Vegetarian for 25 years

I'm doing a personal interest project for school, aimed at justifying vegetarianism. I'm interested in anything you have to say about vegetarianism, but specifically the following questions...
Why did you become a vegetarian?
What benefits did you expect to and do you currently gain for yourself?
Do you think vegetarianism positively benefits others/general society?

I've been a vegetarian (don't eat anything that had to be killed: fish, poultry, animals, insects, nor any products from their death such as beef boullion) for 25 years. It began as a spiritual choice, recommended by my church. It evolved into many reasons as the years progressed. I have never waived in my belief. That last bite of a breaded and fried chicken leg was my last intentional bite of any animal flesh.

I am vegetarian still, because I believe humans were placed on this earth to be guardians of all creatures and of the earth. Because human bodies aren't meant to digest meat. Because it is a digusting ritual that has been accepted as normal only because of constant exposure. Because it depletes at an exponential rate our natural resources. Because of the cruel and inhuman conditions under which the animals are raised. Because of the insane amounts of unnatural substances added to their feed and to their bodies, and consequently, to anyone eating that meat. Because I can look at any animal and truly feel compasion, knowing I'm not a hypocrite loving my pet while eating a pig. Because I like to think outside of the box and not follow the herd (pun intended).

Because of my turning vegetarian, my boyfriend became one a year later. A year after that we married, and have now raised 3 kids who are all vegetarian and I believe will be the rest of their lives. My middle son is working at Vons grocery store in the deli. He has to handle meat as part of his job. He is disgusted by what he has seen, such as having to drain the blood off of the chunk of flesh before he can slice it. And parents feeding their younguns samples of meat and the kids thinking it taste good, not realizing what they are shoving into their bodies.

Many others through the years have also been influenced: 2 neices and a nephew who are all vegetarian for life. My brother has cut out some meat types. My best friend is vegetarian now for 5 years. A couple teens who hang out at our home have changed. And many, many others through the years. I do not preach, I teach. I never talk about vegetarianism during any meals where meat is present, that is rude. Now my children are having an influence on others, a gratifying thing for me. This is a benefit I never expected or imagined.

Benefits: I expected better health. I expected and received more spiritual growth as in deeper and more beneficial meditations. I have peace in my life, knowing I am not harming God's creatures. I am likely healthier for my 25 years. I would be much healthier if I had been vegan, which I've only done at times. I would be even healthier if I hadn't eaten Sugar or white flour products, which I've only not eaten for a year.

Being vegetarian doesn't make you healthy. There's lots and lots of junk food filled with many chemicals that can damage your body. It can make you healthier than the person chowing down on meat at every meal, typical of many Americans. But to be healthy requires many things: no meat, no dairy products, no junk food, lots of water and a diet of food that hasn't been altered and is in the form it came from the earth.

Benefit: I am definately not aging like my same-age friends. I am 46 and no one believes it. I look much younger. My friends, who are also caucasian and female, have started to have many, many wrinkles in their necks and faces. I don't have that. Not that I won't ever get them, but I sure don't look as old as they do right now. This is not a benefit that ever occurred to me at the beginning.

I absolutely believe vegetarianism benefits anyone that embraces it and also society at large.

I drive a Hummer H2. I have gotten so much guft about it from many people. It has been vandalized 6 times in one year. It makes me furious because these same people are likely meat eaters. They think I'm harming the environment driving what is basically a GMC truck with a nicer body. First, they are idiots for not studying the emission and mileage facts and comparing them to older vehicles that are big-time polluters, and to many common sportscars and RV's that use far more gas. Second, I can guarantee that my being vegetarian for 25 years, and raising 3 vegetarians, has done more good for the environment than anything they have done.

Their eating meat is depleting the earth's resources at a faster rate than my getting 12.4 miles to the gallon in the vehicle I drive. And I drive under 20,000 a year. Most people drive way more than that.

My point is that if you want to help society, become vegetarian. Stop allowing the rape of our rain forests, of our U.S. soil, and of our water just to raise a few more cows for "have it your way" burgers. By not purchasing meat products over a lifetime, think of how many animals will not be slaughtered on your behalf.

One last point: In China there are restaurants, expensive ones, that offer kittens and puppies on the menu. It is considered a delicacy. In America, some restaurants have live lobsters in a tank. Customers select their lobster and it appears cooked on their plate in 20 minutes. Well, guess what? In China you can select a kitten or puppy and have it on your plate in 20 minutes. What's the difference? Meat-eating Americans are grossed out by the idea of eating animals they consider pets. Vegetarians are disgusted by the idea of eating any animals, whether pets, raised to be killed and eaten, killed in the wild, or any other scenario.

Now go home and pet your Fifi. And wonder how you feel if Fifi was dinner instead of your companion.

P.S. I do not have any pets, not even a goldfish. And I don't like dogs. One does not have to be an animal lover to not eat the animals.

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