Why do some vegans feel like they should be accepting of non-vegans?!
If you care deeply enough about exploitation of animals that you would dedicate your life to it - how does it then make sense to just "respect" people who either don't care or are too ignorant to care!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
I'm accepting in that I wont constantly tell people how wrong they are or argue with people unprovoked and stuff like that!. That doenst mean I think their decision is right!. I'm horrified and saddened every day by how ignorant my friendsn and family are and how they can just not care at all!.!.!.
But I also know that alienating them and making them feel bad about it isn't going to make a difference!. The way to make a difference is to show people that I'm living a happy and healthy life and be open to educating and talking to people about it when they're open to it!.
I wouldn't respect my friend's decision to beat their dog or drown their cat, I don't see this as much different!. But while my friends and family see cat and dog abuse as bad and would never do it, they're don't actively associate the meat they eat with an abused animal!. Not yet anyway!. I live in (quite and educational) hope!.
Lead by example!.!.and stuff like that!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
But I also know that alienating them and making them feel bad about it isn't going to make a difference!. The way to make a difference is to show people that I'm living a happy and healthy life and be open to educating and talking to people about it when they're open to it!.
I wouldn't respect my friend's decision to beat their dog or drown their cat, I don't see this as much different!. But while my friends and family see cat and dog abuse as bad and would never do it, they're don't actively associate the meat they eat with an abused animal!. Not yet anyway!. I live in (quite and educational) hope!.
Lead by example!.!.and stuff like that!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
it is right there in your answer!. Respect!. Every one has the right to make their own decision even if you don't agree with it!. If I want to eat a cow or not it is up to me and I respect your right to not eat animal products with out judgment and in return I would like the same "respect" That does not make me ignorant or not caring just a human being trying to get along on this planet the same as everyone else!. So please respect my choices in life and I will respect yours!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Most vegans grew up eating meat!. I know I did!. And I know I was blocked for years before I became vegetarian and then vegan!. And I have come to realize that not everyone has the courage or strength to become veg, but if I can get two people to cut their meat consumption in half, that's like one person going veg, which means animals not consumed!.
Let's face it: Most of us not only grow up eating meat, but will continue to interact with non-vegans throughout our lives!. We can be a good example of awesome vegan living, or we can be mean, nasty, and abrasive, and turn people off!. Or as the non-vegan expression goes, you attract more flies with honey than with vinegar!.
You would do well to read Carol J!. Adams' "Living Among Meat Eaters!." She refers to meat eaters as "blocked vegetarians!."Www@FoodAQ@Com
Let's face it: Most of us not only grow up eating meat, but will continue to interact with non-vegans throughout our lives!. We can be a good example of awesome vegan living, or we can be mean, nasty, and abrasive, and turn people off!. Or as the non-vegan expression goes, you attract more flies with honey than with vinegar!.
You would do well to read Carol J!. Adams' "Living Among Meat Eaters!." She refers to meat eaters as "blocked vegetarians!."Www@FoodAQ@Com
So everyone has to be vegan now because I am!? In that case: everyone has to have pink hair!. Everyone has to like punk music!. Everyone has to have an education!. It just doesn't make sense!.!.!.
People have the right to decide how to control their life, who am I to judge!? I don't want people telling me it's wrong to not eat meat, and I'm most certainly not going to tell people it's wrong to eat meat!. Treat others how you wish to be treated!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
People have the right to decide how to control their life, who am I to judge!? I don't want people telling me it's wrong to not eat meat, and I'm most certainly not going to tell people it's wrong to eat meat!. Treat others how you wish to be treated!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I changed my mind a lot about this!. I am vegan, and was secretly angry with my vegetarian friends and family for not realising the impact of their actions and changing their ways!.
Then I felt bad about it and thought I should be tolerant!.
But then I realised that as I see animals as just as deserving of respect and freedom and life as people are, so my friends and family are oppressing and abusing and killing those animals (which have done nothing wrong to them) - it is right to be frustrated with this!. You wouldn't advocate respecting people's choice to murder other humans would you!? Well why animals!? The only justification possible is a speciesist (like racist, but based on species) one!
Most people don't make a choice to eat meat; it's just the cultural norm, they don't have to think about it!. But most people who don't eat meat/dairy have thought and researched long and hard about the choice based on ethical, environmental or health evidence!. So yes, many non-vegans *are* ignorant of their diet and its results!.
