"There is no god higher than truth."
~Mahatma Gandhi
People are constantly asking me why I want to go Vegan, or even why I'm a Vegatarian, so I've decided to make this post to expose the reader to great resources, and then to express my views. I'm not trying to persuade you or convince you to change your lifestyle in any way. I simply want to expose you the truth behind the decisions we make in to society, and to encourage you to make your own conclusions and decisions. Don't just listen to me blindly- do your own research and discover things for yourself. You can live your life ignorant of the truth, or face it directly and support what you believe in. The choice is yours.
Before I begin I encourage you to view resources to learn about Vegetarianism and its benefits. The knowledge is out there, and I don't want to have to paraphrase every single point. You can start with these Resources:
Societal Programming
We, as members of society, have been exposed to societal norms since we were born. Society influences our beliefs, desires, and even our thoughts. What society says acceptable, is seemingly morally acceptable by most individuals. Just over 150 years ago, citizens in America were born into a world where racism and slavery were completely acceptable. But "in the midst of untruth, truth persists." Our American culture evolved over the years to set higher moral standards than previously before, always beginning with a small strong group of individuals who weren't afraid to stand out and defend what they believe is right. The cultural evolution of morality continues to this day, but ignorance amongst society is still very high. Ignorance is what shields us from the truth. Only when the shield of ignorance is down can one truly make a personal decision.
"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it."
~Hellen Keller
Most of us, including myself, were raised eating meat before we could even think. It's ingrained into our lifestyle, thoughts, and desires. When I was about 6 years old I remember asking my Dad where meat comes from. He told me it came from a bull, and I remember being very puzzled. It took me a while to find the real answer.
Only by slowly attempting to undo the negative societal programming that has slowly constructed our thoughts today, can we begin to have an original thought and see things as they truly are. Undoing this programming can be as simple as questioning things that we may not normally question. Think for yourself, and watch your mind for any opinions that may arise.
If the historical trend of increasing morality continues, perhaps vegetarianism will one day be the new societal norm.
Hypocrisy and inconsistency
When I studied at BCIT I witnessed an act that really got my thoughts on vegetarianism going. A wounded bird landed inside one of the main buildings, and a group of girls crowded around the bird, feeling sorry for it and trying to help it. If only they saw what happened to their chicken dinner. Many people claim to be "animal lovers" yet they still continue to torture animals by eating meat. Is it morally different to hire an assassin to kill someone, than to kill someone yourself? Through their actions of eating meat, they are "hiring assassins" to torture animals and encourage the development of factory farming, among many other things.
It still amazes and shocks me to this day how people will go out of their way to bring their precious dog to a "doggie spa", and give it unusual luxuries, yet support the torture of animals by eating copious amounts of meat.
Every thing we purchase like a vote towards what it represents. Every vote counts. The least we can do is to be the change we want to see in this world.
“If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian.”
~ Paul McCartney
(Click to see his documentary)
But it tastes good..
Another story about my younger days. I was barely old enough to remember; probably about 6 years old. I was brought to a French restaurant by my parents. They served me this one dish and I really loved it- I even ordered a second round! It was only until after that they told me what I was eating was escargot - cooked snails. My appetite and desire for this food instantly disappeared when I realized what I was truly eating.
I ate a lot of meat during my adolescence. I even ate as least 3 meat sources per day when I begin weightlifting. I loved my steak medium rare; not too cooked or I'd send it back. I can empathize with many about being attached to the taste of meat. But like my loss of appetite for escargot , I lost all of my appetite for meat upon learning the truth. Once I knew what meat was doing to my health, its effect on earth, and the unnatural torture it causes upon sentient beings, my desire for meat reduced. The pleasure I used to get from eating meat was pure delusion. I gained pleasure purely from sense pleasure, too blind to understand what I was doing. Many people still think that I am suppressing my desire to eat meat. I do not desire meat anymore whatsoever. You can lose your desire, too.
There are lots of amazing vegetarian meals, they just aren't so popular in our culture and society. You'd be surprised how much better a vegetarian dish can taste than a meat dish, and how much better it is for your health. Some cultures like to eat escargot, some like monkey brains. Food selection is largely based on culture and societal acceptance. Most North Americans would think that monkey brains is disgusting in the same way another culture may find all meat to be disgusting. Expand your mind, and try let go of your attachments.
Every little effort counts
You don't have to jump into vegetarianism right away. You don't have to do anything you don't believe in, actually. But every little effort you make counts. If everyone just simply reduced their meat by 25%, that's a huge hit on the meat industry. If it even exists, buy meat that doesn't occur on factory farms if you have to eat meat. The more your learn about vegetarian, the lower your desire will be.
Peace
If we every want to have a shot at world peace, we have to stop the consumption of meat. It is the first step towards a non-violent world.
“And with such a vegetarian diet they may be expected to live in peace and health to a good old age, and bequeath a similar life to their children after them.”
-Socrates
Conslusion
Thank you so much for reading! I hope I didn't come off belief-imposing, or snobbish in any way. I'm in no way perfect. I'm just doing my best to learn as much as I can, and do my part in creating the world I want to see. I truly just want to expose you to my thoughts; its what many people ask for, anyways. I'm just delivering. I'm only asking you to take the time to consider the benefits of vegetarianism, watch footage and learn the truth of using animals, and decide for yourself. Give Vegetarianism a chance!
~Mahatma Gandhi
People are constantly asking me why I want to go Vegan, or even why I'm a Vegatarian, so I've decided to make this post to expose the reader to great resources, and then to express my views. I'm not trying to persuade you or convince you to change your lifestyle in any way. I simply want to expose you the truth behind the decisions we make in to society, and to encourage you to make your own conclusions and decisions. Don't just listen to me blindly- do your own research and discover things for yourself. You can live your life ignorant of the truth, or face it directly and support what you believe in. The choice is yours.
