Whats your opinion on this vegans/vegetarians?

Question

im a vegan, and im taking biology this year and its a requirement to do a bug collection. i think its wrong and unnecessary death. my teacher said quote "its doesnt matter they are just gonna die in the fall anyways." which is really stupid statement in my opinion. he also pointed out though when we drive were killing many bugs, but i feel like that is completely different, when i drive im not swerving to intentionally kill bugs like i would be intentionally killing bugs for my collection. im planning on just finding dead bugs for my collection on the ground and off of cars and such. but i want to know do you think im being a hypocrite saying i don't want to kill bugs but then still drive?

Answer 1

i don't think you're wrong or hypocritical at all! you have every right to refuse a class activity that goes against your beliefs.  i agree with the others above....it's a question of intention.  you are not INTENDING to kill bugs when you drive.  if you collected them you would be intentionally killing them.

as far as your instructor telling you to "find dead ones"...they have a bit of a point.  you wouldn't be causing any harm that way at least.  if it bothers you to handle dead insects (which is really disguisting actually) then you shouldn't have to handle them.  try going above your teacher and asking your principal....the worst they can do is say no.

here is an experience i had with a similar matter:

when i was in high school my class did a lab where chicken eggs were opened prematurely and the chick inside was basically tortured to death for purpose of "science."  the students literally sliced open the live chick to watch the organs functioning.....it was AWFUL, horrible, and i will never forget how i felt when my teacher said we would be doing it in class.  i said something to my instructor and she would not agree to give me an alternate assignment, so i went to my principal.  he MADE her schedule an alternate assignment and MANY of us did that instead.  my sister had the same class the following year and they had stopped allowing the teacher to do that lab!  it felt really good knowing that my friends and i had made an impact.

try asking your principal or a guidance counselor if they can ask your instructor to provide a more humane alternative and you might be surprised how much they help.  you may even help more of the bugs to live if the assignment is offered to the whole class! this could be a great way for you to show others that humane treatment is always the best way to go.  GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

I don't think you are being hypocritical. I'm with you, why should you have to end a bugs life prematurely when they don't live that long anyway! And plus like you said, when driving it's not really intentional.

Answer 3

Nope, I think you're absolutely right. Purposefully killing something is different than accidentally hitting it with your car. If you can't find dead bugs, ask about writing a paper. Most schools have policies where you can't be forced to dissect, etc.

Also, I think your teacher is being really disrespectful towards your beliefs. :{

Answer 4

No, you're not being a hypocrite by driving.  There is a difference between "harm" and "cruelty" and to me, that difference is intent.  We have to accept that, just by living, we are going to cause harm to some living things; you could kill an ant just by walking, let alone driving.  But when you harm creatures intentionally, that's where cruelty comes into play.  You can accept that as a human you will cause harm and still refuse to engage in cruelty.

Answer 5

I don't think you're a hypocrite at all.  It all comes down to intention.

One time I ordered a Bombay Curry Veggie Wrap and they gave me the chicken one.  I didn't find out they gave me the wrong one until I opened it at work.  I was sad and I didn't eat it.  But I didn't feel too badly because my intention was good, it was just the restaurant that messed up.  

Basically, yes, driving will kill some bugs, but transportation is often a necessity for people so there's nothing you can do about it.  You can do something about this though.  If you want to take a stand, go over his head and talk to the vice principal, or principal, if they're available and explain your beliefs to them.  

Answer 6

You're definitely not a hypocrite unless you tell other people they are horrible for killing bugs when they drive. I'm sure that you don't disrespect people even for killing them on purpose.

Killing bugs just to look at them and killing them while driving are completely different. I only kill parasites but I don't care what anyone else does as long as they don't hurt people or companion animals.