I Am Tempted To Be Vegan Again

[bean]

It's a slippery slope. It ranges from not deciding not to eat one particular type of animal because you feel that they are mistreated to only eating dead plants that have "fallen naturally." I always find it interesting to see where people draw the line. If you choose not to eat meat, does that mean you can't eat plants, too? Does that mean you can't wear products made with leather or suede or snakeskin or fur? Does it mean you have to refuse medical treatments that were tested on animals, or that use animal by products?

This is not directed at Bean Water or anyone else, just a hypothetical question. I think whether to eat meat or not, and the reasons, are your own personal choice. As long as you don't try make everyone else abide by your beliefs, it's fine either way. I (generally) don't eat meat or meat products, but it has nothing to do with ethical reasons. I simply don't like the taste. My feeling is that in this world we live in, long before there were humans, animals ate other animals or plants that they could kill to nourish their bodies. Not to be cruel, but because of instinct, and a need to ensure their own survival. We are animals and therefore have just as much right to kill other animals and plants to feed ourselves. We may not have the brute strenght to kill cows and other animals with our bare hands, but we have the superior intelligence to build the tools that allow us to do so.

That said, it would be nice if we could manage to kill our food in a humane way.

Very well put!

I really wasn't trying to shake my finger at the meat eaters..well maybe a teeny bit...but I was just trying to point out that it's cruel. The people I associate with all eat meat, and I don't say anything to them.

The line does have to be drawn somewhere for financial and flavor reasons. Until they perfect the flavor of vegan cheese, I eat the real thing. Soy milk and soy butter are good, so I'm all set there. Being vegan can be quite costly, and it's a huge pain in the ass for social functions.

[the eternal]

According to Jewish law, the slaughter of any animal has to be as painless as possible. The throat is cut, but supposedly with a knife so impeccably sharp that it should only take one cut to sever the trachea, esophagus and carotid artery, thus immediately eliminating blood flow to the brain and rendering an animal unconscious in as quickly as 10 seconds. The animal should be kept in extreme comfort until after it is dead. When it is dead it is hung up to let the blood drain out of it.

However, a valid kosher slaughter requires only the cut of the trachea and esophagus, which leaves the animal conscious, so there have been some cases of the cows suffering by unscrupulous corner-cutting Kosher meat packers.

That said I have more faith in them, than your non-Kosher meats.

Just because we can eat animals (and steak is f&^%ing yummy!) doesn't mean we can't try to be humane in our killing

As for plants, I'm not so concerned.

I'm not going to wait for a vegetable to get moldy.

If a cow's head moans "Moooooooo" in pain, while being hung upside down with hooks in it,

chances are it has feelings.

I can't say the same for your average head of lettuce.

Cut a tree down, plant a new one.

Take ownership of the environment.

Keep it the way you left it.

But please, let's not try to compare the "feelings" of a f&^%ing bush to her:

[Rayne]

I don't eat much meat. I just don't like it.

I won't eat steak, because it's gross. I won't eat lamb because it's nasty. I won't really eat pork chops. I won't eat roast or many sausages.

I will eat ground beef, bacon, chicken and turkey. Sometimes even ham.

I'm severely anemic. Due in part to the fact I was born with it, but also in part that I lack iron. I know this and force myself to gag down some steak every now and then. Despite my extremely high doses of iron supplements, I STILL lack iron.

I can't ever become 100% vegan. I would probably die.

[bean]

I don't eat much meat. I just don't like it.

I won't eat steak, because it's gross. I won't eat lamb because it's nasty. I won't really eat pork chops. I won't eat roast or many sausages.

I will eat ground beef, bacon, chicken and turkey. Sometimes even ham.

I'm severely anemic. Due in part to the fact I was born with it, but also in part that I lack iron. I know this and force myself to gag down some steak every now and then. Despite my extremely high doses of iron supplements, I STILL lack iron.

I can't ever become 100% vegan. I would probably die.

That is completely understandable...I'd rather you eat some meat and live than not eat it and die, you know?

[Rayne]

That is completely understandable...I'd rather you eat some meat and live than not eat it and die, you know?

LOL, If I were to have the choice though ... I would totally be on your side.

[bean]

LOL, If I were to have the choice though ... I would totally be on your side.

*no animals or dancing fruits were harmed in the making of this post

[phee]

If we were not meant to eat animals why are they made of meat?

[torn asunder]

If we were not meant to eat animals why are they made of meat?

people are made of meat, too - why don't we eat them!?

(and get your minds out of the gutter, that's not what i meant!!)

[jadnifer]

I would never compare the feelings of a baby cow to a bush. I was just trying to make a statement about both things being alive.

As far as eating meat, I am well aware of the fact that something else had to give it's life to feed me and I'm grateful for the sacrifice. I don't give as much attention to it as I probably should, but I am aware of it.

As far as animals being animals and picking them up with a forklift and poking them with pitchforks, I dont think is right. Kicking an animal just seems very inhumane to me. Do anything else but kick it or hurt it more than it already may be suffering.

I might have more to add later, but this is all I have for right now.

[Kit Kat P]

I don't eat any meat.

As far as the venison goes, I couldn't bring myself to eat a deer. Plus I wouldn't know if it suffered before it died (was it killed instantly, or did it hang on to life for awhile).

I'd like to say very well put. As I've stated before, I'm both an omnivore and a hunter. I prefer getting fresh meat from friends or family, but I purchase from stores all the time. Beleive me, there is an absolute taste differnce. I can say I won't eat meat from sport hunters, by that I mean those who don't go for a sigle shot quick-kill or worse leave it behind.

[Kit Kat P]

As far as animals being animals and picking them up with a forklift and poking them with pitchforks, I dont think is right. Kicking an animal just seems very inhumane to me. Do anything else but kick it or hurt it more than it already may be suffering.

I might have more to add later, but this is all I have for right now.

As far as animals being animals and picking them up with a forklift

I've seen farmers do this. The cow actually kept chewing and it didn't even seem to notice what happened.

Kicking an animal just seems very inhumane to me.

I can understand that, but realize that some animals are different than us and while it may not be "nice" sometimes to them it really is just a nudge.

[jadnifer]

That's true. Most animals (such as cows) weigh much more than we do, so I guess a kick to them would be like a tap on the shoulder to us.

I just wouldn't be able to do it myself.

[bean]

I'd like to say very well put. As I've stated before, I'm both an omnivore and a hunter. I prefer getting fresh meat from friends or family, but I purchase from stores all the time. Beleive me, there is an absolute taste differnce. I can say I won't eat meat from sport hunters, by that I mean those who don't go for a sigle shot quick-kill or worse leave it behind.

Thanky! I would imagine that there is a taste difference..and I applaud you on your stance on not eating meat from sport hunters.

I can respect that you're a hunter. My reasons for not eating deer are silly...beyond the not eating meat reason (they are so peaceful and graceful, and having seen so many dead on the side of the highway or splattered all over the highway grossed me out)