[Sameer6]

Many people likes animals. Most of those same people eats Chicken,Mutton,Fish,Beef...so on....

So,Why many of those people who likes animals didn't thought that eating some animals is wrong ?

The same people who gets worried and angry when animals are being killed by poachers...but yet they eat chicken,mutton,beef,fish..so on.......

What is the difference ?

I mean...why some animals have to be killed and eaten by humans ?

Why can't these people who loves animals be Vegetarians ?

[lynn P.]

I would first like to say, I admire people who choose to be vegetarian. These are my thoughts - the difference is in my opinion, it's okay to kill them, if it's for food but not kill as poachers do for parts or fur -sustenance over selfish pleasure. I also support religions, who make sure the animal is killed with the least amount of suffering -a fast death.

Personally I enjoy meat, but I make the effort to eat fish and have at least 2 vegetarian meals weekly.

[Naturefreak]

If I became a vegetarian , they would still kill animals.
If a billion people became vegetarians they might stop killing some.
I respect you and your thoughts on this.
I just can't see the point. Animals will continue to be killed and so will humans.

[AkAngel]

I think it is because people are so far removed from the actual process of killing. I do believe that trophy hunters and trappers fall into the same category as meat eaters. Each of them is responsible for the death of an animal (or the demand for that death) and then take the part they want. Some want the exterior for 'art', some want the fur for clothing and some take the meat for food. In each case there are alternatives.

To each their own but I am an animal lover and lifelong vegetarian.

[Evening]

I have been a vegetarian for 10 years. I was also a vegetarian on and off for a few years before that. I have also spent my life in the animal/wildlife industries, only 2 things on my resume have nothing to do with animals or the environment. I do not eat any meat, including fish or chicken, I do not eat products that have ingredients made from animals that have been killed- gelatine, taurine, rennet, battery eggs, that means I don't even drink things like Red Bull. I do not use products that have used animal testing, including my toothpaste, detergent, shampoo and conditioner, make-up and clothes powder. I do not wear or use fur, leather, feathers or sheepskin. So obviously, I'm pretty straight out with what I do and don't use and eat.

But-

I do not push my vegetarian lifestyle on anyone else. People have different views on animal rights, intelligence, status. A lot of people love COMPANION animals, critters we deem intelligent- dogs, cats, parrots; but they will eat the 'lesser intelligent' food animals- sheep, cows, chickens, fish. A lot of people out there have the view that these animals are 'stupid' and are 'made to be eaten'. I could easily debate the intelligence of these animals. No animal in my mind is 'stupid', every living thing has the intelligence it needs, a cow doesn't need to build houses or perform surgeries. It needs to be a cow. That doesn't make it stupid.

But animals are often classed by order of their capabilities and intelligence, and by what they can provide for us. We use them the way we need them. A dog is considered a pet in western society because it can be easily trained and is faithful, a sheep is used for wool and eaten because it has wool and can't provide the companionship that a dog does.

I am not a vegetarian because I think every animal should be running through fields of flowers and butterflies. I am a vegetarian because I don't like the disrespect a great deal of product animals are put through. These animals are losing their lives so we can keep ours, and I think people- despite how we class these creatures- should just be a little bit more respectful and thankful, give these critters a quality life and quick death where they aren't panicking and knowing they are next.

A lot of people are against one thing- such as poaching for fur- and okay with another thing- such as eating farmed animals. To me this is like comparing apples with oranges. Poaching and farming for fur can involve hunting wild and endangered animals in inhumane ways, and only using the skin for clothing. These animals are not killed with a bullet, they are beaten to death or electrocuted, or simply skinned alive (I've seen footage of that and it was the most sickening thing I have ever seen in my life) so that the skin is not ruined with bullet holes, it remains in good condition to be worked with later. The rest of the animal- alive or dead- is disposed of.
Farming animals can be seen as different. They are not wild, endangered animals being hunted to extinction, and the entire animal is used for food, leather, fertilizer, etc.. This is how a lot of people see it. As long as an animal is farmed in stable numbers and used productively, then it is okay. Of course the treatment of a lot of these animals can be debated, but this is how a lot of people see it.
Another example would be whaling. MOST people out there are against whaling. A lot of people know that the whale tourism industry is worth BILLIONS of dollars in comparison to slaughtering them for 'scientific research'. A lot of people are against killing these creatures because they are beautiful, a lot of them are endangered, and they are hunted in unbelievable numbers. But is ALL whaling wrong?
What about native people who hunt whales? They kill ONE whale, and they will use the entire animal for food, tools and fuel, and it will feed their entire village.
The thing that is wrong with a lot of things, the thing that gets people really fired up, is the unstable, inhumane, uncontrolled hunting and abuse of wild animals for ridiculous reasons. The thing that is lesser opposed is farming controlled populations of animals to provide us will a range of needs.

