Written by PETA
While some caring Huffington Post readers might pooh-pooh "The Practical Vegetarian"—which was written by Google's usually vegetarian Gopi Kallayil—by saying that it doesn't pack enough punch against animal abuse, we at PETA beg to differ.
Believe: We would love to have a magic wand that could wave away the rampant, stomach-turning cruelty endured by billions of animals who are eaten by naïve or uncaring bacon and egg lovers. We daydream about seeing all meat-eaters instantaneously snap out of their sirloin-induced slumbers and go vegan.
But there is no magic wand, and dismissing the efforts of meat-eaters who dip their toes to test the waters before diving into vegetarianism doesn't help end the living nightmares experienced by animals. That's why PETA works 24/7 to document abuses, educate the public about all the veggie pluses, and bring tasty, humane options to the masses. It's also why PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk recently told Time,"Anybody who witnesses the suffering of animals and has a glimmer of hope of reducing that suffering can't take the position that it's all or nothing. We have to be pragmatic. Screw the principle."
No doubt many of yesterday's "Meatless Monday" devotees are today's "practical vegetarians" who are on their way to becoming tomorrow's vegans. For them, becoming The Conscious Cook is a process—a vegolution.
Look at it this way: A financial advisor doesn't tell his or her clients that if they can't save their entire paychecks, they might as well blow all their earnings and forget about saving for retirement. Why would we vegans tell someone who wants to eat fewer animals not to bother? After all, one more "No Blues" BBQ sandwich on a practical vegetarian's lunch plate means that one more pig has been spared the crate, the truck, and the slaughterhouse. Surely he'd agree that that's a good decision.
Written by Karin Bennett
No because Meat is Murder. You wouldn't say to a rapist--well they've stopped raping woman one day of the week--so that's a step in the right direction. No, it'd be all or nothing. Why isn't it the same for eating meat?
It is so true. One step at a time is much better than standing still. I became a vegetarian last November, and have been moving toward a 100 percent vegan lifestyle. It's hard to do it all at once, and those who are part way there need encouragement, not judgement.
If a buildingis on fire, do you save none if you cant save them all? Incrementaly is how things get changed in this country.
I agree. It's important to welcome people wherever they are on the spectrum. People come to their choices in their own time when they are ready. The self-righteous all-or-nothing attitude just pushes people away. Becoming 100% vegan is not an easy choice for many people.
YES YES YES!!
It put me off trying to be vegan for YEARS because some "angry" vegans made me feel I didn't do enough. We all have to start somwhere and even cutting meat out once a week os the start on the road to education!! The goal is Veganism but if no one is rooting for you at yhe start you're unlikely to make it to the finish.
******Vegan for life!*******
Amen. Thank you for a dose of reality.
I agree so much with this. If you "can't" or wont quit eating, animals you can atleast reduce the amount of "animal products" you use. An animal is more than an animal its a life, just as good as anyone elses.
Great article! Everyone has to start somewhere and any animals it saves is an animal that's saved.
Beautifully put and I've been touched over the years at the increasing number of people who are thoughtfully leaving meat out of their diet for the sake of the animals. Every little bit counts. Thank you for a great article Karin!
Thank heavens, I have chosen to be vegetarian!
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