I’m not such a strong willed person, that under moments of duress or pain, I could keep myself from having a hamburger if I really wanted one. It’s just that the idea of participating in the premeditated killing of a fairly advanced animal, has become impossible for me to entertain over the years. It’s simply crosses that line.

And it seems the ultimate hypocrisy, to eat the result of the dirty work of an act that you would probably not commit. Ask most people, if to continue to eat meat, they would have to look a few animals in the eye every year, and blow them away. Upon careful consideration (especially after watching video footage of such things), most would resoundingly say NO!

These slaughterhouse workers are usually fairly desperate people, many of whom are immigrants who will do anything to survive in the ‘Promised Land.’

With that said, I’m surprised I’m so non-judgmental of others. I mean, I don’t go around saying to myself “what fools people are!” (Well, sometimes.) Look, I used to be one of them, and I think I was a pretty good person when I was a meat eater and non-vegan. But I was completely in the dark!

So what is that thing, that process where someone says to themselves, for a while or forever, no more meat and/or no more animal products will be a part of my life? And for me, FAR more interesting, is what keeps someone in that place?

We are pain/pleasure creatures, as are all biological entities, so somehow, in our minds, either through thinking it through, usually with the outside influence of friends, family, books (the most influential of which is undoubtedly A Diet for a New America), or other media, we arrive at a choice to try, because it’s more painful not to. I don’t think you know you’re going to be a vegetarian for life until you die. I can imagine a scenario in which Gandhi might eat meat…say to save someone’s life, were he threatened to do so, or else. But to say that one has a breaking point would be to suggest that living vegan is necessarily an effort.

The more sure of yourself you are, i.e., the more sure it’s right for you, and the less of a struggle it is, and the more fun, yes fun it is, the less judgmental you’ll be of others. (Though I must confess, it annoys me that the Dalai Lama eats meat…he influences millions.)

There are 50 ways to leave your lover, and probably as many to leave the world of meat eating and animal exploitation, so there’s no definitive answer to the question, “how do people persist in their vegetarianism.” (In Europe, if you’re a ‘vegetarian,’ it’s a given you’re a vegan).

Maybe, it’s just a change of heart.

About the Author:

Rogers Johnson has been predominantly vegan for 20 years and has worked with many prominent restaurateurs, in addition to his writing. His website can be found at http://www.myspace.com/rogersjohnson

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