[starseed13]

...regardless of their REASONS for being vegetarian?

I have to be honest this place is not what I was expecting it to be. It seems that if you are not vegetarian for animal rights reasons, and not pretty damn hardcore about it, you get really judge and put down around this place.

There are a million reasons to be vegetarian, I would think health would be the biggest one, but around here it seems if you are not an animal rights extremist you are not welcome here. Truthfully I usually skim over the board rules when I join a place so did I miss something that said Im not welcome here? Should I leave?

Im veggie for mostly spiritual reasons btw. I love animals and do think the meat industry is corrupt and cruel, but these are not my reasons for not eating meat. Ive always felt the meat industry was wrong, but Im not neccessarily against eating meat in all circumstances, for all people.

I respect different opinions but it seems mine arent respected too much around here.

 

[Medesha]

If you don't feel comfortable here, then you don't feel comfortable here. Not all boards are for everyone. I can rattle off dozens of posters who aren't necessarily in it "for the animals," but I doubt anyone can make you feel good if you don't feel good already. I hope you find what you're looking for.

 

[GanyGreenBean]

I think you may misread a few things. Yeah, you can be vegetarian here and be a vegetarian for health reasons. Thats my original reason for cooking a vegan menu to eat. Welcome to Veggie Boards!

 

[froggythefrog]

Yes. It does not mean that people aren't going to disagree with you at times. It's bound to happen because Vegetarians are a very diverse group of people. I applaud anyone who is vegetarian, whatever their reason.

 

[starseed13]

Thank you, its not that I mind really, I was just suprised I guess. I felt maybe I missed something in the rules that stated that this place was animal rights orientated only. Im a lazy reader, sorrryyy.

I guess what Im saying is I wasnt quite expecting vegetarians to be so hostile towards other people who are vegetarian. Some of you have been very nice of course, but it seems to about half the people here Im some kinda monster for eating eggs and saying that I dont mind when other people eat meat and dont judge them. Its so funny because in real life Im the most pro-animal, compassionate person I know and considered the "animal hippy girl" to all my friends lol...

Im not deeply hurt about this or anything, just surprised. As long as Im welcome, Im not goin anywhere!

 

[Alli]

That's not the case at all, there are people here veg*n for health reasons or other reasons (spiritual, like you said). I'm sorry if you feel judged or put down. If it means anything, I respect your views.

 

[froggythefrog]

Quote:

Originally Posted by starseed13

Thank you, its not that I mind really, I was just suprised I guess. I felt maybe I missed something in the rules that stated that this place was animal rights orientated only. Im a lazy reader, sorrryyy.

Ugh.

Welcome to Veggieboards.

 

[hnybny91]

It's not that I am against animal rights, but I am mainly a vegetarian for health reasons. I even still cook meat for my omni husband and kids, I just don't eat it. I personally could never see myself as someone who wouldn't eat anything hat had any animal product in it (such as honey) so i will happily stay vegetarian.

I do see what you are saying about people being judgemental. I stopped reading that thread after about the 10th page.

 

[kpickell]

Yes, you'll have to put up with some hostility from those who believe in animal rights.

on any vegetarian message board, unfortunately.

 

[starseed13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hnybny91

It's not that I am against animal rights, but I am mainly a vegetarian for health reasons. I even still cook meat for my omni husband and kids, I just don't eat it. I personally could never see myself as someone who wouldn't eat anything hat had any animal product in it (such as honey) so i will happily stay vegetarian.

I do see what you are saying about people being judgemental. I stopped reading that thread after about the 10th page.

Yeah...I feel just about like you do. I love animals but Im just not an extremist. I wish the VERY pro animal people would realize they would get their point across a lot better if they stopped talking down to people and being so hostile.

A few conversations around this place have almost inspired me to go back to eating meat.

 

[GhostUser]

Quote:

A few conversations around this place have almost inspired me to go back to eating meat.

that's silly. you would change your ideals because of what someone said to you on a message board?

 

[Sevenseas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by starseed13

Some of you have been very nice of course, but it seems to about half the people here Im some kinda monster for eating eggs and saying that I dont mind when other people eat meat and dont judge them.

I don't think I've said you're a "monster" for what you believe in (but I can call you Freddy Krueger if you like). I think you need to see the difference between ideas and persons. I will criticize many views, like the personal choice ideology, but it's irrelevant to me who represents them, so it's not directed at a particular person.

