Vegetarians - why?

How does it not make sense? Just because something is happening and I can't stop it doesn't mean I should join in. Kid killing is a perfect example. Children die all the time all over the world. Apparently because I can't stop children dying, I should help cause their death.

no, a Roomba does not exercise self preservation like a plant does. Or some of the more sophisticated AI that is being developed.

If you're worried about the well-being of plants, the best way to minimize harming plants is to eat them directly, rather than raising crops to feed livestock then eating livestock. You could feed the whole world on the plant foods fed to livestock alone. And then your body will still require plants for the nutrients that meat, eggs, and dairy don't provide. But aside from B-12 (and there is a debate about this but I do supplement), there is nothing you get from eating animals and their secretions that you can't get from plants.

Veganism is the most efficient, least harmful, most environmental way to eat, plain and simple.

Disagree. You would need more crops available at any given time, as they won't be 'stored' in livestock and thus more land would need to be cleared than is at present.

In laymans terms, you can get more calories and protein in a cow than you can grow where it's standing.

As much as I hate to even post on this trainwreck of a thread, I have to point out that is is completely untrue. How could you think that beef cows somehow create calories out of nothing? You put a lot of calories into them and only a certain proportion goes into making meat, they have to use the rest for other things. Don't have a lot of time right now so I'll have to quote Wikipedia:

"In comparison with grazing, intensive livestock production requires large quantities of harvested feed. The growing of cereals for feed in turn requires substantial areas of land. However, where grain is fed, less feed is required for meat production. This is due not only to the higher concentration of metabolizable energy in grain than in roughages, but also to the higher ratio of net energy of gain to net energy of maintenance where metabolizable energy intake is higher.[1] A pound of beef (live weight) requires about seven pounds of feed, compared to more than three pound for a pound of pork and less than two pounds for a pound of chicken.[2] However, assumptions about feed quality are implicit in such generalizations. For example, production of a pound of beef cattle live weight may require between 4 and 5 pounds of feed high in protein and metabolizable energy content, or more than 20 pounds of feed of much lower quality.[1]"

As much as I appreciate the even-tone of your reply, my point is that you can grow their food where their food was before they eat it. I'm not saying it won't take more to make it into meat, but that any given time, a reliance on crops completely would require more space.

Funny you look at it that way. I like animals, and at one point wanted to be a vet and later a marine biologist. I am neither now, but I do keep tropical marine fish. It doesn't stop me nomming some tuna or salmon, but I wouldn't eat a clownfish. Animals that are in abundance I have no problem eating; this applies to livestock as well. I'm perfectly happy eating cow, pig and chicken, but would never try crocodile, shark or chimpanzee meat. I would also never eat my dog or my girlfriend's cat, because they're companions; members of the family and she would probably kill me.

there is only one thing for certain regarding this issue. no vegan/vegetarian nor any meat eating monster is going to change their ways based on these type discussions. So what's the point?

There isn't a point for this guy. He's just looking for confrontation. I hate I even bothered to give him my reason for not eating meat, because he really didn't want my reason. He just wanted to tell somebody that their beliefs are wrong. Makes him feel better about himself to feel superior. But he really came off as the one who is ridiculous. And I came off as angry and nasty, which I regret. But animal cruelty is a hot button for me. Sorry.

There isn't a point for this guy. He's just looking for confrontation. I hate I even bothered to give him my reason for not eating meat, because he really didn't want my reason. He just wanted to tell somebody that their beliefs are wrong. Makes him feel better about himself to feel superior. But he really came off as the one who is ridiculous. And I came off as angry and nasty, which I regret. But animal cruelty is a hot button for me. Sorry.

You have an erroneous opinion that is not founded in fact. I respect it's your opinion but it's still... factually wrong.

I would say the jury is out until someone (very well paid, and very, very clever) does the maths.

no, a Roomba does not exercise self preservation like a plant does. Or some of the more sophisticated AI that is being developed.

