Why are vegans so intolerant of those that do not share there beliefs?

Question

It seems to me that vegans want there beliefs to be tolerated and accepted yet they give the beliefs of others no cosideration and act as though others opionions are entirely without merit.

And before any of you accuse me of being a "Troll", or whatever the flavor of the day is that you choose to call those that disagree with you, understand that I am a vegetarian.

I do respect the lifestyle that vegans have chosen. I simply do not understand the apparent intolerance to other lifestyles.

"KITKAT" Thank you for your answer. It was a perfect example of the intolerance that I have referred to. You state that this forum is to discuss veganism and vegetarianisim. Was not my question about just that? Although my question was about veganism, am I to believe it is not an acceptable topic only because you have deemed it to be not to your liking. It most certainly appears that way. You have also stated that there is no place for me in this forum and that I should go elsewhere. It is obvious based on your statements you are intolerant to those that do not see things regarding veggie issues precisely as you do. There absolutely is a place for me in this forum. Someone needs to point out the hypocricy within part of the vegan communtiy, where you appear to expect everyone to embrace your ideas while you dismiss and consider the ideas and convictions of others to be baseless and without merit. Your intolerance reflects poorly on on all veggies.

MATT When you demand that others respect and understand your convictions, but on the other hand will not consider doing the same for others, because the beliefs that most everyone else has are different than yours, that is a hypocrite. Call it what you would like. The only thing consistent is the hipocricy. You can put whatever type of spin you would like to on it. It does not change the facts. And that was a nice play on words at the end of your post, "Look at the dictionary you are using, amongst other things" I believe you are insinuating that I am a drug user, which I am not. I'm no hippie. But that was funny

Good Morning "LILLYIAN" A stereotype applies to all people of a certain group and is not based on fact. I do not claim that "all" vegans are intolerant, although many certainly appear to be. And this statement is based on fact. Just read the answers to the question and it is obvious that the intolerant label would apply to most. And Lilly, I am not promoting negative stereotypes. I am not pretending to want insightful answers. Listen to your post, you compare me to a bigot because I happen to think that many, but certainly not all vegans, are intolerant. As is the case with many vegans, you believe that your convictions trump all others. The nasty responses such as yours are common place from vegans. You cannot expect to be intolerant of others and expect them to embrace your futile efforts and unrealistic ideals. You state that you are an introvert and unpopular, your words - not mine. I think you genuinly think that, and it is understandbly so.

"STUDENT O" There you go again comparing rescuing animals with people. Comparing abortion activists and those that came to the aid of Jews back in the Nazi days are absurd. Animals are animals. Humans are not animals. Humans have souls and animals do not. Animals should not be abused but are rightfully not afforded the same rights as humans. That's the way it is and will remain. And deep in your heart I'm confident that you know your efforts to liberate the animals is a futile an unrealistic goal. I do believe it is admirable that you have a conviction that you are willing to make such sacrifices for, just don't expect it to be embraced by those that think differently if you continue to be intolerant of the convictions of others.

MATT When you believe that others should accept and tolerate your convictions, yet refuse to do the same, that is hypocrtical. An illustration would be if a pastor of a church asked his congregation to be more tolerant of homosexuals, yet the pastor himself had not intention of being more tolerant to them, that would be hypocritical. You have every right to your beliefs and convictions, but no more so than any other group. You do not have to endorse the convictions of others, but you should be expected to tolerate them (so long as they are within the law) in as much as you demand the same from others. This is the hypocricy that appears to be prevalent in the vegan communtiy. Many vegans, whether they admit it or not, like to think that they are more enlightened that the rest of us and are some how on higher ground. But you do not hold yourself to this higher standard where inotolerance is he issue, as you are just as intolerant and prejudice as the population as a whole.

And MATT, tolerating is certainly not the same as condoning. For example, just because one may tolerate the choice of others to be homosexuals, it does not mean that they condone there lifestyle. There is a huge difference between tolerating a behaviour or belief than condoning them. Your argument, from that persepctive, is without merit.

You are mistaken VEGAN&PROUD. I am a vegetarian. I did not become a veggie ly because of ethical reasons like most of the people in this forum. And although I do not subscribe to the beliefs of many in this forum, vegans in particular, I am a vegetarian.

MATT Calm down. Don't get so upset because everyone does not see things as you do. In the event you do not consume adult beverages, you may wish to consider them on occassion to bring your tempermant back in line.

