What do you say in reply to the "God created animals for us to eat" argument?

Question

Being a vegetarian, I end up having to debate people on whether vegetarianism is a valid cause.

Sometimes people bring up this argument. What can I say? I don't want to say "Maybe God doesn't exist" because that's rude.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I say that while that may be true, he didn't give them to us to be tortured and pumped full of drugs and abused at feed lots and slaughterhouses, and since I don't have the means to raise animals at my house and care for them and slaughter them humanely, I just avoid the whole scene by not eating meat.

Answer 2

I won't pretend to understand Christianity because I'd be lying, but I have done some research and this is what I've found:

The bible has been mis-interpreted since it's beginning to justify wrongs. I've included a couple quotes below. The summary is this: First, the bible said not to eat meat (garden of Eden = vegetarian), so people practiced this. Then there was a great flood (Noah's arc) that wiped out all vegetation. People then, had to find a different food source, so, then meat was allowed BECAUSE THEY HAD NO OTHER CHOICE. We, now, as a civilization have a billion other choices, we should not make the innocent suffer for our "benefit". There are many people who believe Jesus did not eat red meat.

Animals are God's creatures, not human property, nor utilities, nor resources, nor commodities, but precious beings in God's sight. ... Christians whose eyes are fixed on the awfulness of crucifixion are in a special position to understand the awfulness of innocent suffering. The Cross of Christ is God's absolute identification with the weak, the powerless, and the vulnerable, but most of all with unprotected, undefended, innocent suffering."

--Rev. Andrew Linzey

Genesis 9, the text often cited as justification for eating animals, is recognized by most theologians as either a very temporary post-flood concession (all vegetation had been destroyed) or as a concession to human sinfulness (Genesis 9 is also used to justify slavery). St. Jerome wrote: "As to the argument that in God's second blessing (Gen 9:3), permission was given to eat flesh--a permission not given in the first blessing (Gen 1:29)--let him know that just as permission to put away a wife was, according to the words of the Savior, not given from the beginning, but was granted to the human race by Moses because of the hardness of our hearts (Mt 19), so also in like manner the eating of flesh was unknown until the Flood ..."

Answer 3

I say "proove it."

Answer 4

Fabulous:  Here you go..........

22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

At least 3 references to meat eating in the Bible.  Also, you uncle must be a pretty worthless pastor.  Jesus, a.k.a, THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB, got this name from the Jewish tradition of sacrificing (that means slaughter) of the newborn lamb to God.  Jesus was also to be sacrificed, for our sins, even though he was free from sin himself and so on......you get it.

Or maybe you don't?

Answer 5

omg, thos mght be one of the hardest things that i go through with my dad. when ever i talk about animal rights, he says, "those animals were born to be eaten." it is probably the most infurriating thing in the world when he says that. for the most part, i get along with him, but not with animals rights. i havnt evn told him i am a vegitarian yet and it has been a few months!!!! sorry, i didnt mean to go off about myself, i was just trying to say that i feel the same and would love to know an answer!!!

Answer 6

I've only ever heard that argument on here, never in real life.

If someone said it to me, I would put a stop to that line of questioning by telling them that I don't believe in god.

There is nothing rude at all about questioning the existence of god - if there is any rudeness going on in this scenario it is from the person who is a) remarking on and questioning your choice of diet, and b) arrogantly assuming you hold the same religious beliefs as they do.

Answer 7

Ask them to show you where in the Bible it says "God made animals for us to eat." There is no such quote in the Bible.

It does say God gave man "dominion" over animals. But "dominion" means to have authority like a king.

Just because the Bible has references to meat eating doesn't mean anything. It also has references to incest, murder and all kinds of nasty things. It doesn't automatically mean these behaviors are being promoted.

Answer 8

I think if you're christian, it's a valid argument. In the bible it says that man is greater than other beings.  If someone wants to debate you, just speak your piece and explain your choice. Your beliefs are just as valid as theirs.

I myself am not a vegetarian, but I applaud them for doing what they believe in, whether for animal rights or personal health.

Answer 9

I'm athiest...and it's not rude to question the existance of god

Answer 10

Every body has their own opinion in life

If someone wants to argue with you about your lifestyle walk away don't waist your time

Your views on Religion, Politics, and your life style is YOUR choice and only YOUR choice

People don't know when to mind their own business

Answer 11

Well animals were around before humans so you could say humans were created for the animals to eat.

Answer 12

The argument is flawed.

