Comforts for the taking

1272: 

Those who control the Animal Industries probably do know what the consequences are for the creatures they abuse, but they do it all the same.  For them, empathy and profits don’t mix.  Whereas most others do feel empathy for farmed animals and either suffer from guilt or they succumb to a feeling of helplessness.  They are so used to their diet that they don’t feel able to change their food habits.

Those who profit from animals have to numb their sensitivities - they’ll say “if it makes money then go for it, whatever it takes”.  They don’t have a problem with using animals as a resource as the source of their income.  But for the rest of us, it’s not that simple.  There’s a ‘moral’ struggle between what is right for oneself and what is best for others.  The struggle may not be quite conscious, but there’s an awkward feeling about abusing animals for the sake of indulging ourselves with our favourite food products.

Almost all people like the meats and pastries and rich creamy desserts, the cheese and eggs dishes and the wide variety of milk-made products.  Tucking into them relieves the monotony and stresses of life, and for that reason most people feel that they can’t afford to look too closely at where their ‘comfort’ foods come from.  If these foods make us feel better and stronger, the ugly origins of these foods have to be ignored.  If we allowed ourselves, even for a moment, to consider the truth behind our animal-food habits, then our consciences would be badly shaken; if we dared to take one moment to look at the part we play in the ongoing animal massacre, we’d feel ashamed.

It is a massacre whichever way you look at it, even though we have to pretend it isn’t.  By pretending we’re NOT engaging in the act of ‘hurting’ (hurting ourselves, hurting animals, hurting the planet, etc) our inner eye is refusing to see what is ‘see-able’.