Edit LILLYIAN For one to think that they are insightful and enlightened, it is odd that your curious thoughts and beliefs appear to be that of someone who is utterly lost.

Answer 1

No name calling ect...... but I have noticed this behavior in vegans before. I think they might be lacking certain essential proteins that both meat eaters and 'regular' vegetarians still consume in their diets ................... LOL

Answer 2

Why do you generalize by putting every vegan into the same category? And I doubt that the term "beliefs" is the right one. Being vegan is not a religion or a belief, and I also don't walk through the streets carrying a flag nor is it written on my forehead. Did it ever occur to you, that there are also different types of vegans and as many different motives for becoming a vegan as there are indeed people living a vegan lifestyle? Some might chose a vegan lifestyle for political or ecological, others for health reasons. Why did you for example become a vegetarian, and don't you get upset sometimes by weird comments concerning your choice? I have the feeling that you actually just want to provoke. But if it makes you happy, fine. And if you wonder, I switched from vegetarian to vegan due to a lactose intolerance and because I never liked eggs.

Answer 3

The Southern planter aristocracy made the same
argument to abolitionists. You have to understand
that we are talking about lives here. There is no
such thing as collateral damage when it comes
to slaughtering and testing on animals. How
can there be a justifiable argument for homicide?

This is exactly why I try not to engage in conversations
with dominionists who believe animals are here to
be eaten. You're right. I don't want to hear the argument
because it is crazy. For that reason. If a person asks me
about my lifestyle and they start to try and debate I shut
the conversation off. No animal's life and worth is up to
debate. It's a given for me.

As for wanting others to tolerate my beliefs I honestly
could care less. I don't care if others disagree or snicker.
As long they respect my person and property they are
within the law. I don't waste my time arguing or confronting
other people on their meat ,fur, or leather habits.
I simply help those who want to be helped.

Furthermore, I have no desire to pick a fight with you.
We need all the vegetarians we can get in this world.
Otherwise the animals we are trying to liberate don't
stand a chance.
I simply want you to understand that nothing changes
unless someone fights to change it.

Answer 4

I too am vegetarian. I am not, however, a militant vegetarian. I don't worry about what other people eat.

That said, I find that the majority of meat-eaters are more intolerant as any vegan I have met. Most meat-eaters that I talk to are shocked and appalled when I tell them that I am raising my child vegetarian. It is actually quite stupid. If I were Jewish and raising my child Kosher, people wouldn't object. But for some reason, people don't like the idea that I am raising my child on a healthier diet that doesn't involve cruelty.

Answer 5

what you're doing now is being intolerant towards vegans and vegetarians! Some vegans can not comprehend eating meat, and are JUST PLAIN RUDE people! Just like some Christians are unbelieving mean and crual to non-Christians. SOME. I'm Christian, but I respect that not everyone believes the same thing. You need to understand that not every vegan is rude and intolerable.

Answer 6

See who is answering, notice the intolerance, and at who it is directed. Enough said...

Now having been vegetarian for 17 years, I think I can add something to the discourse.

I believe vegetarianism and veganism both are similar to religion, in that when someone finds one they believe is the best for them they want to share the discovery with others (i know this is overgeneralizing, and do't take it that way, please). The problem is that religious zealots and vegetarian zealots all rub people the wrong way. I estimate that it takes about 3 to 5 years for most of these zealots to relax.

I have witnessed this same pride in born-again christians, We all want to save the world, but preaching only separates people and we need to step back and compare our actions to those of others.

I was a meat-aholic and I can understand why others enjoy it so much. But, I can honestly say I don't miss it, and the righteous attitudes of meat eaters toward me will not change my opinion.

To Each Their Own - for noone knows the answer to a proper diet.

Answer 7

Why are you intolerant toward vegans who believe that eating meat is wrong? Is it because you believe that they themselves are wrong? If so, then you are in the same boat as them - speaking out against a behavior you see as wrong. Nobody claims that "tolerance" requires remaining silent when wrongs are occurring. Generally tolerance is a good thing, but tolerance is balanced with morality. If you really believe that somebody is doing something that is wrongfully harming others, "tolerance" does not require that you remain silent. Vegans take this view in regard to animal products, pro-life people in regard to abortion, and the general public in regard to theft and murder. If you believe that somebody is doing something which wrongfully harms others, being "tolerant" of that behavior is wrong, not being intolerant of it. Your real question is whether or not using animal products is wrong (since if it is, it means that vegans are right to be intolerant.)

