And I mean that in a good way. It has imbued my life with meaning and made me a better person. Also, there is the sense of community on forums like this one.
Veganism feels like a religion
- Thread starter IndianVegan
- Start date
allindogecoin
Forum Practitioner
pinkpetalbird666
Newcomer
No disrespect intended, but it feels nothing like a religion to me. And in fact more of a polar opposite.
Veganism is a choice made out from logic and empathy.
We know that other animals suffer, have emotions and feelings.
It's a simple case of extending our circle of altruism to include all sentient life. We wouldn't hurt our neighbour or our dogs and cats so logically it follows we shouldn't do that to other animals.
Religion on the other hand is a set of rules , often laid down by people with a very much less detailed understanding of nature and the world around us, and usually with a completely different outlook on life.
Religious doctrines don't change, although people conveniently pick and choose which messages they think must be followed and which they can abandon as being either allegorical or simply fit for the times they were written.
Religion often leads to people treating other people (and other animals) worse, not better as it engenders a tribe mentality of us vs them.
There is a distinct lack of logic and often a lack of empathy.
Religion has been a major cause of wars and atrocities in the name of xxxxx.
Try being a Christian in Somalia, or a Sunni Muslim in Iran or Baha'i in Yemen.
So no, not really.
Veganism is like a religion in about the same way as football fans are like stamp collectors... i.e. Yes, it's a way of grouping people and they form communities, but that's about it.
I am extremely happy it makes you happy, but I loathe any comparison with religion.
Veganism is a choice made out from logic and empathy.
We know that other animals suffer, have emotions and feelings.
It's a simple case of extending our circle of altruism to include all sentient life. We wouldn't hurt our neighbour or our dogs and cats so logically it follows we shouldn't do that to other animals.
Religion on the other hand is a set of rules , often laid down by people with a very much less detailed understanding of nature and the world around us, and usually with a completely different outlook on life.
Religious doctrines don't change, although people conveniently pick and choose which messages they think must be followed and which they can abandon as being either allegorical or simply fit for the times they were written.
Religion often leads to people treating other people (and other animals) worse, not better as it engenders a tribe mentality of us vs them.
There is a distinct lack of logic and often a lack of empathy.
Religion has been a major cause of wars and atrocities in the name of xxxxx.
Try being a Christian in Somalia, or a Sunni Muslim in Iran or Baha'i in Yemen.
So no, not really.
Veganism is like a religion in about the same way as football fans are like stamp collectors... i.e. Yes, it's a way of grouping people and they form communities, but that's about it.
I am extremely happy it makes you happy, but I loathe any comparison with religion.
OP
OP
@g0rph Actually, I'm a single atheist and have felt for a long time that my life lacked meaning or higher purpose. Veganism has now filled that void.
Lou
Forum Legend
First off I do agree with @g0rph.
However.....
Many people and even some vegans think of it as a religion. or like you thinks "it feels like a religion".
as G0rph stated it's not a religion. I do understand why some people get confused. Both include moral codes, a sense of community, and dietary "rules". Those vegan that are advocates are in some ways similar to religious missionaries. In the UK veganism is protected by law, just like religions.
it does not include supernatural deities, which by definition all religions include. Also no spiritual salvation is promised.
I do like that it has imbued your life with meaning and made you a better person. I like to think it has for me, too
However.....
Many people and even some vegans think of it as a religion. or like you thinks "it feels like a religion".
as G0rph stated it's not a religion. I do understand why some people get confused. Both include moral codes, a sense of community, and dietary "rules". Those vegan that are advocates are in some ways similar to religious missionaries. In the UK veganism is protected by law, just like religions.
it does not include supernatural deities, which by definition all religions include. Also no spiritual salvation is promised.
I do like that it has imbued your life with meaning and made you a better person. I like to think it has for me, too
OP
OP
I believe that going vegan is the easiest way to contribute to society via various indirect benefits.
Lou
Forum Legend
There is an expression or a quote that I can't exactly remember. I googled it and I can't find it. Probably because I don't remember it right.
Veganism is both the least you can do and the most you can do
When I googled it Google AI responded with.
Veganism is considered the least you can do because it is viewed as the baseline moral obligation to avoid unnecessary harm to sentient beings. Conversely, it is the most you can do because completely changing personal habits drastically reduces your carbon footprint and spares hundreds of animals from suffering
Veganism is both the least you can do and the most you can do
When I googled it Google AI responded with.
Veganism is considered the least you can do because it is viewed as the baseline moral obligation to avoid unnecessary harm to sentient beings. Conversely, it is the most you can do because completely changing personal habits drastically reduces your carbon footprint and spares hundreds of animals from suffering
Lou
Forum Legend
That's right. thanks for keeping me on my toes.Just a point here Lou.
Buddhism, Taoism and Jainism do not have a supernatural deity
And yes they are considered major world religions. but some scholars and practitioners don't consider them a religion just for that reason.
OP
OP
Vegan for a week now, and I feel how I imagine religious people feel. Except that I didn’t have to believe in any falsehoods. Veganism is the one true religion!
Lou
Forum Legend
Careful. People have been burned at the stake or stoned for less.
but congrats for becoming vegan.
There again with the religion thing! Comparing a belief in virgin births, reincarnation, rising from the dead, flying horses, cosmic turtles, elephants and eternities of fire to acting in a moral, empathetic, logical manner.
Bah humbug
OP
OP
But religion is supposed to get people to act in a moral, empathetic, logical manner. The promise of heaven and the threat of hellfire are just to get people to follow the rules.There again with the religion thing! Comparing a belief in virgin births, reincarnation, rising from the dead, flying horses, cosmic turtles, elephants and eternities of fire to acting in a moral, empathetic, logical manner.
Bah humbug
Yes, but...
1. It quite obviously doesn't work.
2. The reasons why you should do those things are arbitrary and often bat-**** crazy. I mean, unless you think the world really is held up by elephants standing on a turtles back
Lou
Forum Legend
That's disc world. is there a non fictional religion that has that?I mean, unless you think the world really is held up by elephants standing on a turtles back
There are plenty of major religions that involve ridiculous stuff. Like talking snakes. you don't have to make stuff up
the idea of a religion getting people to behave better is an ideal. And I think there are plenty of examples of that happening. And there are also examples of religious vegans.
Also people behaving badly is not because of religion.
Although I also believe that good behavior is only sustainable if people have a good moral foundation and not because of threats.
Last edited:
World Turtle - Wikipedia
Well indeed. Most of them if not all of them in fact.
No, and I picked the turtle one out as it's pretty much been demoted to myth by now so not singling anyone out.
But a now very famous quote...
"With or without religion, good people can behave well and bad people can do evil; but for good people to do evil - that takes religion"
Steven Weinberg.
And whilst obviously a massive overgeneralisation it does have its roots in the truth.
...
allindogecoin
Forum Practitioner
Jainism also seems quite consistent with veganism. Here is the definition from Wikipedia: "Jainism is an ancient Indian religion that teaches the path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence (ahimsa) to all living creatures. Its core philosophy relies on three ethical pillars: nonviolence, non-absolutism (anekantavada), and non-possessiveness (aparigraha). The ultimate goal is moksha—liberation from the cycle of rebirth."Just a point here Lou.
Buddhism, Taoism and Jainism do not have a supernatural deity
I have been researching Jainism more after trying the Jain meal on a flight. The Jain meal is also a vegan meal on this plane (Qantas).
