You’ve probably had this debate online: You say killing animals is terrible, and someone calls you hateful and violent instead.
I’ve had this argument over and over, and I can’t figure out how to handle it. They see me as the bad person who’s disrupting their life and “peaceful” habits. Is there any way to deal with this?
Ask them straight up: ‘Do you think animal cruelty is bad or okay?’
Some honest ones will admit it’s bad but say they do it because they’re used to it or grew up with it. I respect those people because they at least recognize their contradictions.
But many just troll and say things like ‘Pigs must die for bacon!’ You can ask them: ‘If I brought a pig here right now, would you slit its throat and enjoy it? No guilt, just pleasure?’
If they still keep joking, remind them: ‘You know only psychopaths enjoy cruelty and killing, right?’ At that point, it’s probably better to walk away—you don’t want to deal with someone who might actually be dangerous.
@Keegan
That’s a good way to start, but most people don’t see killing animals for food as cruelty. Their definition is different. Then they’ll say things like ‘It’s fine if we use the whole animal.’ These discussions can go on forever and be exhausting, but they’re important.
@Morgan
Listen, most soy grown worldwide is fed to livestock. So if you’re going to bash ‘soy boys,’ remember you’re consuming it indirectly too. Basic logic isn’t that hard.
Talon said:
Omnivores are stuck in cognitive dissonance. Their minds twist in every way to avoid the fact that their choices cause massive suffering.
Because, you know, bacon.
If you think veganism is just about eating plants, you’ve missed the point. Vegans focus on minimizing harm to sentient beings. It’s not about saying a watermelon is equal to a dog—it’s about being mindful of suffering.
I think ethical consequentialism clears this up. Compare the harms: the discomfort of a conversation vs. the suffering caused by killing animals. It’s not even close.
Onyx said:
I think ethical consequentialism clears this up. Compare the harms: the discomfort of a conversation vs. the suffering caused by killing animals. It’s not even close.
Exactly. You can leave the conversation anytime. The animals don’t get to escape slaughter. Stop acting like you’re the one being victimized.
@Mackenzie
Totally. Even if they couldn’t leave, the annoyance they feel is nothing compared to the suffering they’re causing. It’s a pretty easy comparison to make.
You state that it’s horrific to kill animals, and someone responds that you’re hateful and violent.
This happens all the time with so-called “vegans” who still buy animal products to feed their pets. They accuse me of being cruel because I criticize their choices.
Is there any way to solve this dilemma?
Yes, call them out for being hypocrites. They claim to care about animals but still fund industries that harm them.