why do people eat meat................................?

Question

hi i am born a vegetarian. never tasted any sort of meat product. my question is why do people eat meat products and don't u feel ashamed that u r killing a living thing for ur own pleasure??? i mean to say that animals (big or small) feel pain too.

Answer 1

From the first three answers it looks like people do it because they just don't care.

Answer 2

I read an interesting book:

Beyond Beef: The Rise and Fall of the Cattle Culture by Jeremy Rifkin 1992

Here's another interesting book:

The Heretic's Feast: History of Vegetarianism by Colin Spencer
Updated and published as "Vegetarianism: A History" in March 2001

Answer 3

Just as you were raised vegetarian, some of us were raised meat eaters. There have been many times that I've considered going veggie, but haven't done it. In fact, my husband did an experiment for a class at school where he went veggie for a week and he said he felt MUCH better.
I do, however, refuse to eat veal. I agree with you that the way animals are "processed" for consumption is cruel in a lot of cases. Maybe more education on vegetarian eating would help, when my husband did his week long stint, we really ran out of recipes.......salad 3 times a day gets really old........and he has cholesterol issues so pasta is pretty much out.

Answer 4

I don't eat meat, but all my friends do, when I ask them why they say it's convienience, they always ask me what do you eat? I think that if you grow up in a home where meat is the main course for dinner every night it makes it hard for you to try and figure out what to eat every day. I also think that most dishes that you would think of off the top of your head contain meat. It is difficult to avoid meat, but you just have to stock up on vegeterian products and that's what I do.

Answer 5

Bacon.

That's all I was going to say, but it wouldn't suffice. We are not killing living things merely for pleasure; we eat to survive, and I think most people would agree with me, that surviving in this world is extremely important. I'm not trying to be a wise-a** or anything, but isn't anything that we eat a 'living thing'? From cows and carrots, to pork and peaches, aren't they all alive to begin with?

I was raised on meat; you weren't. That's what life is about: choices. At any point, we could have changed our minds and become the total opposite. It's just hard to do, especially when you've been doing it all your life.

Answer 6

I am glad you are born vegetarian. I have become vegetarian about four years ago and am much happier than before. Killing other animals is definitely for one's own pleasure. I think it is patently wrong to kill animals just to survive. For example when you can eat all the tasty sweets that come from cows milk (hundreds of sweets are made from milk in India and elsewhere), why to eat the cow itself. Protein comes from plants such as soy, when people eat animal protein they get it second hand (cow eats plant based diet and that gets synthesized into the animals body). Eating the protein second hand has its problems as several pesticides and tranquilizers are administered to animals in modern farms. In addition to the protein that you could have got from the plant based diet, you are now also consuming the remnants of pesticides and tranquilizers with animal meat. Animal meat has been linked to various types of cancers and it is best to refrain as much as possible. http://www.planetaryrenewal.org/ipr/vegetarian.html

An yahoo search will uncover several excellent sites on why vegetarianism is good for you and environment (A meat-eating American needs 3-1/4 acres of cultivated farm land per year; vegetarians only require 1/6 acre per year) One famous quote "Vegetarianism is the necessary catalyst for the transformation of human consciousness as it evolves from the domination and exploitation mindset to the paradigm of communion, cooperation, and reverence for all life."

A simple example on why plant diet may be better than animal diet "On a calorie basis, spinach has 14 times the iron of sirloin steak. Animal products are deficient in vitamin C which is needed for iron absorption."

Quote from a major researcher "In the barnyard of the past, a sow gave birth to 6 piglets a year. Today's factory farms are working towards 45! Frankenstein methods include hormone injection for greater fertility, artificial insemination, "embryo transfers" where embryos are surgically removed, and implanted into other sows -- all in the name of greater meat production at reduced cost. Similar methods are employed in the beef industry." So I disagree that if people stopped eating animals would still be slaughtered. The only likely result is that no more artificial insemination and embryo transfers would occur and animal populations would go back to their pre-artificial states.

You might also want to refer to the link 101 reasons why I am a Vegetarian. http://www.vivavegie.org/vv101/101reas2001.htm

In addition most organized and informal religions believe that for pursuit of spirituality Vegetarianism is necessary. For e.g. http://www.all-creatures.org/cva/vegbenefits.htm, For e.g. Vegetarian Judaism: A Guide for Everyone, By Roberta Kalechofsky, Ph.D
http://krishna.tv/the-higher-taste-vegetarian-cookbook-p-422.html on karma free diet


The US government has even provided specific guidance for Vegetarians to help them follow a balanced diet at http://www.mypyramid.gov/tips_resources/vegetarian_diets.html

You should be proud to be Vegetarian or even Vegan as more and more people will follow your path as natural resources start diminishing.

Answer 7

Don't worry, you're on the right path. Those who eat meat just don't know any better.

And for those who think animals are meant to be eaten, read the Book of Genesis, Chapter 1, Verses 29-30.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=1&chapter=1&version=31

Answer 8

This is a good question. It's like some people asking why others eat dog and cat when they themselves eat beef, chicken, pork, and etc. All animals scream and feel the pain when they are butchered.

Answer 9

I eat meat, it taste really good. There is a lot of healthy meat options to eat. I don't feel a bit ashamed that I'm killing an animal. Thats life, it sucks

remember
"You don't win friends with salad"

Answer 10

Explain those sharp canine teeth on each side of your mouth. Animals kill and eat each other, its called the food chain. Its so natural that they don't even think about it. Want to buy some venison? Its a delicacy, its very good. Ashamed, no, shoot Bambi and eat him, no problem.

Answer 11

I eat meat because it is part of my chosen diet(omnivore). And how can you judge a lifestyle you've never lived?