views of a vegetarian :D
By Stephan
@stk40m (1119)
Koeln, Germany
February 11, 2011 5:24pm CST
About two years ago (dunno exactly when I really started) I became a vegetarian. So I ate meat like most people before. And to all meat eaters: I liked the taste of it, especially chicken. Anyway, eating meat is no more and I'm happy about that, personally.
but from a philosophical or perhaps even ethical point of view I'd like to share a few thoughts of mine with ya.
If I look at plants and their fruits they clearly ''tell me'' that I should eat them, e.g. by their colors, their smell or their appearance. They virtually offer their fruits to us. The ''hope'' is that their seeds (which are usually in the fruits) are carried to another place where there can sprout new plants. Now, if I look at an animal and I think: ''hey, I'd like to eat that'' the animal will probably take notice and try to run away or hide. So it's not the same as with plants. The animal doesn't offer itself for eating. It ''tells me'': please don't!
what is your view ? Does this make any sense to you ? Probably - if you are not vegetarian it won't make much sense. But then again you might want to think again and recognize that we usually don't see the animal being killed that finally ends up in our stomach. What we see is the tasty red/ pink chunks of meat in the supermarket or in the butcher shop. We don't see the act of killing and we don't see the suffering. It's like with the plants that offer us their fruits with the plants replaced by the display / shelf and the fruits replaced by juicy chunks or slices of meat.
4 people like this
15 responses
@LaDeBoheme (2004)
• United States
12 Feb 11
Years ago when man survived by hunting, many different peoples had the custom of thanking the animal's spirit for giving up its life for them to survive. Of course, during the very early times, no part of an animal went unused. Food, and hide for warmth and shelter, bones for tools, sinew for rope and string. People were very resourceful and no part of an animal was wasted.
I have not eaten red meat for 20+ years and I can appreciate your POV, but I don't look at it the same way. There is and always has been a food chain. Big fish eat little fish. Lions hunt and eat elk. Mother Nature. Survival.
Let me ask you, do you still wear leather? Please note, I am not condemning anyone for doing so, I wear leather. I am just curious if you look at an animal and it tells you, "I don't want to be worn on your feet?"
1 person likes this
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
12 Feb 11
nothing to object with the food chain LaDeBoheme. I agree, that's nature. But as a human I'm able to evaluate and judge what I do. Animals hunt because their instinct tells them to although I am not even sure if SOME animals don't feel at least some compassion for their prey. Plus we have another advantage: we don't need to eat meat.
as for shoes and other clothing I check if it's real or artificial leather.
quote ''prehistoric hunters. Their ways of killing an animal were definitely more savage than today''
I agree with the spiritual side but are you certain about their way of killing having been (in general) more savage? Please take a look again at how animals are treated nowadays (not always but often). Sometimes the brutality is unimaginable. Plus there are still 'primitive' hunters in the world today (e.g. in Siberia). I've seen on TV how they kill an animal. They did it without making the animal cry by simply cutting their carotid. The animal becomes unconscious and that is that.
@rabblerouser (136)
• South Africa
13 Feb 11
very strange , I was wondering during the week if there any veggies out there and what do you know , there many out there ...i feel energized !!!!..,,, cool outstanding :) ....meat is meat ...it's going to a long while for it go through a person digestive system ...by then it is causing all kinds of havoc
@veganbliss (3895)
• Adelaide, Australia
14 Feb 11
Pre-historic people did not all eat meat. Most of the evidence we have found suggests that hunting only took place in climate-adverse regions & that hunters were nomadic people & not very well developed. Recorded history shows us that since earliest times, man was purely vegan & many remained so down through the ages. These were truly great people as has been frequently noted.
