[venomousx]

What Ahisma said.

Also I'm not sure if you're aware, but their is a great deal of cruelty in both the egg and honey farming techniques.

 

[venomousx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoBravo

I haven't read too much about cruelty towards bees. I'm not sure how well I understand the concept. While, I recognize that bees have complicated nervous systems (as so most organisms in the Animal Kingdom). However, I wonder if 'cruelty' is a subjective and relative term that requires a certain amount of self-awareness on behalf of the bees. So-called "higher-organisms" are evidently self-aware enough to experience cruelty and many often cry, become depressed, and attempt escape, if they can. Is there much evidence to support the same is also true of bees?

I'm not saying they suffer or don't during their lives, I'm talking about how they're all killed off after the honey season is over in colder areas. Also the bees work really hard to make that honey for themselves to eat, and then people just come along and steal their work.

There's more points mentioned here: http://www.veganpeace.com/animal_cruelty/honey.htm

Edit: Bah, just read werewolf girl's link - it's a lot more in-depth!

 

[venomousx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoBravo

Despite their effort, the bees don't seem all that much put out by honey harvesting.

Putting aside all other arguments for the moment, surely you don't think that allowing the bees to work hard, stealing what they made, and then killing them off is morally the Right thing to do - do you?

Treating living beings like machines, to me at least, goes against veganism. Suffer or not, it's wrong. They're not disposable just because they may or may not "lack the capacity" to suffer as you say.

 

[venomousx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoBravo

For me, the death of the bee is a very good reason to abstain and it's the only reason needed really, in my opinion.

I'm glad to hear you say that. I thought you were implying that, just because you don't believe they can "suffer" that it isn't wrong or cruel -- But I seem to have misinterpreted your meaning.

 

[venomousx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smiling

What do they eat after people take it? Not trying to bait, I am seriously asking.

It's okay, it's a fair question. The bee keepers replace it with a cheap sugar substitute.