Vegetarian due to ethics

norahwynn

No but seriously, don't preach at me about what I eat (or wear, believe, think, etc.), I won't preach at you.

Love that!

JustAboutDelicious_wechanged

I am pescatarian (I only eat fish as my source of meat). Not going to go into the long details behind it, but I don't care what anyone else eats as long as the animal was humanely taken care of before it came to my or anyone else's table. I will cook meat for others, but I choose not to eat any meat other than fish. Just a personal choice.

I don't shame anyone for eating red meat, chicken, pork, turkey, etc. What someone does and puts in their own body is their business, I don't let anyone tell me what I can put in my mouth.

I totally respect your choice, however do you realize that treatment of fish caught for consumption is unregulated? At least there are designated checklists for the treatment of just about every other animal that is eaten in the US.

Yup, I do know this. Thanks for sharing.

MelsAuntie

As somebody who grew up raising our own ducks, geese, chickens, pigeons, and for a while pigs, for the table, with a dad who hunted and fished to fill the freezer, and who right now has baby ducklings that will be butchered for meat in the fall, I don't understand this attitude at all. That's what farm animals are for, their reason for existence. We pay for their feed and care, they reward us with dinner.

mazzasweet

Well, from places where you can go out and meet the farmers. For example, we raise veal calves. They run with their mothers (or their foster mothers -- some of our cows are better mothers than others) in the field, until we put them on a truck and take them to a local butcher. You can see inside the slaughtering room, so yes, I know that they are not being kicked, beaten, or otherwise abused. Their meat is not as pale as commercial veal, but our customers are pleased. We also sell grassfed beef, pastured poultry, and pastured eggs.

We are not alone -- there are many others. If you have not found them, you have not looked very hard.

Now, if you still choose to not eat meat because you don't feel that we should make use of animals in this way, that is your decision and I fully support your right to do that. But your statements about the impossibility of finding animals that have been raised on grass and bugs are incorrect.

I do appreciate your respect for life - and hopefully at least a 'more humane slaughter' will become more widespread. I am quite happy not eating meat, but before my transition I did look for 'humane slaughter'. I was personally not satisfied by the definition.

MelsAuntie

And, by the way, Dad taught me how to kill meat animals humanely, cutting the throats of poultry and how to kill a rabbit instantly. He also taught me not to take the shot unless you can get a decent kill shot. He was very much against animal suffering, my dad, hated hunters who would wound or gut-shoot deer. Before I was nine years old I could choose a fat squab, wring its neck quickly, and pluck and dress it out for the table. It was great growing up in the country, a healthy and natural way to live.
It is absolutely possible to love animals and care for their well-being and still use them for food, though some of the bunny-huggers and the PETA a-holes can't see it.

BigDaddyRonnie

I guess they don't realize that animal by-products are used in many different things - from paper to WD-40 to clothing to...

So to me their arguments (ethical vs moral vs obligation) make no sense to me. White noise...

Actually most of them do realize that and try to avoid them as much as possible. It's not just a "diet," it's a lifestyle.

I call hypocrisy.

Carnivor0us

You DO understand that it's not difficult to find meat that's not been forced to live and grow in inhumane and horrid conditions, right? I think you're the one that needs to do some serious research before being judgmental about a food choice.

gryfonclaw - I'm not being judgmental of anyone's decision to eat whatever. Your body your choice. It doesn't bother me - And I, like other veg's said, often get teased about not eating meat. I don't preach to anyone.... I do what I do because it's what's right for ME. End of case.

But let's be real about this. Please, let me know where you buy meat that didn't endure abuse... because no, I don't know of ONE place. That's especially an oxymoron if you eat certain types of meat - veal or foie gras for example.

Uhhh...the farm one county over from me? I drive there once a month to pick up my monthly meat. I've seen their cows. I don't understand why so difficult to accept that some ranching practices aren't cruel or inhumane.

I do not eat veal because I agree with you on that point. There's no kind way to raise veal. There are plenty of sound and kind ways to raise beef.

Eating meat is right for me. Vegetarianism is right for you. Fine.

crista_b

I guess they don't realize that animal by-products are used in many different things - from paper to WD-40 to clothing to...

So to me their arguments (ethical vs moral vs obligation) make no sense to me. White noise...

Actually most of them do realize that and try to avoid them as much as possible. It's not just a "diet," it's a lifestyle.

I call hypocrisy.

Why?

JenAndSome

Do your research. There are plenty of places that don't have 'horrid' conditions for their livestock when alive or slaughtered. I have been doing a ton of research on where to get grass fed beef that isn't commercially slaughtered and there are plenty of farms around where I live that have this.
[/quote]
If there are plenty, please share
[/quote]

http://ricequalityfarmmeats.com/

This is where I buy 90% of my meat. In a pinch I might buy a pound of hamburger at a grocery store. Other than that my meat comes from hunting. I used to buy eggs from a lady at work and will do so again once she rebuilds her chicken coop.

