Are Humans a Part of Nature, Or Seperate From Nature?

Not only Part of nature but inseperable from nature.

I think humans are part of nature, definitely. And I do think that often times we can be at harmony with nature, but those that don't recognize that we're part of nature and respect that fact, are at odds with it.

Being that we are part of nature, we need to take better care of it (global climate change and the like)

We are a part of nature. I hate when I hear people say we are above every living being on this planet simply because of our intelligence. If we are so smart why is our planet going to pot right now?

We are a part of nature, but I think that it's human nature to be arrogant. Our intelligence has made us superior to all other beings, but at the same time it will be our downfall. By superior, I don't mean better than, I mean that no other animal can compete with us. Humans are rather wimpy animals. We don't have fur or blubber to keep us warm. We don't have claws or jagged teeth. Our muscles are relatively weak compared to other animals. We don't give birth to large litters. If you just looked at the book by its cover, its a miracle that we're still alive. But we are! We've overcome all odds. This is because our brains are developed enough to develope the technology to overcome any obstical in our way. Now that we don't have to compete, our inclination is to feel that we're better than nature.

Arrogance is a weakness. When one feels like he's above the rest, he's open to being blind-sided. We need to take a lesson from nature. In nature there's a balance. We've made it to the top of the food chain and with nothing to keep us in check, we're escalating out of control. We're over populating. Because of that, we're squandering the planet's resources and polluting the earth. As our population grows, other animal populations, along with the earth's resources decline. Once our ecosystem can no longer support us, our species is doomed.

I am so frusterated with people's arrogance. I'm sick of the bible thumpers who think that we're above nature. These people preach love and forgiveness, yet are the first to judge others for what comes natural to them. More people have been killed in the name of "God" or "Allah" than for any other reason. Ok, I'm getting off point, but it does demonstrate how destructive arrogance is.

I am not a tree hugger. I don't buy into Al Gore's hysteria of global warming. In fact I see him as a hypocrite, but this is a topic for another forum. I do believe that global warming is a possibility, but I don't think we're making as big an impact on the climate as he implies. I am glad that we're looking into alternative fuel sources and are working on reducing pollution. It just worries me when people talk about trying to control the earth's climate. The earth has underwent dramatic climate changes long before we had anything to do with it. What's to say that if indeed global warming is taking effect, that it's not part of nature's plan? Trying to control it then would be arrogant. What I'm trying to say is that I think we have some time to change our ways. Once we develope the technologies to cut back on pollution, we can use them. Right now a lot of (not all) the solutions we've come up with actually do more harm than good.

I also don't agree with PETA, nor do I understand vegans. Because we are a part of nature, I believe that it's only natural for us to hunt, eat meat, and use products made from animals. Animals in the food chain prey upon those beneath them, it's as simple as that. I have no problem with vegans who keep their beliefs to themselves. What I do have a problem with, is PETA. They claim that animals have just as many rights as us, yet subconsciously feel that we're better than them. To say that hunting is wrong, is to say that we're above animal nature. Furthermore, any PETA member that is not a vegan is a hypocrite. When they buy a steak, they're paying someone else to do their dirtywork for them. When they purchase a leather purse or some soaps, cosmetics, and household appliances, they are supporting the exploitation of animals for our needs.

I can go on forever on this topic as well as stray from it easily, so I will just end it here.

I'm with the school of "We have sharp teeth for a reason". We evolved as Omnivores, our stomaches evolved to be able to digest plant and animal matter.

I am however, severely against abuse:
((**site contains very disturbing images of animal abuse**))

http:/ /meat.org

It may take a while to load, be patient.

I try my best to eat local meats and local milk and local eggs, because I live in an agricultural region that focuses mostly on dairy products. I've seen local farms and know those animals are loved and cared for. I know I can get hamburger from the local Mennonite store and eat it happily knowing the cow had a joyous, free-ranging life down the road from my old house. I also know Mennonites know how to slaughter properly, and don't do it mechanically since they're religiously against that lol.

Another way to make sure your meat was killed properly and without uneeded pain is to buy kosher meats!! Kosher meat must be slaughtered in very specific ways by tradition, so no gigantic revolving blades and thrashing animals.

You can't always be picky though, so if you're out somewhere and the only available food is a McDonalds hamburger... please eat it. Starving never helped anyone.

[edit] Except maybe Ghandi.

Rainfire, you suck! (lol) There are some things in life that you just wish you can "unsee". Those pics are a couple of them. Too bad they don't have a vomiting emoticon on this sight.

I hope that I didn't come across as suggesting that cruelty to or abuse of animals is OK. Personally, I think they should've thrown the book at Micheal Vick. I believe that he deserves to rot in prison for the rest of his life for what he did. Eventhough I'm Atheist, I was further outraged that he claimed that he had "found God" a week after he got caught. That's just a slap in the face to Christians everywhere. Although I believe that people are capable of changing their outlook on life, it doesn't just happen in one week. Had he not gotten caught, he'd still be out torturing animals and turning them into vicious killers for his own sick, sadistic pleasure. What if one of his dogs would've gotten loose? Somebody's child or beloved family pet could've been mauled to death.

OK, again I'm getting off topic. I just want to clarify that sacraficing animals for our needs and the protection of our species is all a part of being on the top of the food chain. I believe in doing so in as humanely a way as possible. I do not see hunting as inhumane by the way. I do not condone torture, abuse, or neglect of animals. Preying on animals, like they prey on others below them on the food chain, is fine. Believing that we're above nature and that their existance is solely for our disposal is wrong.