The movement is torn between upholding a strict posture against the consumption of living beings and incorporating people with a plant-based diet who have the odd piece of cheese
The article concludes with, "According to Leenaert, we must take into account the effect that our behavior has on others. The more veganism is presented as doable and fun, rather than strict and complicated, the more people will try to be vegan, he says. “And if someone finds it difficult to follow this diet, then make an exception,” he says by videoconference from the Belgian city. “If we allow exceptions, people will want to try it. It’s that simple.”
The movement is torn between upholding a strict posture against the consumption of living beings and incorporating people with a plant-based diet who have the odd piece of cheese
english.elpais.com
I think "veganism" or being a "vegan" needs to be kept fairly pure.
As many others have stated, I applaud anyone just reducing their use of animal products. It's a start.
But if you compare to any other philosophy then allowing "wiggle-room" sounds nuts.
I mean.
"I'm completely non-violent 29 days a month, but I do enjoy beating on my partner every now and then as a treat"
or
"Yeah, I don't agree with slavery, but we do keep Jethro on to look after the barn. We treat him well. He's like a family member"
or
"I'm all for equal rights, I have a gay friend, but those trans people are just confused"
None of those sound any better than
"I don't eat animals, use their skin or secretions because they go through hell for the sake of our taste-buds, but if offered I'll take a piece of cake - Wouldn't want to be rude to Auntie Gladys."
In the end it's a moral position. If you think stealing is wrong...don't steal. If you think rape is wrong...don't rape. If you think killing and eating or wearing animals when there is an alternative...don't do it.
Sure, you can make a "mistake". But if that mistake is a regular occurrence...you ain't vegan. What you are is probably better, morally than 90% of the population, but why sully the term?
I'm not gonna call myself an athlete because I go to the gym and run the occasional 10K.
Where I have a small disagreement is only with the word "exploit".
We exploit bees to grow many crops.
We exploit dogs and cats for company and service animals.
And honestly, done right, I don't have a personal issue with it (hence no "vegan" in my profile)