Fast Food Nation and the ethics of eating meat
May 22nd, 2007 by Mollie
photo courtesy of kallao
A couple of months ago Kendall and I watched Fast Food Nation (a movie based on the book, Fast Food Nation, which I have not read) with some of our friends. It was a good movie, although there were a lot of unnecessary sex scenes which I just in general hate, and it could have been a lot stronger if it was done as an actual documentary.
The movie takes a look at how the meat packing industry is so heavily influenced by multinational corporations behind the fast food industry. It briefly touches on immigration, safety standards, quality standards, and local economy. The most memorable scene was when the “kill room” was shown. It was very graphic and I actually had to close my eyes for most of it. I have read and heard about the conditions in which this kind of meat preparation is done, however, it is different to see it. In fact, the “kill room” scene seemed to be footage from inside an actual factory where a cow was being slaughtered, does anyone know if it was?
My belief is that all of creation is connected and that the Earth is full of resources that we are able to use with respect and and good stewardship. With that in mind, I don’t believe that it is morally wrong to eat meat, but the way in which that is done needs to be with respect that we are taking another living being and using it for our nourishment. I do realize that for vegetarians/vegans that the phrase “ethical eating of meat” is an oxymoron, but this is where I am and within my beliefs I don’t feel that it is. We buy meat from local farmers at the farmers market down the street from us. We slowly made the switch to free-range/pasture/grass-fed and are now fully there.
In our home, Kendall and I have greatly reduced the amount of meat we eat since we have been getting our weekly farm share. Our diet consists largely of fruits and vegetables and we eat meat about once or twice a week (we used to eat meat every night). Eating less meat is a lot better for the environment since raising farm animals for consumption uses a lot of natural resources and if you are going to eat meat it is best to have that meat raised as wildly and naturally as possible.
Despite the weaknesses of the film, Fast Food Nation served to reinforce my thoughts on using animals as a source of sustenance (nutritionally and otherwise). I am not a vegetarian, although I do respect and understand why some people have become vegetarians or vegans on moral grounds. My thought process on this subject is just that, a process. I have not come to any conclusions, but as my thoughts have continued to develop, I am led to the belief that in our zeal for efficiency, productivity, and capital gain we have forfeited respect for life and a connection to the Earth and each other. Our vision has become narrow, priorities disordered, and morality reduced to an oppressive notion as we have relentlessly beaten our consciences numb. Today I am writing with particular reference to our treatment of animals (although I by no means feel that it is limited to this topic).
I know that this is a sensitive topic and I want to make comments available to those of you who would like to have constructive dialogue about this.