Vegetarianism is definitely a lifestyle worthy of respect, in my opinion. However, with many people that I see taking up the practice for the first time, I find that they have a pretty high resolve of inflexibility. I feel like they are only looking at the restrictions and not really looking at why the restrictions are there. If you make something incontrovertibly unattainable, it makes you crave it more. You want what you can’t have. It’s a natural tendency. If vegetarians allow themselves the option of having meat, if they don’t harangue themselves over the occasional consumption of meat, they won’t feel tied to it anymore. I think Awareness by Anthony DeMello said something similar to this. He said a priest that denounces adultery openly and often is tied to adultery for as long as he acts against it. Practicing or acting against something ties you to that action. How much more liberating would it be if you didn’t feel like meat wasn’t an option? How free would you feel to know that you could eat meat if you wanted, but decide to consciously abstain? You are in control of what you do, not the rules.
I’ve often considered becoming vegetarian myself. Key word: Considered. I like meat too much. Food is my greatest vice. However, from a health standpoint, I’d definitely do it. I’ve at least dramatically cut back on my meat consumption. I’d say around 80% of the people you meet on the street go over on their daily recommended value for protein. Usually it’s 2-3x greater than the daily value.
On the topic of giving up meat for the sake of animals’ lives (another motivation for vegetarianism): I’d just like to point out Native American cultures and Jewish cultures both restrict their meat for the sake of animals’ lives. Kosher laws require that the animal does not die of natural causes, and that the death of the animal is quick and painless.They want it to be humane and they want to be considerate of the animals’ comfort. For Native americans, several believed in only taking what was necessary. They believed a certain amount of meat was necessary to their diet, so they always prayed over and thanked the spirit of the animal for giving its body to nourish them and their family. From an ecological standpoint, as well, the killing of animals for food not only nourishes us, but keeps the animal population at a healthy level. Overpopulation could lead to starvation within the group and they would die a slower, more agonizing death.
Here in America, we kill too much. We consume way more meat than we need, so animals’ lives are being taken needlessly. Beyond the overconsumption of America, though, think of death as an essential part of life. Yes, taking the life of something that isn’t directly our right to take is a somber and sorrowful issue, but isn’t there at least SOME reason to it? Do we get mad at other omnivores for taking the life of their prey? We, by physiological and anatomical design, are omnivores. Part of this chain of life allows us, and sometimes urges us, to do things that we might not necessarily see the good in immediately.
To all my vegetarian, and vegan, homies out there: I think you’re doing the right thing. High five.
BTW, I have provided a link to Judaism Kosher laws. I couldn’t find anything on Native American dietary practices though. Bum. If anybody could help me find a link, I would greatly appreciate it along with my fellow readers.