I have seen the way these animals are treated as soon as they re loaded onto the truck, my uncle and aunty used to own a farm. The man who came to take them to market would scream and yell and shock them with an electric probe and the cows would run onto the truck in a panic. The mother cows (who stayed on the farm to breed the calves that go to market) had learned something was up over the years, and would run along the pen calling out to the calves because they had seen them being taken away year after year. It wasn't an easy thing to watch.

Does that mean though that I think we should all become vegetarians? Nope. It just means I think things should be done a little nicer. Like I said, I never push my vegetarian views on anyone, and I expect the same respect from others in return. We can't all share the same views on these things, that's why there are vegans, vegetarians, and those so called vegetarians who still eat chicken and fish.
Some people can't be vegetarian for health reasons. Others follow religious reasons. Others are concerned about certain aspects of animal treatment, but are less concerned about other aspects. Some people are unaware or have never really thought about these things. Some people really just don't give a crap.

Education is always needed to make people aware or what can really be happening, but that won't convert everyone to the same views on animal treatment and respect.

[AkAngel]

Originally Posted by Babysteps

I just can't see the point. Animals will continue to be killed and so will humans.

A friend of mine named Cheri Huber wrote this; it is copyrighted but I have her permission to share it:

“I am not writing this to make anyone feel guilty. I ask only that these topics be honestly considered. My real point is not our cruelty toward creatures but what that cruelty and insensitivity does to our own hearts. If we judge ourselves, if we reject ourselves for who we are and what we do, we are committing an act of violence against ourselves. This is an act of violence we can avoid. If we would simply look closely and consider the ways we are violent, we would stop. Our own acts of violence are the ones we have the power to end. But, there are no “shoulds” in this. I do what I do for me, not for “them.” The idea is not to change behavior because I judge it to be wrong; the idea is to pay attention. To do something different because I “should” is to miss the point. To be present is the point. When I am present, with my eyes and heart wide open, what do I want to do? Do I really want to eat the flesh of another creature? Of course I like to eat “meat.” I grew up eating it. I was conditioned not to think about what it was, who it was, that it lived, drew breath, slept, ate, had babies, was afraid, sought to live. I can’t think about that. It’s dinner. So of course I like it, of course I want it, of course I would miss it if I were to stop eating it. That’s why it is not helpful as a should. Perhaps a more helpful approach would be to go right on eating as I always have and pay very close attention. Perhaps if I didn’t stop the thoughts about this meat, if I were really present to the texture of it, the smell of it, the feel of it under my knife and fork and in my mouth, I would soon choose not to eat it. Because the real point is not what I am doing to it, the point is what I am doing to me.”

[shichi]

How I see it is...

a) Humans are omnivores;
b) Animals eat other animals on a daily basis.

We're all just part of the food chain. I'm pretty sure that if I went through the African savannah for instance, a pride of lions wouldn't hesitate to eat me :P

It's got nothing to do with loving animals or not. As long as the animal is killed humanely then I see no problem with eating them. I think it's a fallacy to paint meat-eaters as cruel.

I respect those who are vegetarian, but I'm not going to push my meat-eater agenda on them and vice versa.

[Rhiannonsmoon]

I'm a vegetarian of 16 or so years..I haven't kept count..I became vegetarian after I died and returned to life.

It was made very clear to me that it is a choice, no one has to be one or the other the only other thing that was said to me is that meat in plenty isn't really good for the body, and it isn't good for "non-physical communicaiton". I won't go into that people already think I'm a nutter..

I don't judge meat eaters and they don't judge me that is the way it should be. If ever there was another ice age I would probably become a meat eater if I wanted to live...not much grows of the land in winter time.

To each their own an it harm none

[AkAngel]

Originally Posted by Rhiannonsmoon

and it isn't good for "non-physical communicaiton". I won't go into that people already think I'm a nutter..

Never met a person I liked that wasn't a nutter.

In theory, I think I'd like to be a vegetarian- in practice, I like meat, I don't find anything wrong with that, and at the end of it, I'm just another notch in the foodchain- humans are simply another animal, and it's only natural, as omnivores, to eat other animals. Doesn't mean I don't try to make smart choices in the meat I purchase.

