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 )'(
Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella

"A buckuht 'n a hooze!" -Valura

Written by: firedancingfairy

Vegan diets are 'natural'... I think saying that they are unatural is a misuse of the word. Maybe you mean 'unhealthy'>? Anywho, vegan's don't survive on plants! We eat plenty of grains, legumes and other healthy products that keep us feeling great.
Peace



grains+legumes are plants. sorry, but they really are

my girlfriend is a vegan, but i'm one of them meat eating peoples. i could give it up. yup, i could give it up at any time i want to. i just choose not to.

-James

"How do you know if you're happy or sad without a mask? Or angry? Or ready for dessert?"

"but have you considered there is more to life than your eyelids?"

jointly owned by Fire_Spinning_Angel and Blu_Valley

Hi guys,

I tend to shoot off a bit when we start talking about the animal liberation side for vegetarianism. Though, I well understand the arguments for animal liberation, I probably have a different view than most animal libbers because I grew up on a farm chasing cows, sheep and chooks, and I know domesticated farm animals are not humans in disguise.

I really object to the use of emotive, humanising and almost hysterical anthropomorphist words like murder, cannibalism and karma in relation to domesticated farm animals. I don�t say that in a way that implies I�m cruel or farmers cruel. Farmers are generally kind hearted people.

Deliberate torture and misuse of animals is evil. I don�t support zoos, think vegetarians should thing twice before they decide to own pets, don�t think we should cull introduced deer out of our parks, and support the banning of fox hunting. The only animals I would torture would be the people who recently re-introduced foxes to Tasmania for hunting. Foxes and feral cats are the biggest threat to native animals.

Perhaps it is primitive, but as omnivores, and we Homo sapiens are omnivores, meat is part of the natural diet for our species. If people choose not to eat meat, then that�s their choice, but don�t try and make others feel guilty by humanising domesticated farm animals.

Carnivores are meat eaters, and I would consider it cruel if a carnivorous animal like a pet cat was placed on a strict vegetarian diet. Like I said previously, I consider a vegan diet unnatural because you have to supplement that diet to remain healthy. A natural diet should not need supplements.

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

Rules and responsibities:
These are the ties that bind us.
We do what we do,because of who we are.
If we did otherwise,we would not be ourselves.
I will do what i have to do
And i will do what i must..

What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau

Dave, domesticated farm animals are prey animals. In the wild, prey animals would have provided food for big cats and such. In captivity, they provide food for humans; something we have been doing for 10,000 years. There is no evidence that humans have evolved; regressed more likely.



Most farmers I know aren�t vegetarians. The keeping pets part was to draw an analogy between keeping animals for food and enslaving animals for self-gratification as personal pets. As you say, the pet industry is a cruel trade. And what do most pets eat? They eat meat, unless of course you have a large pet ruminant running loose in the back yard. I think keeping birds in cages is an abomination, and they already have laws in Italy to protect goldfish. To herd animals without dogs, you ride a horse or a motor bike.



Sure everyone has the right to choose not to kill an animals for food, but I don�t think you have the right to use emotional blackmail to convince others. Anyhow, at its most simplest, humans cannot live solely on animal product nor can they live solely on plant products, without suffering nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, we need a balance of both, that�s why we are omnivores.



From a DNA point of view, plants and animals are very similar genetically.







I�ll be away dancing with serpents over the weekend

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

My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely

That's interesting Faberge. I also found it strange, when I was recently informed that Doberman's (hunting dogs) make excellent sheep dogs



I though most dogs, being portable garbage disposals, would be fairly tolerant to a wide range in diet. Though, perhaps eventually declining under a strict vegetarian diet.

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

-Mike )'(
Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella

"A buckuht 'n a hooze!" -Valura