Things have to change - Going Vegan!

[Revolver]

Sorry guys. I'm going to keep eating meat.

 

[SeeingBlue]

I was actually gonna make this same post myself (about vegetarianism) but I couldn't remember if promoting sites was against the rules. I'm vegetarian and I'm probably gonna become vegan eventually, but I don't think I'm ready to do it yet. It's great that you're trying to educate people, and if anyone thinks you're being too preachy, so be it. In the end, you're trying to save animals, not make everyone on the boards happy.

 

[DingOz]

I've tried, it's just too hard. It almost feels like a waste of an effort when even if you stop eating meat, the animals are going to be killed whether you eat it or not... But, all the more power to you if you are vegan or vegetarian.

 

[Washburne]

How we treat each other has a lot to do with how we treat animals.

Of course it has. But you think that we (as humans) will start with treating animals or humans better as a whole? I don't mean that animals shouldn't be treated good. They should. But I can see the difference in the big picture.

What is important to you?

A lot of things. But just because I don't have treating animals in a good way at the very top of my list doesn't mean I don't care at all. But I've never claimed to be perfect. I could do better.

It almost feels like a waste of an effort when even if you stop eating meat, the animals are going to be killed whether you eat it or not...

It's true if you only see it as one person. Yes, you're just one person but what if 1 million people thought the same way? It's like giving money for charity. A lot of people don't care because "what good would the very small amount I'd give do?". It's the same answer. Just your money wouldn't do any difference but if 1/5 of the earths population would give an incredibly small amount each it would still end up being a lot of money. So in the case of animals dying, in the end it could make a huge difference. We have a swedish expression for this but sadly I don't know the english one (because there should be one).

animals are more important to me than anything

And that is the whole point. It isn't the case for everyone (still doesn't mean that there's only the option of "most important" or "not important at all"). Which might make you think badly of them. You go ahead and do that but I can promise you that there's people in the world that wouldn't have the best of thoughts for people that put animals before humans. I'm not one of those though. As I've said, I admire the eating habits of vegans.

 

[JCC]

PETA have no moral compass, I wouldn't use them as an example of why anybody should turn to veganism.

PETA Kills Animals | PetaKillsAnimals.com

Also, stop this missionary shit of constantly demanding that people justify why they meat and negative repping people because they do, I don't think that you have the rhetorical skill or the comprehensive knowledge of the subject necessary to convert anyone and your approach just alienates people and indulges this stereotype of the preachy vegan jumping down everybody's throats. Seriously, you are not going to reverse the fact that people grow up in a society dominated by meat-based diets this way.

 

[Washburne]

your approach just alienates people and indulges this stereotype of the preachy vegan jumping down everybody's throats.

Sadly very true.

It's understandable that it's a very important subject for you and others. But there's a difference in trying to make a difference or force a difference. If you don't see it how it might look/feel to some people try to imagine religious people trying to force their religion on you. Doesn't work so well does it? Usually only make people angry. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink comes to mind.

 

[Bluebird]

Spikesangel11 disagrees: I'm not going to pretend I respect you from what you just said. Billions of innocents are suffering and you're making a joke out of it. Continue eating your bloody steaks, but you're not a good person.

Ok, your opinion of me really doesn't matter, you don't know anything about me, but your way of trying to convert people really isn't working. Can't you just accept that people think differently from you? I don't disrespect you or think you're a bad person for how you live your life.

 

[Kemy]

Your body does not care on a molecular level what your stance on anything is, it simply needs the raw materials to live, the best way is to have a source of food that contains those, i.e. other meat.

So thanks but no thanks, I will continue to eat meat as nature intended.

 

[sk]

There are zillions of terrible things going on all around the world.
This is one of them, and sure it needs to be changed.

It's great that you and others care.
Some cares about this issue, others have something else they fight for.
Personally I think it's impossible to bring great engagement to every bad thing out there.

