I read that a lot here. And it's said in the tone of, "Because although I am personally a vegetarian, I am not a judgemental a-hole."



Well, I do care what others eat, if their diet causes unnecessary suffering and death to innocent beings. I care! I care! and I am not ashamed.



That doesn't mean that I am a judgemental a-hole. It means that I am consistent.

I care what people eat because I like to see people make the best choices possible for their bodies and their world. That said, I don't JUDGE people based on what they eat- I may care, but I don't judge. Thats the difference, for me.

Same here. I care about the non-human animal suffering, so to say "I don't care at all what others eat" would be like saying I am okay with such suffering, just as long as I am trying not to take part.

I see what you mean. I won't force others to eat what I eat, but I do prefer seeing and hearing about vegetarians because I know that they are helping the animals.

in all honestly, i don't care what people eat, as long as they are thinking about what they eat and why they eat it.



to me, it is more important that people are making informed, conscientious decisions about their food choices than what, specifically, they are eating. most people do not think about their food at all, or aren't informed about their food at all. People who are informed, generally consistantly choose positive choices for their own health, and that of others (human, animal, environment).



in this way, i am consistant with my own values as a vegetarian in regards to animal welfare.

I don't think it matters at all whether or not I care what other people eat. Other people are responsible for themselves. All I can do is be a good role model, give out what information seems appropriate, talk about veg*nism in a positive way, etc. I can't force people to be veg*n, and I won't waste my time & energy fretting over that.

I've learned that if I care too much about the stupid things everyone else does, that I just get really frustrated and cranky. I can't do anything about their behavior, I can do something about mine.

^^^ I tend to agree.

amen kirk!

I AM a judgmental *******.

That doesn't necessitate that I care about what you eat though.

yeah there is a difference between CARING and JUDGING

judging usually involves a lot of assuming .... and that hardly ever leads to any good

I think this is the important distinction. I wish everyone were vegan, so I wouldn't have to have pastrami shoved in my face or listen to people ooh and ahh over how tender the meat is. It would be nice not to have to see the death display at the supermarket whenever I shop.



However, I also know that if I get in everyone's face about their eating habits and lifestyle, that I'll just push people away from being veg*n. We ARE really stuck between a rock and a hard place in that way. It's not easy tolerating some of the meat eating world's grosser habits, but it's the only way not to be an impediment to change, IMO.







The Rev

You rock Gracie!

Aww... Thanks!

I judge. I think my diet is morally superior. That's why I adopted it.



I don't say anything, though.

Sums up how I feel.

Ditto.

I agree, I care about what others eat because of exactly what you explained. Their eating choices affect the world around them, and if there were more veg*ns there would be less undeserved deaths. That's why I love to hear about new veg*ns, especially mainly ethical ones.

Didn't you recently eat meat yourself though? It's pretty hard to judge any given behavior as "wrong" if we partake in that behavior ourselves. It would be pretty hypocritical.

Thanks!

So, as long as they think about why they want a Big Mac, it's okay for them to eat it?



What if the answer is "because it tastes good" or do they need a deeper reason? Why do reasons matter at all if butchery still occurs?!



We can all find selfish reasons to justify most anything...



How is that fair to the animals?

Stupid I can handle. Violence, I have a hard time with. But, I'm not cranky.

I agree








I agree






I agree

And I like you the better for it

she said that she cares but does not judge.



her statement describes how i feel, too.

I care... If you take part in torturing an animal than I think you need to be locked up just like any other animal abuser.



What's the difference between beating an animal... And having someone else beat it and then eating it? NONE.



I get sick of the "eat what you want... blah blah"... No, don't eat what you want. We won't let you torture your animals and we won't let you torture "commodities" either.



It's time for everyone to stop walking the fence.

Who's 'we'?

I can undertand your frustration and its easy to think along these lines but on the other hand I wasn't always a vegan..and never even thought I would be a vegetarian..after eating meat for however many years I can't just start hating on everyone else all of a sudden..sure I wish I could go back in time and not eat all that meat that I did but i can't do that so im going to be a little more practical and work with what i can now..which i think is in line with not judging other people based on what they eat..I certainly don't enjoy the fact that everyone else i know except for my girlfriend eats meat on a weekly basis (if not daily) ..but theres no point on torturing yourself with thoughts like this because all they will do is make you angry ..between my girlfriend and I we have inspired quite a few people around us to eat healthier and to consume less meat..they arent vegetarians but I feel like its made a difference even if only in our little corner of the world.....they are more aware of what is going on and it reflects their purchasing and consumption decisions...