>>Wishing all ecofemers a peaceful and meat-free Xmas and New Year!
>> All the best for 1996 - from Essex Uni. Ecofeminists, England.
>
>Although much in favor of looking after our environment, I don't really
>agree with the vegetable bit. There are few things as satisfying in life as
>a good pepper steak. What would Christmas be without turkey, or the ham?
>
>Betty
I think someone was saying earlier that some of the most connected
philosophies are those of hunters. The key, I think, is to know and respect
what you are eating. Some forms of vegetarian mentalities are part of the
'humanity is different from and above the animal kingdom' position which I
do not think is helpful. It is OK to eat animals because that is part of the
natural order - animals eat each other. It is not OK to close your mind to
the fact that your Christmas dinner was once a comical, characterful turkey
chick. It is not OK to treat animals like machines for producing food and if
we want to eat turkey, or chicken, we need to concern ourselves about the
conditions in which they were reared. We also need to be aware that the
perception that turkeys are 'useful' as food can develop into the converse
perception that if a member of the animal kingdom is not useful, perhaps
even detrimental, to humanity then it doesn't matter if it becomes extinct.
It is a bit of a slippery slope! We need to be strong to hold on to the
right end of it!!
Happy Christmas Everyone
Helen Marsh
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Albany Campus, Massey University, New Zealand
Browns Bay, Auckland North Shore, New Zealand
