Vegetarian

[jhayx7]

The thread about Vegetarian heart disease got me thinking about this quote:

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."
--Albert Einstein

For starters, I am not a vegetarian but I try not to consume a lot of meat. I think that Einstein is correct in his statement, the health benefits of a vegetarian diet and the impact of not having anymore meat processing plants on our environment would be tremendous. FYI a typical cow produces over 200 pounds of methane gas each year; replace that cow with a crop of vegetables and you will be producing oxygen and an endothermic reaction. Also, the living conditions for these poor animals are horrible. I would like to hear input from you guys and gals about this and are there any pro's to NOT being vegetarian???

 

[TallBill]

I dont care how animals are treated. And I love meat. I wont stop eating it. Science will overcome any problems. Start using that methane to power cars or something.

 

[loup garou]

ROFL...so in order not to be cruel to the cows we should...kill all the cows?

 

[So]

Here's a pro: people like it, and people should not be told how to live in order to satisfy someone else's ideal society.

Here's another pro: PEOPLE LIKE IT

Why do you care?

 

[batchusa]

To each his own, I am a vegetarian and frankly I could care less what other people eat.

 

[jhayx7]

Originally posted by: So
Here's a pro: people like it, and people should not be told how to live in order to satisfy someone else's ideal society.

Here's another pro: PEOPLE LIKE IT

Why do you care?

I care because I am sitting here at work, bored Seriously, I love a big fat juicy steak but it does sadden me a little to know some cow had to live a crappy life to satisfy my hunger for a steak. I don't think people should be told how to live but I do think people are selfish (myself included)

 

[So]

Originally posted by: jhayx7

Originally posted by: So
Here's a pro: people like it, and people should not be told how to live in order to satisfy someone else's ideal society.

Here's another pro: PEOPLE LIKE IT

Why do you care?

I care because I am sitting here at work, bored Seriously, I love a big fat juicy steak but it does sadden me a little to know some cow had to live a crappy life to satisfy my hunger for a steak. I don't think people should be told how to live but I do think people are selfish (myself included)

Being alive is selfish. Stop feeling guilty about it, there is nothing wrong with it.

 

[athithi]

I think vegetarianism has not taken off in the West because of the activist approach towards promoting it. Also, I believe it does not help for people to try and turn vegetarian overnight. If done gradually, I agree that vegetarianism is a healthy and perfectly normal lifestyle. I have been a vegetarian all my life but then my ancestors have been vegetarians for hundreds of years, so it isn't that big a deal in my case. I think if PETA and other pro-veg organizations concentrated more on promoting vegetarianism as opposed to eliminating meat-eating, they would be far more successful.

EDIT: On second thoughts, PETA represents ethical treatment of animals, so their approach is appropriate for what they claim to represent. But I still feel their approach makes little to no headway in promoting vegetarianism and based on some of the responses I see, it seems to make people even more resistant to treating animals ethically - or perhaps people are still not convinced that letting an animal live is necessarily ethical OR that ethics is relative to the context (that what is ethical towards animals may not be ethical towards themselves or other human beings).

On ATOT, I can give you the standard responses you are going to hear:

- vegetables are what food eats (and several other variations)
- I'll compensate for your vegetarianism by eating more meat
- the animal population will explode if we didn't eat them faster
- harvesting kills more insects, rodents and other small animals than slaughter-houses
- man is higher up the food chain
- if you don't stuff yourself full of protein, you'll die
- I know a vegetarian who was an a55hole, so vegetarianism is bad

 

[So]

Originally posted by: athithi
I think vegetarianism has not taken off in the West because of the activist approach towards promoting it. Also, I believe it does not help for people to try and turn vegetarian overnight. If done gradually, I agree that vegetarianism is a healthy and perfectly normal lifestyle. I have been a vegetarian all my life but then my ancestors have been vegetarians for hundreds of years, so it isn't that big a deal in my case. I think if PETA and other pro-veg organizations concentrated more on promoting vegetarianism as opposed to eliminating meat-eating, they would be far more successful.

On ATOT, I can give you the standard responses you are going to hear:

- vegetables are what food eats (and several other variations)
- I'll compensate for your vegetarianism by eating more meat
- the animal population will explode if we didn't eat them faster
- harvesting kills more insects, rodents and other small animals than slaughter-houses
- man is higher up the food chain
- if you don't stuff yourself full of protein, you'll die
- I know a vegetarian who was an a55hole, so vegetarianism is bad

People who are vegeterian for religious or personal opinions on health are fine. People who are vegeterian because they love cute animals and want to tell others how to live are not.

 

[dullard]

Most of what I eat is vegetarian meals. But I try to eat one meat meal at least every other day.

