Why do vegans not eat these things?!
I realize that veganism and vegetarianism is a choice, and I admire those who stick to their moral decisions, but I must say that as a person who raises her own livestock (cows, chickens, etc), I have several reasons why I see no problem in eating meat and animal byproducts, such as eggs!. First of all, I wish to say that we slaughter our own, and they DO NOT suffer, I see to that! I have a great love for animals, but I do eat meat!. As far as eggs go, unless they have been fertilized, an egg will never, ever become a chicken! I have know problem drinking milk, because if dairy cows are not milked, they get engorged, possibly infected, and maybe die from the infection!. I milk because it's healthy for my cows!. However, don't take this the wrong way, I have absolutely NO use for the slaughterhouses and farms who raise animals in the horrendous ways that are so common nowdays, and due to my Native American beliefs, no part of the animal goes to waste, and no animal is killed needlessly!. I do not wear manufactured leather, and I do not condone it!. Any comments (politely, please!. I am only curious about this choice) Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
I'm just one person, not a spokeswoman for veganism, but I will give you my opinion!.
Firstly, we both have a common ground that animals should be treated well and that slaughterhouses and "factory farms" are terrible places!. We both love animals and believe that they should be treated well!. However, as you slaughter your own meat and I am a vegan, we also obviously have our differences!. I'll try and outline my beliefs and reasoning behind those differences, but please don't think that I am attacking you, your lifestyle, or your choices!. Anyone who thinks about where their food comes from and acts according to their own ethics gets my full respect!.
"Humanely slaughtered meat"
To me this term is contradictory!. I am vegan because I do not think that there can be such as thing as "humane slaughter"!. While I do acknowledge that some animals suffer less when they are killed than others (like those on your farm), I still do not think that this can be called "humane"!. Why!? Because even if the animal was put to death painlessly in their sleep (very difficult/impossible if you are intending to eat said animal) that animal is still being deprived of their life!.
A happy mother of two could be euthanized and she would never feel any pain, but would this make her death "humane" or "justifiable"!? No, of course not!. I apply that same logic to animals!.
Eggs!.
Are unfertilized and will never become chickens!! I agree and it does annoy me when people perpetuate this myth as it only makes us vegans look illogical!. I don't eat eggs because they are produced by an egg industry: an industry that sees living sentient beings as "production units" with any animal that is not profitable (i!.e!. too old/male) being killed!.
With regards to "free range" eggs, these are often still produced with the same mind-set: that animals are ours to exploit and as soon as they stop being profitable, they are killed!.
I do acknowledge the ethical "loop-hole" of backyard chickens!. However, I do not eat eggs from this source either!. My reasoning is two-fold!. Firstly, no matter how well treated those hens are, they are still seen as the property of their "owner", something that I agree with!.
Secondly, and more importantly, my veganism is more than a boycott of industries that I see as exploiting animals, I have a more positive focus than that!. My veganism is a personal example that people can live happily, healthfully, and successfully, without relying on animal products!. If I ate eggs, even if they were from a source that I thought was ethical, than I would no longer be making that personal statement!.
Milk!.
Yes, dairy cows who are not milked do suffer!. I do not dispute this!. What I disagree with is that these cows are placed in that situation to begin with!. To give milk a cow must have been pregnant!. I disagree with the ownership of that cow, with the killing of her calf, with her being treated as a production unit rather than a sentient being, rather than disagreeing with the milking process itself!.
Again there may be "ethically grey" situations!. Perhaps a cow's calf died of natural causes!. This still poses problems!. That cow would eventually stop producing milk (just as a human women would) but I agree this would result in discomfort in the meantime!. Even if a cow had to be milked for her own comfort and well-being, again I would still not drink that milk for the same reason I do not eat eggs from "backyard chickens"!.
Sorry this turned into such a long essay, and I hope my rambling made some sense to you!.