A theory of tolerance which demands that you tolerate behavior that you think is harmful to others is absurd. Plus you violate this theory of tolerance yourself by being intolerant of "intolerant" vegans.

I don't know or care if you are a troll or not. In another question of yours you seem to be making the same mistake that you are making in this one. You are taking something which is usually good (following the law, being tolerant) and assuming that it is some sort of moral absolute which cannot be broken. But there are many counter-examples: illegally aiding jews in nazi germany, not tolerating child abuse, and not tolerating animal abuse are all examples that show that even following the law and tolerating other belief systems can be the wrong thing to do in certain situations.

Answer 8

All the vegans I know from the vegetarian magazine I worked at were very respectful people. I am not vegan, but they didn't snub me because I'm not. They asked me not to eat meat at the office, but in turn made me delicious vegan meals for lunch. They were and still are great people. You probably just ran into some vegans who were not so humble.

Answer 9

Disagreeing with the way someone leads their life and expressing that disagreement does not make someone intolerant. We are not stopping you from living your life as you see fit, we however do not approve of someones choice to eat meat.
This needs to be kept in prospective as well, we are not talking about behaviors that hurt no one. If fact we are talking about behaviors that kill around 50 Billion Someones' worldwide, every year.
Are Vegan's truly expected to sit back and watch someone stuff their face with the products of animal torture (Vegetarians included) and say nothing at the risk of sounding intolerant?

@ Evil Genius: So I'm not suppose to question one's eating habits because the animal one is currently eating is dead? What about the animal one will most undoubtedly have for dinner the next night, and the next, for the rest of one's life? those are the animals we have the potential to save. By not saying anything the chances of getting one to think about one's food choices and the impacts they have is exactly nil.

@ Nice Guy, in response to post about KitKat: I suggest you look up some of the words you are using here.

Nice Guy: “Someone needs to point out the hypocricy within part of the vegan community hypocricy within part of the vegan community…”

I would Love (and in fact feel the Y!A Vegan community deserves) an explanation as to how not condoning the very actions we claim to be against makes us hypocrites? If anything, it makes us consistent. I think anyone who uses animal products that can be reasonably avoided (food, clothing, most medicines, at minimum) is dead wrong. I will never tell anyone that I condone animal use, exploitation or slavery, ever. If that makes me (or anyone else that feels this way) a hypocrite in your eyes than I suggest you take a look at the dictionary you are using, among other things.

@ NiceGuy: You still did not answer my question. How does not condoning the very actions we claim to be against makes us hypocrites? Why would we entertain the idea of eating animals when we are against eating animals? I don't condone rape either, and I would never entertain a rapist's views as to why rape is just. If this makes me a hypocrite or intolerant as you say, than so be it.

@Niceguy: I don't come up and slap the animal products out of your mouth, or yell at people in a restaurant for eating animals. Far as I'm concerned that’s about as tolerant as we need to get. I bring up the issues of eating animals around people that eat animal products. if they want to talk about it that’s fine, if not then I don’t press the issue. I’m sorry if that’s not “tolerant” enough for you, but this is a serious issue and I wont be silenced because people might become offended.

Answer 10

Your questions are essentially
"Why is my gross judgment/stereotype true?"
You then reward the one who most says, "Oh yes, your stereotype and accusations are definitely true." While putting down those who say they do not agree with you and wish you to stop using a question/answer forum to put down groups of people.

You do not want real, thoughtful answers, but you only pretend to want real answers and multiple viewpoints. You instead want to further promote your negative stereotypes and look for the answer that best does so.

That is what a *troll* is in a Q&A forum, and that is why people are calling you one and getting angry with you. It is not saying you are a big, ugly creature we see in Lord of the Rings movies; it is saying you are asking rhetorical, unanswerable questions, which are not really questions at all, but are judgments.

It would be just like if I went to the religious section and asked "Why are all Christians bigots?"
...even if I believed in Christianity

Edit- LOL... Wow, you are really reaching now... which is hilarious, but somehow still not funny. I forget how painful logic can be for some to hear.
.

Answer 11

This is a very general statement, because it is likely you only know they are vegan because they say something. It is quite possible it is only a small percentage of vegans, since you don't really hear about the people who don't say anything.

It's like reading reviews online for something, generally only the people who with something negative to say actually say anything.

I think some of the other reasons listed are also possible points too, like they believe it is unjust killing so they have to say something.