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I have been reading many of the posts throughout the site familiarizing myself with as much of the wonderful information that is available here. Along the way, I've run into the occasional post that has given me pause. For instance, there is a post now in the vegan section, that asks vegans what they think of vegetarians. I am not vegan therefore the poster was not asking me, so I did not answer there. I would like to comment here.
There is something that I am confused about after reading through that (and many other) posts. First, I have not found the reasons for my choice to become lacto-vegetarian. I am not under the delusion that my reasons are unique, so I wonder where the rest of you are? Many of the posts in the aforementioned thread implied that the lacto-ovo vegetarian is confused morally. Though there is no 'ovo' in me, here's my explanation for why I am the way I am:
For me to be able to eat meat, an animal must die. For me to eat eggs, an animal-to-be must cease the to-be part of that definition. Eggs, to my mind, are chicken abortions. In both cases, my actions necessarily require the end of life of another living creature, one whom I believe, has a rudimentary self-awareness. For me to have milk, it is not necessary that an animal be abused by my definition of abuse. I understand that for many, owning an animal and treating it with nothing but love is abuse - my definition of abuse does not extend anywhere near that far. I also understand that many in the dairy industry do not make the same choices in their conduct toward animals as I would. It does not have to be that way; it is their choice. I do not feel that I am responsible for another persons choices. I can understand and appreciate why someone would choose to allow the dairy industry's policy's and choices to affect theirs, but I do not.
Since I had not heard this explanation before, I thought I would offer it as a vehicle for better understanding only. It is my reason for my choices and not meant to me an attack on anyone or their choices. Perhaps as time goes on, I will no longer feel the same way and go completely vegan or beyond but all I shall continually ask of myself is to live what I believe.
Angel
There is something that I am confused about after reading through that (and many other) posts. First, I have not found the reasons for my choice to become lacto-vegetarian. I am not under the delusion that my reasons are unique, so I wonder where the rest of you are? Many of the posts in the aforementioned thread implied that the lacto-ovo vegetarian is confused morally. Though there is no 'ovo' in me, here's my explanation for why I am the way I am:
For me to be able to eat meat, an animal must die. For me to eat eggs, an animal-to-be must cease the to-be part of that definition. Eggs, to my mind, are chicken abortions. In both cases, my actions necessarily require the end of life of another living creature, one whom I believe, has a rudimentary self-awareness. For me to have milk, it is not necessary that an animal be abused by my definition of abuse. I understand that for many, owning an animal and treating it with nothing but love is abuse - my definition of abuse does not extend anywhere near that far. I also understand that many in the dairy industry do not make the same choices in their conduct toward animals as I would. It does not have to be that way; it is their choice. I do not feel that I am responsible for another persons choices. I can understand and appreciate why someone would choose to allow the dairy industry's policy's and choices to affect theirs, but I do not.
Since I had not heard this explanation before, I thought I would offer it as a vehicle for better understanding only. It is my reason for my choices and not meant to me an attack on anyone or their choices. Perhaps as time goes on, I will no longer feel the same way and go completely vegan or beyond but all I shall continually ask of myself is to live what I believe.
Angel
