Meat and the emotions
I was involved in a debate the other day with some people on vegetarianism. I was not being, I hope, in anyway judgemental or pushy about my own refusal to eat animal products but I noted there was a distinctly hostile emotional reaction by a couple of the carnivores to my decision to avoid meat and dairy. I was a bit taken aback.
Eating meat has a particular significance for men in many societies. It would appear that meat is associated with virility and not eating meat is considered, in some circles, unmanly.
I think some people also feel they are made to look uncaring or morally inferior for eating meat and so react dismissively to any suggestion that eating meat is not a good thing to do.
To be honest though, I think most of the hostile reaction come from guilt. I think most people know that meat, dairy and egg production causes massive suffering, ill-health and environmental damage. However, they love the taste of meat and cheese etc. so much that they prefer to shut that reality from their minds. The last thing they want is to be reminded that the lovely food they enjoy is bought at a cost to others and, ultimately, to their own health. We all like to tell ourselves that we are not selfish and uncaring but we all know (or should know) that our indulgence in certain foods often has terrible consequences for other beings.
I think, in a way, for some people meat is like a kind of drug. They know that eating it is not good but what the hell, it tastes soooo good - bugger the consequences!
Eating meat has a particular significance for men in many societies. It would appear that meat is associated with virility and not eating meat is considered, in some circles, unmanly.
I think some people also feel they are made to look uncaring or morally inferior for eating meat and so react dismissively to any suggestion that eating meat is not a good thing to do.
To be honest though, I think most of the hostile reaction come from guilt. I think most people know that meat, dairy and egg production causes massive suffering, ill-health and environmental damage. However, they love the taste of meat and cheese etc. so much that they prefer to shut that reality from their minds. The last thing they want is to be reminded that the lovely food they enjoy is bought at a cost to others and, ultimately, to their own health. We all like to tell ourselves that we are not selfish and uncaring but we all know (or should know) that our indulgence in certain foods often has terrible consequences for other beings.
I think, in a way, for some people meat is like a kind of drug. They know that eating it is not good but what the hell, it tastes soooo good - bugger the consequences!
posted by voluntarysimpleton at 10:42 AM
2 Comments:
That's very true, yet it's uncomfortable to be judged as morally inferior to someone else!
hi Voluntary Simpleton, really enjoy your blog, lots of things to think about. thank you very much for your efforts. i too try and practise the dharma and am doing my faltering best to limit my footprint on the planet. it's great to hear about others' journeys!
re food expenses, try this site - www.frugal.org.uk - hope it's useful. although they recommend using supermarkets for bargains (i've had a discussion with them about this and they understand the contradictions), there are still plenty of ideas for frugal tasty food and some good links.
if you can find a local food co-op (start one?!) or independent health food shop, maybe that'll help with cheaper basics...
pbs, i'm sure no one is judging you or others - we grow at different rates and make choices at different times. i work for an animal campaigning group and we have meat eaters amongst our supporters - we'd never turn them away or judge them, just point out the alternatives. hope that helps?
above all, it does the animals no favours if people perceive vegetarianism/veganism as boring food, martyred exponents and so forth. i love good food and have taught myself how to cook it; it wins over many and at least gets them thinking that this alternative diet isn't about sacrifice and lentils in clogs!!
i found these resources useful too: 'the great compassion: buddhism and animal rights' by norm phelps; 'the world peace diet' by will tuttle; www.veggiedharma.org.
peace to all beings (and happy eating!)
jane
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