Viva La Vegetarianism!
Today at work, we were talking about slaughter houses. For the ones in the know, we were describing how chickens are being strapped on conveyer belts and slaughter then dunked in boiling water.
Well you get the picture. Obviously, it is not a conversation for the squeamish.
The conversation reminded me of a debate that I had back in the States.
You’ve guessed it, Meat Eaters versus Vegetarians.
Some guys in my group were talking flack about vegetarianism and were not tolerant of the ‘weak’ veggie munchers.
“Real men need meat. Not some tofu.â€
Back then I was dating a guy who carries a butterfly knife in his pocket all the time. He was irritated by the conversation. He was a semi vegetarian and so was I. Anyway, he took his knife and slid it across the table towards the guys.
“Have you slaughter the meat you ate before?â€
“What? Of course not. I can’t kill a life.â€
“If you can’t kill it, then you don’t deserve to eat it.â€
Those are the words that I still carry with me and I repeat when people talk trash about vegetarians or vegetarianism. If people are okay with you eating meat, please be okay with people eating plants.
I am not saying that you cannot eat meat. Heck, I eat meat. And yes, I’ll slaughter a chicken if I have to.
But the idea of eating meat unconsciously sickens me. The way people today consume meat is as though it appears out of thin air. In case you do not know, that is not the case.
This is a flesh trade where billions of dollars are exchanged. Plus, you don’t want to get me started on the impact of animal farming on the environment.
Yes, I know you love your fried chicken, your big chunky steak, and those spicy spare ribs.
I am not one to stand here and preach, “Eating meat is bad and cruel!â€
But next time before you tuck into that double patty juicy burger, please contemplate how that piece of meat came to be. Show some appreciation to the fact that another life has been sacrificed just so that your insatiable palate may be satisfied for the next few hours before you have another go at some other poor creature.
And if you are wondering, I do contemplate before every meal. Some people may call it prayer but I don’t pray or say grace before I eat. I just contemplate and let the awareness of how the dish came to be in front of me.
Yes, it won’t do much for poor Mr. Pig who is now bacon staring back at you, but trust me; it makes you feel grateful for every meal and every minute of your life.