Quote from Hespia Klarerin
how about fish?
if you're reason for being a vegan is because of animal cruelty, why do you not eat fish??
if you're reason for being a vegan is because of animal cruelty, why do you not eat fish??
Well, to be absolutely technical, fish are animals too -- they belong to Kingdom Animalia, Classes Osteichtheis and Chondrychtheis. As for why it's 'cruel' -- have you ever seen how much fish struggle before they eventually suffocate to death (or conversely, are split open with a knife)? And let's not even talk about whale hunting...
Yes, humans are at the top of the food chain. You've gotta be kidding if you say the occasional tiger / bear / cougar attack on a human can be considered a normal predator-prey relationship.
I love animals and am always thoroughly supportive of protecting animal rights, but I'm not vegetarian. I eat meat about once or twice a week; partly because it gives nutrition, diversity and flavour to my meals, but mainly because -- even if I stop eating meat / fish, would it change anything? I think not. If someone promised me that if I became a vegan for the rest of my life, all the slaughtering of animals for meat would stop, I'd do it without a second thought. But since that will never, ever happen, I'll continue to eat meat and fish in small, controlled amounts.
I admire those who become vegetarians / vegans because they feel for animals and denounce the cruelty involved. I don't have any opinions on "completely carnivorous" people or those who become vegans because it's the "in thing" in the diet department. People can do as they see fit, and my getting angry at them will have no detrimental effect on them, but will increase my long-term risk of hypertension...so why bother?
Last edited by calstine at 10:19 pm, Oct 19 2011