Animal Rights is a Cause for Vegetarianism Essay -- essays research pa

Animal Rights - Cause for Vegetarianism The choice of eating meat or not has been a debated issue for a continued number of years. There have long since been two sides: the proponents and opponents of meat consumption. More and more debates of its value and effect on the world have risen. Many claim it is wrong, while others think of it as a needed pleasure. Today, a greater percentage of the population eats meat. Only a few individuals seek the alternative route. Yet, there has been a steady rise in the number of vegetarians. Many may already know that religions all over the world have advocated a meat-free diet. While a few are lenient, the majority is steady. The reason a vegetarian diet has been preferred over meat dates back thousands of years. Take for example, the Christian tradition. Although most are now lenient, previously many great saints advocated a meat-free diet, for more reasons than one. In the beginning it was said by God, " Here I have given you all vegetation bearing seed which is on the surface of the whole earth...to you let it serve as food." (gen.1.29) Later it was spoken by Jesus of the commandment, "thou shall not kill". Jesus said, "You heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'Thou shall not kill; and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment."(Matthw.5.21) There is also the Hindu tradition, where a meatless way of life has gone on for thousands of years (until the invasion by foreign rule,...