Good Reads Vegetarians discussion
Religion and Vegetarianism
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Letitia
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 11:33AM)
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Jul 13, 2007 03:02PM

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Letitia and Roberta: Thank you both for joining this group. I was hoping to have conversations such as this.
I did not become a vegetarian for any specific religious reason. In fact, I don't have a defined religion the way most people do. It doesn't even have a name that anyone could identify. It is, however, a perspective with values, beliefs, and a point of view that is not in conflict with any particular religion but is in a progressing harmony with nature.
I discovered this perspective within myself after becoming a vegetarian for health reasons. The simplest reason was that I wanted to see my 3 year old nephew at age 30. To do that, I felt I needed to change what I put in my body. I went from 310lbs to 205lbs over the course of two years. So, Roberta, the main reason I became a vegetarian was for health. As a result, I became more compassionate about the animals and environment.
I did not become a vegetarian for any specific religious reason. In fact, I don't have a defined religion the way most people do. It doesn't even have a name that anyone could identify. It is, however, a perspective with values, beliefs, and a point of view that is not in conflict with any particular religion but is in a progressing harmony with nature.
I discovered this perspective within myself after becoming a vegetarian for health reasons. The simplest reason was that I wanted to see my 3 year old nephew at age 30. To do that, I felt I needed to change what I put in my body. I went from 310lbs to 205lbs over the course of two years. So, Roberta, the main reason I became a vegetarian was for health. As a result, I became more compassionate about the animals and environment.

On another topic: what I find frustrating lately is the whole "organic, " "cage-free," "natural" foods debate. I want to buy cruelty-free and naturally grown products, but have heard that the labeling is intentionally misleading.
One of the ways I tackle the issue of misleading labels and companies that try to trick us is when I find a company that it inline with my lifestyle choices, I stay with them. Brand loyalty may be one way to get more items that are inline with our eating choices.
Thank you Lilia! I feel that making the change for health reason is part of the reason why I am still alive and healthier. I am working on a program at my school (Eastern Michigan University) that explores the ethics of vegetarianism. I want to share with others that vegetarian diets are the way to go, especially when the most common causes of death are preventable and are directly related to what we eat!




I think one of the influences in my initially deciding to go vegetarian was my interest in neo-paganism and Buddhism. I don't think going veg was necessarily a spiritual decision, but the two lifestyles/beliefs definitely went hand-in-hand in my mind.
Though, over the years I've become more atheist and more vegan... so, I can't say that religion played any lasting role.
Though, over the years I've become more atheist and more vegan... so, I can't say that religion played any lasting role.



Im so glad to find this subject. I go to a lot of haunted houses and I have a theory that eating meat is related to ghosts. i honestly think that we cannot pass to the next dimension with a corrupt soul and eating meat is part of that.
I dont mean that corrupt is evil I mean that our biological balance is wrong as we have consumed cells of other creatures.
Lol Im not crazy.
I dont mean that corrupt is evil I mean that our biological balance is wrong as we have consumed cells of other creatures.
Lol Im not crazy.




But religion and being a vegetarian have absolute nothing to do with each other. Only a nut will think so. Your enlightenment for your own health, the resources and poising of our planet should be the main reason that you are drawn to this lifestyle.
Suchin wrote: "Fine if for you it is your religion, so much the better.
But religion and being a vegetarian have absolute nothing to do with each other. Only a nut will think so. Your enlightenment for your own h..."
I wouldn't say they have absolutely nothing to do with each other. The simple fact that some get their moral identity from religion and that moral identity can cause them to question whether or not eating meat is right or wrong is reasonable.
To say that you choose to no rely on your religion to come to that same decision would be more accurate.
Thanks for commenting, though.
But religion and being a vegetarian have absolute nothing to do with each other. Only a nut will think so. Your enlightenment for your own h..."
I wouldn't say they have absolutely nothing to do with each other. The simple fact that some get their moral identity from religion and that moral identity can cause them to question whether or not eating meat is right or wrong is reasonable.
To say that you choose to no rely on your religion to come to that same decision would be more accurate.
Thanks for commenting, though.
Letitia wrote: "Billione, in reference to your exploration of ethics, have you read anything by Peter Singer, or the "Omnivore's Dilemma" by Pollan? Highly recommended for a defensible case against consuming meat."
Letitia:
I cannot believe I did not see this post. It has been a very long time. I apologize. To answer your question. I have been looking for a Singer book at the library. Since books cost so much, that is where I spend my time, but the book by Singer that I want is not owned by the library.
I have seen Omnivore's Dilemma, but have yet to pick it up. Thank you!
Letitia:
I cannot believe I did not see this post. It has been a very long time. I apologize. To answer your question. I have been looking for a Singer book at the library. Since books cost so much, that is where I spend my time, but the book by Singer that I want is not owned by the library.
I have seen Omnivore's Dilemma, but have yet to pick it up. Thank you!
Just to add. We should stop trying to define the world for everyone else, an not deal in absolutes. Share your experiences and allow others to be inspired is in my opinion the best way to operate.


