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With this general definition in mind, there are still several exceptions to this category who still call themselves vegetarians. Some who consider themselves vegetarians do eat eggs or fish. Some may eat eggs, fish, and chicken—but not beef—and still call themselves vegetarian. There are also some who call themselves vegetarians and shun animal products in their food most of the time, but on occasions may consume meat. I call them "part time” or “convenience based” vegetarians. To understand the dimensions and complexity of something that seems simple, just look at an airline menu; one will find a large number of food varieties under the category of "vegetarian meals.” Some contain eggs, fish, or even chicken but still are labeled vegetarian. Vegan: Veganism is clearly not a religion or cult. There is no church, temple, or mosque of vegans. Veganism is a philosophy and way of living (much closer or akin to Jainism) which excludes all forms of exploitation and cruelty to animals for the benefit of humans, other animals, and the environment. In lifestyle terms, it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals. Vegans are those who have chosen to open their minds and hearts to the suffering of animals. They have opened their eyes to the fact that most meat, dairy, and eggs come from factory farms where animals are crammed into spaces so tight they can't turn around, lie day and night in their own feces, have never seen sunlight, have their beaks, horns, and genitals cut off (without anesthetic) and are horribly abused by farm workers. Please note that all animals, whether raised in the nastiest of factory farms or raised as grass-fed and free-range, are sent to the same slaughterhouses. They meet the same ghastly end. So when a vegan tells a meat-eater, dairy product consumer about these issues, he or she is not “preaching, trying to
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An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
