The point is, the reason for hate is unwillingness to understand them and take responsibility for our own problems. Just like hate between humans. (usually)
Maybe this is a little obvious but I really believe there’s a definite correlation between people who hold a vitriolic hatred for animals and people with bigoted political views. That’s not to say everyone who hates pigeons or raccoons is also racist or xenophobic or that those two things should be considered remotely comparable, but the thought process of projecting moral corruption onto creatures that annoy or inconvenience you just by trying to survive is fundamentally similar and there’s a reason bigotry often involves dehumanizing the demographics you don’t like by comparing them to animals. I also think a lot of bigots start off hating animals and later extend similar logic to humans, which is part of why I believe teaching children to have respect and empathy for all living things even when they cause harm or frighten you is really one of the most important lessons you can teach them (and why, for instance, wrongly telling kids that they’re saving the ecosystem by going outside and brutalizing the Evil Lanternflies that are Invading From Another Continent is probably a terrible idea. Religious zealots who believe that some animals are inherently good and others are creatures of the devil don’t exactly do a very good job of teaching kids this lesson either).
In a similar vein, I imagine people who go outside and feel only resentment when they see certain animals minding their own business are probably more miserable for it, just like how those who feel the same way about fellow humans who look different tend to be pretty miserable people.
My personal belief is that everything that was “created” was done so by a super intelligent being who doesn’t make “evil” things but instead let’s everything that is capable of choosing make it’s own choices. Everyone and everything have value and deserves some form of respect. Even if I don’t understand or like it (them).
I don’t usually mention my spiritual beliefs here. I don’t feel that iNat is the appropriate place for it. However, I felt it appropriate for this specific reply.
Sorry to say, but i just think that it is just contrary! I am not very fond of people who invite themselves in my land and my social system. But I have never thought an animal as “evil” if just behaving naturally. Even not as a child with very little biological knowledge!. On the other hand I have observed that a lot of people embracing mankind have a great aversion against “invasive” plants and animals, from that I mostly not feel disturbed.
I get that sentiment, but I think there is sufficient data to say that biodiversity declines are exacerbated by invasive species and that without invasive species, native ecosystems recover pretty well from human action. I’ve seen some of the rarest and daintiest of US flora like delphiniums and milkworts immediately recolonize after extreme land degradation. However, this only happens in remote areas that aren’t surrounded by pressure from the invasive species breeding grounds that are our human landscapes. From my limited experience in Europe, I think the same is true there. Obviously, it’s not the invasive species’ fault, and there’s a lot to admire and learn from them, but I do want to push for the view that invasive species are a legitimate threat to biodiversity decline, and they keep nature from rebounding from human disturbance.
Grackles, Spring Peepers, Red-Winged Blackbirds, Sparrows, and Coyotes. I love seeing any birds at my feeder (and have become especially fond of New World Sparrows lately) as well as hearing animals like Owls, Spring Peepers, or Coyotes out my windows at night or during dusk.