As for the food chain argument, there's nothing anywhere that says man should kill animals to eat. Animals were meant to be our friends & companions from the beginning. This food chain isn't even a chain at all. If it were so, then we'd be eating the animals that ate other animals! Man was put on this earth for just two purposes; to know God (which ever way you wish to define that) & to bless this earth. Murdering animals who did us no wrong does not come under either of those categories. We cannot give them life, so have no right to take it. Animals have their purpose; we have ours. We should live in the human standard, not copy animals.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
12 Feb 11
Although I'm a meat eater, I don't eat as much as I used to because of increasing food costs. You mentioned about not eating meat, but what about any animal-based products? Did you find it hard to become a vegetarian? Where you ever tempted to eat meat again?
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
12 Feb 11
Im not being angry or difficult, but what about protein? I've heard that sometimes long-term vegans suffer other health problems because they can't (or don't know how) to replace certain nutrients found in animal-based products.
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
12 Feb 11
in the beginning I was tempted because I was used to it. But each time that happened those pictures I had seen before came to mind and my new conviction immediately and without any effort canceled my desire. Now it is the opposite: I know the taste of meat (from the past) but I don't like it anymore. Not because of the ethical issues but simply because I don't feel the desire to eat it. Betimes the smell of meat even nauseates me.
unfortunately many products you buy in the supermarket and which you wouldn't have thought to contain animal products do contain them. Gelatine is the 'worst' thing, it's in so many products where it could easily be replaced by other vegetable gelling agents...
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
12 Feb 11
you don't have to worry about proteins if you make sure you consume all proteins necessary. Soya beans for example contain all essential proteins as you can read here:
http://faq.aces.uiuc.edu/faq.pdl?project_id=5&faq_id=74
so unless you're allergic against soya it's a good protein source. I haven't digged the net but I think that a combination of certain cereals may also provide you with the essential proteins.
In the beginning I wasn't aware of the protein necessity and so my physical performance was reduced a bit. I only noticed the reduction because I do a bit of serious sport. But as soon as I realized it I checked what to do and now my protein demand is more than satisfied. I'm back a 100% again and I feel really fine. Haven't been ill so often btw ever since I became vegetarian. I was quite often ill before that - no lie.
The main problem (at least that's the scientific standpoint, I can neither confirm or deny what they say as I'm only a vegetarian) with vegan lifestyle is the lack or insufficient availability of vitamin B12 in vegetables and fruits. A small percentage may be found in those products but according to scientists it is too little. Again, I remember a recent debate in the scientific community about the necessity of certain vitamins and their recommended amounts especially when it comes to artificially manufactured vitamins. So as a non-scientist and a non-vegan I cannot really evalutate this issue.
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
12 Feb 11
I know exactly what you mean, I was brought up on meat, meat at every meal but I love animals so much I can't now eat the meat knowing where it came from and what that poor animal went through...I just can not stand the thought of the killing where as you say the fruit and vegetables do seem to be offering us their fruits....I like how you have put your opinion...nice.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71666)
• United States
12 Feb 11
Wow thats one of the best descriptions I've read to explain the difference between eating meat and eating vegetables or fruits. I feel the exact same way. I am an ethical vegetarian. I have been one since I was 7 so I've been a vegetarian for 20 years. I think the way you wrote this was really beautiful. I could never look at an animal and salivate with hunger. I look at them and think how sweet they are. But I do look at fruits and crave them because I know I can take them right off the bush and eat them and know how they taste. But an animal you have to rip their skin off and cut off the meat and cook it. Its not very natural. I'm not saying that its wrong for everyone but its wrong for me.
@jdyrj777 (6530)
• United States
14 Feb 11
It makes sence to me. Im also a vegetarian, not veggan. My reasons ar purely scriptural. In the beginning we were given plants to eat. Later it expanded to meats. I believe that as it was in the beginning so shall it be in the end. So one day it will be only veggan again. I do consum dairy, seafood and chicken. Fish has escentual oils that our heart and brain need. Omega3. I guess there are other ways to get them but i dont know where right now. But like i said i do believe we all will be veggans once again.
