Question for the group!!

[Guest guest]

I have been a vegetarian for 15+ years after having become very

squeamish at the sight, smell and thought of dead flesh in and

around the house and on my plate. I really developed a disgust for

a bloody mess of flesh sitting in the refrigerator, in the freezer

etc--not to mention the ethical implications of eating animals. The

entire time as a teenager, I never ever ever thought I would allow

it in my house or cook it for anyone ever again. I actually worked

in a pizza shop and had to quit because I didn't like putting meat

on pizzas and sub sandwiches. I felt hypocritical. Well, several

years ago I actually stooped to allow some of it in my house and

cooked it for the boyfriend I had at the time. I primarily did it

to keep the failing relationship afloat. The entire time, I really

felt like I was compromising my beliefs and was entirely disgusted

by the whole thing both physically, emotionally, ethically and

mentally. I have now resigned that I will never again live in a

house where there is raw meat, nor will I ever cook it again for

anyone. It just feels so wrong to me knowing that there are dead

animals in my freezer and that it is being cooked in my house. I

don't like the smell, the blood, the idea of it nor anything related

to killing animals. I guess I feel that by allowing it into my home

for other people, even though I don't eat it myself is compromising

my belief system and doesn't feel right to me.

My question for the group is what others' thoughts are on this. I

am a single girl who would one day maybe like to have a husband and

a family, but am concerned that my thoughts on this issue (among

other things) are preventing it. My friends all think I'm

unreasonable and don't understand. They think that if I have a

relationship with someone who eats meat, that I should allow them to

carry out storing, cooking and eating meat in the house. They also

think that I should allow any future children to choose what they

want to eat, including meat. My thoughts are that you raise

children to believe in the same things you do and teach them values

according to your own beliefs, but at some point they will be old

enough to make their own decisions about what to put in their own

bodies. Ideally I should find me a husband who shares these same

feelings, but I have never had a relationship with another

vegetarian and the chances of finding that ideal are not as good as

they are with someone who eats meat. What do you all think?? Am I

being unreasonable? Should I compromise my ethics here?

This is all hypothetical as I do not currently have a relationship

or children. I live alone. (If anyone knows of any single

vegetarian guys in Albuquerque, let me know!) Thanks in advance for

all your help!!

 

sheryl in albuquerque

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheryl -

 

Hang in there, and be true to yourself and to your beliefs. Millions

of vegetarians and vegans around the world feel the same way as you

do. And if you're looking to date other vegetarians or vegans then I

can recommend Veggie<http://www.veggiedate.org>.

 

Good luck,

 

Paul

 

--

[Guest guest]

Stick to your guns, Sheryl. I think it is best for you to find a

like minded person who shares the same set of values

you have in regards to the ethical treatment of animals.

Something that important to you would be a really huge

compromise in a relationship that you intend to last for

the rest of your life. If you allowed such a thing to invade

your sense of self it could become a sore spot that festers and

causes the relationship to crumble.

 

As far as children go, I think as a parent you have the

right and responsibility to raise them with your values

and ethics. When they grow up they will make their own

choices, so raising them as you see fit in the

begining is only a guide and the rest is up to them.

I think showing children a respect for animals and having

them begin life seeing animals as sentient beings instead

of food is a noble ideal.

 

~ PT ~

 

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~>

, " Sheryl " <ssarndt>

wrote:

>Should I compromise my ethics here?

> This is all hypothetical as I do not currently have a relationship

> or children. I live alone. (If anyone knows of any single

> vegetarian guys in Albuquerque, let me know!) Thanks in advance

for

> all your help!!

>

> sheryl in albuquerque

[Guest guest]

Hi sheryl,

i don't know if i shared this little tidbit on this list, but I'm

still stuck working in a fast food joint as I have been for a couple

years. This is obviously my last choice, but it is the only place

that I could find a job; I have next to no job experience, zero

social skills, and i don't graduate college until next spring. I am

a vegan. the only there i will even touch is pies, salad, and juice.

At least i do not actually have to cook the meat, but it has bothered

me that I have to pay my rent with money coming mainly from dead

animals. To alleviate my guilt I tell myself that my pay checks all

come from soda sales. And that, much to my dismay, people would be

buying burgers with or w/o my working there.

My roomate / landlord eats lots of meat and i cringe every time I

open the freezer.

 

it would be wonderful if you could find yourself a veggie guy now

wouldn't it? Anyway, if you do fall for a carnivore, I don't feel

that you should ever have to cook meat for him, he should at least

have enough respect for your beliefs that he can cook it. Actually I

had absolutely no qualms about eating meat until I met my current gf

who has been veg since she was like 5. After some debating she

actually convinced me of the flawed logic of my position and then

after trying some veggie foods i quickly gave meat up on my own (even

though I have been working at Mc Dahmer's and only ate the meat that

was free at work). This is not to say you can convert anyone, but if

you introduce a meat-eater to enough delicious veggie foods they may

actually realize that they can live w/o meat. About kids, it would

be great if you could raise your kids w/o meat, because then they

should develop a taste for healthy foods. I suppose they should have

a choice at some point in their lives, but when are little kids ever

given a choice about what to eat? it's always eat your veggies, no

soda, no candy!

 

but to answer your question, no i don't think it's hypocritical if

you date a meat-eater or have meat-eating kids or whatever.

ultimately it's a personal ethical choice just as it is whether or

not to kill people, steal, etc.

If you google, there is some online veggie dating sites (i know

there's a horrible stigma attached to dating services and meeting

dates on the net, but I've met a couple gf's this way, and well, is

it any less lame than walking up to someone in a bar with some stupid

pickup line?)

[Guest guest]

I have a cousin who's a veggie. I bet she'd love this group.

 

Jessika

 

Paul Russell <prussell wrote:

Hi Sheryl -

 

Hang in there, and be true to yourself and to your beliefs. Millions

of vegetarians and vegans around the world feel the same way as you

do. And if you're looking to date other vegetarians or vegans then I

can recommend Veggie<http://www.veggiedate.org>.

 

Good luck,

 

Paul

 

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