Many people argue animals are here for us to use because of religion. Does anyone have a good argument against that? Because i live in a fairly conservative, Christian neighborhood and i want more convincing, thought provoking info/ arguments. Also are there any religious people that are vegan here than have any good reasons to be vegan that aposes the usual argument that God wants us to eat animals? Thanks xo

If God put animals on this earth for us to eat them, why would he give them a central nervous system that allows them to feel pain and suffering? As well, ask people if they believe that any benevolent good natured God would be acceptable of UNNECESSARY pain and suffering to innocent creatures. Animals being forcefully impregnated, having their children stolen, living in horrible conditions, being mutilated and slaughtered all for us is not something I believe God would encourage just so that we can have a bacon sandwich when we can get the nutrients from other sources. I am not religious, but I do believe "thou shalt not kill" is a commandment that applies to all living sentient beings.

Personally, I’m not religious but you shouldn’t feel the need to explain yourself to others. I feel like if god did put animals on the earth, he didn’t make them to be eaten because he gave us so many other great foods and plants that offer the same nutrients. I agree with alora on this too.

The two most common quotes are:

Then God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you." -Genesis 1:29

Then Daniel asked … ‘Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.’ … At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter than all the young men who had been eating the royal rations.” -Daniel 1:8, 11–12, 15

The problem is there’s so much conflicting information in this book it’s impossible to make a convincing argument either way. There’s a huge debate on this very topic on YouTube, but ultimately it’s our conscience we have to live with, not the clucking tongues of our neighbors. I choose not to be the stuff of innocent animals’ nightmares.