Vegan philosophical question

by DebraLynn Hook
(Kent, Ohio)

I've been vegetarian for 14 years, vegan off and on. My longest vegan experience lasted a year. I was off white bread and sugar during that year. I felt great! (Of course) And my cholesterol, which wasn't high to begin with, dropped 60 points.

Every now and then, however, I harken back to a sense of my Cherokee ancestors. I have this understanding of their eating meat when it was available and the remainder of the time, subsiding on seeds, nuts, and plants.

I am a bit of a philosophical person, who searches for answers not just in science or experience, but meaning.

Why are animals on this Earth? Are we supposed to eat them? But just more consciously?

What are your thoughts on this?

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Vegan philosophical question

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Apr 03, 2011
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It's an individual experience
by: Steven Crisp

I don't think there are answers to such philosophical questions that necessarily apply to everyone. It depends on the individual and what intention he or she has when it comes to animals.

For example, based upon my own personal experiences, I have concluded deeply that I should not kill animals (or an sentient beings), and once that intention has been set, it also means not eating them, since such demand causes them to be factory farmed and killed.

But personally, I don't have a problem with a hunter who kills animals and eats them. I suspect he is eating the healthiest meat he can find, and if an experienced hunter, probably also kills in one of the more humane ways. This would likely be the way your ancestors behaved.

But would you be hunting and killing your own food? If not, then you would also be contributing to the domestication and factory farming of animals which can be quite *un*natural and rather cruel. So then the question might be, are animals on this planet simply for our personal benefit? I would think not. I believe we are all interdependent with all things.

So, the real question is less about why animals are here (and in my view, it is all part of the evolutionary process), and more about what part you want to play in their life and death. Your decision then is really about your intention for how you wish to treat all living things. Decide that, and everything else will follow.

Namaste,

S-

Apr 04, 2011
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eating a little meat?
by: fatewalker

I have done much study on meat and have concluded that in no way does it do a body good. Even the wild animals are eating things that go into their systems that can be passed on to us. Add that to the hormones and chemicals thats put into the farm animals to make em bigger and grow faster and its very bad. We have become gluttons and addicted to flavor. If you put food back into the sustaining life perspective you will be as God intended and much happier and healthier for it.

Apr 08, 2011
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Philosophically speaking
by: Memory

I understand that each person wants to be proud and connected to their ancestry. There is so much that is creative and intelligent that we can learn from our ancestors. I believe, however, that we continue to evolve as our world changes.

Especially where choices are involved such as eating meat, (which is no longer the natural process that our ancestors knew) we need to make concious choices based on our reality in the world which we know today.

Would our ancestors think that the meat industry is respectful of the animals spirit? If our ancestors saw the reality that is factory farming, would they think it was something that they would choose to participate in or would they be horrified and choose to evolve their own diet?

Animals are no more "here to be eaten" than another nationality is here to be eaten. The concept that mankind was given dominion over the animals does not mean that we can kill and exploit them at whim.

I have an old map which has "The Dominion of Canada" scripted across it. I am glad that dominion meant to be under British protection and control much as a child is under it's parents' protection and control.

Yesterday is to be learned from. Today is to make good choices. The future needs to be protected for the time when WE are the ancestors.

Search your heart...then search your brain.

Mem

Jun 07, 2011
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patties
by: Anonymous

How about turkey burgers - Vegie burgers ect..

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