*DISCLAIMER*
I thought it necessary before moving into this link to point out that Why Vegan? does include various graphic images portraying farmed animals in crowded confinement and intense factory farming conditions. And although many of these pictures may appear disturbing to some, I honestly feel they are for the most part appropriate when acknowledging and revealing current animal agribusiness practices. Having said this, some readers may wish to initially explore other grounds of vegetarianism such as health, environmental concerns, world hunger, etc. before diving into its implications. But by all means the issue should not be ignored.
"Follow your heart and mind to a world
where violence is left behind."
My Personal Views On Factory Farming
In all honesty, the adverse conditions in which food animals are raised are not largely known to most. And unfortunately several years back, I was no exception to the fact. But when I did decide upon it and began seeking answers myself, I quickly became unsettled in what I found. I guess what really struck me wrong then and still to this day is just really the way these animals are treated more or less as lifeless commodities within the scheme of production and less as fellow participants in God's creation. And I guess that disturbed me greatly over all else in that I have always been raised with the notion of respect. Fore in these terms, I feel what is given should be received. And from what I found not only are these creatures denied that honor, but they suffer greatly in the process. And in my eyes that felt greatly unethical. And as I thought of it more and more I began to honestly question where my convictions stood. If I believed so strongly in love, compassion, and seeking nonviolent solutions in my own life, then what does it say upon my character to support such a system that embodies the opposite? And then could I genuinely dismiss what I have just uncovered and be right with my own conscience? So it was a challenging consideration. But one I ultimately made without regret.In sum it was a matter of shifting my sentiment to include the whole of creation and to really see my everyday choices work for the benefit of others. In the end, it really wasn't that difficult a decision to apply. It simply felt just. And by acknowledging it as that, it really became necessary. Hopefully these feelings will be better understood as the following is examined.
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