Dear vegans please tell me about you selfs?

Question

I asked a very silly question before(what if water came from cows?)

and now I would like to ask a serious question.

me being a meat eater and all am complety dumbfounded by vegans so would you guys be so kind as to explain why you are the way you guys are. Im asking as polite as I can if you are a vegan sorry if I offended you. Im just curious. Im not trying to make fun of you I just wanna know.

Answer 1

I appreciate this question so thanks for asking it. It's good to know other people's views even if you don't agree with them so good for you!

I became a vegetarian just over a year ago when I was travelling in Asia. I did a lot of soul searching out there and had a lot of time to think. To cut a very long story short I came to the realization that eating meat is solely for the pleasure of our tastebuds for a few fleeting moments and I decided that I didn't want to gain this pleasure anymore when it was a result of something else's pain. These few moments of pleasure are soon forgotton and they have no effect on my overall happiness. It seemed ridiculous to me that something has had to go through pain and then die just for this very trivial reason.

So anyway I was vegetarian for about 7 months and then got back from Asia in May. I then did a lot of research about the vegetarian diet... nutrition and recipes etc and discovered the cruelty involved in the dairy and egg industry. I found they were even crueler than the meat industry and couldn't believe the pain these animals go through just to please our tastebuds. I thought that there was no point giving up meat while still supporting the pain of these animals by using animal products. I've always loved animals but it's only the past year that I've found a new respect for them them and using them as machines didn't seem right to me, especially as animal products nowadays actually do a lot more harm than good to our bodies.

I can't begin to explain how much happier I am now. I feel great both inside and out... I don't get angry like I used to, I have a clear conscious (well almost) and I haven't been ill once since going veggie. I used to have really bad eczema and allergies which have dissapeared since I gave up milk.

I don't expect everyone to agree with my views but thanks for being open-minded enough to ask about them in a non offensive way :o)

Answer 2

I became a vegan this year, I've eaten meat my whole life.

I read some great books, namely,

Marion Nestle's "Food Politics"
Marion Nestle's "What to Eat"

(Nestle is not a vegan, she is a world renowned dietitian, but the information she shares in these books is fascinating)

I recommend those two, as well as various books about being a vegetarian or vegan.

I found out a lot of things about the corrupt nature of the meat industry, the cruelty to animals, as well as the fact that you don't need meat to function. You can get all the protein your body desires, as well as vitamins and minerals, from various plant sources. I just slowly educated myself. I would HIGHLY suggest reading "Food Politics". You can't possibly judge or poke fun of vegans until you educate yourself. Your entire life (just like myself) you were raised to laugh at vegans, you were raised on the meat-industry's propaganda, and once the blindfold falls off, it's off forever.

I come from a nationality where we eat meat with EVERY meal. My family took it as a HUGE betrayal that I became vegan... but even they stopped criticizing me when they read the books I suggested. Though they enjoy the taste of meat too much and do not have the willpower or desire to switch over (which I respect - it is their decision) they have heavily reduced their meat and dairy intake as well.

Answer 3

For me, I just do... that's all. I woke up one day a meat eater and went to bed a vegetarian and never looked back. It took me a long time to decide to go vegan, but when the time was right I just did it. I have never had a hard time with either so I don't even think about "sticking to it."

Answer 4

Well, it's a bit of a long story, but I'll try to make it short.

Ever read "Fast Food Nation"? That's part of it. Another part is that my body didn't digest meat as well as it used to. I got pretty disgusted eating it, so one day I just went vegetarian. Then I read stuff about how dairy feeds into the veal industry, how cruelly hens kept for eggs are treated, and decided to go vegan.

Answer 5

I'm a vegan that eats dairy, meat and wears leather. The one thing I have in common with other vegans is that I only help the animals when it's very convenient for me.

Answer 6

well i saw the way the way that animals were raised, transported and slaughtered. then a few years later i saw how dairy cows and egg laying hens were raised, transported and eventually all are killed. once the curtain is pulled back i couldnt turn away. im definately not an "ignorance is bliss" person. i like to live in reality.

Answer 7

I am a longtime vegetarian and 13. I chose myself to be one when I was in 1st grade, but in 5th grade I did it completely- no cheating. I am in 8th grade now.

I do not eat meat, but I do enjoy dairy and eggs like some other vegetarians. I wear leather since other people eat the meat anyways, and I also wear pearls.

I am not a huge fan of PETA. They do great things, but they can get very agressive and annoying.

Email me with any questions.

Answer 8

I think everyone has their own reasons for being vegan.

I personally don't eat meant or any other animal bi-products because I don't believe that animals are here to feed us. They are living creatures too, and they feel pain and fear just like us. The way that factory farm animals are treated is utterly disgusting and that is why I am a vegan. =]

p.s. thanks for not being a jerk. =]

Answer 9

I am "the way I am" because animals are not here for us to cage, degrade, torture, slaughter, or eat. They are not here to test our chemicals or perform in shows or make our clothes and shoes.

The animals that Americans breed, torture, and kill on a mass scale are just as able to feel pain, love, community, and loss as we are. They are sentient beings who deserve respect. I am a vegan because I refuse to participate in and pay for the horrors of animal agribusiness.

Answer 10

I would not like to be a slave to someone else so that they can have my eggs or milk and I wouldn't like to be eaten, therefore I don't eat other animals or what they produce.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

If you would like to see how the majority of food animals are treated, you can watch this http://meat.org , but it isn't pretty, so don't watch it if you don't want to know the truth.