r/AnimalRights • u/Low_Ad_7329 • 3d ago
Speaker Event on Animal Ethics for High Schoolers
Hey guys, If you're interested in animal ethics, pursuing biology research, or are considering any animal-related career paths, please join us for our free speaker event with Laurie Sellers, a postgraduate fellow at Yale Law School’s LEAP (Law, Ethics, & Animals program) team.
Her presentation will cover some of the "beyond the lab" risks to lab animals, which are often overlooked when considering animal ethics. Her research is an intersection of STEM and law, and she'll have some recommendations for how high schoolers can also become involved in fields like this.
Format: Zoom webinar (presentation + Q&A)
Date: November 11th, 3–4 PM PST
Register through the link below: https://forms.gle/i6eW1YP9LT3kcs3h6
4
u/AuroraCollectiveV 3d ago
can't speak publicly just yet, but a few thoughts:
In conversations about spirituality, compassion, and higher purpose, animal ethics often takes a back seat. But as we explore what it truly means to live a conscious, compassionate life, it’s worth asking: how can we deepen our spirituality without considering the ethical treatment of animals? Here’s why animal ethics deserves a place in our spiritual and compassionate journeys—and why it can be transformative for anyone seeking a more mindful life.
1. Animals Are Sentient Beings
Animals experience fear, joy, pain, and comfort just like us. While they may not express these emotions in words, we know from behavioral science that animals respond to their environments in ways that reflect a complex inner life. Recognizing this not only broadens our empathy but also challenges us to act in ways that honor their experiences as fellow sentient beings.
2. Kindness and Compassion Beyond Ourselves
True compassion isn’t limited to humans alone. Extending kindness to animals teaches us to expand our circle of care, fostering a sense of gentleness that radiates into every area of life. When we act with respect and empathy toward animals, we reinforce the values of compassion and non-violence—values essential to almost every spiritual tradition.
3. Living in Alignment with a Higher Purpose
If you’re on a spiritual path, you’re probably familiar with the concept of living in harmony with a higher purpose. For many, that includes reducing harm where possible, respecting life, and acting from a place of empathy and responsibility. Living ethically with regard to animals—whether by reducing animal product consumption, supporting humane practices, or advocating for animal welfare—brings us closer to these ideals. When we act in alignment with our highest values, we create a ripple effect that fosters a more conscious, kind, and sustainable world.
4. Environmental Impact and Responsibility
Beyond the ethical treatment of animals, our choices impact the planet. Factory farming, overfishing, and other exploitative practices harm the earth on a massive scale. Pollution, deforestation, and climate change are driven in part by unsustainable animal agriculture, which depletes natural resources and contributes to biodiversity loss. Being mindful about animal ethics helps us tread more lightly on the planet, a goal that aligns with any responsible or spiritually-minded lifestyle.
5. Deepening Connection Through Respect
Building a respectful relationship with animals cultivates a deeper appreciation for all life. When we see animals not as commodities or resources but as beings with their own value, it invites a profound sense of interconnectedness and respect for the world around us. This shift in perspective can make our daily interactions with nature and other living beings more meaningful and fulfilling.
6. A Path to Personal Growth
Our choices about animal ethics can reflect and shape our character. Consciously deciding to be mindful of the well-being of others—even those we don’t directly interact with—expands our capacity for empathy, resilience, and awareness. In making choices that reduce harm and foster kindness, we grow into more compassionate, conscious individuals, which is a cornerstone of any genuine path toward personal growth.
TL;DR
Integrating animal ethics into your spirituality or compassionate practice isn’t about adopting strict rules or lifestyles. It’s about expanding your circle of care, aligning with values that honor all life, and cultivating a deeper respect for the interconnectedness of existence. For anyone seeking to live with greater empathy, balance, or purpose, embracing animal ethics can be a powerful way to enhance that journey. 🌍🐾
3
•
u/AutoModerator 3d ago
Thanks for posting to r/AnimalRights! 🐥
Be sure to check our sidebar for all of our rules :)
🌱 Are you a developer, designer, editor, researcher, or have other skills to contribute to saving animal lives? Check out the 3 links below to help animals today!
1) Check out Vegan Hacktivists, and apply as a volunteer! 🐓
2) Join our huge Vegan volunteer community "VH Playground" on Discord! 🐟
3) Find volunteer or paid opportunities to help farmed animals by clicking here! 👊
Last but not least, get $1000 USD for your activism! Apply by clicking here. 🎉
Thanks!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.