What is a cannibal? According to Encarta's Dictionary a cannibal is:an animal that eats the flesh of other animals of the same species. Once, a great scientist called Darwin said humans evolved from other species, most likely apes. If we believe in this theory of evolution then eating monkeys, cows or any animal is just like eating a primitive form of ourselves. If we are the most developed with a sense of high intelligence, then it is more shameful for us to eat meat than a cannibal who eats developed forms of life, because even though we understand we still blind ourselves to this very evil. Below are some questions asked by Non-Vegetarians and the answers to their questions.Q 1. Animals have a high amount of protein and other minerals essential for life so if we eat it we can get these minerals
A 1. Where did the animals get their minerals from? Plants or other animals. Regarding other animals as a source of nutrition I will answer in the next question. When the animal was a baby it took nutrition from its mother who ate plants. Therefore it is plants who serve the main source of nutrition.
Q 2. Why should we forsake meat when carnivores eat it?
A 2. They don't have a choice. Some animals like cats need a vitamin called Taurine found only in fish without which they are blinded. The deficiency of it has no side effect on us. If yes, then all the vegetarians must be blind. Also scientists have proved that our digestive systems are adjusted to vegetables. Presence of long intestines, flat grinding teeth, alkaline saliva are all characteristics of a herbivorous animal.
Q 3. Oh, if we continue eating plants the plant population will soon finish.
A 3. Well in order to feed animals like hens and goats for chicken and mutton, plants are required to feed them so that they are plump enough to feed us. And goats eat a lot more plants than we do.
Q 4. The pain caused to plants is the same we cause to animals
A 4. Rubbish. 2 questions for you. Do they have a Central Nervous system? Do they respond to stimuli as fast as animals do. Their reaction is so slow that by the time it is cut it just blacks out. However animals feel the pain.
Q 5. Animal population will multiply rapidly.
A 5. Well years ago when meat was only a luxury, did they multiply? Meat was always a royal luxury. Yet did they overpopulate. Farm bred animals breed only artificially meaning they multiply in terms of food and space. Also in that case we should eat each other because of overpopulation in India and other countries.
Q 6. I like meat. It tastes really good.
A 6. Must so many creatures die for your satisfaction? Animals? If no, you got your answer. If yes, well say this also "Osama bin Ladin, Saddam Hussain and other terrorists are very good people. They kill people for their own pleasure."
We have advanced so much in fields of science, technology, psychology etc. If we want to truly get the name of being the ultimate organisms then we must advance in spreading the message of peace. Violence amongst ourselves has only brought the wrath of Mother Nature. 'Peace cannot begin outside until we begin it at home.
Please think about this.
Nilay Kamdar
