Vegans. A classic subject for me. I'm not going to talk about the validity or lack thereof of veganism. I was driving home tonight when I noticed that the BMW SUV in front of me that had a license plate that said "Go Vegan" on it. You'll never see a license plate that says "Go Omnivore" (okay smarty pants I know it has too many letters). In SF it's often that you'll see pro-vegan bumper stickers. t-shirts, even graffiti.
I was trying to think of other groups that are as blatant about recruitment. The only 2 I could think of were born again christians and the military. I'm not a vegan, I'm not a christian and I'm not in the military but I really hope this doesn't come off as a bias against them...I'm really just trying to look at the connection that these groups have in "recruiting" new acolytes. With christians, they're recruiting people because they genuinely believe that a persons eternal soul is at stake....pretty serious stuff by any account. The military want to get people to do a job that many people either consider the ultimate in noble sacrifices or crazy. Many people talk about giving their lives for their beliefs but few people actually make that commitment. When it comes to vegans though I'm having trouble seeing why they're so passionate in proselytizing for new people. Are they really so concerned about my weight or health? I think we all deserve the best in health care and education but I'm a firm believer in letting people make their own choices and living with the consequences. Maybe they're just better, more caring people than I am. Is it an animal rights thing? I can see that a bit but why go after people's food. Why not more of a push towards the rights and well being of animals instead of the more circuitous route by going after people's diets? The impression I get though and maybe it's bay area thing and maybe it's because I've only been exposed to many vegans that tried to give the the hard sell and subsequent guilt trip. I often get the feeling (and maybe I'm wrong) that their belief that going vegan is a matter of superior judgment, morality and education and I'm not just buying that. I know I'm not alone in feeling this from the omnivore front. If I'm wrong in this I'd sure like someone to explain it to me. Again, I'm not trying to argue the merits of the diet or lifestyle but why so many feel the need to recruit more vegans.
I was trying to think of other groups that are as blatant about recruitment. The only 2 I could think of were born again christians and the military. I'm not a vegan, I'm not a christian and I'm not in the military but I really hope this doesn't come off as a bias against them...I'm really just trying to look at the connection that these groups have in "recruiting" new acolytes. With christians, they're recruiting people because they genuinely believe that a persons eternal soul is at stake....pretty serious stuff by any account. The military want to get people to do a job that many people either consider the ultimate in noble sacrifices or crazy. Many people talk about giving their lives for their beliefs but few people actually make that commitment. When it comes to vegans though I'm having trouble seeing why they're so passionate in proselytizing for new people. Are they really so concerned about my weight or health? I think we all deserve the best in health care and education but I'm a firm believer in letting people make their own choices and living with the consequences. Maybe they're just better, more caring people than I am. Is it an animal rights thing? I can see that a bit but why go after people's food. Why not more of a push towards the rights and well being of animals instead of the more circuitous route by going after people's diets? The impression I get though and maybe it's bay area thing and maybe it's because I've only been exposed to many vegans that tried to give the the hard sell and subsequent guilt trip. I often get the feeling (and maybe I'm wrong) that their belief that going vegan is a matter of superior judgment, morality and education and I'm not just buying that. I know I'm not alone in feeling this from the omnivore front. If I'm wrong in this I'd sure like someone to explain it to me. Again, I'm not trying to argue the merits of the diet or lifestyle but why so many feel the need to recruit more vegans.
timber_:
i'm going to go with the animal right thought... and really the way to get people to stop torturing animals is to stop buying their product, and making your disagreement known.