Before I begin I encourage you to view resources to learn about Vegetarianism and its benefits. The knowledge is out there, and I don't want to have to paraphrase every single point. You can start with these Resources:
- Watch the documentary "Earthlings".
- Click here to watch it on Google Video
Go ahead. Take the red pill. This gives the viewer a chance to actually see and understand the effects using animals has on our planet, morality, and health. Take 90 minutes to watch it and judge for yourself. It's easy to say that you understand what happens in factory farms, but seeing for yourself and realizing it is completely different. You really shouldn't create an argument unless you've seen this.
- Click here to watch it on Google Video
- Another step is to analyze the validity of myths against Vegetarianism, and to understand the benefits of adopting a new vegetarian diet. Here are some resources I found real quick:
- Popular Anti-Vegetarian Myths,
- Health benefits of a Vegetarian diet
- Vegan Weightlifting: what does science say?
- Health, World Peace, and the Vegetarian Diet
Societal Programming
We, as members of society, have been exposed to societal norms since we were born. Society influences our beliefs, desires, and even our thoughts. What society says acceptable, is seemingly morally acceptable by most individuals. Just over 150 years ago, citizens in America were born into a world where racism and slavery were completely acceptable. But "in the midst of untruth, truth persists." Our American culture evolved over the years to set higher moral standards than previously before, always beginning with a small strong group of individuals who weren't afraid to stand out and defend what they believe is right. The cultural evolution of morality continues to this day, but ignorance amongst society is still very high. Ignorance is what shields us from the truth. Only when the shield of ignorance is down can one truly make a personal decision.
"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it."
~Hellen Keller
Most of us, including myself, were raised eating meat before we could even think. It's ingrained into our lifestyle, thoughts, and desires. When I was about 6 years old I remember asking my Dad where meat comes from. He told me it came from a bull, and I remember being very puzzled. It took me a while to find the real answer.
Only by slowly attempting to undo the negative societal programming that has slowly constructed our thoughts today, can we begin to have an original thought and see things as they truly are. Undoing this programming can be as simple as questioning things that we may not normally question. Think for yourself, and watch your mind for any opinions that may arise.
If the historical trend of increasing morality continues, perhaps vegetarianism will one day be the new societal norm.
Hypocrisy and inconsistency
When I studied at BCIT I witnessed an act that really got my thoughts on vegetarianism going. A wounded bird landed inside one of the main buildings, and a group of girls crowded around the bird, feeling sorry for it and trying to help it. If only they saw what happened to their chicken dinner. Many people claim to be "animal lovers" yet they still continue to torture animals by eating meat. Is it morally different to hire an assassin to kill someone, than to kill someone yourself? Through their actions of eating meat, they are "hiring assassins" to torture animals and encourage the development of factory farming, among many other things.
It still amazes and shocks me to this day how people will go out of their way to bring their precious dog to a "doggie spa", and give it unusual luxuries, yet support the torture of animals by eating copious amounts of meat.
Every thing we purchase like a vote towards what it represents. Every vote counts. The least we can do is to be the change we want to see in this world.
“If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian.”
~ Paul McCartney
(Click to see his documentary)
But it tastes good..
Another story about my younger days. I was barely old enough to remember; probably about 6 years old. I was brought to a French restaurant by my parents. They served me this one dish and I really loved it- I even ordered a second round! It was only until after that they told me what I was eating was escargot - cooked snails. My appetite and desire for this food instantly disappeared when I realized what I was truly eating.
I ate a lot of meat during my adolescence. I even ate as least 3 meat sources per day when I begin weightlifting. I loved my steak medium rare; not too cooked or I'd send it back. I can empathize with many about being attached to the taste of meat. But like my loss of appetite for escargot , I lost all of my appetite for meat upon learning the truth. Once I knew what meat was doing to my health, its effect on earth, and the unnatural torture it causes upon sentient beings, my desire for meat reduced. The pleasure I used to get from eating meat was pure delusion. I gained pleasure purely from sense pleasure, too blind to understand what I was doing. Many people still think that I am suppressing my desire to eat meat. I do not desire meat anymore whatsoever. You can lose your desire, too.
There are lots of amazing vegetarian meals, they just aren't so popular in our culture and society. You'd be surprised how much better a vegetarian dish can taste than a meat dish, and how much better it is for your health. Some cultures like to eat escargot, some like monkey brains. Food selection is largely based on culture and societal acceptance. Most North Americans would think that monkey brains is disgusting in the same way another culture may find all meat to be disgusting. Expand your mind, and try let go of your attachments.
Every little effort counts
You don't have to jump into vegetarianism right away. You don't have to do anything you don't believe in, actually. But every little effort you make counts. If everyone just simply reduced their meat by 25%, that's a huge hit on the meat industry. If it even exists, buy meat that doesn't occur on factory farms if you have to eat meat. The more your learn about vegetarian, the lower your desire will be.
Peace
If we every want to have a shot at world peace, we have to stop the consumption of meat. It is the first step towards a non-violent world.
“And with such a vegetarian diet they may be expected to live in peace and health to a good old age, and bequeath a similar life to their children after them.”
-Socrates
Conslusion
Thank you so much for reading! I hope I didn't come off belief-imposing, or snobbish in any way. I'm in no way perfect. I'm just doing my best to learn as much as I can, and do my part in creating the world I want to see. I truly just want to expose you to my thoughts; its what many people ask for, anyways. I'm just delivering. I'm only asking you to take the time to consider the benefits of vegetarianism, watch footage and learn the truth of using animals, and decide for yourself. Give Vegetarianism a chance!
