Animal Cruelty and Veg-inism

[Mikey]

Haha, I think I should apologise for any graphic imagery that I may project in this thread, but it is quite a strong subject
I think one of the problems is that people don't see such things as a victim of our flippant greed, and instead see them as 'ham' or 'beef' and the morals behind it are disguised because the 'meat' is all cut up and skinned and packaged.
I don't like it on 'Come Dine With Me' and things like that when they complain that there isn't any meat in their food or that their fish has eyes

[turner]

yeah youre right. when my brother was younger and we were having like a cooked dinner or whatver, he'd ask which animal it came from, my parents would just tell him to be quiet. I guess it was off-putting or something.

[liz]

People don't make the association because they don't want to.

It's like, when Gordan Ramsey slaughtered those pigs on his show, meat eaters complained!!!

A lot of people don't like to be faced with the reality of what's on their plate. I can understand that. It's horrific.

I don't preach to meat eaters. It's up to each person to decide for themselves. And I don't judge people for whatever decision they make. A lot of my friends eat meat.

But I don't think we should have to protect anyone from it. If people want to eat meat, that's their decision to live with. But if non meat eaters want to show what that involves, then that should be ok too.

[Mikey]

Gordon Ramsey is rather ignorant.

I agree that people's decisions should be respected, and I don't object until a meat-eater questions my vegetarianism. I often watch people eating a lamb's leg or whatever and wonder if they think about what they're eating- something that was born to be killed for their quick meal. I also don't like it at all when meat is wasted, as I don't with all food, but with meat, wasted meat is a wasted life and I wonder if as much fuss would be made if it was a human that was wasted instead, which I expect it would

[turner]

I often get asked what I'd do if I turned into a zombie. Whether I'd eat people or not.

[Mikey]

I didn't know zombies had a choice
Survival has always been a question thrown at certain vegetarians- like 'what would you do if you were starving and only had a chicken to eat?' I personally would eat the chicken in that situation, the main point being that right now, I have an alternative.
What would other vegetarians here do in that situation?

[turner]

I don't know to be honest unless I was in that situation.
I'd like to imagine I'd starve, but that's probably not the case.

[liz]

As Pev said, that question is asked of vegetarians a lot, but it's totally invalid.

The fact is, that some people have resorted to cannibalism in disaster situations where they have been starving. That doesn't mean they would run around eating their friends in everyday life!

In extreme situations people will resort to all manner of things in order to survive. Theft, violence, animal slaughter, and yes, on occasion, even cannibalism! When faced with death, it's suprising what lengths people are driven to, in order to stay alive.

What a vegetarian would do in a starvation situation, is no more relevant to normal everday life than it is for a meat eater.

[Mikey]

Indeeed.
I'm writing a story right now about a boy making decisions about survival and the risking of the lives of others It's not particulary relevant, but it's just an interesting coincidence.

[turner]

That's cool. Do we all get to read it?

What do you lot think of Tofu?

[liz]

I think it's pretty disgusting, LOL!

Yeah Pev, do we get to read it?

[turner]

Glad to see I'm not the only one then

[Mikey]

I like tofu until it starts to make me feel ill One lump of it is okay. On the topic of annoying generalisations of vegetarians, it doesn't always please me when meat-eaters presume all we eat is tofu! In fact this morning, my friend told me he wanted to be vegetarian, but couldn't because he didn't like cheese, as if that's the only thing we can eat along with vegetables

I suppose you can read the story when it's finished- you never know it might turn out to be rubbish by the time I'm finished I wouldn't say it's suitable for the Forum, but my tutor, an English teacher, runs a writing club and she's discussed putting up an online place for members to post their works. If that gets going, I'll put the finished story up and put the link to it on here

[turner]

Wahey!

[thfan]

Hi guys

I myself am not a vegetarian but I do hate animal cruelty. I watched part of the clip and couldnt believe other human beings could be so inhumane.

I just dont think I could be a vegetarian. If I could find a way of replacing meat in my diet I maybe would look into it. Im not that attached to meat but meat takes up a big part of my diet.

My mum isnt a vegetarian and she cooks most of my meals so I dont know how easy it would be at the moment. Perhaps when I leave home I could give it a go.

Howeve, I take my hat off to those of you who have become vegetarians and stand up for what you believe. Your fighting for animals that cant defend themselves.

thfan

xxx