Are you a vegetarian?

[Senator Sbane]

So those here that are vegetarians, what is the primary reason that caused you to become one? Health reasons or treatment of animals? Or a mix of both?

[Torie]

God no.

[Redalgo]

No, I cannot bear the thought of living life without meat -though I have no objection to ensuring that the animals we do eat are raised and slaughtered humanely.

The nearest four stores recommended to me by that website are a 6-8 hour drive away, three being out of state and two of those actually requiring me to cross two state borders. omgz xD

I'm always surprised by people's perceived difficulty of living without meat.  I was never a big steak guy, but I definitely enjoy the taste of meat.  What exactly is the difficulty?  Do you all not eat a wide array of food?  You don't have a substantial number of non-meat dishes you enjoy?  That's kind of hard for me to fathom.

For me one of the only factors holding me back from a vegetarian diet is how damned finicky I happen to be. As of yet I haven't discovered a palatable alternative source of complete protein.

[Grad Students are the Worst]

So those here that are vegetarians, what is the primary reason that caused you to become one? Health reasons or treatment of animals? Or a mix of both?

Ethical reasons...I'm skinny enough as it is.  Animals are tasty, but I'm not compelled by the ethical case for valuing human life so infinitely higher than animal life to justify eating 'em.  Honestly, I've met few people who don't concede that killing animals is an ethical grey area.  It seems odd to put taste preferences over such an ethical grey area...especially because I can't imagine why anyone with a reasonably diverse palate would be especially inconvenienced.  I don't think this is a cut-and-dry ethical issue.  I'm just surprised more people (maybe even most) aren't vegetarian.

I suppose "humane slaughter" is marginally preferable, but: 1) It doesn't address the main ethical issue; and, 2) I don't think many people are willing to put their money where their mouth is anyway.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

No (normal omnivore)

[BushKenya]

I certainly have no trouble with vegetarians.  My favorite Aunt on my father's side is a vegetarian.  The only one in our family that I know.  For her, it is the ethical treatment of the animals, as well, just like it is for Alcon.  In fact, your views, Alcon, that you expressed are exactly her views, as well, save for the last paragraph.  I don't necessarily share those views, but whenever I eat dinner with her, I make sure to have some veggie alternatives, such as veggie burgers or plain cheese pizza or the like.  She has no problems with dairy, because that's not killing the animals, rather the animals are being used for their "intended purpose".

[Senator Sbane]

So those here that are vegetarians, what is the primary reason that caused you to become one? Health reasons or treatment of animals? Or a mix of both?

Ethical reasons...I'm skinny enough as it is.  Animals are tasty, but I'm not compelled by the ethical case for valuing human life so infinitely higher than animal life to justify eating 'em.  Honestly, I've met few people who don't concede that killing animals is an ethical grey area.  It seems odd to put taste preferences over such an ethical grey area...especially because I can't imagine why anyone with a reasonably diverse palate would be especially inconvenienced.  I don't think this is a cut-and-dry ethical issue.  I'm just surprised more people (maybe even most) aren't vegetarian.

I suppose "humane slaughter" is marginally preferable, but: 1) It doesn't address the main ethical issue; and, 2) I don't think many people are willing to put their money where their mouth is anyway.

It is a gray area, since obviously it is ethical for one species to kill another species for sustenance, but in our case, we can survive without eating meat. Furthermore, we are for the most part not living in hunter gatherer societies where animals provide us more "bang for the buck" so to speak. They tend to be high in proteins, but in today's society we can easily substitute that with plant products. In a hunter gatherer society you might not necessarily have that luxury as it might be too much effort to gather enough of those products, which tend to be small parts of the plants. In our society we can just run to the supermarket and grab a lot of vegetables and peas/legumes/beans and eat a balanced diet....or go to the drive-thru and get a double cheeseburger with bacon.

[President Marokai]

No, but like Oakvale, I don't eat much meat anyway.

[Grad Students are the Worst]

So those here that are vegetarians, what is the primary reason that caused you to become one? Health reasons or treatment of animals? Or a mix of both?

Ethical reasons...I'm skinny enough as it is.  Animals are tasty, but I'm not compelled by the ethical case for valuing human life so infinitely higher than animal life to justify eating 'em.  Honestly, I've met few people who don't concede that killing animals is an ethical grey area.  It seems odd to put taste preferences over such an ethical grey area...especially because I can't imagine why anyone with a reasonably diverse palate would be especially inconvenienced.  I don't think this is a cut-and-dry ethical issue.  I'm just surprised more people (maybe even most) aren't vegetarian.

I suppose "humane slaughter" is marginally preferable, but: 1) It doesn't address the main ethical issue; and, 2) I don't think many people are willing to put their money where their mouth is anyway.

