Do some people just want to belong to a certain group?

Question

I have noticed through a lot of the questions on here that many people are more concerned if they are following the "rules" of being a vegetarian or vegan more than why they are making their diet change. I think if people actually cared about animals and their well being, they would not only change their diets but get involved in helping animals in and out of their communities. What do you think?

Answer 1

I believe part of the reason for asking is so people can understand, just as you hopefully are though you seem to be making a statement more than anything else by cloaking it in a question.

The others ask so they can get proper nutrition because meat and dairy industry groups put out the idea that people are unable to get proper nutrition unless they consume their products when in fact it's more difficult to be healthy on the Standard Western Diet because the animal-based calories crowd out the nutrient-dense calories.

But many ask because as they start on the journey they are rather shocked to find out just how many products have animal-based ingredients in them. I've been vegetarian bordering on vegan now for several years and yet just the other day I was eating some yogurt (because I am taking a round of antibiotics and those unsettle my stomach) which was sickly sweet causing me to look at the ingredients and see gelatin. If I'd thought there would be animal-based ingredients in a product widely touted as being a vegetarian alternative I would have never chosen that brand. I, and I would bet most of the people who choose a veg*n lifestyle do not want to do anything that supports the unnecessary pain to another sentient being. That means avoiding as many products as possible that use animal-based ingredients especially when it's unnecessary such as chicken broth in broccoli soup.

As far as the bucolic scenes painted by the first poster of farm life, that's just not the case anymore. Over 95% of the animals consumed (and over 50% of the fish) are produced (because raised or even grown is hardly the word for it) in awful intensive, chemically-dependent factories called Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) that really only benefit the top meat companies such as Swift, Tyson, Smithfield, etc. Animals do not get treated better than humans. Not even those in Gitmo which is a very sad commentary on this situation but none-the-less true.

But there are many other reasons to limit one's consumption of animal products from the environment to one's health and not just present and future well-being from nutrition but the risks and dangers including but not limited to Mad Cow disease.

Finally though, once one becomes a veg*n there is no end of hostility from those who aren't and it becomes a purity test to find out how to "Trip the veg*n up with their own diet" game, from statements ranging from "Plants have feelings too" to the never-ending, "Your pets aren't vegetarians, that makes you a hypocrite!" So, in the manner of keeping on one's toes it makes sense to find out what the rules are so the meat-eaters will be satisfied with what other people are doing... so much so they are often here in the Vegetarian and Vegan section of Y!A.

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EDIT to add: Further, by not consuming animals we are having probably the biggest impact of all (not that we limit ourselves to just that -- that was a question a few days ago that was deleted rather than cede we were good people afterall) because so few animals brought into the world are for anything but food. From the Humane Society:

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Each year in the United States, 10 billion land animals are raised and killed for meat, eggs, and milk.(1,2) Statistically, farm animals comprise 98 percent of all animals in the country with whom we interact directly,(3) and that staggering percentage does not even include the estimated 10 billion aquatic animals killed for human consumption.

Indeed, the numbers of animals killed by trappers and hunters; in classrooms, research laboratories, and animal shelters; and on fur farms; and those animals raised as companions or used for entertainment by circuses and zoos, collectively make up only 2 percent of the animals in some established relationship with humans.(4)

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http://www.hsus.org/farm/resources/resea...

Answer 2

Yes and I have noticed you were rude to somebody who kindly enquired about raw veganism. Raw vegans don't just live on fruits- it allows for flexibility.

Most vegetarians and vegans are passionate about what they believe in, which leads them to be strict with their food choices. Why is that a problem? All vegetarians and vegans care about animals to some degree, which is a reason we don't eat them. And I know a LOT of vegetarians that are involved with charity work.

Answer 3

I know a lot of people that become vegetarian because it is simply the 'cool' thing to do (although they never say this, but it's obvious).  I have no problem with that, but you know that when the trend changes, so will they, and I have a problem with that.

Answer 4

I personally rescued 3 animals (2 cats, 1 dog) from certain death in an animal shelter, so I'd call that "getting involved."  I have to change litter boxes daily as well as walk, feed, and brush the dog.

It's the tone of your question that's offensive to some, I think.  I don't really care about the "rules" of vegan-ism.  My decision to not eat dairy comes from my belief that the industry that factory farms cows is a blight on humanity.

Answer 5

I guess that is true for certain people in a sense but think it is also what people dont do that can be beneficial. While i don't personally holler around town about animal cruelty i also don't go out of my way to abuse animals.

For some people it's just not convenient. I don;t think i could fit protest rallies into my hectic work school work school school work schedual.

But i do what i can, i buy cruelty free eggs don't drink milk, trying to give up cheese and rescue animals about town.

So yea, the question could be sincere inquires or concerns of "fitting in" or whatever.

Answer 6

Being Vegetarian is like a religion. It contradicts itself, and it extremely stereotypical with no real purpose other than to make useless protests. I agree--If anyone wanted to really make a change, they would have gone and did it themselves.

Answer 7

I agree completely. It's all part of this ridiculous "going green" fad. People talk about wanting change, saving the environment, and protecting animal rights, but very rarely do they take any action that would make a significant difference.

Answer 8

Of course many people follow fashionable trends because they want to belong to fashionable group.  Personally, I grew up on a farm and took care of animals the first twenty years or so of my life.  Most of them get better care than people.  As for not eating them when we are biological omnivores, try telling a bear it can only be a vegetarian--it won't work.  As for caring, every living creature, plant and animal, deserves to be respected, there's a little bit of spirit in all of us, but that doesn't mean we should reject what we are, just appreciate all forms of life and try to get along as best we can.