Comments on: Herbi-, Carni-, Omni-

By: Sabrina

Sabrina — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:19:23 +0000

twincoowfaeries–Thanks for letting me know I was understood and not disdained even though my personal principles and lifestyle choices differ somewhat from yours. Yet another thing I love about the Pagans I’m starting to hang out with digitally!

Best,
Sabrina

By: Sabrina

Sabrina — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:34:44 +0000

Green Witch-Thanks so much for your comments. Although it’s never nice to find out that reprehensible practices have spread beyond American shores, I find a weird bit of comfort in knowing that others behave that way, too (i.e., Americans may be stupid in this regard, but not exceptionally so.) I appreciated your thought on changing such practices–as Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Best to you,
Sabrina

By: twincowfaeries

twincowfaeries — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:19:51 +0000

I do believe that buying organic is better, but organic standards in this country are falling. Horizon, for instance, sells organic dairy products from cows that still live in feed lots. I don’t believe that by not buying eggs at all you are supporting the status quo. Every person who adopts a vegetarian diet saves 90 something animal lives per year by reducing the demand for meat. It probably follows that people who don’t buy dairy or eggs are supporting humane practices by reducing demand for dairy and eggs from mistreated animals as well.

Ultimately lifestyle choices like diet are for each individual to choose for themselves. To say that Pagans shouldn’t eat meat is adding a sense of dogma, IMO. Maybe reverence for all life is a pagan ideal, but how an individual chooses to apply that principle to their life should be personal and not for others to pass judgment about.

I am a vegetarian moving toward veganism, and will eventually be posting about my choice, my journey with it, and my reasons in my blog if anyone would like to stop by and view it. I’m not a food nazi, i still have meat eaters in my family, but i do try to help the people around me make educated choices about eating animal products.

By: The Green Witch

The Green Witch — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:47:36 +0000

I agree. This argument gets taken far too far. ‘Reverencing all life’ means, to me in this context, giving the animals we eat the very best treatment and conditions, and buying only meat that reaches or exceeds these conditions. And as that will mean it’s more expensive, it follows that we eat less meat, not none.

People may choose to be vegetarian for any amount of reasons, but respect for life doesn’t mean we shouldn’t kill animals to eat them. It just means we need to give them more respect while they’re alive.

Eberyone can make a difference on this by choosing organic, free range eggs, for example. By buying them, we’re actively supporting a change in husbandry practice. By not buying them at all, we’re supporting the status quo. Which, as you say, is a national disgrace – on both sides of the Atlantic!