The morals of being vegetarian/vegan

I have had many people question me on why I am a vegetarian, and every time they ask I reply "the morals." I figure that there are some people on here that question whether or not being vegetarian is the right thing to do morally. I hope some of the other vegetarian/vegans will come out and join this debate.

A few quick guidelines
1) No scriptural quotes please,
2) Try to minimize the use of fallacies
3) No name calling
4) Have fun!

I will start off by saying that it is morally correct to refuse to eat poultry/beef/pork etc. because these animals not only feel pain but the way that they are raised and slaughtered is inhumane. It is inhumane because they suffer while being raised, and they suffer in their deaths as it is not the quickest event and it may take multiple attempts to kill the animal. Also you live a healthier, longer life being vegetarian!
Looking forward to reading your responses!

I personally don't even like seeing meat pieces hung from hooks at meat houses.

Were it not for its origin, I'd love eating meat. But to think that a sensible animal had to be butchered just to produce meat is plenty enough for me to decide that it is not worth the price.

Even before I stopped eating meat (nine years ago) I sometimes decided to eat the lesser amounts I could confortably settle for, on the grounds that consuming less meat would at least slow down the killing of livestock a bit.

Then I went through a week-long retire under a lacto-egg-vegetarian diet. It was surprisingly confortable, so I decided to keep such a diet "for a while" even after the retirement ended. I actually counted the non-meaty options of some places I ate at. There are quite a few, all things considered.

Refusing to eat meat is in fact quite possible and far worth the price.

I suppose I do it out of a sense of morality, but I'm not very vocal about it.

I see all animals the way I see my dog, which pretty much kills my desire to eat them.

LuisDantas said:

Refusing to eat meat is in fact quite possible and far worth the price.

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I agree with you... Are you still vegetarian or do you eat meat?

*Anne* said:

I suppose I do it out of a sense of morality, but I'm not very vocal about it.

I see all animals the way I see my dog, which pretty much kills my desire to eat them.

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I find that interesting. So if you didn't have pets would you still be vegetarian?

Hi nomadchild,
it's great that there are so many vegetarians around here. We actually frequently seem ot have threads devoted to debating the morals of vegetarianism. For that reason, I will leave the argument for now because it feels repetitive.
I will just say that I consider the experiences and life of animals to be very important. I also tend to feel a maternal affection toward animals and the idea of being responsible for their suffering is horrific to me. I also find flesh, blood, bones etc. to be quite morbid and gross and the idea of consuming it makes me feel queazy. The smell and sight is bad enough.

I think that giving up meat is one great way to excercise our ability to make a difference in this world that is full of suffering and pain.

I turned vegetarian about five months ago, and basically, even when I ate meat I never really ate it. And what I mean by that is I didn't really like it, I would always want it, but would nibble at a little of it and then leave the rest. Then as time went on I heard more and more things about slaughter houses, seen horrible videos etc. I wanted to turn vegetarian since I was 19, but my ex boyfriend who was a chef talked me out of it and told me that vegetarians were a chefs worst nightmare. I was gullible.

I don't see eating meat as wrong, but I do have a problem with how a lot of animals are treated in the process of giving us food.

I do still eat eggs and such though, but only free range from a friend of my dads. If you compare a caged hens egg with free range there is an obvious difference on how happy and healthy the hens were. Free range yoke is almost orange in comparison to pale yellow with caged hens eggs.

So basically there is a few reasons I am vegetarian, not just morals. Eating meat from an unhealthy and unhappy animal can't be that good for us, plus I feel it saves money not having to buy meat. I have honestly felt a big difference since turning vegetarian, I both look and feel better and I don't miss meat at all.

Nope. I don't intend to ever eat meat again. If anything, it has only become easier as the years went on.

