Thanks for your message. I was unsure whether to put that little nugget of info about me onto my list, but I thought 'what the heck - this is who I am'. I feel the same way as you do about watching human suffering - yes, it's terrible, but I remain quite emotionally detached. Animals, though...
1. I'm a dad to a wonderful daughter.
2. I'm a partner to a wonderful woman.
3. I live on a Scottish island.
4. I cycle everywhere (I can't drive).
5. I'm a vegetarian of over 25 years.
6. I love reggae, blues, rock and weird shamanic drumming music.
7. I play guitar, djembe, bodhran, didgeridu...
I agree with this. A scientific approach should be free of researcher bias, whether he / she is theist or atheist. The conclusion reached will also be open to scrutiny for others to verify. If the question is approached from a theological point of view, then what religious viewpoint are we...
Thanks for highlighting his glaring contradiction, A_E. I'm a bit confused as to what the rationale behind this obsession with chicken-egg-first human babies is.
Are you aware that populations evolve into new species and not the individuals? By this, I mean a human baby was not born from a non-human mother. The population that were 'becoming human' could still interbreed and, as such, gave birth to their own kind. Thus, they would be reared by their...
I think you are trying to stir things a little. The chicken-egg situation was discussed on another thread. And it's not atheists that should provide you with an answer - it should be biologists (some of whom may be atheists. But not all - I recall Painted Wolf giving you an answer and she's not...
I don't eat meat because of the way many food animals are reared. That's the immoral aspect of it, for me. I can only be a healthy vegetarian because I have easy access to meat-alternatives.
The eating of meat isn't, of itself, immoral - it's natural.
What is the status of non-human animals in christianity?
Are they accorded any respect or do they exist purely for human use?
Does the idea of them not having a soul allow certain religions to view them in a utilitarian manner?