Abortion and vegetarianism?

Question

I am for abortion is it conflicting for me to not believe in killing animals but believing it to be ok for a woman to decide to terminate a pregnancy.

Answer 1

Abortion and vegetarianism has nothing to do with each other. You can be pro-choice or pro-life and be a vegetarian either way. It doesn't matter.

Answer 2

I am a vegetarian, but I also believe in abortion under certain circumstances.

I'm a vegetarian because I don't agree with the inhuman way that animals are treated before they die, and I also have never enjoyed meat in general.

When it comes to abortion, I think it's the mothers right. If she feels she wont be able to give the child the life that they need right now, then it is in the best interest for the future of the child for the pregnancy to be termanated. Although, I also don't believe life begins at conception.

In the end, I don't really feel either have anything to do with each other.

Answer 3

there is already a thread like that on here, so you might find it interesting. I already posted there. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuKvT7tDFMfz83Qlta24drnty6IX?qid=20070421072126AA6g9r8&show=7#profile-info-53e4ea776110d3ff8ffa1cb2f93ff786aa


If I as a vegan believe that farmers dont have the right to think of other animals as their "property", let alone decide whether these poor animals should live or die, only considering their own selfish reasons.... then how can I support the death of a human being that has the same individual will to live and grow just like any other animal?

I know in some cases it can be a tough choice for the mother, but it doesnt change the fact that the being inside of her is an individual life. Mother's pain still doesnt change the fact that abortion means an end of life for that being. I can't help but oppose to that.

I enjoy life and I think that every creature should have an equal chance to make something out of it... I'm here because my mom made a different choice. We are here discussing abortion and veganism because we weren't aborted.

But you'll find that many vegans dont agree. We are all individuals with unique beliefs.

Answer 4

I follow a vegan diet, but that has more to do with health and my disgust for the idea of eating animals and their secretions. The fact that I'm not contributing to their slaughtering or to the environmental impacts is a bonus.

I'm also pro-choice. Personally, I would never get myself into a position where I would need an abortion, and I highly advocate the use of contraceptives. I think that the US government has made a serious mistake with its abstinence-only education programs. When people are informed about contraceptives and all other aspects of sex, the unintentional pregancy rate goes down dramatically and so does the abortion rate.

Of course I don't think abortion is a GOOD thing. It's a surgical procedure and it carries risks and consequences, just like giving birth does. However, I think all women should have access to abortions in a clean and safe environment if they choose not to have a child.

Answer 5

I suspect this is a leading question which could be re-phrased as If you believe killing animals is wrong, how then can you be pro-choice?
Not all veg-vegan women are! I used to shop at a natural foods store that sold a rhythm kit. And I was suprised who took it seriously too.
I am not a woman so it is not an issue I care about, but I would think a fetus was a part of her own body, not an individual, not yet. While I am 'thinking' so much I might as well add I am not that impressed with the moral aspects of a vegan diet. God on the other hand is--or was. Thou Shalt not Kill. Saying nothing (to begin with) limiting it to humans. With God it was probably an aesthetic judgement. Killing is offensive to God's sensibility. Maybe it is still a good thing in God's eyes to be vegetarian. But as for it being a handle on ethical life, I doubt it. Jesus Christ doubted it and I agree. I'm sure he knew there was some wiggle room in diet, both nutritionally and ethically, but he said it is not where it is at. Instead he pointed to words and deeds and I doubt he missed the possibility food choices could be considered deeds. He simply expressed an opinion about priorities. And, as well, I am not seeing moral perfection in vegans here or in real life. But hey, that's just me. I can't help but add for the benefit of BlueSea, maybe you would be here anyway. And--could you drop "preggers"? Just that one thing?

Answer 6

you should think about why you are pro-choice. i am a vegetarian but i support abortion but the main reason i support abortion is because i am not aware of the facts regarding a fetus's thoughts and feelings but i think the earth is overpopulated as it is and if people dont even want to have a child then there is no sense in upping the population even more by having a child that wont even have a good life in the first place. ALTHOUGH I am obviously pro -protection and sex-safety and awareness before i am pro-abortion. but anyways i think they are seperate issues just figure out if your reasons for being pro-choice and for being veg. contradict each other and then make your own personal choices based on that information!

Answer 7

I partially agree with Smitty on this one.

Killing animals to eat them/wear them is ridiculously outdated in a world filled with other, humane options. We don't HAVE to kill an animal, and we definitely don't have to torture it prior to it's eventual death in order for us to survive.

On the other hand; as a woman, if I get pregnant via rape, or I am unable to safely carry the child to term without seriously unaffordable medical bills, support, or mental health damage; then I will not be carrying the baby. Luckily for me, I have the sort of supportive family who have been informed since I was old enough to know about it that I would be keeping any child of mine and they were expected to help! But not all women have this luxury. Pregnancy still requires money; and pro-lifers expect a woman to pay for the new clothes/vitamins/check-ups etc necessary for baby and mother's health, and AFTER losing pay etc, give up the child. Or the version where you then spend the rest of your life resenting the way it turned out.

Humans can articulate. And I wouldn't be carrying around a cow in my own, personal womb for nine months, which makes it easier for me to view it objectively. If MY body is the incubator, then until 3 months, it is MY choice. After 3 months, I will accept that the foetus is "alive" and "human" and capable of survival and worth that chance. The first 3 months, it's just my DNA free-loading off my body. And I don't care what anybody's cameras have to say about it.

I hope some of that made sense... But really, it's like comparing chalk and cheese.

And my side note:
Is it me, or are people getting so carried away with the "rights" of the child that they're forgetting the rights of the parents? Bring back the ancient Roman practice; I can kill or enslave my 0-5 year old if I get three other adults to agree they're a horrible child! Maybe then we'd get the respect for elders we appear, as a society, to have forgotten.

Answer 8

My thoughts go to the way the life is ended. While this may sound bad, death by abortion is a lot more humane than death by slaughterhouse. (The reason I don't eat meat is because of slaughterhouse conditions and practices.)

Also, animals are killed for our food, ease, and luxury. And this is ALL animals. Many abortions happen because of rape, or because it is for the child's own good (again, it sounds bad, but a woman may choose abortion because she knows the child will come into an abusive home.) While that isn't the reason for all abortion, it is the reason for many. Not ALL abortions are for bad reasons, but the killing of animals IS.

Answer 9

I see your point and frustration. I personally believe life begins at conception but that is my view and can certainly understand someone saying that it is there choice. I am adopted, my biological family found me when I was 22. I had two older full blooded sisters, my biological parents were married when they got preggers with me, the Dad decided no more kids and scrounged up $200 and told my bio Mom to have an abortion (they were illegal at the time). Anyway, her sister came to pick her up and take her to the appointment and the money was gone. My bio. father spent it at the track. So you can easily understand why I am against abortion. If it wasn't for horse racing, I wouldn't be here and neither would my kids! :O Not being able to come up with another $200, adoption was their only choice.

Answer 10

No..it is not a conflict. Women make the choice to terminate, animals dont make the choice to be eaten.