It is a gray area, since obviously it is ethical for one species to kill another species for sustenance, but in our case, we can survive without eating meat. Furthermore, we are for the most part not living in hunter gatherer societies where animals provide us more "bang for the buck" so to speak. They tend to be high in proteins, but in today's society we can easily substitute that with plant products. In a hunter gatherer society you might not necessarily have that luxury as it might be too much effort to gather enough of those products, which tend to be small parts of the plants. In our society we can just run to the supermarket and grab a lot of vegetables and peas/legumes/beans and eat a balanced diet....or go to the drive-thru and get a double cheeseburger with bacon.

I have to say that I'm increasingly finding the environmental argument more compelling, too.  Meat is really a major resource waste.  Trophic levels and sh**t.

[Senator Sbane]

Oh yeah, that too. Again, as someone who does eat animals but is trying to cut down on it, eating vegetarian makes a lot of sense from many angles. I just wish there was even more variety of vegetable products we could purchase here. Things like banana roots taste so, so good but I don't think I have ever seen them here. That is one thing I like about India, the vast variety of vegetarian options. All of them tasty (though many are fried so yeah).

[homelycooking]

I have to say that I'm increasingly finding the environmental argument more compelling, too.  Meat is really a major resource waste.  Trophic levels and sh**t.

It was the environmental argument that did the trick for me, especially with regard to the worldwide destruction of fisheries.

[Grad Students are the Worst]

Oh yeah, that too. Again, as someone who does eat animals but is trying to cut down on it, eating vegetarian makes a lot of sense from many angles. I just wish there was even more variety of vegetable products we could purchase here. Things like banana roots taste so, so good but I don't think I have ever seen them here. That is one thing I like about India, the vast variety of vegetarian options. All of them tasty (though many are fried so yeah).

Yeah, living on a university campus or in an urban area makes things markedly easier if you're low-income.  The suburbs are a mixed bag; around here I'm sure it's relatively easy to live vegetarian if you have a decent income, but in the Midwest, it could be annoying.  I find the "I couldn't imagine living that way!" excuse hilarious in most urban/college areas, though, except for people who are extremely finicky.

[Senator Snowstalker]

[They Played The Wardrum Out Of Time]

LMAO

[pillage the village, trash the scene]

[bgwah]

I'd say something critical, but I was also amused by silly anti-veg stuff like that when I was 15.

[opebo]

God no.

Heh heh, you could always eat his turnips if you eschew the meat.

I'm suffering from a bad bought of dysentery btw, while on holiday in the Filly-pines.  So maybe I should blame meat (but I don't).

[ZuWo]

No.
Yet, I find the motives of most vegetarians honorable and I hold those vegetarians in high esteem who don't try to convert carnivores with missionary zeal and don't give you the feeling that they're morally superior.

[a Person]

I'm suffering from a bad bought of dysentery btw

This is not your twitter account.

[oakvale]

I'd also add that the reaction of some people to vegetarians is a bit silly. It's like some people get offended when someone doesn't eat meat.

(I mean, I do agree, obviously, that smugly superior vegetarians are annoying, but they're not very common)

[Fmr. Emperor PiT]

     No, I delight in the pleasures of carnivory.

[Frodo]

No, I cannot bear the thought of living life without meat -though I have no objection to ensuring that the animals we do eat are raised and slaughtered humanely.

The nearest four stores recommended to me by that website are a 6-8 hour drive away, three being out of state and two of those actually requiring me to cross two state borders. omgz xD

I guess it's easier for those of us who live in metropolitan areas -I tried my zip code, and there are at least 13 stores within a five mile radius of my house that are certified by this organization. 

[Hatman]

No. While I accept that humans can live a vegitarian lifestyle (obviously), humans are omnivores, so I see nothing wrong with eating meat. However, it would be nice if animals were slaughtered more humanely, and lived more humanely. Also, there is the issue of its contribution to global warming... I think chicken is probably the best meat to eat. I prefer it in terms of taste, but also because chickens have been bred for consumption, and aren't the most sentient of animals. Pigs on the other hand are very intelligent animals, so it's too bad bacon is just so tasty (but I'm comforted by the fact that I don't like ham, and I'm not a big fan of pork chops).

[bgwah]

No, I cannot bear the thought of living life without meat -though I have no objection to ensuring that the animals we do eat are raised and slaughtered humanely.

The nearest four stores recommended to me by that website are a 6-8 hour drive away, three being out of state and two of those actually requiring me to cross two state borders. omgz xD

I'm always surprised by people's perceived difficulty of living without meat.  I was never a big steak guy, but I definitely enjoy the taste of meat.  What exactly is the difficulty?  Do you all not eat a wide array of food?  You don't have a substantial number of non-meat dishes you enjoy?  That's kind of hard for me to fathom.

For me one of the only factors holding me back from a vegetarian diet is how damned finicky I happen to be. As of yet I haven't discovered a palatable alternative source of complete protein.

I seem to recall at least two health food stores in Kalispell.

[Sibboleth]

Not quite, but almost. Easier that way.