It's interesting how defensive non-vegans get when they learn what you eat, even if you don't say one more word about it - they will start coming out with things like 'I don't eat *much* meat' or 'I buy free-range eggs'!.
The thing is, *we* are the ones who have done the research and realise that eating free-range eggs isn't good enough - that's why we don't!.
And that's why they can be defensive, because subconsciously, they themselves know they are ignorant of the issues and that if they weren't, they'd probably agree with us that it was wrong!.
Anyway, I am certainly not going to 'respect' their choice to eat animal products because I believe that it is ethically wrong (for the animals, the environment, social justice, and for their own health)!.
It doesn't matter that I am not perfect either - the point is that I am further along than them - someone further along than me is welcome to point out my shortcomings and I will see how I can address them!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Then I felt bad about it and thought I should be tolerant!.
But then I realised that as I see animals as just as deserving of respect and freedom and life as people are, so my friends and family are oppressing and abusing and killing those animals (which have done nothing wrong to them) - it is right to be frustrated with this!. You wouldn't advocate respecting people's choice to murder other humans would you!? Well why animals!? The only justification possible is a speciesist (like racist, but based on species) one!
Most people don't make a choice to eat meat; it's just the cultural norm, they don't have to think about it!. But most people who don't eat meat/dairy have thought and researched long and hard about the choice based on ethical, environmental or health evidence!. So yes, many non-vegans *are* ignorant of their diet and its results!.
It's interesting how defensive non-vegans get when they learn what you eat, even if you don't say one more word about it - they will start coming out with things like 'I don't eat *much* meat' or 'I buy free-range eggs'!.
The thing is, *we* are the ones who have done the research and realise that eating free-range eggs isn't good enough - that's why we don't!.
And that's why they can be defensive, because subconsciously, they themselves know they are ignorant of the issues and that if they weren't, they'd probably agree with us that it was wrong!.
Anyway, I am certainly not going to 'respect' their choice to eat animal products because I believe that it is ethically wrong (for the animals, the environment, social justice, and for their own health)!.
It doesn't matter that I am not perfect either - the point is that I am further along than them - someone further along than me is welcome to point out my shortcomings and I will see how I can address them!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I do wish people would figure out that tolerance isn't just about race & sexual orientation!
Just because someone does not make the same choice as you, does not mean that they are ignorant or do not care!.
To put it into perspective for you, do you think non-vegans should respect vegans!? Of course they should!.!.!.and vice versa!.
EDIT: Two Socks beat me to the "tolerance" thing!. But he's right!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Just because someone does not make the same choice as you, does not mean that they are ignorant or do not care!.
To put it into perspective for you, do you think non-vegans should respect vegans!? Of course they should!.!.!.and vice versa!.
EDIT: Two Socks beat me to the "tolerance" thing!. But he's right!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Ranchu girl, vegans try to exclude as much as possible all animal products!. If I was gonna die of cancer(Not likely being a vegan, lol) I would take cancer meds!. More animals would be saved by me still being here than by me dieing of cancer!.
I never said we where meat to be herbivores, but we are definetly not carnivores!. We are slight omnivores, but we do not NEED anything that comes from animals to live healthy!. And we don't really need many!.!.if any at all medications b/c of our healthy lifestyles!.
Respect is a right for everyone in my opinion, so I just get worked up when people do not respect me and my choices, but I will not attack people over it!. And Yes there are a lot of people out there, especially in the middle school age that are to ignorant to care!. it is annoying how a lot of my big brothers friends have these inside jokes like"Its nice to MEAT you" and sh*t like that!.It is annoying how people who have never done a shred of research in there life and rely on an old version of the food pyramid, or a milk commercial to tell them where to get protein and calcium!. Suddenly there is no other place to get it to them! I even had some random guy I did not even know overhear my friend and I having a conversation about my veganism and he goes "Your vegan!?" And im like!.!.yea!. He says "Your gonna die young!." Im just like wtf is going on in your head man!
But yea, why should we respect you when you don't respect us argument is easier to WIN when you actually do respect them!.!.!.or at least pretend to!lol!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I never said we where meat to be herbivores, but we are definetly not carnivores!. We are slight omnivores, but we do not NEED anything that comes from animals to live healthy!. And we don't really need many!.!.if any at all medications b/c of our healthy lifestyles!.