If you're worried about the well-being of plants, the best way to minimize harming plants is to eat them directly, rather than raising crops to feed livestock then eating livestock. You could feed the whole world on the plant foods fed to livestock alone. And then your body will still require plants for the nutrients that meat, eggs, and dairy don't provide. But aside from B-12 (and there is a debate about this but I do supplement), there is nothing you get from eating animals and their secretions that you can't get from plants.

Veganism is the most efficient, least harmful, most environmental way to eat, plain and simple.

Disagree. You would need more crops available at any given time, as they won't be 'stored' in livestock and thus more land would need to be cleared than is at present.

In laymans terms, you can get more calories and protein in a cow than you can grow where it's standing.

As much as I hate to even post on this trainwreck of a thread, I have to point out that is is completely untrue. How could you think that beef cows somehow create calories out of nothing? You put a lot of calories into them and only a certain proportion goes into making meat, they have to use the rest for other things. Don't have a lot of time right now so I'll have to quote Wikipedia:

"In comparison with grazing, intensive livestock production requires large quantities of harvested feed. The growing of cereals for feed in turn requires substantial areas of land. However, where grain is fed, less feed is required for meat production. This is due not only to the higher concentration of metabolizable energy in grain than in roughages, but also to the higher ratio of net energy of gain to net energy of maintenance where metabolizable energy intake is higher.[1] A pound of beef (live weight) requires about seven pounds of feed, compared to more than three pound for a pound of pork and less than two pounds for a pound of chicken.[2] However, assumptions about feed quality are implicit in such generalizations. For example, production of a pound of beef cattle live weight may require between 4 and 5 pounds of feed high in protein and metabolizable energy content, or more than 20 pounds of feed of much lower quality.[1]"

As much as I appreciate the even-tone of your reply, my point is that you can grow their food where their food was before they eat it. I'm not saying it won't take more to make it into meat, but that any given time, a reliance on crops completely would require more space.

No, you are a redneck because you think your opinion is the only one that matters....LOL....no, actually I don't know if you are a redneck or not and shouldn't have said that. You are, however, very ignorant IMO. You asked for people's reasons why they don't eat meat. I gave you mine and you told me it wasn't a good enough reason. Who are you to tell me it isn't a good enough reason? That's right, nobody.

As to whether or not I've done anything to protect animal rights, it really isn't any of your damn business. But since you have baited me into this stupid discussion, I will tell you that I'm very involved with animal rescues - especially avian rescues. ( that means bird to you). And I've dealt with, many times, people who don't give a freaking crap about animals...you know, people like you who like to kill for pleasure. Don't get me started on this subject buddy. It's a conversation you don't want to have. Grow up and accept everybody's reasons as being as valid as your reasons.

I like to kill animals for pleasure now? You clearly have something wrong with you, seek help. Who are you calling anyone ignorant when you're saying that I kill deer for some sick pleasure? I've stated several times already that I myself do not like cruelty towards animals, I also stated that I humanely kill deer to FEED MYSELF. Someone you turn preservation into perversion, and I'm the one who needs to grow up? Seriously so pathetic how you have no argument so you twist situations into something they're not, that's something someone would do that needs to grow up. I also never said that I didn't accept people being vegetarian, I said I didn't understand the reasoning for ethical vegetarianism. Again, something you're twisting around because you have no valid argument. It's sad that you have to make things up in order to try and have an argument, I pity you.

Animal cruelty for me is the largest of many, many good reasons.
http://www.vegsource.com/news/2009/09/how-to-win-an-argument-with-a-meat-eater.html

If you really want to know why people are vegetarian/vegan you should watch Forks Over Knives or Vegucated or Food Matters.
I am a vegan myself, I don't care if you eat meat and cheese... whatever. To each his own.
But to say you "don't get it" is probably because you don't want to get it. You like your meat, you like your cheese, go ahead and eat it. That's fine. Don't act like you don't even understand or grasp the concept behind vegetarianism. It's pretty clear why people do it.
And your body is not made to sustain a meat based diet, plant based has been and will always be a more sustainable diet. It is better for your body, the animals, as well as the earth.
Your teeth are also not sharp like that of a lion or tiger, they're actually pretty flat (and don't try to tell me about canines, those are nothing compared to all your other teeth), your teeth are not made to rip flesh/muscle. Also your body isn't done as much good by meat as it is vegetables. Less risk of heart related diseases, strokes, high blood pressure and obesity
End rant.