 

[elibrown]

I kind of know what you mean. I'd venture to say that the majority here are probably AR vegetarians. I see slightly nasty comments toward health vegetarians sometimes, and pretty often inaccurate generalizations about health vegetarians. However, it doesn't really bother me. If someone directed something like that specifically toward ME, I'd just politely correct them. It's not their fault that they don't know everything about me and the nature of my lifestyle.

I still think VB is a nice place to talk with a lot of interesting, knowledgeable people.

 

[kpickell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by starseed13

A few conversations around this place have almost inspired me to go back to eating meat.

You'll get knocked on for that comment, I guarantee it... but I know exactly how you feel. It's a shame other people don't understand, they see it as silly or stupid.

 

[Sevenseas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpickell

It's a shame other people don't understand, they see it as silly or stupid.

Well yes, it's an attempt to get back at someone by trying to guilt them with "ha, now see what you made me do!". The sad thing is that the person is taking it out on animals who had nothing to do with any of it.

 

[kpickell]

No, it's not. And that's your problem, you make too many assumptions because you think you know everything, but your assumptions about people are often wrong because you're seeing them only from your own limited point of view.

 

[GhostUser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by starseed13

...regardless of their REASONS for being vegetarian?

I have to be honest this place is not what I was expecting it to be. It seems that if you are not vegetarian for animal rights reasons, and not pretty damn hardcore about it, you get really judge and put down around this place.

There are a million reasons to be vegetarian, I would think health would be the biggest one, but around here it seems if you are not an animal rights extremist you are not welcome here. Truthfully I usually skim over the board rules when I join a place so did I miss something that said Im not welcome here? Should I leave?

Im veggie for mostly spiritual reasons btw. I love animals and do think the meat industry is corrupt and cruel, but these are not my reasons for not eating meat. Ive always felt the meat industry was wrong, but Im not neccessarily against eating meat in all circumstances, for all people.

I respect different opinions but it seems mine arent respected too much around here.

Welcome to VB!

You will run into the few that will give their opinions even if they are not asked. With so many different personalities on herer, we are all sure not to please each other. Stick with your beliefs and if you learn something different...great..if you teach us something..even better

Have fun and stay positive!

 

[Sevenseas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpickell

No, it's not. And that's your problem, you make too many assumptions because you think you know everything, but your assumptions about people are often wrong because you're seeing them only from your own limited point of view.

I have to rely on assumptions in the absence of information: I don't remember seeing much of an explanation for that type of comment.

All I can think of is that someone's negative comments decrease the motivation to remain veg*n (that is, instead of increasing the desire to eat meat), but (as I've implied before) that means that part of the motivation was to be a part of a group. Some will think that this is a silly reason to be veg*n. If you're veg*n for health - and health veg*ns are a very relevant group for the topic - I don't see much of a way how any "extremist" will make you care less about your health.

 

[GhostUser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by starseed13

...regardless of their REASONS for being vegetarian?

I have to be honest this place is not what I was expecting it to be. It seems that if you are not vegetarian for animal rights reasons, and not pretty damn hardcore about it, you get really judge and put down around this place.

There are a million reasons to be vegetarian, I would think health would be the biggest one, but around here it seems if you are not an animal rights extremist you are not welcome here. Truthfully I usually skim over the board rules when I join a place so did I miss something that said Im not welcome here? Should I leave?

Im veggie for mostly spiritual reasons btw. I love animals and do think the meat industry is corrupt and cruel, but these are not my reasons for not eating meat. Ive always felt the meat industry was wrong, but Im not neccessarily against eating meat in all circumstances, for all people.

I respect different opinions but it seems mine arent respected too much around here.

No, stay. You're welcome. Sometime, especially on forums, the loud voice of the few is heard by many. I think that's what you may be picking up on. The majority of us here are veg for many reasons like you said; we are not all animal rights extremists (that's a stereotype of veg anyhow).

I'm a strict veg because I love the animals and believe not eating them is a path of least harm. I also avoid leather, suede, silk, etc. I don't call myself vegan yet because once in a while I may eat something that has eggs or cheese as an ingredient.

See? I'm a quiet one for the most part. If I hadn't told you this you may have not known. The more subdued ones, well they are just a little harder to hear. But they are the majority here. Please don't be intimidated. Oh, and maybe stay away from the heap until you get more of a feel for the board. The heap can be a ***** sometimes.

 

[GhostUser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by starseed13

Some of you have been very nice of course, but it seems to about half the people here Im some kinda monster for eating eggs and saying that I dont mind when other people eat meat and dont judge them.

PS..my boyfriend of 10 years is Omni. We're getting married in 2. I don't judge people for that either.