Respect is a right for everyone in my opinion, so I just get worked up when people do not respect me and my choices, but I will not attack people over it!. And Yes there are a lot of people out there, especially in the middle school age that are to ignorant to care!. it is annoying how a lot of my big brothers friends have these inside jokes like"Its nice to MEAT you" and sh*t like that!.It is annoying how people who have never done a shred of research in there life and rely on an old version of the food pyramid, or a milk commercial to tell them where to get protein and calcium!. Suddenly there is no other place to get it to them! I even had some random guy I did not even know overhear my friend and I having a conversation about my veganism and he goes "Your vegan!?" And im like!.!.yea!. He says "Your gonna die young!." Im just like wtf is going on in your head man!
But yea, why should we respect you when you don't respect us argument is easier to WIN when you actually do respect them!.!.!.or at least pretend to!lol!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I can only try to live my life as an example, I cannot alienate everyone in my life that doesn't agree with me!. I can "Be the change I wish to see in the world" but I cannot be the change in others!.
I dunno, to not accept others just seems rather not-vegan to me!.
Be Peace!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
I dunno, to not accept others just seems rather not-vegan to me!.
Be Peace!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Even the strictest of vegans is imperfect!. When perfection is reached, let the finger pointing begin!.
You appear to be a minority even within a group that is a minority itself!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
You appear to be a minority even within a group that is a minority itself!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
people do not care
but if you really want to make a difference you have to be sincere, and show people that eat meat that vegans and vegetarians are not pushy, annoying people!. you are making "us" look badWww@FoodAQ@Com
but if you really want to make a difference you have to be sincere, and show people that eat meat that vegans and vegetarians are not pushy, annoying people!. you are making "us" look badWww@FoodAQ@Com
You can't win people over to vegetarianism by being abrasive!. It's called tolerance, just like with religion or anything else!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
how does it make sense to classify people who aren't Vegetarian & Vegan as either not caring or being too ignorant to care!?
People should really stop acting like their on their own pedestal!. It makes not only me, but many people sick!.
It's your choice, and you're entitled to it!. By all means, if it makes you happy, then do it!. But it doesn't make your opinions or choices 100% correct!.
And, amanda g, I agree 100% with you!. Thumbs up from me!.
@ your edit - "How many don't realize that the human body has a hard time metabolizing meat!?"
I think you meant to say that the human body has a hard time digesting meat, as it really doesn't know what to do with it!. Anyway!.!.!. That is an established fact, and I think everyone knows it!. WHY does it matter that people eat meat, and god forbid enjoy it!? My original point was, just because you don't doesn't make you any better than those who EAT meat!. You type of people (not all, mind you, but a good amount) seem to enjoy slandering US, but when it's done back we're the wrong ones!. There's no right or wrong!. It's choice, personal preference, and NO ONE'S is the right OR wrong one!. Live your life the way you want to, and let others do the same with theirs!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
People should really stop acting like their on their own pedestal!. It makes not only me, but many people sick!.
It's your choice, and you're entitled to it!. By all means, if it makes you happy, then do it!. But it doesn't make your opinions or choices 100% correct!.
And, amanda g, I agree 100% with you!. Thumbs up from me!.
@ your edit - "How many don't realize that the human body has a hard time metabolizing meat!?"
I think you meant to say that the human body has a hard time digesting meat, as it really doesn't know what to do with it!. Anyway!.!.!. That is an established fact, and I think everyone knows it!. WHY does it matter that people eat meat, and god forbid enjoy it!? My original point was, just because you don't doesn't make you any better than those who EAT meat!. You type of people (not all, mind you, but a good amount) seem to enjoy slandering US, but when it's done back we're the wrong ones!. There's no right or wrong!. It's choice, personal preference, and NO ONE'S is the right OR wrong one!. Live your life the way you want to, and let others do the same with theirs!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I wonder why we have canine teeth in our mouth!? Or why our ancestors even bothered to develop the mental capacity to make stone tools, arrows, spears!?
Let us know when you do not accept nor take any vaccines, medical care and or over the counter medication!. If you are so concerned about the exploitation of animals!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
Let us know when you do not accept nor take any vaccines, medical care and or over the counter medication!. If you are so concerned about the exploitation of animals!. Www@FoodAQ@Com