Why eat meat?
1) It is very healthy for you in moderation. Did you see that qualifier? If you didn't reread #1 until you did.
2) It tastes good.

Um, that is enough reason for me.

 

[DaShen]

Humans are omnivores and have evolved to be sustained on meat and vegetables. Most animals that will feed on anything (like Humans), tend to have the most population growth. Rats, cockroaches...

We do eat way too much meat though to be healthy within the new inavctive lifestyle we have..

 

[So]

Originally posted by: DaShen
Humans are omnivores and have evolved to be sustained on meat and vegetables. Most animals that will feed on anything (like Humans), tend to have the most population growth. Rats, cockroaches...

We do eat way too much meat though to be healthy within the new inavctive lifestyle we have..

Kinda interesting, that...we seemed to be well on the road to becoming carnivores (well, mostly carnivores, like dogs) when civilization happened and kinda derailed that. Not saying that pulls any weight as an agrument, but it's kinda interesting.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: jhayx7
The thread about Vegetarian heart disease got me thinking about this quote:

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."
--Albert Einstein

For starters, I am not a vegetarian but I try not to consume a lot of meat. I think that Einstein is correct in his statement, the health benefits of a vegetarian diet and the impact of not having anymore meat processing plants on our environment would be tremendous. FYI a typical cow produces over 200 pounds of methane gas each year; replace that cow with a crop of vegetables and you will be producing oxygen and an endothermic reaction. Also, the living conditions for these poor animals are horrible. I would like to hear input from you guys and gals about this and are there any pro's to NOT being vegetarian???

You are probably right, but people are people.
They are selfish and set in their ways, and they do not care about or for things that do not directly effect them.
There are very few human needs, and many human wants.
We are all guilty of it. Every single one of us. I know from time to time, I think about the conditions and the improper use of life. And I have to block it from my mind.
You just have to realize that although you may take part in these evils, you didn't start the fire. And you cannot put it out. So you might as well enjoy the warmth.

 

[athithi]

Originally posted by: So
Here's a pro: people like it, and people should not be told how to live in order to satisfy someone else's ideal society.

Here's another pro: PEOPLE LIKE IT

Why do you care?

On the topic of vegetarianism, I agree with you that it should not be forced upon meat-eaters because the best way to turn vegetarian (IMO) is to do it gradually so your body can adjust from your previous diet. On the larger issue of not telling people how to live, I think there is a distinction to be made. Knowledge must necessarily flow from more intelligent, educated and wise people to the common masses for the betterment of the common folk. It is imperative to protect people against their own ignorance by keeping them informed. Disseminating information, however, is vastly different from imposing rules and regulations on other people. People can be told how to live, but they should not be forced to live that way if they chose not to do so. I think you meant the same thing - I just wanted to nitpick on your post

 

[Appledrop]

 

[So]

Originally posted by: athithi

Originally posted by: So
Here's a pro: people like it, and people should not be told how to live in order to satisfy someone else's ideal society.

Here's another pro: PEOPLE LIKE IT

Why do you care?

On the topic of vegetarianism, I agree with you that it should not be forced upon meat-eaters because the best way to turn vegetarian (IMO) is to do it gradually so your body can adjust from your previous diet. On the larger issue of not telling people how to live, I think there is a distinction to be made. Knowledge must necessarily flow from more intelligent, educated and wise people to the common masses for the betterment of the common folk. It is imperative to protect people against their own ignorance by keeping them informed. Disseminating information, however, is vastly different from imposing rules and regulations on other people. People can be told how to live, but they should not be forced to live that way if they chose not to do so. I think you meant the same thing - I just wanted to nitpick on your post

I think you are not nitpicking if you agree with me.

Nevertheless, saying that Vegeterianism is healthier or inherently better is neither a fair statement nor proven. Plus, you would learn well from the Indians who taught us that being humble, not arrogant is the way to sway people's opinion.

 

[Cristatus]

Originally posted by: jhayx7
The thread about Vegetarian heart disease got me thinking about this quote:

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."
--Albert Einstein

For starters, I am not a vegetarian but I try not to consume a lot of meat. I think that Einstein is correct in his statement, the health benefits of a vegetarian diet and the impact of not having anymore meat processing plants on our environment would be tremendous. FYI a typical cow produces over 200 pounds of methane gas each year; replace that cow with a crop of vegetables and you will be producing oxygen and an endothermic reaction. Also, the living conditions for these poor animals are horrible. I would like to hear input from you guys and gals about this and are there any pro's to NOT being vegetarian???

Don't forget, you have to feed the cows food as well.