I've watched all those movies on Netflix, there's nothing in them to turn someone into a vegetarian. Also, no it's not clear why most people choose vegetarianism, seems like half the time it's because people can't stand the thought of animals being killed so they think somehow by them being vegetarian it's going to change anything. For people with medical reasons it's understandable, if you don't like the taste of meat then it's understandable, but simply not eating meat for no reason seems ridiculous. If you have no medical reason to not eat meat and you actually like the taste of meat but choose not to eat it, then that person is probably someone who doesn't eat meat because they can't handle thinking about a cow being killed or any other animal. Which in that case, it's a ridiculous reason to not eat meat.

Let's not make an argument of teeth either, humans are more than capable obviously of eating and digesting meat, we don't need tiger fangs to be able to eat meat. There have been several cases of cannibalism where the person did his/her deed without the assistance of modern silverware, their teeth were more than enough.

I'm of the belief that people should eat what works for them, and I'm not trying to convince anyone one way or the other. Personally, I have nothing but good things to say about my choice to follow the primal blueprint and the benefits my family has seen are extraordinary (I wouldn't ever consider removing meat from my diet).

I stumbled across this study, and thought it was interesting:

Vegetarian diet and mental disorders: results from a representative community survey - http://t.co/DbmyPVdL

"...our results are more consistent with the view that the experience of a mental disorder increases the probability of choosing a vegetarian diet, or that psychological factors influence both the probability of choosing a vegetarian diet and the probability of developing a mental disorder. "

I'm not saying that I think those that choose this way of life have a mental disorder (or that I necessarily believe the study entirely), I just thought that it was interesting to see a study that links the two.

If you really want to know why people are vegetarian/vegan you should watch Forks Over Knives or Vegucated or Food Matters.
I am a vegan myself, I don't care if you eat meat and cheese... whatever. To each his own.
But to say you "don't get it" is probably because you don't want to get it. You like your meat, you like your cheese, go ahead and eat it. That's fine. Don't act like you don't even understand or grasp the concept behind vegetarianism. It's pretty clear why people do it.
And your body is not made to sustain a meat based diet, plant based has been and will always be a more sustainable diet. It is better for your body, the animals, as well as the earth.
Your teeth are also not sharp like that of a lion or tiger, they're actually pretty flat (and don't try to tell me about canines, those are nothing compared to all your other teeth), your teeth are not made to rip flesh/muscle. Also your body isn't done as much good by meat as it is vegetables. Less risk of heart related diseases, strokes, high blood pressure and obesity
End rant.

I've watched all those movies on Netflix, there's nothing in them to turn someone into a vegetarian. Also, no it's not clear why most people choose vegetarianism, seems like half the time it's because people can't stand the thought of animals being killed so they think somehow by them being vegetarian it's going to change anything. For people with medical reasons it's understandable, if you don't like the taste of meat then it's understandable, but simply not eating meat for no reason seems ridiculous. If you have no medical reason to not eat meat and you actually like the taste of meat but choose not to eat it, then that person is probably someone who doesn't eat meat because they can't handle thinking about a cow being killed or any other animal. Which in that case, it's a ridiculous reason to not eat meat.

Let's not make an argument of teeth either, humans are more than capable obviously of eating and digesting meat, we don't need tiger fangs to be able to eat meat. There have been several cases of cannibalism where the person did his/her deed without the assistance of modern silverware, their teeth were more than enough.

Here is your statement that pissed me off. You said ridiculous twice when you mentioned other people's reasons for not eating meat. Again, I ask you...who are you to call anybody ridiculous?

I don't give a crap if you eat meat. But I'm not riduculous because I don't. You are way too young to tell anybody their opinions are ridiculous. Wait until you have a little life experience before you give everybody your vast knowledge of the world. I have kids your age. Ugh.