Why do people eat meat and say they love animals and the environment?

Question

I often see people eating a hamburger in their SUV which is adorned with Sierra Club and SPCA bumper stickers. We no longer need meat as a source of protein and most people are fully aware that animal abuse in factory farms is very common. Foods like hamburgers and hot dogs promote diabetes and obesity and are terrible for our health in general. I equate putting pepperoni on a pizza to killing an animal for fun and for taste. We also know that it takes 15lbs of grain to make 1lb of beef so we cannot use the excuse that plants also have feelings as a vegetarian diet is even less harmful for plants in general. We now know that raising cattle is terrible for the environment and is on par with automobiles as a source of pollution. So why do people eat meat and say they care about animals and the environment?

http://www.veganoutreach.org/whyvegan/
http://www.newstarget.com/021296.html
http://www.kfccruelty.com/
http://www.all-creatures.org/cva/
http://www.all-creatures.org

Answer 1

Please be patient with these people. Educate them and get them to try soy products. I am currently weaning myself from meat products and moving to soy. I often thought about that even driving a car how can people who say they love animals and even drive cars? We can, just have to move to enviromentally friendly cars. Don't give up do your best and teach by example.

Answer 2

I most definitely understand where you are coming from. I have been a vegetarian for two years in February and it's because I cannot stand the idea of murdering an animal for it's meat. I mean if you have to it's alright I guess as long as you give thanks to the animal who died to keep you alive and don't waste any of the parts.

Like for instance I understand why Native Americans killed buffalo to survive, but what I do not understand is hunters (white men and women) going out and killing a deer just so the can put the head up on their wall, that pisses me off. Again Native Americans have so much more respect for our Earth.

I feel that some of the people that have replied to this question are stupid. You were right to pose this question it was a good one. Don't let those morons who keep saying this question was pointless and vegetarians are dumb get you down.

Besides, when they get mad cow disease or avian flu and die, we can point and laugh because we didn't eat meat and they did. I know I'll feel better! Won't you!?!?! LOL

Answer 3

Vegetable protein is not the same as animal protein. It does not adequately substitute. That said, there is far too much meat protein being consumed as well. Killing for fun and killing for food are actually related. The trhill of the hunt is a natural drive that fuels our need to eat. The sex drive fuels our need to reproduce in much the same way. It is actually possible to care about the earth and the environment while eating a hamburger and there are far more humane groups then the S.P.C.A. hot dogs and hamburgers do not promote diabetes or obesity. These are conditions that are the result of overeating and it is possible to overeat on a stitcktly vegan diet.

Answer 4

Self-preservation. We need to eat to survive so our needs and desires always come first. Eating meat is not equated with hating animals. I love animals, I rescue animals, I donate to animals shelters, but I need to eat. I'm not eating cats, dogs, or endangered species, so relax.

You say "Raising cattle is terrible for the environment and is on par with automobiles as a source of pollution". What? Is that based on the government's well know study on cows emissions (aka Farts) in the 90's?

Answer 5

I have wondered this, too, and I feel the same way. I eat meat, but I would love not to, because I always know what the animals went through. I have tried vegetarianism as well and I guess I have low willpower or something because I couldn't do it long.
I think, and sencerely believe if I had to slaughter my own meat I would HAVE to be vegetarian because I don't think I could do it. People are far removed (most of us) from what happens in slaughterhouses, and therefore don't have a clue.

Answer 6

well humans need the nutrition from the meat just because we eat animals doesn't mean we don't like them but there are vegetarians out there for that reason. i myself hate the fact that they keep calf's in little cages so they cant move so that they are more tender but allot of people don't care out there. sorry

Answer 7

cats and dogs eat meat, and they also are a part of the environment and love the environment...and i am a tree hugger, a meat eating tree hugger, you vegans need desperatly to get over your judgemental intollerant cheap selves and join the real world...continue your vegetarian diet, if that pleases you it pleases me, but do not dare to assume i am evil ignorant or unloving because i enjoy a good prime rib from time to time.

Answer 8

i agree with SD, i wish i could quit, but haven't been able to. my husband says he would like to buy a farm, and have some cows, pigs etc.. but i refuse because i couldn't eat an animal i "know".
i know it sounds stupid, but i cant kill an animal, not even to feed my self. i do love animals, but i will only eat the ones available at the supermarket, since they are already there anyway.

Answer 9

true we don't need meat, but it's protein and muscle, and it's possible to love all animals, environment, and meat. i love all of them, however you do have a point, that it's bad for the environment, but im just gonna stay neutral, and not take sides :)

Answer 10

because the Bible says that it's ok to eat meat.. and who loves the environment more than God?