gopunk
but what makes a civilization worth more than the life of a flea?
This is the crux of the issue. When nothing is sacrosanct and there is no God or definable Good, then we might as well give the life of animals the same weight as the life of a man, or all of civilization. Without the focus on doing Good for people, those looking to do good look in the wrong direction.
wrong direction, as defined by you, your religion, or some other opinion. personally, i don't see anything wrong about caring for animals as well as humans.