Why Vegetarian? The Environment & cruelty to animals

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Why are people vegetarians?

There are several reasons for people to become vegetarians. For me it has to do with the spiritual effects of eating meat as well as the impact of eating animals on animals and the environment in general.

Why I'm a vegetarian - spiritual reasons 

I'm a vegetarian for various reasons: the environmental reason would probably be enough for me and animal cruelty is certainly an issue I care about.

The most important reason I'm a vegetarian is totally different however.
Basically I'm a vegetarian for spiritual reasons. Many Theosophists feel, like many people who do yoga, that eating meat just isn't good for your spiritual development.

Eating meat is said to coarsen the aura: making a person more susceptible to aggression, strengthening the lower emotions.

This isn't to say that only bad people eat meat. Nor that all vegetarians are saints. That would be foolish.
It is saying that if you want to be a better person, grow spiritually, becoming a vegetarian is one of the things to consider.

If it's the only thing you do - it is obviously not going to help much. But combined with introspection, service to others, meditation perhaps - vegetarianism should be a help in changing your life.

The Inner Art of Vegetarianism : Spiritual Practices for Body 

by Carol J. Adams

The Inner Art of Vegetarianism : Spiritual Practices for Body

The Inner Art of Vegetarianism : Spiritual Practices for Body

by: Carol J. Adams

Amazon Price: $15.00 (as of 12/06/2009)Buy Now

About vegetarianism as part of spiritual practice. If you like this book there is also a workbook.

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Eating animals just isn't good for the environment 

wasting space and energy

Sorry folks - eating animals is just a waste of space and energy. With global food shortage it is becoming very clear that this issue needs to be addressed.

It is really simple: if one acre of land is used to grow vegetables a lot more people can be fed with them, than if the same acre is used for grazing livestock. It's just less efficient.

BTW
Eating fish is also a problem: fishing has become so easy through technology that many of the fish species people consume are in danger of becoming extinct.

Vegetarian Food for Thought: Quotations & Inspirations 

by Gail Davis

Vegetarian Food for Thought: Quotations & Inspirations

Vegetarian Food for Thought: Quotations & Inspirations

by: Gail Davis

Amazon Price: (as of 12/06/2009)Buy Now

Quotes from famous people on why they are vegetarians. From Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Alice Walker, Candice Bergen, Rachel Carson to Gandhi, and other notable vegetarians. But also ancients like Plato and Gautama Buddha.

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Animal cruelty 

These days animals like pigs, chicken and cows just don't live very natural lives. They are cramped together, often eating unnatural foods and kept alive with a lot of drugs.

Those of you who eat meat contribute to those problems, unless of course you eat organic meat.

Why are you a vegetarian? 

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Vegetarianism: Movement or Moment? 

by Donna Maurer

On the history and development of vegetarianism in the USA
Vegetarianism: Movement or Moment?

Vegetarianism: Movement or Moment?

by: Donna Maurer

Amazon Price: $22.95 (as of 12/06/2009)Buy Now

Takes a look at vegetarianism from the perspective of social science.

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Books advised by readers 

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The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save Your Life and Our World by John Robbins

The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save Your Life and Our World by John Robbins

Here, the man who started the "food revolutio more...0 points

Are you a vegetarian? Did you know about the environmental advantages? 

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  • Reply
    Heather Heather Sep 15, 2009 @ 4:12 pm
    I'm vegan for the sake of the animals.. i was vegetarian for 9 years but couldn't continue being so once I learned more about how incredibly cruel the dairy industry and egg industry are. Oftentimes there is more suffering in a glass of milk than a steak. I'm also an environmentalist and vegetarians have half the carbon foot print of meat eaters with their diets and vegans having third of the footprint as vegetarians. I don't believe in anything supernatural, but i would definitely say being vegan is better for you emotionally.. it ensures a connectedness to the real world around you and shows you your place in it.
  • Reply
    awakeningwellness awakeningwellness May 20, 2009 @ 9:25 pm
    I've been a vegetarian for over 15 years and lately have been taking part in the raw food movement...although I can't see myself ever going completely raw. Even before becoming a vegetarian I ate very little meat since just the thought of it made me sick...of course back then I didn't like vegetables either!
    I can't get enough of them now...(o:
    5*
  • Reply
    lollyj lollyj Apr 18, 2009 @ 7:21 am
    Hubby and I can barely stand to eat meat anymore. Or commercially caught seafood / fish.
    Our main reason is how cruelly animals are slaughtered in our modern era. Our second reason is that beef, pork, and chicken don't taste good anymore. Perhaps it's the conditions in which they are raised or the additives they're fed that changes the flavor.
    So, we aren't true vegetarians, but eat all vegetable meals frequently now. Very thought provoking lens. 5, fave to you.
  • Reply
    Laniann Laniann Apr 16, 2009 @ 6:07 am
    I do believe that being a vegetarian is better for your spirit, health, the animals and the planet. A book I found very informative was The Food Revolution, How Your Diet Can Help Save Your Life And Our World by John Robbins. 5*s
  • Reply
    totalhealth totalhealth Apr 15, 2009 @ 4:23 pm
    nice lens, though I am not a vegetarian, I try to eat as much fruits and vegetables as I can.
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