So this will never be a big issue for me.
It's not that I don't want better life for the animals but there is so many things out there...

In anyway, I don't think everyone going vegan is the solution.
Me, I just couldn't do it. I have no idea what I would eat, I like my meat. And all the stuff you can replace it with taste terrible.

/SK

 

[frankie]

I think that it is forgotten that farming is a tradition and a fine one at that. I grew up on a farm, where I live is a strong farming community. For every factory that is killing these animals, there are people who are treating them humanly and well.
There is a pride to farming. To see your animals doing well, and trust me there is little money in it. Most farmers I know are struggling financially, yet they make sure these animals are fed well and protected from illness. In recent floods I have seen people travel by boat across flooded fields to give their cattle ration. I have seen farmers hire out sheds for far more money than they can afford, so their animals can live and not be trapped.
And of course I know that these animals will be killed for meat, so you might think that is why they do this and they should just leave the animals alone. It's a nice thought, let them run free and die of old age, the reality is far from nice. I've seen cattle collapse under the weight of their own bodies because the farmer didn't have the heart to have it killed. I've seen cattle be worn away by disease or parasites like liver fluke so that nothing is left. Without the farmers multiple vaccinations to protect from these illnesses they wouldn't survive long.
There is a caring and pride in these animals that I think is often forgotten.
Of course, there are those who don't practice these traditions and are all about the money, and it is sick and wrong to see animals treated so cruelly.
As for giving up meat, I think that it is a valid choice, but it is not for me. Animals in the wild hunt each other, we're part of the same food chain, we've just developed different means of hunting.
As for peta, the ideas are nice, but I would support many more causes before I would them. WWF for one. I always see peta as being famous for celebrity links than actually getting the work done. WWF are out there standing between animals and hunters with guns, and Peta are hiring Naomi Cambell and throwing paint on people. The ideas are nice, the practice not so much.

 

[Fusions2]

Very well said frankie. From what you wrote got me thinking that its not just animals that are suffering. I think every species on the planet is suffering in some way even humans are. As for being a vegetarian or vegan, on a personal level its not me and I don't really like it when people try to force their passions down your throat. The same goes when they get nasty over a disagreement, everyone has different opinions unfortunately. I think its excellent when someone is passionate about a cause and wants to show the world whats going on but I think you have to draw the line and let everyone else make up their own minds at the end of the day.

I definitely don't like the whole battery farm part of this all with chickens in terrible conditions. I've seen countless topics of it on the news in the past and yes its very horrible to witness. My house hold always buys organic eggs and from brands and we buy a few other organic products. I've even picked up a few organic tops and things but I couldn't ever stop eating meat to be very honest. Its just not who I am. Saying that I'm more of a chicken meat person than I am red meat, I find it too tough. What ever anyone decides to eat in their life that's completely up to them and I respect them for it if it makes them happy then so be it.

 

[Buffy Summers]

While fighting against animal cruelty is certainly an admirable thing, I think you've confused that with promoting veganism and the way in which you have chosen to do this is not the correct way.

This board is not to be used to bully other members into your way of thinking, with rude and hurtful comments.

Black Eye Guy posted a warning which was ignored. Therefore, I am closing this now. If anyone would like to start a thread on veganism (though I seem to think one exists already?) to discuss the pros and cons of that dietary choice in a civil and informative manner, please feel free. If anyone would like to start a thread about what can be done to help fight animal cruelty in a civil and informative manner, please feel free. But threads calling other people immoral and disrespecting others so will not be tolerated here. This is a discussion board - if you aren't going to accept that people have different points of view then don't bother posting.

 

[Buffy Summers]

Spikesangel11 disagrees: the time for being civil has ended. just like with slavery and racial prejudice, things will change. discrimination against animals will be seen as unacceptable soon enough, and then perceptions will alter and no more innocents will have to suffer.

Strike 2, my friend. The time for being civil on this website has decidedly NOT ended, and here, I am top of the food chain.