StheK

I have to say, if this thread is any indication, there's a lot more judgment against vegetarians than there is BY vegetarians.

Carnivor0us

I have to say, if this thread is any indication, there's a lot more judgment against vegetarians than there is BY vegetarians.

I really don't care what others eat. Seriously. But please don't throw ethics around with your diet, I WILL challenge that.

SteveJWatson

Do your research. There are plenty of places that don't have 'horrid' conditions for their livestock when alive or slaughtered. I have been doing a ton of research on where to get grass fed beef that isn't commercially slaughtered and there are plenty of farms around where I live that have this.

If there are plenty, please share
[/quote]

http://ricequalityfarmmeats.com/

This is where I buy 90% of my meat. In a pinch I might buy a pound of hamburger at a grocery store. Other than that my meat comes from hunting. I used to buy eggs from a lady at work and will do so again once she rebuilds her chicken coop.
[/quote]

I would say that properly looked after livestock are the rule and badly treated ones are the exception, actually, especially given that Animal Health can (and do) turn up anytime and inspect you (and were I to be cynical, I would say they were incentivised to fine people), inspection includes your medical records and adherence to withdrawal periods etc.

mariebmcd

I have been a vegetarian (not vegan) for 20 years. I became a vegetarian because (at 13) I couldn't stand the idea of eating a formerly living, breathing, feeling creature. Now at 33 I have a slightly different perspective. The thought of meat is still nauseating, but if it doesn't nauseate you and if you are getting your meat from a humane supplier, than I'm okay with it. Either way, I will NEVER judge you for your eating habits. I don't judge people who eat twinkies all day- your body, your decision.

Having said that, I think making the decision to not eat meat is an ethical decision for most people. That doesn't mean that they are saints- we are all imperfect. They just made a decision based on the information they could gather that was best for them. It's not an all or nothing decision.

For instance, I'm worried about climate change. I want to reduce my carbon footprint. I walk or ride my bike to work. When I have to drive I try to combine errands so there's less miles. I recycle. I lower my thermostat in the winter, and raise it in the winter. I buy energy efficient appliances when it's time to get new ones. BUT I didn't get rid of my car. For ethical reasons I do what I can, and I sacrifice some things for the greater good of society. But there's a limit to what I can do. I feel the same way when making food choices. I make the best choices for me, keeping in mind what I think is better for society as a whole, and I go from there. Everyone does the same thing- unless you're completely uncaring or oblivious to the world around you. What you decide is up to you. I won't dictate if you don't.

mazzasweet

It is absolutely possible to love animals and care for their well-being and still use them for food, though some of the bunny-huggers and the PETA a-holes can't see it.

Wow.

Blacklance36

1. Why are you a vegetarian? Because I was enlightened to how horrific the treatment was to slaughter animals - IOW NOT just that they were killed - but that they were often brutalized, raped or forced to endure disgusting conditions before death.

It's really ironic - some on this thread say vegs feel 'superior' to others - actually most don't eat animals because we DONT feel superior to anyone or anything...

2. Do you still use leather? I don't buy leather, but leather that I have before my lifestyle change I did not dispose of.

3. Read hard cover books? I really don't buy any books - but do read from a Kindle (Not for veg purposes)
4. Use commercial shampoo and conditioner? No. And I would add to this list cosmetics, laundry, household cleaners etc. I shop from www.leapingbunny.org to buy products not tested on animals.
5. Other products that have animal in them? I'm sure I ingest meat or animal products from time to time. It's life. I eat at restaurants, I'm sure i've eaten bugs in food ( ugh!) etc. But that's really not the point.

Just saying you are "enlightened" tells me you are elitist as you are also saying that people that eat meat are not. Your other comments also suggest you have yourself on quite the pedestal.

mazzasweet

[/quote]
Just saying you are "enlightened" tells me you are elitist as you are also saying that people that eat meat are not. Your other comments also suggest you have yourself on quite the pedestal.
[/quote]

great, thanks for your educated input on who I am and what I think. I appreciate it!

fannyfrost

I am not vegan. However, my daughter just went vegan. Her decision is based on watching movies that depicted what we are doing in the US to our animals. Not just the bad way they are being treated, but also what we are feeding them, the hormones and the antibiotics. She feels that it would be healthier for her based on some stomach issues for her to change her diet and then she feels guilty about eating animals not knowing if they were treated well.

I personally have switched to grass fed beef 90% of the time. I also go with antibiotic free and hormone free as much as possible (not possible eating out). I do not worry as much about some of the other stuff that many people freak about, but I do try to eat as healthy as possible.

