Very interesting history, never knew that about Chavez. I think the link between how we treat animals and how we treat each other is an intriguing one, that should be explored more. Question, you mention how you believe eating/killing animals and wars are related. Could you elaborate on that (why, how)?
I'm not sure that I can answer that in a comment... There are many studies about people who torture animals; they claim that the perpetrators quite likely turn to violent crimes involving people. Maybe there are similarities. Anybody who joins an army must be willing to kill, right? I think killing and eating animals makes that so much easier. One doesn't even really think about it, it just happens. But killing another sentient being -- when one DOES think about it, isn't it totally unacceptable? NOBODY should have the right to do this. I'm not religious, but "Do Not Kill" makes sense to me. Well, there is much more. Yes, the link you mention is crucial; it's a fallacy to assume that humans can exploit animals. That we are "above", better. Wrong.
I do recall reading about a study that had linked enjoying the clubbing to death of animals to domestic abuse, but can't remember the exact details. But I'm fairly sure that there are multiple studies that looked into the links between violence towards animals and violence in other areas.
With war it can get it bit muckier, since people don't always (or rarely?) choose to fight a war, but once the violence starts I would not doubt the dynamics becoming similar.
Very interesting history, never knew that about Chavez. I think the link between how we treat animals and how we treat each other is an intriguing one, that should be explored more. Question, you mention how you believe eating/killing animals and wars are related. Could you elaborate on that (why, how)?
I'm not sure that I can answer that in a comment... There are many studies about people who torture animals; they claim that the perpetrators quite likely turn to violent crimes involving people. Maybe there are similarities. Anybody who joins an army must be willing to kill, right? I think killing and eating animals makes that so much easier. One doesn't even really think about it, it just happens. But killing another sentient being -- when one DOES think about it, isn't it totally unacceptable? NOBODY should have the right to do this. I'm not religious, but "Do Not Kill" makes sense to me. Well, there is much more. Yes, the link you mention is crucial; it's a fallacy to assume that humans can exploit animals. That we are "above", better. Wrong.
I do recall reading about a study that had linked enjoying the clubbing to death of animals to domestic abuse, but can't remember the exact details. But I'm fairly sure that there are multiple studies that looked into the links between violence towards animals and violence in other areas.
With war it can get it bit muckier, since people don't always (or rarely?) choose to fight a war, but once the violence starts I would not doubt the dynamics becoming similar.