the reason why people eat meat
being vegan can sometimes be hard mentally
as your mindset and beliefs seem to be so remote and disparate from the majority of society
It's especially confusing to think how our friends and family who we consider rational loving caring people
and are against the willful harm of animals yet
they allow animals lives to be taken for food and the pleasure of their taste buds
It is quite the ethical Paradox that actions do not match their values
but we as Vegans cannot fall prey to the nature of hindsight bias
as most of us were previously in the same position
We need to make use of this understanding
help people understand the disconnect of their values and actions
It is our job to educate people on this and as the saying goes
Education does not exist to persecute you but the question begs
Why do people eat meat?
well this can be explained by the belief system known as carnism
an ideology which was coined by Dr. Melanie joy in 2001
Carnism is a belief system around the eating of meat
of only specific types of animals
It is justified by the notion of the three N's
natural normal and necessary
all which are logical fallacies
Carnism is a highly ingrained and indoctrinated social norm
One which when you think about it was never choice anyone made themselves
It is a practice and an acceptance that is taught from a young age
It has continued to be normalized as everyone else around you continues to eat animals
It is socially accepted as Moral
The most important part of carnism to add some sense of rationality
and help carnist understand the concept of their ideology is by demonstrating how they only accept only particular
is by demonstrating how they only accept only particular
species of animals as food and not others
If these same practices were applied to animals they don't consider food.
They would then classify this as unacceptable cruelty
There is absolutely no rational or logical reason
to have the divide between animals
to say that some are okay to eat and to some it is unacceptable,
how does one draw the line between animals that are food and those that are not
as mentioned previously
It is quite the psychological Paradox where people's actions do not match their values
They are the huge disconnection
and don't even look at their plate, and think this was a living breathing sentient creature
They totally dissociate from that reality
the livestock industry has done a great job in making people believe that
these animals are a commodity and inanimate objects
without names without emotions that do not feel pain
Yet, they are so similar to the pets we keep in our own home that we consider family
So how does understanding carnism help you when talking about veganism?
But why not try the three E's?
Empathize educate and ease
Empathize with them and tell them you understand that these are ingrained and indoctrinated beliefs
which they had no decision over
Simple statements such as I understand that you think it's natural, normal and necessary
but that simply isn't the case
If they are open to it suggest some materials they can consume to understand it further
number two, explain just like them you're once a victim of this psychological paradox
to help them understand this
you can use examples of animals such as dogs that are eaten in other countries
And ask what is the real difference?
If they think it is weird and wrong ask them why?
Just get them thinking about it
number three, if they are concerned with their actions or
thinking about what they could possibly do
Put them at ease as changes are probably one of the most daunting things in life
Demonstrate the easy transition and the options and resources available
Reinforce that it was the best decision that you ever made
and the other benefits such as health and environmental factors
Now I hope this has helped you
and if you have any further questions or concerns
feel free to ask them in the comment section below
But further information on carnism,
I highly recommend watching Dr.Melanie Joy's Ted
or to get an in-depth understanding
Grab her book "why we love dogs eat pigs and wear cows"
an introduction to Carnism
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This is speaking Vegan