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
14 Feb 11
if you eat chicken you are not a vegetarian, sorry! If you leave it out you'll be a pescetarian (you still eat fish). If you also leave out fish then yes, you'll have made it :-) It isn't difficult but of course it's your choice.
find out more about omega 3 fatty acid here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
15 Feb 11
nope. Check the definition of vegetarian. If you still don't see it I can't help you.
quote wiki ''A vegetarian does not eat meat, including game, poultry, fish, crustacea and shellfish, and may also abstain from by-products of animal slaughter such as animal-derived rennet and gelatin.''
You are not a vegetarian. A vegan is a person who in addition also abstains from dairy products and eggs.
1 person likes this
@chayapathys (2111)
• India
12 Feb 11
I do not how far I am competent to post any response to this discusssion because I was never nonvegetarian.I belong to the priestly class of southIndia called Brahmins in which even eating egg is a taboo.I often think that there is nothing wrong in eating nonvegetarian food so long as one likes it.Most of us do not share a table where nonvetetarians take meat.I wonder whether there is taste in raw meat without any spices added to that and cooked.If the same spices are added to the vegetables and cooked is there any difference?.I do not know.One thing is certain that vegetarian owe their very existence to nonvetarians in that if they do not cut and eat animals the animals would grow in number and eat away all the vegetation denying food for vegetarians.Another interesting thing I noticed is that the nonvetarians eat only those animals which are vetarians by themselves.Is it not...?
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
12 Feb 11
I don't think that the number of animals would grow so much in number that we wouldn't have enough vegetable and fruits to eat. We can build fences for example to avoid animals from 'stealing' our food or we can set up scarecrows in case birds are 'threatening' it. I believe in self-regulation of nature (as long as nature is intact, which isn't the case in many places of the world). This self-regulation includes animals eating other animals but is not limited to that. I think that even animals have an awareness of how much food is available and hence adapt their behavior of reproduction. We share this planet with all the other animals. Thus, imo, we should also share with them the food (i.e. vegetables and fruits of course in case of vegetariens) which this planet offers.
@chayapathys (2111)
• India
16 Feb 11
Please excuse me. I am unable to follow when You say I should take closer look at my culture.What you mean by that? I am personally humiliated at the remark that I should take a closer look my culture.I am hurt...
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Feb 11
I don't know but if you feel that fruits literally tell you to eat them why is it that animals do not. Fish come flipping up through the air from the water as if to see 'Hey here I am come and eat me!' What about that. Vegetables and fruits just lay there. Pretty and all but just laying their ripening and then fall when they are fully ripe.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
12 Feb 11
I think it is safe to say that fish do not intend of having themselves eaten. That is not why they jump out of the water! 
@mysticmaggie (2498)
• United States
13 Feb 11
I go by the scroll sent down from heaven telling us which foods to eat. Meat was big on the list, along with the types, so I eat meat, veggies, and fruits and enjoy all of them.
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
13 Feb 11
Well, I want to say that those animals. Was given by God to us to eat. They are classified with their own category and God tell us also what to eat and what we don't eat.
Eating vegetable is far much better than eating meat always. I like to eat more vegetable than meat
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
12 Feb 11
What you are telling is true, and I would agree with you. I am not a vegetarian, so I would very much like to eat meat too. It is really controversial, but within our human society, majority of us already eat meats for over couple of thousands years. So we just custom to it. We won't intend to change it because we thought it is unethical to eat runaway animals.
@ANIME123 (2466)
• United States
12 Feb 11
I once tried to be a vegetarian, but it's really hard because well I love how meat tastes and I don't plan on giving that up anymore that's just what I chose. Fruits and vegetables are ok, but they don't exactly fill my tummy because I still feel hungry. I guess when I was trying to be a vegetarian I got sick because my body was not used to it and I felt really weak, so I don't really plan on trying that again. Everybody has a choice to make wheter it be fruits and veggies or meat. Chicken is also my favorite of all meats just talking about this right now is making me hungry. Meat is here for us because it was put here for us so that our bodies can become stronger. Sure it is horrible when animals are killed, but that's how some people survive. Like my grandpa and grandma they have a farm so they produce their own food.
