Vegetarians, Vegans: is it okay to wear leather?

Question

A lot of vegitarians I know talk endlessly (and self-riteously) about animal rights, yet wear leather shoes, hats, belts, jackets, etc. Isn't far worse to use an animal for adornment, rather than nourishment? What's with the hypocrisy?

I know very well the difference between vegetarians and vegans. I'm speaking specifically about those that do it for cruelty to animal issues, yet wear REAL leather. I know quite a few who do this, wondering if it's that prevalant among veg./vegans as a whole.

movie watcher: you obviously didn't read the question well. I'm sure everyone would appreciate your answers more if you actually paid attention to the question.

Answer 1

At the slaughterhouse, more horrors await. A Washington Post investigation found that animals are routinely skinned and dismembered while they are still alive. Some examples: According to the Post, federal inspectors found live cattle dangling from an overhead chain at a plant in Texas. Videotape from another plant shows hogs kicking and squealing as they are lowered into a tank of scalding water, which is used to soften their skin.


You know, I had never thought about that...I just looked into a site to see if animals were treated cruel for their skin and they are. Personally I don't have real leather because I don't want to pay that price....but now that I see they are treated just as bad as they are for food consumption...no maam I won't wear it or buy a car that is lined in it again....thanks for opening my eyes to another world...so yes, it is hypocrisy...



http://www.cowsarecool.com/faq.asp

Answer 2

You understand that leather is cow skin yes? And that there are some vegan groups that will throw blood on you if you should pass them in the street wearing it? Yeh, vegetarians tend not to wear leather.

Answer 3

As far as I know there is a difference between vegetarians and vegans. You may wanna google to learn the difference. Personally I have never ever seen a vegan wearing real leather. If they did, they are just a wanna be someone who is just trying to eat healthier.

Answer 4

I would place bets that what you perceive as "leather" is actually vinyl/man made. Some products look very much like the real thing. I am not a vegan, yet as long as I've been a vegetarian I've been wearing non-leather products and I think a lot of vegetarians are the same, but definitely all or most vegans. And before you judge these ppl for wearing leather (if they do...), leather is a product made from the remnants of the meat industry. Have you ever tried finding good, fashionable non-leather shoes and belts? A few years ago it was next to impossible, and in some areas of the world I would guess it's still that way. Even with more vinyl products out there, vegetarians and vegans have to make the sacrifice of principles over fashion and sometimes that's a very difficult decision. Almost all hiking boots have some sort of leather, as with army boots etc. I think you should try to look past what you see as "self-righteous" and applaud ppl who are making real sacrifices in their lives for the betterment of the planet and all its lifeforms. They might not be perfect, but then again a lot of religious ppl commit sins every once in a while. Does it make them hypocrites or less religious? In a perfect world there wouldn't be a meat industry and all materials would be natural or man made, but until then some of us just have to make do and give what we can to the cause. Do you go around accusing all your Catholic, Protestant, Jewish friends of not following their religions to the letter? If you feel any of these ppl are trying to force their views on you, please have a conversation with them and explain how uncomfortable it makes you feel. If they're decent human beings, they will respect your feelings. However, if these ppl are merely explaining why they don't eat certain things when asked (or when offered food), then I don't believe you have the right to expect them to stay silent for your sake.

PS - if you know for a FACT that it is real leather they're wearing, then you obviously had a conversation with them about it... unless you were stalking them while they were out shopping. What did they say? I really think you should discuss it with THEM b/c they are the only ones who can explain their personal views and reasoning. I certainly can't speak for them. In my mind I would consider them hypocrites if they are vegetarians for animal rights purposes and still wear leather, but are you saying you're not a hypocrite about anything? Do you love animals? Do you eat them? I'm sure there are several hypocrisies in your own life, as with everyone on this planet. In actual fact, most vegetarians and vegans turn to the lifestyle b/c they don't want to be hypocrites anymore, including myself.

Answer 5

I'm a vegan and have been for 18 years. Since I do not eat animals or recieve vaccinations from animal sources, I also do not wear animals. I don't wear silk, wool, fur, or any leather. I would never wear leather. I wouln't wear the skin of another human, and I feel the same way about wearing the skin of another animal. To me, it's all the same.

Answer 6

u should check out the dictionary, there is a difference between vegetarian and vegan. Eating greens does not mean that the person cannot wear leather stuff. same goes to a person who does not wear leather stuff does not mean that he/she is a vegetarian. I know of friends who are vegetarians due to health problem but wear leather stuff.

Answer 7

I think that is stupid that they believe one thing but do the other

I am a vegetarian but I don't wear leather or fur etc.. for that reason.

Answer 8

You are assuming that all vegetarians/vegans do it for their beliefs. I don't. I just don't like meat too much. I'd rather eat a carrot than knaw on a hunk of meat and have it rot in my stomach. Haha. *Just my perspective*

But I understand what you mean about the leather thing. That would be really hypocritical if someone who claimed to be a vegetarian/vegan didn't protest the use of animal made products, or even worse owned them! I would agree that it is better to use animals for nourishment than for decoration.

Answer 9

Okay so I've often wondered the same thing! My cousin is a vegetarian do to the mistreatment of animals so she also boycotts leather and fur. Great, she's being consistent and sticking to her guns. At the same time I see other vegetarians who eat the way they do for the same reasons (animal cruelty) walking around in suede boots and driving their leather lined SUV's...

Answer 10

Animals are killed primarily for meat. Using up the leftover parts does not cause anymore death and suffering than discarding the leather, etc.

BTW there are many more reasons for being vegetarian than a concern for animal rights - it's healthier and veggie food just plain tastes cleaner and better. So don't accuse anyone of hypocrisy if you don't understand their motives.