There is Biblical evidence to the contrary:

THOU SHALT NOT KILL

He didn't say thou shalt not kill humans

BEHOLD THE FRUIT BARING TREE THESE SHALL BE FOR THEE AS MEAT.

And then there is Leviticus where the laws of kosher are set out --- And where Shakespeare  got the plot for the Merchant of Venice -- the upshot of which is -- "You can have your pound of flesh but not one drop of blood!"

Jain law, Hindu law, Buddhist law and Essene Law all eschew the killing of animals and the eating of their flesh. So I think you are in good company and now you have a really valid argument to come back with.

Answer 13

God did create animals. They dont have to be eaten though, they can be companions like pets. God also created humans, so are we supposed to eat each other???

Answer 14

I wouldn't say anything because how do you debate such a ridiculous statement? Though food chains do exist we are not the only animal at the top of one, and in fact we are beneath other animals in other food chains. Think...tigers, lions, sharks and crocs just to name a few...

Answer 15

God also created weed and poppy seeds which can be made into opium. haha i used that back in high school when i was a veg and the person just stared back at me not knowing what to say.

Answer 16

All animals on earth are here for all different reasons. None are here soley to be eaten. As humans our teeth say we should eat meat and veges, we waste a lot of animals, but if you live in our society that's just how it is. Even if the whole world turned vegetarian animals would still suffer all over the world. By the way, God isnt real!

Answer 17

Why does there have to be a debate?. You eat what you want and like and others eat what they like and want. It's none of anyones business what people eat no matter what you think. This is a FREE country, remember that. There is a GOD and if you said "maybe GOD doesn't exist to me, you wouldn't been eating anything for a long while.

Answer 18

If you have read the Bible it is very clear God has no problem with people eating animals.  There were rules for doing it but eventually they were waved to improve recruitment.  He even used to accept animal sacrifices.

So if someone plays the God card you probably have no chance of winning someone on moral arguments.  In their mind God can't be wrong.  You need to play up health and such.

Answer 19

GOD created eveyrthing and GOD gives us the freedom to choose for ourselfs so if you Enjoy being a Vegetarian then so be it. I like both meat and vegetables.

Have a great Holiday

Answer 20

"thou shalt not kill does not apply to the murder of one's own kind only but to all living things, and this commandment was inscribed in the human breast long before it was proclaimed from sinai." -leo tolstoy

and then i'd have them reread the Bible....because God didn't create animals for us to eat.....and Jesus didn't eat them.  If you ask someone to show you a Bible verse supporting the consumption of meat, they can't.  I have been asking my uncle (a pastor) to produce such a verse for years and he cannot do it.  make it a challenge to them and watch how fast they shrink away from it.

Christianity is the very reason that i went veg.  Even if God supported the consumption of meat, He sure wouldn't support the way that we raise animals for food today.  Jesus taught love and compassion, not torture and slaughter.

winenut:  not one of those references shows God actually telling people to eat meat.  and the fact that Jesus is referenced as the "Sacrificial Lamb" is an analogy....that is NOT God saying that animal sacrifice is okay.  the only time God gave people the permission to eat meat was after the flood when there was no plant matter to be eaten.   there is no reference in the Bible to Jesus eating meat.....if you think there is, go find it and get back with me.  My uncle is not an "worthless" pastor....there simply isn't anything in the Bible explicitly saying that Jesus ate meat. If there were, I don't think I'd believe it anyway seeing that the Bible has been translated over and over again (not to mention edited).  Knowing the values that Jesus taught and the way he lived his life (healing people, promoting loving one's neighbor, etc.) do you REALLY think he would have eaten another animal's flesh for his own benefit?!  if so, maybe it's you who doesn't "get it".

you also might want to try asking the seventh day adventists what they think on this issue...their church promotes vegetarianism on the basis of Christianity and has done so for longer than you've been alive.  i'm sure they'd be willing to point out the flaws in your argument as well.

it's also worth noting that "Jewish tradition" does not equal "what God promotes".  there were many things done throughout Jewish history that were denounced by the Bible, especially those things done by those holding lawmaking positions.

seriously.....take a theology course....or five.  maybe a Jewish history course as well.

Answer 21

We were vegetarian in the garden of Eden.

After the flood we were permitted to eat of the clean animals in moderation.

In heaven, where there is no death, we shall be vegetarian again.

So during the time we are here on earth man is eating every weird thing that crawls across his plate?

Jesus was Jewish and ate kosher... what would Jesus eat...

Hope this helps...