Sometimes I even amuse myself explaining to people how much I like a well-done steak with onions, or a salty codfish cake (which uses quite a bit of potatoes in its making). There is this expectation, which I had myself for a while, that it must be difficult for me to do without. But it isn't, and it is only becoming easier. It helps that I'm a bit on the stubborn proud side, and also that I have gained an interest in cooking in the meantime. There are lots of yummy, nutritious foods out there that don't even have animal origin, if we only want to find them.

Currently, I am not a vegetarian.

I think that ethically vegetarianism is the best position to take. In light of recent studies, I am recognizing that there are more people on the planet than just humans, and it troubles me (not as often or as much as it should, probably) to participate in a non-vegetarian diet.

I need help and encouragement to make the leap. Mostly I need recipes and cooking methodology.

nomadchild said:

I find that interesting. So if you didn't have pets would you still be vegetarian?

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Sure.

Madhuri said:

I think that giving up meat is one great way to excercise our ability to make a difference in this world that is full of suffering and pain.

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I understand your reasoning for not wanting to participate, but thanks for stating your opinion! I agree with your quote above completely.

TheBotanicalDolly said:

I don't see eating meat as wrong, but I do have a problem with how a lot of animals are treated in the process of giving us food.

I do still eat eggs and such though, but only free range from a friend of my dads. If you compare a caged hens egg with free range there is an obvious difference on how happy and healthy the hens were. Free range yoke is almost orange in comparison to pale yellow with caged hens eggs.

So basically there is a few reasons I am vegetarian, not just morals. Eating meat from an unhealthy and unhappy animal can't be that good for us, plus I feel it saves money not having to buy meat. I have honestly felt a big difference since turning vegetarian, I both look and feel better and I don't miss meat at all.

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I agree with you that it is very unhealthy, and not the best economic decision to eat meat. About the eggs; I have only had caged hens' eggs before, so is there any difference in how you cook them? I am sure that they are much healthier for you too, considering that what they eat is healthier than the caged hens' food.

LuisDantas said:

Nope. I don't intend to ever eat meat again. If anything, it has only become easier as the years went on.

Sometimes I even amuse myself explaining to people how much I like a well-done steak with onions, or a salty codfish cake (which uses quite a bit of potatoes in its making). There is this expectation, which I had myself for a while, that it must be difficult for me to do without. But it isn't, and it is only becoming easier. It helps that I'm a bit on the stubborn proud side, and also that I have gained an interest in cooking in the meantime. There are lots of yummy, nutritious foods out there that don't even have animal origin, if we only want to find them.

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I am glad that you have found it easier as time goes on, I am currently going through beef withdrawal.. That steak with onions sounds really good xD... I agree that vegetarian/vegan cooking is very enjoyable and tasty.

nomadchild said:

I agree with you that it is very unhealthy, and not the best economic decision to eat meat. About the eggs; I have only had caged hens' eggs before, so is there any difference in how you cook them? I am sure that they are much healthier for you too, considering that what they eat is healthier than the caged hens' food.

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No difference in how you cook them. =) I find that free range eggs tend to be a little smaller though, not sure why.

Duck said:

Currently, I am not a vegetarian.

I think that ethically vegetarianism is the best position to take. In light of recent studies, I am recognizing that there are more people on the planet than just humans, and it troubles me (not as often or as much as it should, probably) to participate in a non-vegetarian diet.

I need help and encouragement to make the leap. Mostly I need recipes and cooking methodology.

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There is a vegetarian social group that you may want to look into joining. You will find everything you need there to take the leap, you just have to ask around Good luck to you!

TheBotanicalDolly said:

No difference in how you cook them. =) I find that free range eggs tend to be a little smaller though, not sure why.

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Really? Perhaps it is all the added hormones?

nomadchild said:

Really? Perhaps it is all the added hormones?

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I would say that you are probably right about that!

It appears that no-one has opposed the morals of being vegetarian yet... Perhaps they are just apathetic?

Madhuri said:

I would say that you are probably right about that!

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It is rather disappointing what they to the livestock now...

Duck said:

...I am recognizing that there are more people on the planet than just humans....

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Congratulations on this statement. It is an enlightened one IMO.