No more cows means that you should, approximately, only be producing for the humans.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: jhayx7
The thread about Vegetarian heart disease got me thinking about this quote:

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."
--Albert Einstein

For starters, I am not a vegetarian but I try not to consume a lot of meat. I think that Einstein is correct in his statement, the health benefits of a vegetarian diet and the impact of not having anymore meat processing plants on our environment would be tremendous. FYI a typical cow produces over 200 pounds of methane gas each year; replace that cow with a crop of vegetables and you will be producing oxygen and an endothermic reaction. Also, the living conditions for these poor animals are horrible. I would like to hear input from you guys and gals about this and are there any pro's to NOT being vegetarian???

You are probably right, but people are people.
They are selfish and set in their ways, and they do not care about or for things that do not directly effect them.
There are very few human needs, and many human wants.
We are all guilty of it. Every single one of us. I know from time to time, I think about the conditions and the improper use of life. And I have to block it from my mind.
You just have to realize that although you may take part in these evils, you didn't start the fire. And you cannot put it out. So you might as well enjoy the warmth.

I like this quote.

I am a meat eater, girlfriend is a veg.

She doesnt eat it because ... well only the past few months been veg.

I dont get why she doesnt eat meat anymore, she just doesnt lilke the cruelty.

She isnt even taking any supplements, give me something to fight with!

 

[jhayx7]

Originally posted by: logic1485

Originally posted by: jhayx7
The thread about Vegetarian heart disease got me thinking about this quote:

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."
--Albert Einstein

For starters, I am not a vegetarian but I try not to consume a lot of meat. I think that Einstein is correct in his statement, the health benefits of a vegetarian diet and the impact of not having anymore meat processing plants on our environment would be tremendous. FYI a typical cow produces over 200 pounds of methane gas each year; replace that cow with a crop of vegetables and you will be producing oxygen and an endothermic reaction. Also, the living conditions for these poor animals are horrible. I would like to hear input from you guys and gals about this and are there any pro's to NOT being vegetarian???

Don't forget, you have to feed the cows food as well.

No more cows means that you should, approximately, only be producing for the humans.

True but I think there are more important factors like waste runoff, methane production, diseases (SARS, MadCow, eColi, etc)...

 

[DeMeo]

If we weren't meant to eat animals, then how come they're made of meat?

 

[jhayx7]

Originally posted by: DeMeo
If we weren't meant to eat animals, then how come they're made of meat?

Humans are made of meat. You eat humans?

 

[DnetMHZ]

<Dennis Leary>

"Eggplant tastes like eggplant,
but meat tastes like murder and murder tastes pretty Goddamn good.. doesn't it?..

Yes it does!"

</Dennis Leary>

 

[aleckz]

ever thought if we just went to eating vegetables and fruits, alot of the land that was forest based would probably have to be changed into farm land because the mass consumption and population, considering if we all started to just eat only vegetables and fruit.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: jhayx7
The thread about Vegetarian heart disease got me thinking about this quote:

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."
--Albert Einstein

For starters, I am not a vegetarian but I try not to consume a lot of meat. I think that Einstein is correct in his statement, the health benefits of a vegetarian diet and the impact of not having anymore meat processing plants on our environment would be tremendous. FYI a typical cow produces over 200 pounds of methane gas each year; replace that cow with a crop of vegetables and you will be producing oxygen and an endothermic reaction. Also, the living conditions for these poor animals are horrible. I would like to hear input from you guys and gals about this and are there any pro's to NOT being vegetarian???

You are probably right, but people are people.
They are selfish and set in their ways, and they do not care about or for things that do not directly effect them.
There are very few human needs, and many human wants.
We are all guilty of it. Every single one of us. I know from time to time, I think about the conditions and the improper use of life. And I have to block it from my mind.
You just have to realize that although you may take part in these evils, you didn't start the fire. And you cannot put it out. So you might as well enjoy the warmth.

I like this quote.

I am a meat eater, girlfriend is a veg.

She doesnt eat it because ... well only the past few months been veg.

I dont get why she doesnt eat meat anymore, she just doesnt lilke the cruelty.

She isnt even taking any supplements, give me something to fight with!

She is taking a stand. Be proud of her for trying.
But it probably won't last long. Most people I know who have tried being vegetarian give in to temptation.
Meat tastes good. And eventually her body will crave it.

 

[jhayx7]

Originally posted by: aleckz
ever thought if we just went to eating vegetables and fruits, alot of the land that was forest based would probably have to be changed into farm land because the mass consumption and population, considering if we all started to just eat only vegetables and fruit.

Yes but we would be replacing trees with more plants instead of poop infested barren land with cows farting methane gas. Gah I sound like a tree hugger..