Oh wow. I actually didn't realize this would be so polarizing. I thought more people would be on the pro-eat animals side.
Let's see....
okay, so we acknowledge it is natural. yet it's unethical?
I mean I guess this is not really about veganism/vegetarianism at this point because I'm looking at it from a larger framework, regarding the nature of nature.....
I guess this is something Islam and Christianity disagree about. If I understand correctly, Islam teaches that we are born pure and sinless. And Christianity from what I understand teaches original sin.
As far as this issue, I believe in Islam's position. It is in our nature and the will of God that we eat animals.
Elephants are not responsible for running the planet. We are responsible for running the planet. So we have to take care of our health. And we are the natural rulers of this planet- not because animals are inferior but because.... animals simply are not equipped to run the planet. It's not like we oppress and prevent them from learning how to read. It is simply nature.
My understanding is this.... we have to go along with nature. People who are in tune with nature, who are in harmony with nature- I think that is a healthy ideal.
I think it is when we decide we're going to against nature and work against nature, to violate nature and go against harmony with nature... I think that's when Pandora's box gets opened and things get weird.
So... I say work with nature. When we are in accordance with the Tao or nature or.... I forget what the Islamic term for our divinely-sourced, true, innate nature is... in any case, when we're with this, when we're with natural law... I think things are good.
So... for me it goes back to natural law. I believe in natural law and being natural. I think it's when we decide we know better than nature that things get weird. Transhumanism and GMO crops, for example.
I would describe myself as a moderate in this issue. I think eating meat is natural and healthy and God-ordained. But abstaining from meat might benefit some people spiritually. I think it should be open to people as a path.
On the other hand, I don't think we should be vegan fundamentalists. I don't think we should tell people they have an obligation to not eat meat. I believe that is what science might refer to as "cuckoo".
So... eat meat or don't meat. You have both available to you. I agree with Paul on this:
2 One person believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
-Romans 14: 2-3
I mean I am totally open to the possibility that veganism may lead to heavenly extra-credit. But... Jesus ate fish, if I'm not mistaken. If Jesus can eat meat, then I think I can eat meat without losing sleep. I have respect, though, for the discipline that vegans have. I admire it.
On the other hand.... note how... it seems to me that Paul is associating it with weakness. Haich also suggested this. So if two people from two totally different points of view arrive at the same conclusion... it's something to be considered, I think- at least in general.