Veganism/Vegetarianism

Post Reply New Topic

Lions must eat a diet consisting entirely of animal proteins. Humans generally have a choice in the matter. However, I don't thinking killing an animal for food makes one a horrible murderer.

Vegetarian over 20 years. Doctor says I couldn't be healthier except for a mild iron deficiency (which Doc thinks might be poor absorption due to a gluten allergy, so I'm experimenting with gluten-free).

These days I am a "flexitarian" which means I eat veggie at home, but occasionally eat meat if I'm a guest and it's on the menu. The honest reason why? I am sick of being mocked, insulted, and hated at every social gathering involving food. Much less stressful/draining to choke down a few bites of turkey than to deal with a socially awkward situation.

That's exactly what I've driven by going both north and west through Texas to get into New Mexico. I rolled down the window, taking in the smell of that cow poop! I can smell a little bit of that in an ordinary hamburger patty sometimes. (Not saying I like that smell either.)

There are cultural differences (for example UK vs USA) but around here (northeastern USA), generally speaking:

"Vegan" is a lifestyle and belief system that seeks to reduce or eliminate human reliance on animals. Depending on the individual, "going vegan" usually implies examining multiple facets of life: food, clothing, medicine, cosmetics, pets, and so forth. For many practitioners, it gives a feeling of community and "belonging" to a peer group, similar to how one might feel from joining any organization, club, or religion of like-minded individuals. Veganism is a new cultural movement so the term "vegan" is frequently misunderstood and/or used inconsistently.

"Vegetarian" refers specifically to diet, and there are many reasons why someone might choose a vegetarian diet (ethics, environment, health, religion, culture, taste preferences, etc.). I like to think of a "vegetarian spectrum" ranging from strict vegetarians (avoid all animal products) through lacto/ovo vegetarians (who eat dairy and/or eggs) through pescatarians (who eat fish) and flexitarians (who eat meat for cultural/taste/health/practical reasons but try to decrease their consumption).

As to the "why are vegans so damn preachy when I'm trying to enjoy my steak??" issue some of y'all seem to be having in this thread, I think there (at least) three completely different explanations for why this might happen:

1. If one believes that slaughtering a sentient creature, butchering it, and burning & eating its flesh is a barbaric act of violence, then that person is completely justified in nonviolently trying to stamp out that act. Doing so is an act of bravery and conscience in my opinion. However I estimate that about 1% of 1% of vegetarians actually act in this way.

2. Vegetarianism is a "special interest" for that person, and they enjoy talking about the per-hectare protein yield of soya vs. beef, just like some people like talking about their babies, pets, vacation, car, favorite movie, or My Little Pony.

3. They were peacefully trying to enjoy their tofu and you (or a boorish member of your party) brought them into the center of attention by commenting or even insulting their food choice. People can react unpredictably when they are singled out as belonging to a minority.

I was never #1, #2 describes my first few years on the veggie diet (once I reached college, it wasn't much of a novelty any more), and these days I'm firmly in the #3 category. It's easy to say "grow a thicker skin" but like a lot of people on these forums, I have sensory issues as well as social issues about being the butt of sarcasm/humor/scorn. You would not believe the amount of insensitive or frankly puzzling comments I've heard at family gatherings, office parties, social events, etc. over 20 years avoiding meat. I'll be hungry and trying to find a quiet corner of the sensory-overload cafeteria where I can enjoy my medically necessary special diet and suddenly find myself surrounded by people spraying me with saliva and half-chewed bread as they laugh at their own "where's the beef?" jokes--well, I'm not too proud to say some of my biggest tantrums have been thrown at the breakfast/lunch/dinner table.

I would love to explore a vegetarian diet, because most meat doesn't smell good to me, and often tastes quite bland.

There you go again. Being logical.

ruveyn

I agree that fruits & vegetables can be very wonderful things depending on one's sensitivities.

Things I Do Not Enjoy include: smell of cooking bacon early in the morning, the white crunchy bits in hamburger, scrubbing chicken grease off baking pans, peeling & de-veining 100 shrimp.

I love shrimp, but I dont' think I'd like mutant shrimp

Eyeless shrimp and mutant fish raise concerns over BP spill effects

Where are you getting burgers with white crunchy bits? You might want to try a different source

So, we should stop doing what we've been doing for more than 2 million years? (I do agree that the animals should be raised properly though)

I think you vegetarians should live in California. It is the land of the fruits and the nuts.

ruveyn

I personally do not use "what others have done before me" as my guiding moral principle in life. The best I can do is make the personal decisions I can make, and control the things I can control.

I'm not saying we should never change anything, thanks for being passive aggressive though. Why does it matter if the cow is eaten by humans or if it is eaten by wolves? Does the cow feel any better for being eaten by the wolves instead of by us? Or let's say it it dies of old age, it's still going to be eaten by bacteria/bugs/scavengers, just like we will when we die (unless cremated). Every living thing is going to be eaten by another living thing, what makes us being the one that eats it innately worse than another?

That's a perfectly valid argument. Depends on whether you are a "glass half empty" or "glass half full" type of person, I suppose.

Personally I am grateful for the choices and opportunities that are available to me, to live a life I consider spiritually fulfilling (and recognizing this as an incredible luxury).