What about the animal sacrifices in the Bible?
Even if we do not believe in animal rights, it is still difficult to explain the animal sacrifices in the Bible, as it is unclear why an infinitely powerful God would benefit from the activity.
There are many passages in the Bible that are difficult to explain, both with regards to the treatment of humans and animals. For example, consider the passage below.
1 Samuel 15:3
"Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys."
I am just pointing out that there are issues theologians have had to struggle with for centuries, and they often admit that they don't have any good answers.
Nevertheless, the existence of these passages in the Bible is not viewed as an excuse for us today to kill other humans needlessly. Similarly, these passages should also not be viewed as an excuse to engage in cruelty towards animals or to kill animals needlessly.
Follow up questions:
Doesn't the Bible give humans dominion over the animals?
Doesn't the Bible specifically state that it is ok to kill animals for food?
What about the passage where God tells Peter to "Kill and eat"?
What about the stories involving Jesus and fish?
If God did not want us to eat meat, then why did he place animals on the Earth?
Don't only human beings have a soul?