Any Vegetarian/Vegan Ledgies?

[golddustdrummer]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

I agree totally. The amount of people here saying "I couldn't live without meat!" supports that I think. We are brought up to think it's essential to our diets and meals are created completely around meat. Aside from the person who cited financial reasons, which I can totally understand, it's completely a choice. I used to love chicken and fish and thought I couldn't live without them, but I have now for 20 years without any problems. There's so many delicious, wonderful things to eat beside meat.

I have to disagree. I don't eat meat because I was told to. I like the taste of meat. Sure, I love animals. I think they should be treated with the upmost respect while they are on this earth for giving their lives for our consumption. but, I can't help it cows, pigs, and chickens taste so good.

[FMlex]

I don't know about you Shawna, but my mama was shoving pork ribs and filet mignons down my throat ten days after I was born!

What's the purpose of cows, pigs and chickens if not to use them for their meat, dairy, eggs, feathers, skins, etc?
To play with them? There's a reason we don't eat dog or cat (well, at least in my neck of the woods )

[FMlex]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Well, you're assuming the main purpose of animals on this Earth is for humans to use. It's all down to your perspective I guess.

True that!

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by FMlex

I don't know about you Shawna, but my mama was shoving pork ribs and filet mignons down my throat ten days after I was born!

What's the purpose of cows, pigs and chickens if not to use them for their meat, dairy, eggs, feathers, skins, etc?
To play with them? There's a reason we don't eat dog or cat (well, at least in my neck of the woods )

Why do they need a defined purpose?

[FMlex]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Why do they need a defined purpose?

Every living, breathing thing has a purpose in life, or at least I would hope so!

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by FMlex

Every living, breathing thing has a purpose in life, or at least I would hope so!

But you're saying that because you can't think of any other purpose, an animal's sole purpose is for human consumption.

[FMlex]

Originally Posted by jannieC

But you're saying that because you can't think of any other purpose, an animal's sole purpose is for human consumption.

Well I do think that cows, pigs and chickens are here for our consumption, yes.
Like Shawna said, they should get the respect and care they deserve while they're here.

In the case of household animals, such as dogs or cats, I believe they're here to be our companions for as long as they live (or we live -- by the way, Old Yeller should be required viewing for any young kid who owns a dog). So we don't eat them. (At least in this part of the world.)

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by golddustdrummer

I think they should be treated with the upmost respect while they are on this earth for giving their lives for our consumption.

Be assured, they are NOT. We take every bit we can from them (skin for clothing, flesh for food) and treat them as inhumanely as possible. And the animals know it. So, keep in mind when you're eating that burger that you are ingesting the fear hormones that cow released as she was being slaughtered. (One study here)

Did you know that a pig has roughly the same (or higher) intelligence level as a three year old human and that mother pigs sing to their piglets when they're nursing?

Truthfully, it matters none to me what other people eat. Just as it shouldn't matter to anyone what I eat or why I choose to eat the way I do.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Jannie, I agree. I rarely talk about this stuff with people I know. In fact they are often surprised if we ever go out for a meal etc. Usually it's a bigger issue for them than it is for me.

Right. The people in my life are supportive and not worried about what I am eating. I noticed it more several years ago. The best was when I used to smoke, people would say, "but you're a vegetarian!" Not sure how the two are related.

[FMlex]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Right. The people in my life are supportive and not worried about what I am eating. I noticed it more several years ago. The best was when I used to smoke, people would say, "but you're a vegetarian!" Not sure how the two are related.

That's funny! Not sure how those two are connected either.

[trackaghost]

Originally Posted by FMlex

I don't know about you Shawna, but my mama was shoving pork ribs and filet mignons down my throat ten days after I was born!

So you're saying that your parents didn't feed you meat when you were a kid? Most babies start eating meat from around seven months, starting with chicken.
I grew up in a house where a lot of meat was eaten. I didn't have a choice when I was a kid because it was assumed eating meat was a healthy part of your diet and dinner always had meat at its centre. When I decided to stop my mum was actually really worried about it, as were other people and that continues to this day. That's all I was saying. I'm not attacking anyone because they choose to eat meat.

Originally Posted by FMlex

In the case of household animals, such as dogs or cats, I believe they're here to be our companions for as long as they live (or we live -- by the way, Old Yeller should be required viewing for any young kid who owns a dog). So we don't eat them. (At least in this part of the world.)

Well, even as your post suggests, it sounds to me as if it's an entirely cultural thing don't you think?

Originally Posted by jannieC

Right. The people in my life are supportive and not worried about what I am eating. I noticed it more several years ago. The best was when I used to smoke, people would say, "but you're a vegetarian!" Not sure how the two are related.

I always get stuff like that. I don't understand at all why smoking is related, I guess they must think it's entirely a health thing to give up meat, but for me it's a variety of different reasons.