My daughter is not being obnoxious about her change, she will eat at a place where meat has been cooked on the same surface, she still takes medicine when required (all medicines are tested on animals as part of the FDA requirement for testing) and she isn't getting picky about materials or shampoo.

I did tease her about eating bugs since there is an acceptable amount of bug parts allowed in all packaged foods. However, I am supporting her healthy choice and actually I have been making healthier choices too.

I think sometimes we need to be realistic. I wonder if the Vegans who beleive that they can't ever harm animals would not take the drugs to cure their cancer because it was tested on animals first. While I don't agree with torturing animals, but until there is a better way to know if something will work on humans and be safe, not much you can do there. However, I don't think cosmetics need to be tested on animals, really irritated skin can be tested on humans and I think there is a way to know if a eye product goes in your eyes it will do major harm without putting it in a bunny's eye to check.

Life is about balance and everyone should find their own balance in life and what works for them.

thank you very much for all the comments though it was very helpful

dpeinsipp

I am not vegetarian, but I do not eat meat that I haven't seen alive. I want to know that the food that sustains me and my family was not mistreated and tortured during it's life. I don't eat meat from the grocery, restaurants, or at other people's homes that do not share my views. I have seen the terrible conditions of slaughterhouses and the treatment of animals at factory farms and will not feed myself or my family the products of these living and dying conditions. I do not feel that eating meat is morally wrong, but I do feel like if you do not know where your meat comes from and you are buying from the aforementioned places, that you are contributing to the mistreatment and torture of these poor animals. I also think it is ridiculous to compare the death of lettuce for my salad to the death of an animal.

javajunco

I do not buy leather, unless it is in a second hand store, or in those cases when it is responsibly made, and crafted to last many years, in which case the environmental impact of the leather is probably lower than the impact of purchasing a non-leather item that won't last, and may have been manufactured in chemically unsavory conditions.

I cannot remember the last time I saw a book that was covered in leather. Are you concerned about the glue? Usually glue that is made from animal parts comes from refineries that are disposing of already dead animals. At any rate, the other day I heard two guys on the street remarking on a passerby they had just observed. "Did you see that?" "What?" "That guy was carrying a BOOK."

I use animal-testing-free, animal-product-free, organically sourced, free-trade-certified shampoo and conditioner. Which I suppose makes some people feel threatened, for some reason.

I avoid animal products whenever possible. Sometimes you can't, and I don't drive myself crazy.

glovepuppet

1. Why are you a vegetarian? Because I was enlightened to how horrific the treatment was to slaughter animals - IOW NOT just that they were killed - but that they were often brutalized, raped or forced to endure disgusting conditions before death.

Just saying you are "enlightened" tells me you are elitist as you are also saying that people that eat meat are not. Your other comments also suggest you have yourself on quite the pedestal.

in this context? most people are completely unaware of how their food is produced.

i would say i have seen some enlightening footage. i choose to eat free range, farm assured meat that's farmed and slaughtered in the uk. 'course, if pigs didn't want to be eaten they shouldn't have tasted like bacon.

SteveJWatson

Just saying you are "enlightened" tells me you are elitist as you are also saying that people that eat meat are not. Your other comments also suggest you have yourself on quite the pedestal.

great, thanks for your educated input on who I am and what I think. I appreciate it!

I'm actually surprised that people continue to take you seriously after you claimed that livestock were 'routinely raped'. You are either winding people up or live in your own little dystiopian bubble.

redraidergirl2009

As somebody who grew up raising our own ducks, geese, chickens, pigeons, and for a while pigs, for the table, with a dad who hunted and fished to fill the freezer, and who right now has baby ducklings that will be butchered for meat in the fall, I don't understand this attitude at all. That's what farm animals are for, their reason for existence. We pay for their feed and care, they reward us with dinner.

How do you know that's what "farm animals" are for? I mean, where is that written? I mean any animal can be raised on a farm, I recently heard of a man farming lion meat..

redraidergirl2009

Just saying you are "enlightened" tells me you are elitist as you are also saying that people that eat meat are not. Your other comments also suggest you have yourself on quite the pedestal.

great, thanks for your educated input on who I am and what I think. I appreciate it!

I'm actually surprised that people continue to take you seriously after you claimed that livestock were 'routinely raped'. You are either winding people up or live in your own little dystiopian bubble.

Well how do factor farm animals get pregnant?

crista_b

Well how do factor farm animals get pregnant?

When a mommy cow and a daddy cow love each other very much.....






Just trying to lighten the mood in here. :flowerforyou:

KyleB65

I am a struggling vegetarian because I want to live a healthier life. (I feel that eating little to no meat helps me accomplish this goal).

Personally, I am no part of the Vegan crowd with regards to eating animals or using animal products.