It really is hard work to run a farm it's no easy task. They also grow fruits and veggies. SO yeah I don't think my body would be able to take it again if I tried to be a vegetarian because I always feel sick and I throw up and it's just a horrible site. So I will continue to eat meat and some fruits and veggies because I need all those to remain healthy other wise I wouldn't be able to lift many things or get things done around the house. We all have a choice in what to eat and that's great.
It really is hard work to run a farm it's no easy task. They also grow fruits and veggies. SO yeah I don't think my body would be able to take it again if I tried to be a vegetarian because I always feel sick and I throw up and it's just a horrible site. So I will continue to eat meat and some fruits and veggies because I need all those to remain healthy other wise I wouldn't be able to lift many things or get things done around the house. We all have a choice in what to eat and that's great.@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
13 Feb 11
all the proteins you need for your muscles is also contained in certain plants like soya and cereals. It's easy to consume the quantities you need, it's not that you would have to eat tons of it to yield the same results as with meat. Look, there are body builders which are not only vegetarians but even vegans...
personally I know what I'm talking about as I do some serious sport and my performance is just like it was before.
As for becoming sick that may be due to allergic reactions to certain stuff. But you can be allergic to everything nowadays. Cause is low immunity in an industrialized world I suppose.
So it all comes down to if you can abstain from meat or not. Can you sacrifice it for the well-being of animals ? That's the crucial question, usually it's not your health.
@goodhunter (334)
•
12 Feb 11
Hi. I consider myself as a semi vegetarian because I seldom eat meat. I prefer eating vegetables rather than meat. I know what you mean when you said that plants are often happy when you eat their fruits with the chance of their seeds being propagated. But I was just wondering what on the other hand what the vegetables that where eaten not for their fruits but as a whole like cabbage what they were thinking when they where uprooted? Just wondering.
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
13 Feb 11
goodhunter. Plants don't think - they are plants, you know? So the point is that they don't suffer. When I said they 'offer' us their fruits I meant it in the way that they adapted in the sense that they yield the best results in reproduction by that. Some plants, including cabbage need human care to service us as food as they would not taste very well if they would grow with no care. To receive good quality cabbage you need to choose the best ones and plant them the next time keeping to certain rules of cultivation. You could also call this a vegetable/ human symbiosis. Both mutually need each other to achieve the best results. The plant/ animal symbiosis is very widespread. It's a cycle that should not be broken. There's no such animal/ human symbiosis. Pets are a different story (mostly of breed).
@blago1989 (102)
• Bulgaria
15 Feb 11
When I eat meat, I don't think that I eat a part of killed animal. For me this approach is right.
@blago1989 (102)
• Bulgaria
15 Feb 11
I am against vegetarianity! I like vegetables and fruits really very very much but I cant imagine to live without meat, cheese, milk for example. So I am not agree with you.
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
15 Feb 11
question: do you even know what it is you don't agree with me? If you don't want to be a vegetarian, that's your choice. This dicussion is not meant to change other people's life-styles (although if people want to become vegetarian I have no problem with that of course :-)). It's about the philosophy that's behind vegetarianism.
@meditated1 (238)
• United States
12 Feb 11
I eat a mostly vegetarian diet but not because of some philosophical ideal, but because I feel better eating natural and healthy food. Do you really think the animals are suffering? I believe that they enjoy dieing and being used for energy for our bodies. I believe that people that see that suffering within things is already imagining that it would hurt that animal, projecting thoughts of pain and discomfort. Meat is natural just like plants. Plants actually have cellular reactions to being killed and choped down. So are they suffering? No, because we as human beings believe that they are here to fuel our minds, bodies and souls.