If you have any more questions feel free to email me :)Www@FoodAQ@Com
Firstly, we both have a common ground that animals should be treated well and that slaughterhouses and "factory farms" are terrible places!. We both love animals and believe that they should be treated well!. However, as you slaughter your own meat and I am a vegan, we also obviously have our differences!. I'll try and outline my beliefs and reasoning behind those differences, but please don't think that I am attacking you, your lifestyle, or your choices!. Anyone who thinks about where their food comes from and acts according to their own ethics gets my full respect!.
"Humanely slaughtered meat"
To me this term is contradictory!. I am vegan because I do not think that there can be such as thing as "humane slaughter"!. While I do acknowledge that some animals suffer less when they are killed than others (like those on your farm), I still do not think that this can be called "humane"!. Why!? Because even if the animal was put to death painlessly in their sleep (very difficult/impossible if you are intending to eat said animal) that animal is still being deprived of their life!.
A happy mother of two could be euthanized and she would never feel any pain, but would this make her death "humane" or "justifiable"!? No, of course not!. I apply that same logic to animals!.
Eggs!.
Are unfertilized and will never become chickens!! I agree and it does annoy me when people perpetuate this myth as it only makes us vegans look illogical!. I don't eat eggs because they are produced by an egg industry: an industry that sees living sentient beings as "production units" with any animal that is not profitable (i!.e!. too old/male) being killed!.
With regards to "free range" eggs, these are often still produced with the same mind-set: that animals are ours to exploit and as soon as they stop being profitable, they are killed!.
I do acknowledge the ethical "loop-hole" of backyard chickens!. However, I do not eat eggs from this source either!. My reasoning is two-fold!. Firstly, no matter how well treated those hens are, they are still seen as the property of their "owner", something that I agree with!.
Secondly, and more importantly, my veganism is more than a boycott of industries that I see as exploiting animals, I have a more positive focus than that!. My veganism is a personal example that people can live happily, healthfully, and successfully, without relying on animal products!. If I ate eggs, even if they were from a source that I thought was ethical, than I would no longer be making that personal statement!.
Milk!.
Yes, dairy cows who are not milked do suffer!. I do not dispute this!. What I disagree with is that these cows are placed in that situation to begin with!. To give milk a cow must have been pregnant!. I disagree with the ownership of that cow, with the killing of her calf, with her being treated as a production unit rather than a sentient being, rather than disagreeing with the milking process itself!.
Again there may be "ethically grey" situations!. Perhaps a cow's calf died of natural causes!. This still poses problems!. That cow would eventually stop producing milk (just as a human women would) but I agree this would result in discomfort in the meantime!. Even if a cow had to be milked for her own comfort and well-being, again I would still not drink that milk for the same reason I do not eat eggs from "backyard chickens"!.
Sorry this turned into such a long essay, and I hope my rambling made some sense to you!.
If you have any more questions feel free to email me :)Www@FoodAQ@Com
I'm a vegetarian because I don't have faith that large scale animal farms slaughter animals kindly!. I hate how large feed lots shove 100 head of cattle where only /maybe/ 50 could live comfortably!. I love animals and I believe that if you can't kill and prepare it yourself you shouldn't eat it!. Having known cattle and horses personally I couldn't possibly kill one myself!. I'm only willing to eat eggs from free-range grain feed hens, and milk and cheese from organic and free-range animals!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I am vegan, I do not consume eggs, because, unfortunately the majority of companies that sell them use unnecessary and cruel methods!. I do not drink milk for the same reason, also, I do not drink for milk!.!. I myself choose more to do different than mainstream society anyways!.!.
This is just my personal choice!. And I think it's so good that you do not buy mainstream leather and such!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
This is just my personal choice!. And I think it's so good that you do not buy mainstream leather and such!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
#1!. I do not find a dead animal appetizing!.
#2!. I was weaned along time ago!.
#3!. I occasionally will eat eggs, but I can live without them!.
#4!. Humans are natural vegetarians according to our teeth and digestive tract!.
#5!. I feel better knowing somthing didn't have to die to fill my plate!.
Thats just my point of view, I always respect other's decisions though!.
PeaceWww@FoodAQ@Com
#2!. I was weaned along time ago!.
#3!. I occasionally will eat eggs, but I can live without them!.
