Guest guest Posted October 17, 2004 Report Share Posted October 17, 2004 Interesting to look at the Poll results - the one about the Major reason for being vegetarian especially. 14 votes for 'Concern for animal rights', 11 for 'Religion or personal philosophy' - and the others far fewer votes. 'Want a healthy lifestyle' got four votes. (It's message 1508 if you go to the webpage.) Now this is interesting, because it is usually assumed that 'westerners' are vegetarian for reasons of health rather than any religious reason, and while 'personal philosophy' might not be a 'religion' ;=) it does come close. Concern for animal rights is interesting. Were any of you surprised? Best, Pat ;=) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2004 Report Share Posted October 19, 2004 Pat wrote: > Interesting to look at the Poll results - the one about the Major reason for > being vegetarian especially. 14 votes for 'Concern for animal rights', 11 for > 'Religion or personal philosophy' - and the others far fewer votes. 'Want a > healthy lifestyle' got four votes. (It's message 1508 if you go to the webpage.) > > Now this is interesting, because it is usually assumed that 'westerners' are > vegetarian for reasons of health rather than any religious reason, and while > 'personal philosophy' might not be a 'religion' ;=) it does come close. Concern > for animal rights is interesting. > > Were any of you surprised? Not surprised, interested certainly. I suppose nowadays there are so many different health considerations and a vegetarian diet is just one possible approach. I think once having started on the vegetarian " track " other reasons come naturally - my original interest was partly socio-economic (more efficient to serve the grain directly to the consumer rather than passing it through a beast) plus preferred taste - when I came here and sought contact with other vegetarians I met up with a spiritual group which included vegetarianism as one of their principles, and over the years the spiritual aspect has become the " major reason " . Agreed this motive is more common in the East though does appear in the western gnostic tradition (Rosicrucians etc.) - I suppose I've evolved a personal philosophy which owes something to the Buddhist Eightfold Path with phrases like " compassion and charity towards all sentient beings " . Which of course might lead to veganism but I haven't taken that step yet! Wonder what other " personal philosophies " play a role in making this choice in the poll. Piers PS I didn't vote for animal rights - like the principle but not the term! Animals have a lot of characteristics in common with humans but I can't thinking of them having " rights " in the way we might have (and sometimes don't). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2004 Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 Animals rights is such a powered and negative term these days... I don't consider myself an " animal rights " person but I do see the similarity in the pets I love and share my life with and the food people eat. Chicken on a plate and my parrots..lamb and puppies.. look the same.... is the same I have a house bunny and my coworker speak of eating her a lot.... How can I love this animal and eat this one ..but then I have a leather jacket.... so it is not a logical thing but an emotion thing Just WHAT works for me and I think everyone has to decide what works for them... I never tell any one what to do.. .... My Birds legs ARE DRUMSTICKS..I can't eat them ...... It is what works for me. Plus I feel like the planet can only feed so many folks,,,,,more goodness..... > PS I didn't vote for animal rights - like the principle but not the term! > Animals have a lot of characteristics in common with humans but I can't > thinking of them having " rights " in the way we might have (and sometimes > don't). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2004 Report Share Posted October 22, 2004 Hi Gabriele ;=) Nice to have you here! I hope it's okay if I use your nice email to respond not only to you personally but also to give some ideas of my own that others might find relevant. It's a great starting point for so many things - thanks! > Animals rights is such a powered and negative term these days... Yes, sad, isn't it, that some people think so. But fortunately not everyone ;=) However, I think too that it depends on where you are located - geographically and politically and culturally. > I don't consider myself an " animal rights " person . . . Oh, labels are so narrowing of one's identity, don't you think. Total sympathy with you there! But of course one can wear many labels, all compatible ;=) Perhaps animal 'welfare' might suit you better - or 'concern for animals' ? Or perhaps you are simply sentimental about your pets, as you say below. Whatever, you don't eat them! I know in the poll some people felt that I should have put in more 'or's - but I figure if people want to they can find a category that *best* describes their reasons and letter-of-the-law negative interpretations generally suggest more than a care for semantics. And there is always, in nearly every poll, the famous 'other' category - amazing more people don't use it! LOL >but I do see the similarity in the pets I love and share my life with and the food people eat.. . . I have a house bunny and my coworker speak of eating her a lot.... I wonder why that is considered so damned funny. What a very cruel colleague you have :=( > How can I love this animal and eat this one . . . >Plus I feel like the planet can only feed so many folks,,,, All good reasons to be vegetarian ;=) You'll not get any arguments against vegetarianism here! You are, as they say, preaching to the choir ;=) (We do have some not-yet-vegetarians on the list, but all are sympathetic to vegetarianism or they wouldn't choose to be here, of course ;=)) But of course the *reason* for vegetarianism differs with some people. The result is still the same, however - fewer animals get killed for food, our health is improved by eating a blanaced and healthy diet more suited to our species and, for those who are vegetarian for religious or philosophical reasons, their principles are adhered to. Anyway, thanks a bunch for writing in. I'll look forward to chatting with you later! Best, Pat ;=) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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