain recognizes them as morally valuable? Did they start eating other animals because of some environmental calamity, or was there some other mitigating circumstance? Or was it greed?

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We don't know how or why animal consumption got started, but what we do know is that habit requires no thought in order to act. And the way of human beings is to pass things down to the next generation. So could have the reason for starting such a harmful habit gotten lost?

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One thing that we do know is that humans have empathy for animals, the consumption of "meat" (animal's flesh) correlates with chronic disease, we can be optimally healthy not eating animals, and that human actions have been inconsistent with our moral values. And because of our own recognition and empathy, *surely it must harm us psychologically. [*I  am not a doctor]

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But, until we do something about our own cognitive dissonance and start thinking about our thoughtless destructive habits, nothing will change.

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Eating other animals currently makes up the bulk of thoughtless violence and murder. The question is, are you going to do something about it?

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Once you know that eating other animals is unnecessary and that you don't want to violate other animals and your own values by eating and therefore harming and killing other animals, you'll stop. Then you'll probably be compelled to try and help others realize what you've realized, so that they can live a better life, and that other (nonhuman) animals won't be harmed by such a thoughtless absurdity.

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When doing advocacy for other animals, you'll need to keep in mind that, like you, most of us (humans) have empathy and compassion for other animals, and don't want to harm them, but people have been misinformed by a violent culture and taught to deny the cognitive dissonance brought up by participating in actions that are counter to such values of empathy (a recognition of animals) and compassion.

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It would probably also be most beneficial to your advocacy, to get some in depth education and reflection on the issues involved before creating your own advocacy materials. But using this site's pre-filled advocacy materials is a great way to start advocating for animals. All you'll need, is to be in agreement with message and theme of this site and its advocacy materials. For more information, please visit the resources page.

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