#4!. Humans are natural vegetarians according to our teeth and digestive tract!.
#5!. I feel better knowing somthing didn't have to die to fill my plate!.
Thats just my point of view, I always respect other's decisions though!.
PeaceWww@FoodAQ@Com
Speaking of "gross things that annoy us"!.!.!.
Maggiie M here is also known as Shaif Hirboush/Ashley/Hank Hill/veg4life, etc!.
"Maggiie" is impersonating 13 year old girl: http://answers!.yahoo!.com/my/profile;_ylt!.!.!. This is "illegal" according to Y!A's definition!.
Report this abuse!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Maggiie M here is also known as Shaif Hirboush/Ashley/Hank Hill/veg4life, etc!.
"Maggiie" is impersonating 13 year old girl: http://answers!.yahoo!.com/my/profile;_ylt!.!.!. This is "illegal" according to Y!A's definition!.
Report this abuse!Www@FoodAQ@Com
i dont eat meat, and i will not ever
though i wont look down on someone who does!.
anyways, you're right about the eggs and milk thing!.
but i am glad that the animals you eat are treated humanly :]
i cant say that about most people, lol!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
though i wont look down on someone who does!.
anyways, you're right about the eggs and milk thing!.
but i am glad that the animals you eat are treated humanly :]
i cant say that about most people, lol!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
My sister was once friends with a girl who said that if she tried to eat a steak, piece of chicken, etc!., she simply couldn't get over the fact that it was once a live animal!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Www@FoodAQ@Com
People believe what they want to believe!. I don't have to agree with you and you don't have to agree with me!. It's free will!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
I would have no problem eating animals that I know for a fact were raised and slaughtered humanely- unfortunately not many farmers like you are around my city!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Often, vegans will not eat vegetables because they believe it is cruel to kill an animal for food when you can kill a plant, because animals feel pain (due to a central nervous system)!.
I cannot identify with this sort of sympathy, as I believe that me, as a dominant species, have earned a right to eat meat, but I argue, in the same way, that a vegan has a right not to eat meat if they don't want!.
There are claims that support the idea of a vegan lifestyle leading to a more environmentally friendly life, which is why some become vegans!.
The third common reason is religion!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I cannot identify with this sort of sympathy, as I believe that me, as a dominant species, have earned a right to eat meat, but I argue, in the same way, that a vegan has a right not to eat meat if they don't want!.
There are claims that support the idea of a vegan lifestyle leading to a more environmentally friendly life, which is why some become vegans!.
The third common reason is religion!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I do not eat it because it is a rotting corpse, and that to me is not appetising!.
I think it is good that your animals are raised in "better" conditions, but as for death, what is humane!?!? Is the throat slit!? or is a bullet put through its head!? or a captive bolt!? I'm sorry, but death as a whole is not at all humane unless the animal dies peacefully in their sleep, which is not the case for raised farm animals!.
and as for living a better life than factory farm animals, that seems quite mean to take away the animals "happy" life just so you can have one meal when you could have other things instead!. at least at the factory farms the animals areput out of their misery, your animals have their happiness taken away by the one who is supposed to "care" for them!. A happy chicken is still a slaughtered chicken!.
and as for cows having to be milked, why cant the calf have that milk!? do u suck from your mom's breast!? then why a cow!? thats like sucking milk from a cat, or a dog, or a zebra!.!. crazy!. at least human's milk is meant for humans!. cows milk is for calves, cats milk for kittens and dog milk for puppies!.
and I am not attacking you, b/c this is your choice!. I am just saying, why take the life of something else when it is completely unnecessary!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
I think it is good that your animals are raised in "better" conditions, but as for death, what is humane!?!? Is the throat slit!? or is a bullet put through its head!? or a captive bolt!? I'm sorry, but death as a whole is not at all humane unless the animal dies peacefully in their sleep, which is not the case for raised farm animals!.
and as for living a better life than factory farm animals, that seems quite mean to take away the animals "happy" life just so you can have one meal when you could have other things instead!. at least at the factory farms the animals areput out of their misery, your animals have their happiness taken away by the one who is supposed to "care" for them!. A happy chicken is still a slaughtered chicken!.
