Is veganism a religion?

[silva]

As I said before I don't think veganism is a religion - it's a lifestyle. But I do understand the confusion.
Even some vegans confuse the two and many non-vegans don't see the distinctions.
@KLS52 posted a scholarly article on the difference between ethics and morals. I confess that I confuse the two frequently and use the words interchangeably. And it still doesn't help that much with the lifestyle vs religion thing.

How would veganism be thought of as a religion? It can be part of religious beliefs, but by itself?

 

[Lou]

How would veganism be thought of as a religion? It can be part of religious beliefs, but by itself?

IMHO it would be a misunderstanding. but here is a list of all the things that veganism and religions have in commmon. So I understand how it can be misconstrued

• Strong moral and ethical framework
• Comprehensive belief system about how to live
• belief in a higher good
• passionate community
• shared identity
• tenets like non harm and compassion
  
• detailed rules on what to eat and wear
  
• proselytizing
• a belief that their way of life is the best for everyone
• Some vegans actively advocate for their lifestyle to others, which is a behavior often associated with religious missionary work.
• some vegans exhibit religious-like fundamentalism, rigidity, and dogmatism
• some vegans find value in framing veganism as a spiritual path. They see it as a way to deepen their connection to the world and promote kindness and discipline, similar to the practices in many world religions.

However, veganism is not a religion in the traditional sense as it lacks a deity and organized religious structure.

Most of the above was supplied by a Reddit Exchange.

 

[KLS52]

I never thought of veganism as a religion.

 

[beancounter]

You need a deity, some form of "higher power", or tenets that defy the laws of physics to have a religion.

Veganism doesn't have that, therefore it is not a religion.

 

[mistiq]

The vegans on this forum would probably say that veganism isn't a religion as it isn't based on any false beliefs. But that's exactly what members of other (traditional) religions also think! Non-vegans tend to think that veganism is irrational, just like non-members of a religion think it is irrational. Vegans consider themselves to be morally superior to non-vegans, again just like members of a religion who think they're more moral than non-members.

So, is veganism a religion?

this is an interesting question, i sometimes ponder such things too...

one thing that i consider is that if anything, vegan lifestyles are the GRADUATION of religion

if jesus was a plant based warrior and you visit the church every week to confess or repent or simply pay your alms or whatever

then sure enough the church may recommend life insurance as well as a prepaid funeral plan

because if you are what you eat, then sure enough eating tortured and slaughtered animals will possibly result in death someday

therefore by eating animals and their byproducts makes you a good money maker for the church, yet bad for their success rate ")

although embrace universal LORE or WORD or TRUTH and live happily ever after...............