Jerry,
Great post! Many interesting points here.
For the record, I am a vegan, so if anything I say offends vegans, at least know that I am one of you (for whatever that's worth).
Unfortunately, you are right that there is often a pattern in many vegans to equate meat eaters with torturers and to look down upon them. I don't agree this is appropriate behavior, and I am in full agreement that it will not ingratiate people towards the philosophies of those who are vegan. Again, here, the live by example credo is the best. John Robbins continues to amaze me with his ability to be so passionate about veganism while still being so supportive and loving and empathetic to those who are not. He is quite the role model -- I don't think I could ever be the person he is in this regard.
Basically, in any discussion, if one person gets attacked, they will basically get defensive rather than truly listen to what the other person is saying. I find it is far more productive to live by example, and when people ask, I will talk to them. Otherwise, I am simply wasting my time and theirs. Attacking others is the surest way to create enemies and create an environment that sees vegans as some sort of radical sect rather than a movement of love and peace.
You also make a good point about the fact that meat isn't the only way in which we harm animals. Surely leather products harm animals. But also we harm animals by building homes in new areas, by building roads, testing on animals etc. Now of course, the concept of murder for pleasure in some ways permeates our lives more than we can imagine. Nobody in our society is truly 100% vegan because daily living unfortunately affects the lives of animals greatly in a negative manner. But, I think vegans should be commended to working their hardest to ensure as little animal suffering as possible.
Let's go a little bit more though into the heart of your message. You discuss the fact that vegans equate meat eating with the Holocaust to elevate the veganism movement to a position of superiority. While some vegans may be doing this, there are probably far more vegans who are not doing this for THEIR own good, but rather to bring awareness to the plight of the animals who are actually suffering. Recognize that most people are still blisfully ignorant of what occurs in factory farms. Whether we like it or not, the analogy to the Holocaust is fairly on point (albeit many feel the analogy of animal suffering to human suffering is not equivalent). If people try to bring about awareness of human suffering elsewhere in the globe, we do not jump to the conclusion that it is to place themselves in a position of moral superiority -- instead we likely presume it to be more of a humanitarian effort.
I,myself, have discussed the condition of animals in agrifarming as similar to the conditions that the Jews faced in the Holocaust -- and of course usually people are aghast at this. I can understand their reaction, but I still believe that when you look at the facts from less of a human-centered standpoint, there truly is great similarity in the conditions in which the two were kept. For the record, I am of Jewish heritage too.
But, I do not engage in these conversations to somehow say that I am better or morally superior to whomever I am talking too. I am simply aware of a situation that I find very disturbing, and I have decided to act. When I encounter someone else who is interested in finding out more, I am happy to discuss the matter with them. OTherwise, I pretty much keep my info to myself and try to live the best life I can. But, sometimes, people are so loud and ignorant about these matters, that I will engage them in conversation (not so much for their benefit, but for the benefit of those who are listening).
The point you make about vegans being a bit hypocritical if they are not simultaneously doing humanitarian work I find to be curious. Are you also saying then that anyone who does a ton of humanitarian work but is not vegan is also a hypocrite? There is the assumption in this point that the most important thing we can do as human beings is help out other human beings. IF we are only helping out the environment or animals, we are somehow doing less good then those who are more involved with humans. I think many would disagree that our efforts are best spent on worrying about humans. Indeed, there are so many people out there already focused on speaking out and protecting other people, but there are relatively few focused on protecting animals.
Further, anything people do to better this planet should be commended. I have never found the argument convincing that if people are doing this one thing that is positive, they are hypocritical because they are also not doing this other positive thing. Every positive thing someone does is worthy of praise regardless of whether they are also doing other things.
Your last point is also a very good one. I am a big believer that our age should go down as the age of consumption. We overly tax every resource (natural and man-made) we have with no cares for the consequences. I too believe our time is coming to pay for our greed and consumption.
Best,
Joey  |