and as for cows having to be milked, why cant the calf have that milk!? do u suck from your mom's breast!? then why a cow!? thats like sucking milk from a cat, or a dog, or a zebra!.!. crazy!. at least human's milk is meant for humans!. cows milk is for calves, cats milk for kittens and dog milk for puppies!.
and I am not attacking you, b/c this is your choice!. I am just saying, why take the life of something else when it is completely unnecessary!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
There are a number of reasons!. If I detailed them all, they'd be several pages long, so I'll try to stick to a few that are relevant to you!. It sounds like the factory-farming arguments are irrelevant to your situation, since you raise your own livestock!. Certainly, what you're describing is better than factory-farming!.
The first set of reasons, for many people, are health-related!. Cholesterol is only present in animal products, and it's generally understood to be undesirable to consume!. Researchers differ on just how much is allowable, but with a vegan diet, it's possible to be on a zero-cholesterol diet!. This provides a nice hedge against cholesterol-related problems!. Similarly, animal products tend to have a lot of saturated fats that are harmful to one's health!. Avoiding animal products can greatly decrease a one's consumption of saturated fats!. Finally, animal products tend to be calorie-dense and low in fiber!. Eating them can make it more difficult for people to maintain a healthy weight and proper digestion!.
Another set of reasons relates to the environment!. Livestock contribute enormously to air and water pollution!. Furthermore, it takes about 16 times more energy (i!.e, fossil fuel) to create 100 calories of meat, than to create 100 calories of plant-based food!. Not only does this use up a lot of natural resources, but it creates more pollution, and it costs more!. This can drive up the overall price of food!. also, a lot of land has to be cleared in order to grow food for livestock!. This can contribute to the endangerment of wildlife, which tends to further damage the environment!.
I'll conclude with a personal philosophy; this is my own opinion, and not established fact!. I believe that it is spiritually irresponsible to create a life just to use it for food!. When an animal is raised in captivity, and treated as livestock, its life is much more monotonous than if it had been born free!. It seems like the animal's spirit would have a lot of trouble making any sort of progress, or learning much of value, from a lifetime as a farm animal!. Being born to die after a few months or years, or to lay eggs or be milked year after year, seems like a plodding, stifling fate!. I think it is much more compassionate to let animal spirits live in free bodies!.
I hope this helps! Www@FoodAQ@Com
The first set of reasons, for many people, are health-related!. Cholesterol is only present in animal products, and it's generally understood to be undesirable to consume!. Researchers differ on just how much is allowable, but with a vegan diet, it's possible to be on a zero-cholesterol diet!. This provides a nice hedge against cholesterol-related problems!. Similarly, animal products tend to have a lot of saturated fats that are harmful to one's health!. Avoiding animal products can greatly decrease a one's consumption of saturated fats!. Finally, animal products tend to be calorie-dense and low in fiber!. Eating them can make it more difficult for people to maintain a healthy weight and proper digestion!.
Another set of reasons relates to the environment!. Livestock contribute enormously to air and water pollution!. Furthermore, it takes about 16 times more energy (i!.e, fossil fuel) to create 100 calories of meat, than to create 100 calories of plant-based food!. Not only does this use up a lot of natural resources, but it creates more pollution, and it costs more!. This can drive up the overall price of food!. also, a lot of land has to be cleared in order to grow food for livestock!. This can contribute to the endangerment of wildlife, which tends to further damage the environment!.
I'll conclude with a personal philosophy; this is my own opinion, and not established fact!. I believe that it is spiritually irresponsible to create a life just to use it for food!. When an animal is raised in captivity, and treated as livestock, its life is much more monotonous than if it had been born free!. It seems like the animal's spirit would have a lot of trouble making any sort of progress, or learning much of value, from a lifetime as a farm animal!. Being born to die after a few months or years, or to lay eggs or be milked year after year, seems like a plodding, stifling fate!. I think it is much more compassionate to let animal spirits live in free bodies!.
I hope this helps! Www@FoodAQ@Com