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The opening banner to this topic is slightly misleading; although relevant. The famous saying goes "You Are What You Eat" but let's take this a little further. I am not a vegan, as I partake of meat and milk. I am unfortunately not in the position to want to eliminate these foods from my diet; although sometimes I think it would be a good idea.

Although I am vehemently against animal cruelty, I am sad to say I will still eat meat. Does that make me evil? Well I do not believe so, as most of the animal kingdom thrive on their predatory instincts. Animals don't always even wait until their prey is dead before consumption.

So if the animal kingdom doesn't discriminate, why should I?  After all I am still at least considered half of an animal albeit a spiritual one. Well I don't want to offend different cultures who may eat animals alive; but I am personally very much against it. 

So this post is a mixed bag. It's not to shame anyone who eats meat, and it's not to praise anyone who doesn't. I shouldn't feel "evil" by doing what  many animals do. To even intimate that humans are not predatory is a denial of our violent past, present, and unfortunately our future.

Now I hear the whispers that say plants don't have feelings, fish are cold blooded (so they feel no pain), etc etc. Yes maybe that is true, and then again maybe it's not. As far as I know no reputable study has ever shown that plants can "feel pain". The lack of a nervous system and brain is the reasoning. None of us can dispute the fact that we are all composed of matter. So ingesting one thing and returning it back to the ground cyclically is nothing to be ashamed of. 

So if I am to be half a hypocrite, can I at least make some more positive changes to my diet? I love chicken and beef! So maybe there is something in between. 

The Hebrew word “kosher” literally means “fit.” 
I once saw a terrible movie called "Faces of Death", and I never realized how anti-semitic it was. There was a scene on kosher slaughter that was an absolute ignorant portrayal of kosher slaughter. 

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Kosher also means that certain species of animals (and their eggs and milk) are permitted for consumption, while others are forbidden. 

One interesting note is that meat and milk are never combined. The commandment is "Do not cook a kid in its mothers milk". So I raised an eyebrow in regards to that. What's so wrong with doing that? Well there are many explanations that are esoteric in nature, and others that explain the "moral" point of view.. For one it's a recognition of overt cruelty. Basically it is saying have pity on the mother, and or it's kid. Maybe being human is admitting we are different than the animal kingdom, and killing a kid and adding its own mothers milk to make it more flavorful is overt cruelty.

Now again i'm not here to chastise anyone who loves a cheeseburger. I am simply pointing out that there is a recognition of life. A cycle of life is needed to perpetually continue all species. Now as a spiritual human being that still needs to eat, and loves their meat what should I do? Well I for one am comforted to know that my prey was slaughtered with the least amount of pain. I do believe in psychic reverberations, and I recognize the pain animals have. 

I grew up with dogs and  It's incredible to see their feelings as you can see it in their eyes. I have spoken to those who love horses and they say they have similar feelings and emotions. I am not familiar with farm animals, but I'm sure each and every one has their own personality and feelings. 

So we all know that certain cultures eat dogs, snakes, cats, horses etc..

So what makes  a difference in my life? Well I eat kosher. One reason is because the animal was SUPPOSED to be killed painlessly. The blood is also supposed to be drained and covered by the earth. Islam as well has a similar version called Hallal. 

It is also interesting to note that kosher animals are never predatory animals. The belief is that we should not absorb these qualities into ourselves. So in effect the food is also “spiritual nutrition.” Just as there are foods that are good for the body and foods that are harmful, there are foods that nourish the  soul and foods that affect it negatively. 

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Kosher mammals and birds are slaughtered by a special procedure  in which the animal’s throat is quickly, precisely and painlessly cut with the sharpest knife possible. Even a defect in the knife renders the slaughter prohibited for consumption. 

So if  compassion for the animals is  essential why how could a knife be a compassionate way to kill an animal?  Is shooting the animal in the head with a bolt gun any better? Which is said to ensure a quicker, less painful death?  Apparently knocking the animal unconscious in any way before it is killed also renders the meat unfit to consume. So striking the animals with a heavy object or stunning it with electric current is not allowed. 

So with a little research there is an actual technique to the slaughter. At the base of the brain of all mammals rests a ring of blood vessels and arteries creating a kind of "central station" . This central station is where all of the blood flows  to the brain. All doctors learn that a sudden loss of blood pressure in this central component of the brain immediately leads to unconsciousness. Apparently only kosher animals have the correct kind of arteries to sever. Non Kosher animals do not.

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The technique involves severing the carotid arteries from between the kneck to the brain.
The instant the knife passes through these arteries, blood flow to the brain ceases, blood pressure drops rapidly, and the animal looses consciousness within two seconds. So it's essentially a two in one blow. This also means that the animal can feel no pain from this point forward.

I have personally seen videos of many animals shocked with electrodes and just before the time of slaughter they are awake the whole time during slaughter.  

So in conclusion, I am a coward. I wouldn't have the heart, or the stomach to kill my own prey. I need it done by someone else. I do hope that what I ingest suffered the least.  I pay a lot more for my meat so  that whatever I injest suffered minimally. Again, I am sure I'll get comments saying "sorry I love my bacon" and there is nothing wrong with that. But maybe it's important to note how that meat got in front of your plate. You might not be as hungry :)

BearBear613