Post by Disco Farmyard on Mar 14, 2008 13:30:55 GMT
lilachamster said:
Yes I would have a problem with a man's meat-eating as a lack of ethics and compassion more so than it grossing me outEating meat doesn't necessarily mean you lack ethics, it just means your ethics are different. It certainly doesn't equal a lack of compassion. It's just a different way of looking at the world and our place in it. Just because vegans or vegetarians might find eating meat misguided doesn't mean they should attribute people who do with absolutely no ethics or compassion. Remember there are plenty of animal rights protestors out there whose behaviour demonstrates no 'ethics' or 'compassion' either. Animal rights at the complete expense of human rights, like for example those guys who dug up a family grave and took to body hostage in protest against a hamster farm, isn't any better than the lack of ethics you complain about in your post.
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My boyfriend eats meat. Although I hope he'll come around to vegetarianism at some point I never lecture him or even try to encourage him to give it up, seeing as he is exceptionally conscientious and intelligent and I'm sure he can come to conclusions on such matters without my help. My choice is a personal one. I find that most meat eaters who want to debate with me regarding my choice are looking to be pursuaded and I always so my best on that score. I will cook meat for my boyfriend but his money pays for it. The way I see it is that I used to eat meat once too, until it made sense not to. I don't see myself as superior to people who eat meat, I just think most people don't give it enough thought to make the decision to stop.
I can completely understand vegans who need to search for other vegans to form relationships though, and if it's something that's getting harder and harder for you then it needs to be addressed. I have my limits. Loving a meat eater obviously isn't one of them (my parents and family all eat meat too and I love and respect them all - every path is different) but I would never go out with a pro-Zionist for example. There are some moral or political beliefs that you hold so dear that you just can't brush them under the carpet. In a way it's to be admired.