BUT! And it's a big BUT! I have some very big problems with factory farms. What animals destined for human consumption are feed and how they are treated is not moral or ethical. As an example, anti-biotics are added to animal feed to build muscle mass quickly. Part of my move away from meat is that I have questions about how farming like this will affect my health over the long term.

I have no moral or ethical issue with eating naturally grazed animals nor do I have any problems with eating hunted wild game.

Illona88

I'm not a veggie, but it does irritate me when people say vegetarians are hypocrits because their medicin is tested on animals, or this and that has been near an animal. The vegetarians are just trying to live their lives doing as little harm to other beings as possible. It's impossible to live your life completely free of harm to animals, but at least they try to minimize it.
I have quite a few veggie friends. None of them have ever "preached" vegetarianism, yet all of them have been taunted by meat eaters at some point. I have seen it with my own eyes while having dinner or lunch with them that people ask them about their food choices when they order something without meat and then proceed to wave their steak or whatever in the veggie's face.
It is true that some vegetarian act superior, but the far majority is just trying to be good for the planet and its inhabitants.

jrbb03092

These threads just depress me. I'm vegetarian because I've basically been left unable to digest meat after becoming very ill (hospitalized) in Peru a few years ago. Getting rid of meat in my diet has made my GI issues virtually non-existent and I am so happy with how I now feel that I can't imagine going back.

I'm not a short order cook so my family has changed along with me. Originally they would both eat meat at lunch (cold cuts) and eat meat when we were out for dinner. My daughter (13) decided last fall that she wanted to become fully vegetarian. We both supported her in that decision and talked about nutrition etc. For her it was a love of animals that inspired her choice.

She never makes her friends feel bad, she tells them not to be silly when they worry because they mention how much they want a burger or whatever. She askes if she can bring her own food to parties (veggie burgers) or if a cheese pizza can be ordered, etc, and/or offers to eat the sides and skip the mains. She very much identifies it as a personal choice.

My husband has stopped eating meat at lunch. He says being mostly vegetarian seems to suit his system and that any digestive issues he had before seem to have disappeared. He still eats meat occasionally when we're out for dinner. Neither my daughter or I give him any grief for it.

But what really gets me is that we don't give our family or friends any grief for their eating habits and not a single one of them has given us grief for ours. Both have gone out of their way to make sure there's something we can eat at meals and/or they're okay with us bringing something. No one's ever complained about eating vegetarian at our place and usually we're actually asked for recipes so they can try them at home.

So it amazes me that everyone is so at odds because we haven't encountered any of the animosity evidenced in this thread in the year since we've gone veg.

Lastly, as far as eating vegetarian or vegan but not feeling like you can give up meat, then don't. I read about Kathy Freston and a friend who said he'd never be able to give up his favourite cheeseburger. She just shrugged and said, so don't give it up. Eat vegan or vegetarian most of the time and have your cheeseburger when you feel like it.

Which kind of applies to all "diets" really. If you can't give up your chips or your pop tarts or whatever, then fine, don't give them up. Eat "healthy" 90% of the time and indulge 10%. You're still doing your body better than you were.

mazzasweet

Just saying you are "enlightened" tells me you are elitist as you are also saying that people that eat meat are not. Your other comments also suggest you have yourself on quite the pedestal.

great, thanks for your educated input on who I am and what I think. I appreciate it!

I'm actually surprised that people continue to take you seriously after you claimed that livestock were 'routinely raped'. You are either winding people up or live in your own little dystiopian bubble.

Way to go - you used a big word!

glovepuppet

Just saying you are "enlightened" tells me you are elitist as you are also saying that people that eat meat are not. Your other comments also suggest you have yourself on quite the pedestal.

great, thanks for your educated input on who I am and what I think. I appreciate it!

I'm actually surprised that people continue to take you seriously after you claimed that livestock were 'routinely raped'. You are either winding people up or live in your own little dystiopian bubble.

Way to go - you used a big word!

oh good grief! way to kill your own argument.
ridiculing a person for using a common term? that's less than i would expect from a middle school child.
inverse snobbery is a pathetic thing. it stops far too many people from striving to improve themselves.

mazzasweet

Just saying you are "enlightened" tells me you are elitist as you are also saying that people that eat meat are not. Your other comments also suggest you have yourself on quite the pedestal.

great, thanks for your educated input on who I am and what I think. I appreciate it!

I'm actually surprised that people continue to take you seriously after you claimed that livestock were 'routinely raped'. You are either winding people up or live in your own little dystiopian bubble.

Way to go - you used a big word!

oh good grief! way to kill your own argument.
ridiculing a person for using a common term? that's less than i would expect from a middle school child.
inverse snobbery is a pathetic thing. it stops far too many people from striving to improve themselves.

If you want to eat meat - eat meat. It's not good, bad or indifferent!
But don't patronize and insult people who speak the truth.