I am very much in support of animal rights, Chad, and I commend your courage in bringing up a topic which often meets with hostility, even in the progressive movement. It is the most often overlooked social justice issue with overwhelming consequences to the sentient beings of our community who are seen as objects and used and victimized accordingly.

Again, kudos to your courage! :)

Really? Do animals deserve the same rights as people? Do animals deserve the same access to space that people do?

Do you want an answer, or is this strictly an opening to the thread?

I think that doing what is best for animals - and by animals I mean all animals, including pets, humans and wildlife - is a set of interrelated actions and policies.

I think human lives have more value, intrinsically than some, if not all, animal life. Human beings have the capacity for great spirituality, and emotion. I think most animals have emotions, but in terms of spirit, other animals (besides humans) are limited to varying degrees. For example, a fish has less spirit than a dog, which has less spirit than a humpback whale, etc. But this view and argument shows the inherent egotism that comes with being the member of a specie. I think it is valuable to move beyond self-centered perspectives.

Do I think arguing over which animal has the most spirit or is most valuable? - Certainly not.

The important thing to realize here is that we are all connected. We belong to an interconnected system that makes all life on earth a community. Indeed in a larger sense, we are part of a Universal community.

I think that the way to go is to treat all animals, all beings, and all existence, with respect.

In the Course of Events