I don't think the act of eating another animal is cruel. Like Shichi said, if I were to go in the wild, a pack of starving lions wouldn't hesitate to eat me.
The lions aren't malicious or cruel, I'm simply a potential meal and they're simply trying to survive.

At any rate, the medication I take was probably tested on animals some point down the line in it's production. The medication my friends take- medications that keeps people alive- was probably tested on animals at some point as well. Where do I draw the line- if I stop eating meat, should I also stop benefiting from other things that are cruel to animals- like the fruits of animal testing? I like to consider myself an animal lover- got my adoption certificates from the WWF and my SPCA calendar on the wall- but things like that have always bugged me. It's an unforgiving world and I wonder when is the appropriate time to take survival of the fittest to heart.

[Evening]

The one thing that really bugs me with people who eat meat is not the eating meat, but the attitude of quite a few (not all) of these people. A lot of non-vegetarians can be rather nasty. And they can also be rather ridiculous. I have been offered money on numerous occasions to eat meat, like I'm some freak show entertainment. I've had to sit through meals with the people with me looking at my food in disgust, and being subjected with jokes every time I take a mouthful. I have had people put meat in my food as a joke, like I'm going to make a scene or something when I discover it. And I have been labeled with stereotype and probed with million questions. And I'm not over-exaggerating any of that. When I went to my cousin's sons birthday a few months ago, one of my cousins mates who I'd never met was REALLY laying into me with jokes and comments in front of everybody every time I went to eat something. My cousin was fuming about it but even when he told his mate to shut his mouth, he kept doing it. And then he did the whole 'oh I'm just kidding, I'm just messing with ya'.
It's extremely rude and immature.

That's the thing that irks me the most. No I'm not going to go have a cry, no I'm not going to make a scene or get into some tree hugging protest. When I have to mention I am a vegetarian, I have to be prepared for the possibility that someone is going to take the piss. It shouldn't have to be a big deal.

[Stark777]

Originally Posted by lynn P.

I would first like to say, I admire people who choose to be vegetarian. These are my thoughts - the difference is in my opinion, it's okay to kill them, if it's for food but not kill as poachers do for parts or fur -sustenance over selfish pleasure. I also support religions, who make sure the animal is killed with the least amount of suffering -a fast death.

Personally I enjoy meat, but I make the effort to eat fish and have at least 2 vegetarian meals weekly.

Because I'm trying to help (I always am), I would just like to mention the leatherback turtle and their eggs (and yes, she does need to meet a male leatherback turtle before she weaves her magic by battling her way onto the beach to lay her eggs in a trance).

Many many many people think that eating the eggs of the most precious animals in the world will make them fertile or increase their libido. They also eat tiger's penis's!!!

I'm wasn't shouting, just being bold in bold. If you want to learn more, I would reccommend looking up the phrase:

"Los heuvos de tortuga"

Stark777

P.s. I am grateful for how hard you are trying to help - I am a vegetarian myself but slip up every now and again when I know my body is screaming out for some meat. On these rare occasions, I eat something like king prawns or smoked mackerel. This is because I hope that the power in the oceans will forgive me. I also respect all the other ways people try and deal with this problem e.g. halal meat or perhaps people who have worked very hard to catch a fish when they are extremely hungry and have no other choice in the matter.

[Stark777]

Originally Posted by Babysteps

If I became a vegetarian , they would still kill animals.
If a billion people became vegetarians they might stop killing some.
I respect you and your thoughts on this.
I just can't see the point. Animals will continue to be killed and so will humans.

I disagree but your mood is set to depressed so I feel bad not saying "thanks for this" so I hope you are surrounded by good thoughts and intentions very soon

Stark777

[Stark777]

Originally Posted by Evening

The one thing that really bugs me with people who eat meat is not the eating meat, but the attitude of quite a few (not all) of these people. A lot of non-vegetarians can be rather nasty. And they can also be rather ridiculous. I have been offered money on numerous occasions to eat meat, like I'm some freak show entertainment. I've had to sit through meals with the people with me looking at my food in disgust, and being subjected with jokes every time I take a mouthful. I have had people put meat in my food as a joke, like I'm going to make a scene or something when I discover it. And I have been labeled with stereotype and probed with million questions. And I'm not over-exaggerating any of that. When I went to my cousin's sons birthday a few months ago, one of my cousins mates who I'd never met was REALLY laying into me with jokes and comments in front of everybody every time I went to eat something. My cousin was fuming about it but even when he told his mate to shut his mouth, he kept doing it. And then he did the whole 'oh I'm just kidding, I'm just messing with ya'.
It's extremely rude and immature.

