Category: Philosophy

Animal Suffering: Is There a Karma Connection?

8/3/2017

Is the suffering of animals an unavoidable consequence of their past lives?

Q:
Recently a friend and I decided to attend a vegetarian conference to find out what the fuss is all about. After discovering the countless reasons for becoming vegan, I decided to adopt the lifestyle. However, my friend is still adamant about eating meat. He strongly believes in karma and thinks that all the suffering that's brought upon the animals is just a part of the natural spiritual cycle.

Are Vegans Driven by Guilt?

6/1/2017

Is guilt a good motivator to become vegan?

Q:
After being a vegetarian for about seven years, I developed lactose intolerance and a severe gluten allergy. I began avoiding dairy products for this reason. (I already intensely disliked eggs, so not eating them was a no-brainer for me.) After reading several articles about how animals are bred for food and other commodities, I was reluctant to use dairy products with reduced lactose content because I felt extremely guilty knowing the conditions dairy cows live in. Are feelings of guilt the reason why people choose to go vegan?

Strategies for Activism

4/20/2017

Is there a right way to go about activism?

Q:
I have fastened a “Meat Is Murder” pin on my one-year-old son’s jacket in the hopes that it will get people to think about the message, but I’m not sure if this strategy is a good idea.

Following Vegan Idols

10/21/2016

Whether the decision to be vegan is temporary or permanent, it can have lifelong positive consequences."

Q:
I am the mother of a fifteen-year-old who has suddenly decided to become vegan because the lead singer of one of her favorite rock bands is vegan. While I applaud her decision and will support her all the way, I'm afraid that her obvious crush on this rock star will fade along with her new vegan lifestyle, or that she will find it too difficult to comply with not eating meat, dairy, eggs, and cheese.

Is "Humane" Farming OK?

9/26/2016

The issue at hand isn't one of priorities but realities.

Q:
I've been bouncing back and forth between being a vegan or vegetarian and an omnivore for several years now. I spend a lot of time on animal rights sites, and I've noticed that many of the arguments against consuming meat are based on current factory farming methods. It's almost as though if animals were raised on storybook farms and then slaughtered it would be permissible. Wouldn't it be worse to slaughter an animal that had more personalized care and was treated better?

Are Vegans Less Violent?

3/13/2016

The only way to effectively measure aggression is through behavior.

Q:
Several people have asked me if it is true that meat eaters are more aggressive than vegans, on a physiological level, that is. I am not sure how to respond and would appreciate any feedback you may have.

Am I Vegan for the Right Reasons?

3/6/2016

Reverence for our own lives and health is a central component of fully being vegan.

Q:
I have been researching becoming a vegan, but when I tell people close to me that I want to become a vegan, the big question always comes up: Why?

Grassroots Vegan
Q&As

Animal Suffering: Is There a Karma Connection?

Are Vegans Driven by Guilt?

Strategies for Activism

Following Vegan Idols

Is "Humane" Farming OK?

Are Vegans Less Violent?

Am I Vegan for the Right Reasons?

Jo Stepaniak

Subscribe!

About

Blog

Essays

Books

Contact

Grassroots Vegan​Q&As

Jo Stepaniak

Subscribe!

Grassroots Vegan
Q&As