Hmm...Leticia I know of some websites but I'd have to go and find it...I'll get back on you about this

Suchin wrote: "If the right wing religious nuts can jump on the vegetarianism band wagon so much the better. Then at least they got ONE thing right."
LMAO!
LMAO!

theres tons of great food u can still eat


yah its really sad, have u watched those PETA viddeos :( there so sad....

yah its really sad, have u watched those PETA vi..."
Yes - the worst. Also - the In Defense of Animals website is also tragic. Check it out (if you can stand it =(

I seriously dont understand why people have to kick animals and do all that torture to them, like whats the point....? do they really feel happy when doing that...i just dont understand

Nothing to share my ideas than try to reduce consume meat product more and more.
I believe life from veget and fruit which come from the right way relate with our soul and spirit which we call religion.

Hi Letitia,
Wonderful to hear of the book you are working on! The world needs more positive energy out there :)
I became vegetarian (then shortly thereafter vegan) for ethical reasons. I have always loved animals, and I started to 'wake up' when 'speciesism' slowly dawned on me. I felt it was inconsistent (immoral & wrong) that I was nice to my kitty-cat, but then I would indirectly sentence other lifeforms to death by eating or wearing them.
These are some important websites for me:
http://farmsanctuary.org/
http://www.madcowboy.com/
http://www.wspa.ca/
http://rastarescue.org/
In addition, the videos from Peta (esp. Meet your Meat), and Peaceful Kingdom are unforgettable & profound in their messages.
I would also recommend the book Diet for a New America, that was already mentioned here, by Laura and
"Dominion", by Matthew Scully:
http://www.amazon.com/Dominion-Power-...
And "Animal Gospel", by Andrew Linzey:
http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Gospel-A...
And: "Is God a Vegetarian", by Richard A. Young:
http://www.amazon.com/God-Vegetarian-...
I would love to read your book when it's done, so please keep us posted!!
Rai
"Know that the same spark of life that is within you, is within all of our animal friends, the desire to live is the same within all of us..." - Rai Aren

Nothing to share my ideas than try to reduce consume meat product more and more.
I believe life from veget and fruit which come from the right way relate with our soul ..."
yah! totally agree w/u

thats how i feel too, when i see meat, its really sad
well, hope that it all works out for u and your mom, im sure she will soon understand >_< its really brave of u to be a vegetarian :p
wow its great that u got a diet thing from a doctor, that way u can eat healthy balanced meals!! keep it up, if u need any help u can ask me, Ive been a vegetarian my entire life..so yeah :]

LOL
Yupp I know your... feelings... thoughts... W/e I know that you mean :D
My friend has the same prob as u except shes just become a VEGAN! (which in my opinion, is a bit much...)
Thank god that my dad was at one point a vegetarian...
Can't say the same for my mom tho cuz shes german and all they eat there is sausage and potatoes... no joke
lol
So yay welcome to the club!

Not only is it easy to just exclude all of these animal products from my diet, I find great peace in knowing I am not participating in any way to anyone else's suffering. To produce milk, cows must be kept in a pregnancy cycle - the poor little calves get shipped off to the evil veal places to be crated up in a nightmarish & cruel existence, then slaughtered. Not to mention, the mother cows have a strong bond with their calves, so it is awful for them to have their babies taken from them like that.
In addition, to produce eggs, chickens are often forced into it over & over again until their uteruses fall out. There is ENORMOUS suffering that is inherent in the 'liquid meat'/egg industries, in fact many animal rights activists argue the conditions & suffering are worse than the meat industry. To me, it is all a horror & something that must be avoided.
When in doubt, I choose to 'Do unto others...' I put myself in another's shoes/hooves/paws/feet/fins... :)
So nice to commune with you fine, thoughtful folks!
Rai

Well said, Rai!

"The First Step," a preface to The Ethics of Diet (1883) by Howard Williams. He praised the 19th century vegetarian movement, which "...should cause especial joy to those whose life lies in the effort to bring about the kingdom of God on earth, not because vegetarianism is in itself an important step towards that kingdom (all true steps are both important and unimportant), but because it is a sign that the aspiration of mankind toward moral perfection is serious and sincere, for it has taken the one unalterable order of succession natural to it, beginning with the first step."

As a result of my research and my experiences, I wrote a book on health called Destiny Mastery 1: Start With Your Health. I am still trying to add it to Goodreads database.