That's the thing that irks me the most. No I'm not going to go have a cry, no I'm not going to make a scene or get into some tree hugging protest. When I have to mention I am a vegetarian, I have to be prepared for the possibility that someone is going to take the piss. It shouldn't have to be a big deal.

(((Evening)))

I've had similar troubles - recently in hospital, they offered me some meat at dinner time virtually every single day! I must've told them (the staff) a thousand times that I was a vegetarian (or I should say, trying extremely hard to be one!) Other patients ordered in buckets of fried chicken. I think the key word is "compassion" in this particular case.

Stark777

[Stark777]

Originally Posted by Sameer6

Many people likes animals. Most of those same people eats Chicken,Mutton,Fish,Beef...so on....

So,Why many of those people who likes animals didn't thought that eating some animals is wrong ?

The same people who gets worried and angry when animals are being killed by poachers...but yet they eat chicken,mutton,beef,fish..so on.......

What is the difference ?

I mean...why some animals have to be killed and eaten by humans ?

Why can't these people who loves animals be Vegetarians ?

(((Sameer6)))

It is not an issue I will compromise on in the long run. I am sorry you are feeling lonely (me too). I think even Gandhi himself said something like "I do think we should leave off eating meat altogether, eventually)

Stark777 (the ice fear was strong but Stark felt slightly invigorated)

Humans were meant to eat meat as a part of their diet. It's why we have canines (however small) and the need for vitamin B-12, the only amino acid you can't get from legumes.

However we aren't really supposed to have it as part of every single meal every single day. Especially before the discovery of actually being able to cook meat it was very physically tough to eat. I can't imagine it was eaten nearly as often as most people do now.

I think... I would like to eat vegetarian recipes for the most part, but occasionally having meat as well. In essence not eliminating meat and animal products from my diet but ultimately cutting them back.

I think... in order to live a healthy life without the need of supplements it is necessary to have a little bit of meat or other animal products in your diet. Vegetarians and vegans have to be especially careful with their diet to make sure they aren't malnourished (a news story comes to mind of a 12 year old girl raised by vegan parents and ended up with severe rickets). There isn't anything wrong with the lifestyle so long as you are informed but unfortunately this isn't always the case and they end up with health issues because of it.

I've actually had the opposite issue with rudeness (in that vegetarians being very rude and nasty to people who aren't). At least online...

[AkAngel]

Originally Posted by Kaika

I've actually had the opposite issue with rudeness (in that vegetarians being very rude and nasty to people who aren't). At least online...

I have run into this as well. I am vegetarian and have never had anyone give me a hard time about it but I have seen lots of vegetarians give meat eaters a hard time and I most certainly not support that. I don't doubt that the reports in this thread of people giving vegetarians a hard time are true but maybe me being 6' tall and 265 pounds dissuades them from being a smart aleck with me.

[Stark777]

Originally Posted by AkAngel

I have run into this as well. I am vegetarian and have never had anyone give me a hard time about it but I have seen lots of vegetarians give meat eaters a hard time and I most certainly not support that. I don't doubt that the reports in this thread of people giving vegetarians a hard time are true but maybe me being 6' tall and 265 pounds dissuades them from being a smart aleck with me.

Hey, well I try not to give people a hard time about eating meat coz what if one day there is a living vegetable! An angry one at that! Think Triffids - actually don't think that (too late).

Sane version follows:

I have a cat (carnivore)(beautiful still at 15 years old - she's on my profile).

My bro' is possibly the most compassionate person that I know of who eats meat. He tried being vegetarian for a very long time and now lives in Brisbane, Aus. where they are very fond of BBQs (to say the least!).

All the Best

Stark777

[Evening]

Humans are actually omnivores, not carnivores. Different species have different dietary requirements to each other, dogs for example while primarily carnivorous, are not obligate carnivores. They CAN actually be vegetarian. A cat on the other had IS an obligate carnivore, they must have meat in their diet. The reason being that dogs only require 10 essential amino acids in their diet while cats require 11, the 11th being taurine which is primarily only found in animal tissue. Cats do not have the ability to synthesis taurine and without it in their diet are subject to a great deal of health problems. Humans, just like dogs, are not obligate carnivores.

