Animals R Us!
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Posted by Anthea Paul on Thu 10 November 2011
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The decision to be or not to be Vegetarian is a hard one for many people. In the past I have struggled to be a vegetarian and remain healthy, but it can be done.
Many people follow a strict vegetarian eating plan and have no health problems whatsoever. Being a vegetarian means you never eat animal flesh. Vegan means eating no food with any animal products whatsoever. It all comes down to individual preference.
Are you a vegetarian or a carnivore? Or are you not quite sure? Got a foot in each camp perhaps? Don’t worry, you are not alone! There is a another alternative: veg-aquarian. The only animal flesh you eat is fish. Again the choices are many.
I believe that vegetarianism as an ethical philosophy and as a way of life is absolutely correct. So does practicing Hare Krishna and committed vegetarian, real girl Radha Melis. Radha says in Girlosophy – REAL GIRLS’ STORIES: ‘I believe we all have souls and so we all have the right to live.’ The Hare Krishna movement is firmly against taking life of any living creature, as is the Buddhist philosophy and religion. Both these compassion-based philosophies believe strongly in the rights of animals. They regard animals as creatures that have as equal a right to life as humans. This belief is underscored by their equally strong belief in the notion of karma- what you do today affects you in this life and in any future lives you may have.
“Compassion-based philosophies believe strongly in the rights of animals...”
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), Animal Liberation, the RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), the AWL (The Animal Welfare League) and a host of other international furry friend support groups all campaign for correct, caring treatment of animals. I support their work and I urge all readers to be informed about the issues. For a start, watch the movie Babe, about the sweet little pig who goes on an adventure. Seeing this might be enough to put you off eating any more pork! I also urge you to seek out more information about corporate food (branded food.) Often the branded food companies don’t want you to know certain things about the foods they’re selling. Sometimes the truth is hidden in far-flung farms, abattoirs, and massive food-processing plants, where no one can see. Are you sure you want to support their methods of consuming their products? Be aware and think hard about these things – it’s important for the future of the planet.
Photographer: Anthea Paul
