- So why vegetarian?
There's really no one true universal reason behind it all. Making the vegetarian choice means different things for different people. Not everyone is going to necessarily site the same reasons. For example, some people simply wish to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Whether their causes for doing so are from a medicinal/therapeutic standpoint or plainly from a sensible one, they derive great personal satisfaction from choosing more natural dietary choices. Others may acknowledge the destructive slant of the meat-industry itself, taking opposition in the extreme level of waste, pollution, and mismanagement of resources--all of which take a considerable toll upon the environment. And yet still others simply become genuinely conscious of suffering, making the connection between their everyday choices and perhaps the truest victims themselves, the animals.
As unfortunate as it seems, very few of us really know exactly how and to what extent our eating habits are associated with ourselves, our surroundings, and others. Even to this day, I still find myself constantly uncovering new information and articles shedding new light on the issues. It's a constant on-going process. Just as one truth is being discovered it always seems another of equal relevance is exposed in the process. And that's in a sense how it generally progresses.
Getting back to the point of this page (which I probably should!), my one true aim is to just simply increase awareness and try to bring about a better understanding of vegetarianism by making known what I feel is so often overlooked at times. And hopefully by putting forward the facts and presenting them in a straightforward manner, everyone reading will be better able to draw their own conclusions--even possibly stepping away with a fresher perspective on the matter. But before doing so, I guess I should actually share a little about myself and some of my own personal grounds.
Simply stated, veganism is the conviction and practice of
compassionate living... --Joanne Stepaniak
- So what does vegetarianism mean to you and what exactly is a vegan?
I guess I should probably start with the latter. A vegan (pronounced VEE-gun) by definition is one who abstains from all meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy; avoids obvious by-products of fur, leather, or wool; makes an effort to avoid products made by companies that test on animals. But beyond this core definition, each individual generally has their own unique opinions about and experiences with being vegan; there is essentually no set order of rules to follow. For example, I tend to view myself as a "vegan-in-progress" simply from the fact that I still possess a few items of leather. You simply set your own individual objectives over time gradually working yourself torwards where you would like to be.
As for why I have made such a commitment, I would have to say that it simply reflects who I am and I guess most noteably, what I would hope to bring into the world. It's in a way my own living personal assertion of life. Becoming more conscious of my surroundings and of others. Issac Singer's words seem to express it best when he states:
To be vegetarian is to disagree--to disagree with the course of things today. Starvation, world hunger, cruelty, waste, wars--we must make a statement about these these things. Vegetarianism is my statement. And I think it is a good one.
For me its really not enough knowing or being aware of an existing problem, but it means everything to me knowing that I can make a serviceable difference, however so slight, by just making a few select changes in my life. And it's with these changes that I truely feel I am moving forward in whole both healthfully and consciously and I guess in a way even spiritually. Some of you may be scratching your heads at the moment or trying to fathom what might possibly drive one to such a radical decision. Well then again...maybe radical is perhaps too stern of a word. I guess I could understand why some might see it as such, but from my standpoint, I'm just following what seems so natural to me. Even back when I first began my journey through vegetarianism roughly four years ago, it always sort of progressed in small steps. So really for some of those on the outside looking in...yeah, I guess it would appear a little unfamiliar. But for myself and others who have been seasoned with it, it's really just a small step up. In any case, those of you who have endured my story (rambling included) this far and would like to learn more--well, just continue with the information. Below I have listed several topics and links on the matter.
Why Vegan? (with foreword & disclaimer)
This informative booklet, printed for distribution by Vegan Outreach , gets to the heart of veganism; acknowledging the multiple
issues of factory farming, slaughterhouses, the environment, nutrition, and conservatism. A
must read for all.
Facts and Figures Behind Our Food Choices
Position of the American Dietetic Association: Vegetarian Diets
101 Reasons Why I'm A Vegetarian
Various Animal Rights/Vegetarianism Quotations
Short Stories and Poems A collection of selected short stories and poems by various authors.
