Thinking Critically About The Animals We Use

[Tim Gier]

In a new blog post, Mary Martin, PhD links to a new educational pamphlet (.pdf) she's written on the topics of animal rights and veganism.  She writes: 

I don't know what the effectiveness of online support is, but I do know that talking to people, eating with them, shopping with them, surfing the Internet with them, sharing cooking tips with them, cooking for and with them, and making yourself available for sharing the emotional and social difficulties of a transition from using animals to using them less, does work. That's what I do, and it works, as in--people go vegan and stay vegan.

Thinking Critically About The Animals We Use can be printed on one 11 x 17 sheet and folded in half and isn't designed to make anyone into an activist. But it is designed to help its readers face their own rationales for continuing a behavior that they themselves probably don't agree with. (...) it traces the conversations I have over and over again, with good people who simply aren't educated about what's involved in the use of animals, or they are, yet they continue to not align their actions with their knowledge and what they believe to be right.

[Carolyn Bailey]

Thanks for posting this, Tim!

Like Sam, I think it'll be a great resource. It's well written, intelligent and to the point. I think it's perfect!

You rock!

 

 

 

[Sam Hillyer]

I'm glad it reads like a conversation and covers the questions commonly asked. Although images of cruelty and videos such as Earthlings are useful, and certainly have impact, I think they have a time and place. People will often refuse to watch said videos or can easily dismiss the images. When presented with this logical argument however, I think they are more open to conversation and may even be more likely to see the sense. :)

[Tim Gier]

Hi Sam,

 

I'm glad you liked the pamphlet.  It's well written and makes all the important points without being overly academic or technical.  The author said it arose out of the conversations she's had over the years with others about animal rights and veganism.  It reads like one as well, in a friendly and caring tone.  Also, like you, I'm happy to see that the graphics are not depictions of cruelty.  I think it will be a great resource!

[Sam Hillyer]

Thank you for sharing that Tim, it's a really good pamphlet, one I plan to print out and keep a copy or two with me wherever I go so next time someone asks me why I am on the dark side, or pities me for making my life difficult, I can explain to them there is nothing dark about refusing to be a part of exploiting another species for my benefit and that a difficult life would be one where I was morally confused between loving my dog and eating a chicken. And they will also have something to take away to read in their own time that is sensible, doesn't rely on graphic images but pure logic and can and will inspire a change in attitude. :)