Forums > Social Discussion > Thoughts on vegetarianism

So I've now been a vegetarian for almost 3 years. I originally became a vegetarian because I realized I was a meat addict. There are also environmental concerns. Ethical concerns are way down on my list since I find it gets confusing for me to strongly support animal research for medical applications while opposing using animals for food. Especially because I'm not vegan.

But the final decision happened, not coincidentally, on the first day of Gross Anatomy dissection lab.

So after 3 years of almost total abstinence from meat (I'll eat meat if there is no other feasable option), I think I'm pretty much de-addicted. The idea of eating a large steak is just not at all appetizing to me.

BUUUUT, this vegetarian business is getting very inconvenient. It makes people stress over where to go for dinner, or what to cook for me. Furthermore, it significantly limits what I can order at a restaurant, and I can't stand it when the only vegetarian options on a menu feature zucchini and mushrooms (two of my least favorite foods).

So I'm starting to debate whether to de-classify myself as a vegetarian and just carry on with life eating very little meat. And by "very little" I mean less than one serving of meat a week. Since my initial reasons were for health, I don't see how this small amount of meat (which, when consumed, will preferably be organic) would change my risk factors. And such miniscule meat consumption wouldn't have much environmental impact. Besides, I have an unfortunate tendency towards anemia.

What do you think?

-Mike )'(
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jointly owned by Fire_Spinning_Angel and Blu_Valley

those that know, dont say. those that say, dont know.

Says Who????

The Buddha was not a vegetarian, nor is the Dalai Lama

If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh

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World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams;
We are the movers and shakers of the world for ever, it seems.

Written by: Stone

Says Who????







why does there need to be someone to say it?

those that know, dont say. those that say, dont know.

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What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
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Written by: Havokist

there was once a random guy, who said-

"im not a vegetarian because i dont like killing animals for meat, im a vegetarian because i dont like vegetables"





As previously explained in this thread, a person who consumes meat is actually responsible for roughly 10X the amount of vegetation destruction than if they simply got their sustainance directly from plants.

So someone who truly hated plants would not waste their time eating plants when they could eat mainly meat and be responsible, indirectly, for far more plant destruction.

"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."

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"Last of The Lancers"
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real eyes
realize
real lies

I didn't mean to sounds disrespectful or ignorant it's just ..I don't know. I's hot enough here already, I'm not going to get into such a heated debate, I should never have posted in this thread...

.All things are beautiful if we take the time to look.

Written by: onewheeldave

So someone who truly hated plants would not waste their time eating plants when they could eat mainly meat and be responsible, indirectly, for far more plant destruction.




good.
call.
dave.
<smiles>

those that know, dont say. those that say, dont know.

Written by: firedancingfairy


The dense vibration of having something killed in your system isn't natural.




i fully agree with this.
eating animal flesh keeps your own vibration lower than what it would be if you didnt eat it, which means that it'd be more difficult to transcend yourself...
not eating animal makes me feel lighter and helps my meditations to be deeper/stronger etc...
etc.
etc.
etc.

those that know, dont say. those that say, dont know.

Hi firedancingfairy, as a recent convert to flexitarianism, I understand your sentiments, but disagree with your assertions ie. Written by:
Also, the dense vibration of having something killed in your system isn't natural. It's an amazing feeling to be full of natural nutrients free from harm and karma free



Plants are also killed for food, so having something killed in your system is natural. We also inadvertently consume a large number of insects while asleep. Though, whether insects are sentinel beings has not been determined by the powers to be

Meat is just a natural a food source as plants, but it�s the balance that�s important. The real problem, imo, is overpopulation, and too much reliance on meat in the diet, which is a bad thing for many reasons already stated. While farming comes in for a lot of criticism, another concern I have is over fishing of our oceans.

Vegan diets are not natural because you cannot get all your nutritional requirements from plants. You have to supplement a vegan diet with Vit B 12. Also, many women on vegetarian diets suffer from anaemia due to insufficient iron in the diet. I have flexitarian friends who eat only small amounts of because they prefer meat as a source of iron.

Lastly, what is a karma free nutrient?

If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh

real eyes
realize
real lies

If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh

Written by: Stone


We also inadvertently consume a large number of insects while asleep. Though, whether insects are sentinel beings has not been determined by the powers to be











According to the dictionary: sentinel n lit guard, sentry



so, some insects would be sentinel; for example many of the social insects like bees, ants and termites which live in organised colonies that have to be defended against other groups, and which post watchouts to guard against intruders.



Others, like solitary beetles, would not be sentinel.



-----------



However, I'm not sure how this relates to the vegetarian issue; perhaps-



sentient adj fml having feelings and consciousness



would be more appropriate, as many vegetarians could refrain from meat consumption on the grounds that they don't want to be responsible for the death/suffering of conscious beings with feelings.



On the question of whether insects are sentient, such vegetarians may well see the question as not particularly relevant as nightime insect consumption would be something they couldn't avoid.

"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."

--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32


Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!