Why insult people who eat meat?

Question

After reading many of the questions posted here I am offended by what certain extreme vegans say about people who eat meat.
If you are a vegetarian or vegan, what are your views about the rediculous things that extreme vegans say? Do you think they are giving vegans a bad name?

One of the replies below assumes that I don't like vegans, I would just like to say that this is not true. A person's diet is not a factor in whether I like them or not.

I'm sorry if you object to the phrase 'extreme vegan' I couldn't think of a better way to put it.

Answer 1

Everyone is entitled to an opinion...but just like everything there are people who will take things too far and insult people. I'm a vegetarian but my daughter and husband aren't, i prepare meat dishes for them every night. its my choice to be a vegetarian and i don't want to force my views on everyone else! each to their own!

Answer 2

I am a vegan, and I've never had any choice about it as I am allergic to animal proteins. I understand what you say, but unfortunately people always feel the need to insult someone who is different. I have never understood why people cannot just let each other be. Yes I have noticed that many vegans and vegetarians, especially those who have become vegan for ethical reasons because they believe that animals should not be treated cruelly are insulting towards meat eaters - but that is because of their beliefs - a bit like religion I suppose. It works both ways too. If someone puts up a question about where they can get vegan foods there will always be replies about how stupid they are, and how they should 'get over it', and 'just eat meat'. Those meat eaters don't seem to get that there are many reasons for being vegan - beliefs, allergies not just dislike. If vegans who are disparaging about meat eaters are offensive and give a bad name, unfortunately many meat eaters are just as ridiculous and narrow minded.

Answer 3

I'm not a vegetarian but I've stopped eating certain meats because of moral reasons. I think that extreme vegans should accept the fact that people eat meat, and nothing is going to change that. They are giving vegans a bad name because a lot of people will start thinking that all vegans are like that, when they aren't. Live and let live.

Answer 4

There are extremists on both sides of every issue out there, and veganism vs. meat eating is no exception. I'm vegan, and as far as I'm concerned, what I do and don't choose to eat is up to me, and the same goes to anyone who chooses to eat animal products. I understand that some people become curious, and will question how the "other half" live, but the ranting and accusations and hating because of a person's lifestyle choices is ridiculous. To me, it's great if someone really believes in the benefits of veganism, but you're not going to convince anyone that you're right, or that your beliefs are legit by tearing them apart. Perhaps using animals for food is unnecessary, but so is hatred. I think the extremists just have to find a balance.

Answer 5

I don't and never have had a problem with meat eaters. I grew up eating it. My only problem is that ALOT of meat eaters come onto our site and give us a bad time. You don't see us going into the flesh eating side and starting problems...for what reason they just seem to like to come here and cause problems....and it's those people I can't stand. I don't brag or even mention that I don't eat meat yet they see a question about vegetarians and immediately say ... I can't wait to eat a bloody steak and on and on....we have great knowledge on the benefits of not eating meat. I think that meat eaters should stay away from us if they can't be civil...I also feel that vegetarians/vegans should stay off the meat eating site and mind their own business also...some vegans/vegetarians try and make us to appear to be special and perfect because we don't eat meat but the only thing I feel is healthy...no special about it.

Answer 6

I am so sick of people - vege or not - telling other people what to eat. As a vegetarian and a person with diabetes I was bullied all the time at school for it - you'd think that attitudes would change when you're among adults but they don't and I regularly get "this is so fine, don't you wish you ate meat?" etc. I think that the attitude of the minority of veges and vegans that they should tell people what to eat has a lot to do with the attitude of meat eaters and although I would never tell anyone else what to eat I have to constantly endure them telling me what to eat. Despite that I don't think that an end to those who are giving us a bad name is going to help too much because the opinions of meat eaters will take a long time to change but it would probably help!

Answer 7

I think it's as weird and indefensible as people who attack and insult vegetarians. The only time I might consider having a go at people for eating meat is when they're really, really squeamish about where meat comes from, handling raw meat etc, feeling sorry for the 'poor ickle aminals' etc. but continue eating meat anyway. And then I'm not having a go at them for eating meat, but for being a hypocrite and foolish enough to keep banging on about it.
And yes, I do think they give vegetarians and vegans a bad name, as people remember those negative experiences more than the positive ones.
To each their own, I say. I expect people to respect my choice to be a vegetarian, and I can't expect that respect if I don't respect everyone else's choice to be omnivorous, vegetarian, vegan or whatever else.

Answer 8

I am a vegetarian.

being a vegetarian / vegan is a personal choice - whatever the reason.

all my friends eat meat and I dont mind or take it against them. I also try to avoid being provocated into the veg vs nonveg argument which i get all the time for being a veg.

vegetarians and vegans should accept the fact that the people wont stop eating meat, however by choosing not to eat meat, you are making a difference.

i agree with you that vegetarians or vegans should not slag off meat eaters - it is a personal choice - you made your choice - now leave the others alone....

Answer 9

The way animals are treated and exploited and violented all their life long make me think of concentration camps...They're even worse, cause everyone takes part in it, and they absolutely DONT GIVE A **** about the consequences, of the cruelty and violence behind it...
Meat eaters that are looking down proudly on people who have respect for life (and not only HUMAN life!) appear to me like nazis.
That's all they are. Some people dont know anything about what's behind meat and dairy (of course, the meat and dairy lobbies are so huge and powerful, you rarely see shocking footages on TV when there is a big audience!), and some people know and just laugh...It's so dismaying...
People who think that they are worth the deaths of millions of innocent animals should'nt even have been born. They only take advantage of their "super human" position. A rather ridiculous one, that is to say. And then they cope and have kids and spread the "no sensitivity at all" disease. What a sad world.
A vegan is not extreme. He only has an extreme respect for Life. Vegans are saints!

Answer 10

I don't eat any form of meat but I certainly wouldn't foist my views on anyone else, in the same way I wouldn't force people to listen to my views on say, religion or politics. It's entirely an individual's choice if they eat meat or not - personally I consider a vegetarian diet (or one that isn't based on meat every day) to be a healthy choice and I know that many of my meat-eating friends are cutting down on the amount of meat they eat, simply because of the health issues. Eat what you want, but eat the right things and look after your body!

Answer 11

I used to hate it when people would ask silly questions about my vegetarian diet. They would treat me like I was a strange weardo or that I was an extremist and I was preaching the subject, when they were the ones that brought it up! I would never say anything about what they were eating! I never really understood, but I think that is the reason people comment on vegges, they don't understand! It is a little small minded to comment on someone's food ( meat or non- meat) unless you have something nice to say!