Okie, this goes out to everyone; I have a very simple question. Since I've become vegan (for a diverse array of reasons), I have encountered a fair amount of grief and hostility from many omnivores out there. Usually, it's something like, "You're missing out on all the good stuff!" or something similar, but I've heard everything from "Vegetarian diets aren't any healthier than meat-eating diets," to "I'll stick with my Bible, thank you!" Now, my question is ... Why does my nose have to glow? I AM NOT JUST A MISFIT! No, but seriously, why do vegans get all this flak from omnivores, just because we're different? I very, very rarely get someone who asks me what reasons I had for becoming vegan, and then settled with knowing that ... but most of the time, my aggressors say incredible things like I'm going against the Bible (which I'm not; G-d gave humans domain over all animals, so we can do with them what we wish, and I wish to respect the fact that they have lives like us), and ultimately, after I argue for a while, their best defense is that "meat tastes so good." Now, if the typical moronic American defends themself with a selfish, insignificant little "I'm a meat addict"-kind of statement, why do I get strange looks and sneers whenever I mention the fact that I'm vegan? So please answer me that question: why? I can understand if a person doesn't understand my reasoning behind it ... and when asked my reasons, I do oblige and give them out, but ... why must people state the most INCREDIBLE (and I mean, false) things, or insinuate that I'm some kind of heretic or lunatic?
argh! i know what you mean! thats why i always get so defensive whenever omnis talk about how vegans are trashing meat diets and trying to convert everyone - omnis do it just as much, if not more. the only reasoning i can come up with as to why they do this is that they actually think i care what they eat... which is just not the case. just ignore it - eventually it'll go away.
because you are 'rocking the boat'. its the same as growing dreads, communal living or going barefoot. its not the following the status quo and people are afraid of that which is different and of change. also, maybe people don't want it pointed out that they are guilty of wrongdoing in some way. so they need to justify their actions by proving you are wrong.
if anybody should be giving people shit, it should definatley be the vegans and veggies towards the meat eaters....
Agreed. People always ask me if "I'm a damn rabbit." It's annoying, but a majority of people are just ignorant. If someone cannot respect your lifestyle, then you shouldn't care what the hell they think about it.
the thing is when you make your informed desicion to do something different then the norm, or popular choice, the ignorant people who have not made that choice think that by your choice you are saying that thier lack of choice is inferior. so they have to put you down so that you stop making that choice, and they no longer look inferior or ignorant. just reply,"i dont tell you what to eat, or what to wear, or what to do, dont tell me what to eat, what to wear or what to do. If you do, ill kick your slow, clogged artery, ass!"
I have come to the realization that they may be jealous, not about the fact that we dont eat meat (or other things), but we had the ability to make such a drastic change in our lives. The only way people cover up feling of jealousy is by being mean. All the time people go mmmm....beef or something around me, knowing I'm a vegeterian. I'm still offended by it, but its always comforting to know that there are so many people in the world who feel the same way you do, and that you're not the only vegan or vegeterian. Choosing to be so is hard, and when you decide to, you accept the realization that people will be mean. But It will only make you a better person for not being swayed by their harsh attitudes.
A) because they're idiots, and all the geniuses out there were at least once vegetarian. B)Because they want to think that they're supperior, which they're not, I still beat 'em up fair and good! C)Because they think it's fun to pick on someone who has 'oddities' WTF?!?! The bible gave us dominion over animals, AND it states that you should treat ALL OF GOD'S CREATURES with respect. Who ever sais differently is NOT a true christian. And the Bible never stated that we're supposed to eat meat, it just said we can. But it actuallly *prefers* a vegetarian diet (or so it seems IMO ). Yet it also states that vegetarians shouldn't demean meat-eaters, and meat eaters shouldn't look down on vegetarians. I believe that God doesn't like the way his creations are treated! Our all-loving father loves animals alot too! They're his creations, and he said they were good. And he sure made alot of them. He actually compaires us to sheep! WHERE DO THESE PEOPLE COME UP WITH THESE LIES?!!? Oh, yeah, so they have to come with an excuse..
hehe i think it's funny when one of my co-workers tells me i'm gonna die. hehe, he finally stopped though and got over it
The technical term is cognitive dissonance. Most people like to think they are pretty good / decent / kind people most of the time. But there is nothing good decent or kind about eating meat. most people are also well aware of this but have suppressed it just below their consciousness. No one likes to think about the fact that they participate in massive institutional torture and cruelty. And unfortunately, just the concept of vegetarianism brings these two opposing ideas into the consciousness, where they create the uncomfortable feelings we call dissonance.
sometimes its just fun to poke fun at people who are different. like when my friend decided to become veg a couple years ago, i would say things like "go eat some fruit" when he'd talk too much, or tell him that animals were in certain foods he was sure werent. there really is no reason, except for the fact that were different, and its easy to take jabs.
