- Joined
- Jan 3, 2016
- Reaction score
- 1,814
- Age
- 44
- Lifestyle
- Vegetarian
I am an omnivore but always had some doubts at the back of my mind from a young age. I have refused to go to zoos since a visit to Toronto zoo in 2001; similar for circus with animals. I refused to castrate our dog when recommend to control his behavior. But I still eat meat.
Over the last 3-5 years I would sometimes order the vegetarian option at a restaurant and I think the nagging ethical doubts were a factor here. I have also tried to increase the fruit and veg recently to try and lose weight without being hungry. But health/weight/fitness are a secondary factor in my diet choices (after ethics).
It has occurred to me that if I had to kill my own meat, I might be a vegetarian. In fact, in 2014 I went to the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil and we went Piranha fishing. I did not fish (I have never believed in fishing for pleasure; I recall distate at this activity on holiday with family when I was about 10 years old) but sat in the boat while my friends did. The guide had one fish someone caught which he gave to me at one point with a knife and asked me to kill. I wouldn't do it. But, later, I did eat the fish.
I have often thought about how many educated, intelligent people in the past laughed at the thought the world might be round, or that women should have the vote, or that blacks could be more than slaves. I have often wondered what people in the future will laugh at our generation for (or be horrified by). I think animal rights and speciesism could be the answer. Reading a number of books in the last 2 months has been a big help to me in developing such an opinion.
While reading the books in November, December I have already reduced my meat consumption by around 50-75%, but not yet 90-100%. First, I want to finish my research into the ethical arguments, learn more about health issues (e.g. B12) and get a health checkup so I can compare my health before and after.
Provisionally I see a very strong argument against factory farmed meat based on animal rights, cruelty and suffering. With some supporting environment/health arguments. But was as to whether I will go vegan, vegetarian, or just reduce my meat consumption or only certain types of meat (e.g. organic, free range) I haven't decided yet.
At this stage I wanted to get your thoughts on a few of the potentially better pro-meat arguments.
After that, I would like to get vegans to answer some questions, if possible. I want to understand how vegans think. I hope you don't mind some hypothetical "would you" type questions.
After that, I am interested to learn more about B12 and other aspects of how to ensure a vegan diet is healthy and balanced.
And eventually, I might be interested in some other topics such as discussing with friends and family (should we try to convert them to whatever our views are), whether to make my own children vegan/veggy, whether it makes sense to be active in support of animal rights (and how best to go about it). I am focused on food choices at the moment. For stuff like clothes and toiletries, I might want to learn more about that later but not now, it's too much all at once.
So, anyone want to share some thoughts on some pro-meat arguments to start with?
Over the last 3-5 years I would sometimes order the vegetarian option at a restaurant and I think the nagging ethical doubts were a factor here. I have also tried to increase the fruit and veg recently to try and lose weight without being hungry. But health/weight/fitness are a secondary factor in my diet choices (after ethics).
It has occurred to me that if I had to kill my own meat, I might be a vegetarian. In fact, in 2014 I went to the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil and we went Piranha fishing. I did not fish (I have never believed in fishing for pleasure; I recall distate at this activity on holiday with family when I was about 10 years old) but sat in the boat while my friends did. The guide had one fish someone caught which he gave to me at one point with a knife and asked me to kill. I wouldn't do it. But, later, I did eat the fish.
I have often thought about how many educated, intelligent people in the past laughed at the thought the world might be round, or that women should have the vote, or that blacks could be more than slaves. I have often wondered what people in the future will laugh at our generation for (or be horrified by). I think animal rights and speciesism could be the answer. Reading a number of books in the last 2 months has been a big help to me in developing such an opinion.
While reading the books in November, December I have already reduced my meat consumption by around 50-75%, but not yet 90-100%. First, I want to finish my research into the ethical arguments, learn more about health issues (e.g. B12) and get a health checkup so I can compare my health before and after.
Provisionally I see a very strong argument against factory farmed meat based on animal rights, cruelty and suffering. With some supporting environment/health arguments. But was as to whether I will go vegan, vegetarian, or just reduce my meat consumption or only certain types of meat (e.g. organic, free range) I haven't decided yet.
At this stage I wanted to get your thoughts on a few of the potentially better pro-meat arguments.
After that, I would like to get vegans to answer some questions, if possible. I want to understand how vegans think. I hope you don't mind some hypothetical "would you" type questions.
After that, I am interested to learn more about B12 and other aspects of how to ensure a vegan diet is healthy and balanced.
And eventually, I might be interested in some other topics such as discussing with friends and family (should we try to convert them to whatever our views are), whether to make my own children vegan/veggy, whether it makes sense to be active in support of animal rights (and how best to go about it). I am focused on food choices at the moment. For stuff like clothes and toiletries, I might want to learn more about that later but not now, it's too much all at once.
So, anyone want to share some thoughts on some pro-meat arguments to start with?