Digest Number 1140

[Guest guest]

As someone who does eat meat, I appreciated Denise's approach. The type of

person described by Marie are hopefully a VERY small minority. I think Denise's

last suggestion for the overbearing know-it-all is the best, just walk away.

 

I do eat meat and I do not envision becoming a vegetarian. However, I do eat

far less meat than I used to, both frequency and quantity. I am always

appreciative when someone who is vegetarian is willing to talk to me and share

their beliefs. I know the range of reasons, but to be able to discuss the

subject with someone is great. It definitely helps educate and inform me. I

joined this group for two main reasons: 1) to get good vegetarian recipes, and

2) to become educated.

 

Personally, I cannot understand why a non-vegetarian would be so concerned or

threatened as to be knowingly rude and offensive because someone chose not to

eat meat. I understand the pashion of many vegetarians and vegans against those

who eat meat, though I will admit I have felt somewhat like Marie at times.

 

As an aside regarding the response from a Christian that it is our duty to eat

meat, it is interesting to note that at creation, God made everyone vegetarian;

and while it is not really clear, all of the animals may have been vegetarian

also. It was only after the fall that God allowed humankind to kill animals for

clothing and food.

 

So, again, thanks Denise for your thoughtful reply.

 

wrote:

 

 

There are 6 messages in this issue.

 

Topics in this digest:

 

1. Re: Re: Best ways to deal with meat eaters? Hi denise

GeminiDragon

2. Re: Best ways to deal with meat eaters?

" gzuckier "

3. ~Recipes Added To Files~

" Feral "

4. Re: Re: Best ways to deal with meat eaters?

GeminiDragon

5. Re: A vegetarian on business ~ Jayelle

" gzuckier "

6. Re: Environmentally Friendly... Someone asked

" Josie "

 

 

______________________

______________________

 

Message: 1

Mon, 24 Jan 2005 17:16:01 -0800 (PST)

GeminiDragon

Re: Re: Best ways to deal with meat eaters? Hi denise

 

I have a friend in Mt. Vernon, Iowa and she has a hard time being a vegetarian

there. Are you near that area?..Donna

 

organic_homestead wrote:

Marie,

I know exactly how you feel. At my last job, my boss said being a

vegetarian was unAmerican. And here, in Iowa, a co-worker's husband

asked us, " don't you want to be a part of the food-chain? "

I've also had people a religious diatribe on why eating meat is a

christian duty. Well, I shock them even further by telling them I'm

not christian.

 

I feel that most people who are hostile towards those who are

different are that way because they feel threatened. People who feel

threatened will either use humor or dogma to overpower their target.

I'm sure these meat-eaters would never admit to feeling threatened.

 

A couple of responses I give when I'm faced with an ugly interaction.

 

When I'm feeling kind and gentle:

" I respect what you say and eat and I only hope that you can respect

my personal choice on what I eat and how I choose to live. "

 

When I'm feeling sarcastic or dismissive:

" Buddhists (and other religious groups) have been vegetarians for

centuries and they live perfectly, healthy lives. " - or- " I don't

support the inhumane farming practices and mass murder and filthy

slaughtering conditions and until I can raise an animal myself and

kill it, I won't eat meat. "

 

When I'm feeling like a know-it-all vegetarian:

" Actually more studies show that a vegetarian diet high in fiber and

plant protein reduces risks of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes

and that there are more risks to eating meat, especially due to the

filthy slaughtering practices kept today. "

 

And of course the best suggesting with dealing with an overbearing

know-it-all is to just walk away.

 

When I first joined this group, some of us would post on a regular

basis silly things meat eaters would say to us trying to tell us

we're " wrong. " It was good for me to get it off my chest so I didn't

hang on to the feelings and then when I re-read it on the list and

people's responses I had a good laugh and felt much better.

 

I hope that helped lighten things up for you. I'm sorry that things

can be so difficult but do hang in there. The most important thing is

that your husband and son are loving and supporting and that is all

that matters. You know that you are doing the right thing for

yourself and family.

 

Denise

 

, " Marie "

wrote:

>

> Hi all!

> I'm new to this board, but must say I really enjoy being here!

> I was just wondering if any of you have suggestions on how to deal

> with all the overbearing, know-it-all meat eating people in the

world

> who are

> so quick to tell you how wrong you are for being a vegetarian. I

would

> think that being a vegetarian coupled with my intense belief in

> kindness and compassion for all creatures would bring out a kinder,

> gentler side to those around me, but in many cases, it brings out

the

> opposite. I'm not very outspoken in my beliefs unless asked. I'm

> non-confrontational in most circumstances. I just feel very alone

in

> many circles, including work and my extended family. Thank goodness

my

> husband and son are with me on this and are devoted vegetarians and

> animal lovers, too!

> Any insight on this would be most appreciated!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Doug,

I appreciate you being on this list! And I appreciate hearing your

thoughts. It is great that you are willing to explore other ways of

eating and living and that you pursue educating and informing

yourself. We need more people like you in this world!

 

Denise

 

, Douglas Smith

<cyclist451> wrote:

> As someone who does eat meat, I appreciated Denise's approach. The

type of person described by Marie are hopefully a VERY small

minority. I think Denise's last suggestion for the overbearing know-

it-all is the best, just walk away.

>

> I do eat meat and I do not envision becoming a vegetarian.

However, I do eat far less meat than I used to, both frequency and

quantity. I am always appreciative when someone who is vegetarian is

willing to talk to me and share their beliefs. I know the range of

reasons, but to be able to discuss the subject with someone is

great. It definitely helps educate and inform me. I joined this

group for two main reasons: 1) to get good vegetarian recipes, and 2)

to become educated.

>

> Personally, I cannot understand why a non-vegetarian would be so

concerned or threatened as to be knowingly rude and offensive because

someone chose not to eat meat. I understand the pashion of many

vegetarians and vegans against those who eat meat, though I will

admit I have felt somewhat like Marie at times.

>

> As an aside regarding the response from a Christian that it is our

duty to eat meat, it is interesting to note that at creation, God

made everyone vegetarian; and while it is not really clear, all of

the animals may have been vegetarian also. It was only after the

fall that God allowed humankind to kill animals for clothing and

food.

>

> So, again, thanks Denise for your thoughtful reply.

>