I am a vegetarian. I have not eaten meat (knowingly) for about four years. I prefer soy milk to cow's milk and eat eggs from free-roaming hens when I have the opportunity. I am quite the cheese-addict though, but I've rounded that off in my conscience with my newfound appreciation for soy pudding.
PETA didn't convince me to stop slaughtering animals with my dollars. I convinced myself. I had known for a long time that eating meat hurts not only animals but also the environment and my health, and I had also known of the corruption of the meat industry. I had heard of PETA and maybe seen a few of their videos, but it was me who made the decision. One summer day, I figured I was tired of contributing to such negativity and ended my association with such an archaic and unnecessary practice.
Being a vegetarian, I can't understand how people don't buy PETA's arguments. To me, logic dictates that kindness to animals is kindness to yourself and harm to animals is harm to yourself. There is little difference between a human and an animal, so how can people justify their acts? It irks me when I ask people how they can eat meat and they say "because it tastes good." Antifreeze tastes good to dogs, but that doesn't mean they should eat it (that will be my version of a stretched PETA argument for this blog; and by the way, vegetarians live longer than meat-eaters).
However, there are arguments that PETA makes that I do not completely agree with. One of the reasons why I'm not personally associated with the group is that they typically endorse a vegan lifestyle; vegetarians are second-rate to them. In this case, I share PETA's mainstream views but accept only modified versions of the specific arguments. I believe that in order to gain more adherents, PETA should downplay its vegan aspect so it won't seem so extremist.
Overall, PETA is just one of those groups that I love but won't run around naked with.
8 comments:
After reading your post, I understand and agree that harming animals is like harming yourself and that just because meat tastes good doesn't mean you should eat it. However, although I agree that animals should not be unneccessarily harmed, it is necessary to slaughter animals for food. I don't mean abuse them, just a necessary sacrifice for food. (I use the word necessary a lot, don't I?) Anyway, humans need meet to survive and lead healthy lives. It is part of the food pyramid, and doctors believe that some meat is needed in your diet to live healthy. I know it sounds really heartless and not to mention a little harsh, but it's the real world. Humans have been eating meat and using animals for other things for generations. It's part of our nature, and I don't think it can be changed. Even animals eat other animals to survive. I hope I don't sound preachy, but it is part of life.
hehe...the word is "meat" not "meet." Sorry. My mistake...
I agree with you about not harming animals. However, I do believe it is okay to kill animals for food. In the first post, it says that even animals eat other animals. This is totally true. It is all apart of the food chain and a normal part of life.
Oh, just to let you guys know, I have NO idea why the font is so big. I tried changing it a few times and it just wouldn't agree with me. Sorry if it causes any trouble.
Hey, I saw the comment you made on my blog, and I just had to say something (no offense whatsoever, and if I've offended you in some way, I'm sorry) I did not mean that a slaughter house or meat industry was natural. I meant that killing animals for food was a natural process of life. However, I disagree when you said that something natural to humans and animals can be changed. We are made to eat both meat and vegetables, and it is hard, if not impossible, to change something so natural to us. It's like asking a lion to stop eating meat--an impossible task, I'm sure. I'm sorry if you don't agree with me, but this is what I believe. Furthermore, on your comment about my saying that "there is progress after pain," maybe I should've made myself more clear--what I meant was that sometimes people do sacrifice to progress. The American Revolution, for example, brought much pain and suffering, but it was necessary for the United States to progress and become independent. Again, I'm sorry if you don't agree with me, and please don't believe that I'm attacking you. I just wanted to say what I believe and to clarify any misinterpretations of my blog.
Laura I applaud you for being a vegetarian! I am also one for many of the same reasons you mentioned (but I'm not the best one since I still eat fish..) Anyways, I decided to be a vegetarian in the same way you did. I never really watched videos (because they grossed me out)or read about PETA, but I just really didn't like meat, and I felt guilty for eating it! I also read a lot of information about how much of an impact cattle grazing has on global warming and how just becoming a vegetarian can help. I think it's important for everyone to do their part, despite how insignificant it may seem.
Yo,
Woah, big font! I really liked how you took the blog prompt and tailored it to your life! It is really resfreshing to see the view of a vegetarian on PETA's policies. Although I do think there is a difference between animals and people, I still respect animals.
P.No
I love your post. It's so strong and assertive. I did not mean that not eating meat was extreme, well I guess it is just extreme to me. Since it is a basic lifestyle I have had since birth.
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