The anatomy of omnivores and carnivores are similar (as opposed to herbivorous animals both hind and fore gut fermenting), yet they also differ. Omnivorous teeth are a cross between herbivore and carnivore, but we do not have sharp edged or fanged teeth like that of a cat. Even looking at the teeth of a dog and cat, while similar initially, they are quite different.

Children have more trouble being vegetarians than adults because they do have different requirements to adults. Children are not able to create taurine the way adults can, so they are subject to more risk.

People who are uneducated before becoming vegetarian can also be at risk, because they may not know the things they are lacking (most people will focus on iron but there is also as said things like Vit B12). There is also the misconceptions that you will get all your iron needs from things like spinach and broccoli. The iron in vegetables is different to the iron in meat (heme and non-heme) and is also harder for the body to process so you do need to eat quite a lot more, there is also the fact that other vitamins and minerals can also have an affect on the iron absorption. Calcium binds non-heme iron meaning even less is processed, whereas Vitamin C helps aid the body's absorption.

As I said before I have been a vego for 10 years. I have NEVER had a single health issue caused by my diet, and I've never supplemented my diet with pills. I've even had blood tests done. Not every vegetarian is subject to problems, having said that not every vegetarian DOESN'T suffer issues. Every human body is different.

[Evening]

Originally Posted by AkAngel

I have run into this as well. I am vegetarian and have never had anyone give me a hard time about it but I have seen lots of vegetarians give meat eaters a hard time and I most certainly not support that. I don't doubt that the reports in this thread of people giving vegetarians a hard time are true but maybe me being 6' tall and 265 pounds dissuades them from being a smart aleck with me.

I agree, I hate when vego's give the whole lecture on eating meat on a non-vego, it gives us a bad rep. I'd rather eat a steak than be associated with vego's like that. I can quite easily sit at a table and eat my dinner with non vegetarians and remain un-phased.
Some things have me bagging, there is something about the smell of pork products that I find hard to stomach, I don't quite know what it is. And things like chicken skin, and ribs. That's just me being a little squeamish because I've been alone for 5 years and aren't so used to these things anymore.

Originally Posted by Stark777

My bro' is possibly the most compassionate person that I know of who eats meat. He tried being vegetarian for a very long time and now lives in Brisbane, Aus. where they are very fond of BBQs (to say the least!).

That would explain why I have been stuck into a lot, people are big meat eaters here in Australia. In remote areas you're going to be even more subject to it, the Prairie Hotel for example is on the edge of the outback, they serve up every critter under the sun- emu, goat, kangaroo, beef, camel- you won't find anything vegetarian there!

[El-ahrairah]

Well I LOVE animals, but I also love my meat, I can't say I love them enough to stop eating them, they eat each other and it's only natural that we eat meat too.

I respect other people's choices to be vegetarians and vegans.
It's just simply not a life style I want for myself.

I eat meat alot of it too, however I am now becoming very concerned about how my meat is allowed to live. I have taken/started to grow (if that is the right word) my own meat knowing that it is having a good life while it is alive.

Quite an interesting discussion. I am happy we are able to make choices.

[lonegael]

I'm an omnivore, very aware of how difficult it is to live vegan and be healthy. It actually takes a lot of knowledge about pretty much everything you put down you. I tend to go with the philosophy that no way do I believe you need meat products three times a day, every day of the week. Once a day is probably more than enough, and that is what we average.
In general, my feelings are that when I go, my dog is welcome to munch on me barring a yummier alternative. Since my cat would probably need something fresher, well.... Once I go, I won't be needing this anymore, after all

[Oakrun]

I eat a paleo/low carb diet and feel healthier for doing so. So I eat a good amount of grass fed meats. Do I feel bad for it? Yeah, in a way, I wish no animal needed to die before their time in order to feed me. I feel better that the animals lived a more normal life eating grass in a meadow, instead of the corn fed at animal factories.

And at the same time realize that grains, fruits, and vegetables grown kill animals too. Right now we are lucky to live in a time where oil, fossil animals, are used as fertilizer for plants. Once the oil runs out people will return to using fish and bone meal as plant nutrients. Then there is harvesting that kills millions of animals each year. Pollutants run into our oceans that kill wild life also. As an example there is a dead zone the size of NJ in the Gulf of Mexico where the Mississippi empties. Our agriculture has displaced animals in mass from the lands. And finally, thinking off the top of my head, the top soil and water supply are running short from the crops grown.