Lets ask God!
Act 11:9 “But the voice from heaven spoke again: ‘Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.’
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Rom 14:1 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.
Rom 14:2 For instance, one person believes it's all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables.
Rom 14:3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don't. And those who don't eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.
Rom 14:4 Who are you to condemn someone else's servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord's help, they will stand and receive his approval.
HE SAYS TO LIVE AND LET LIVE!
"What to say against this?"
What to say against this type of statements, when a vegan says animals are our friends, first is no not all animals are our friends, especially other apex predators.A wold pack would not think twice about attacking them if they sensed had the advantage, nor would a tiger, hyena, wild pig, a grizzly bear, or a polar bear. Any of those I just named, wouldn't hesitate to attack anyone of us, in the wild.
The next thing you can say against that, as that you don't have to rely as much, on foods, which are fortified with vitamin B12, or supplements, to provide that as they do. Nor does the body have to convert the synthetic form that most widely available, tat's over the counter.
Another point is that if you eat certain types fish/seafood, and certain types of fresh water mollusks, along with an organ meat, such as liver, you have also another reliable source of vitamin D. Another argument, is your body doesn't have to try with the right types of meat, to convert that vitamin D, from the D2 form to the the D3 form.
Then there the omega three fatty acids. While ALA can be converted to either DHA, or EPA, that conversion rate, is also very poor.
Then finally one more vitamin point I've not overlooked. That's vitamin A, in the retinol form, which is what the body prefers. Again this is found readily available in the preferred form in liver, and some of the organ meats. While the carotenes, can be converted to the retinol form again the conversion rate is very low.
Now while these will work, even though I eat meat myself, there are points I can counter some of those with, as can some others who at meat in the Vegetarian and Vegan section. However while those are some points, there are yet other arguments that can be used against such statements. Of course there are other arguments that can be used against eating meat, nearly all, can be beaten. But one needs to know how to handle them, as they come. If you are willing to spend some time, digging back through a few months worth of questions, you can find other counter arguments.
Edit point:
There are some verses in the Bible that can give you a bit of moral arguments as well. Again some of those can be found in prior questions.
Edit point two:
Those animals you see, such as bears, tigers, and lions, that being cuddled, are removed from their natural habitat. All of which were raised around humans. All of them given time, would revert to their natural wild state, of left on their own. Some within a few months, others over a couple of years. After that time, you'd not likely get that close to them, without being in at the least grave danger, or potentially mortal danger. As for morals, you can tell them it''s not morally, let alone ethically correct to force their ways up on you.
Giving animals human characteristics is called anthropomorphism and that's what calling animals "friends" or suggesting they have rights is. Some "vegans" who post on this site are rather egocentric and mistake this for "empathy". They assume animals think and feel as they do, therefore they "know" how animals feel. A while ago a kid answered a question here insisting that she felt "empathy" for (I think it was) a squid. Now, there is NO way that anyone has a clue what it feels like to be a squid, or any other animal. There are people who post here who don't even know the simplest biological facts about animals like chickens or cows and yet preach to the rest of us about how these animals "feel" and how they would behave "in nature" and how they should be treated.
Yes, of course animals are more than objects. Like plants, they are living things and have value in their own right. However much I might like or even love individual animals, people are my friends (some people anyway) not animals.
A person who thinks it's wrong to eat meat or consume animal products shouldn't do it. But they are the minority. The other >99% of the people (in the UK at least) will continue to follow a normal, usual, ordinary diet of the kind that humans have eaten for millions of years.
Edit: Sorry, I didn't really answer your question. You don't need to defend your diet. Point out that it's them who are in the minority and that you eat the same things that more than 99% of the population have eaten for millions of years - there is NOTHING unusual, odd or strange about it. Tell them that it's up to them to eat what they want na dthat you'll do the same.
Well our morals are based in or codified in our religious beliefs/books.
When all is said and done, a total vegan lifestyle has only been possible for less than 80 years. The development of supplements (b12 for example), modern transportation (to get fresh fruits and veggies from around the world), and modern food preservation make a vegan diet possible.
Eliminating leather and fur (not vanity furs like mink) for warmth and shoes and shelter has also only been possible with modern technology.
In short being vegan (diet and lifestyle) is realistically only possible in a rich modern society.
Not that is not bad...but people need to acknowledge that reality.
I'm not knocking vegan...other modern diets are also only possible with modern technology.
UPDATE: I love that two people think I'm nuts for saying a Vegan lifestyle is only possible in a rich, modern society. But it's the truth. Rich, modern societies developed the supplements that Vegans need to take to remain healthy. Rich, modern societies developed efficient transportation systems that make it possible to get foods from around the world. Funny the "in-thing" right now is eating locally grown veggies and meats...but until comparatively recent history, that's what we had to do to eat and survive. Which is one reason humans can eat such a wide variety of foods.
But as far as being rich individually. In the USA, even the poorest of us is rich compared to most people in 3rd and 4th world countries. Do you really think if you earned the equivalent of $20 (US Dollars) a year that you could afford to buy B12 or other supplements needed to maintain a healthy Vegan diet. Could you afford to say no to donated shoes that happen to be leather? Would you refuse donated soap because it was made from animal products? Would you refuse to eat the fish you could catch in the local river?
If you were in a refugee camp would you refuse the soup because it had meat in it?
If you were that dirt poor would your refuse donated antibiotics for your sick child because the pills were made from gelatin?
As I also said other modern diets like Atkins, or Paleo, or South Beach are inventions of rich, modern Societies.
Several years ago I was at a meeting and one of the members (A High School Assistant Principal at a "rich" high school) was complaining about poverty in the USA. I replied that poverty in the USA was rich compared to people living in third world countries. A few months later he visited Mexico and when he came back he agreed that I was right. The poverty he saw there was much worse than anything he'd ever seen here in the USA.
So basically if you are rich enough to be able to choose a lifestyle...Vegan in this case...you should be grateful that you have that choice.
Yes, one can be friendly with animals. No, I do not agree with factory farming. However, if a wild animal threatened my family or me, I'd would not hesitate to defend myself. If I'm driving and an animal crossed my path, I would slow and possibly swerve, within reason, especially if my kids are in the car. (And my husband and meat eating family members might get some free meat.)
If the person gets preachy, I'll thank him and tell him if I want a sermon, I'll go to church. If s/he pulls out Bible verses, I'll do the same to play Devil's advocate.
If one were to see my husband and me at a bar, you would not know two things upon observation-- One of us is an ordained pastor (complete with a master's degree) and one is a vegan. Some of the best theological conversations we've had have been at the bar with real beer in our hands. We don't preach. We share and discuss maturely and intellectually.
Contrary to popular belief, some people should not cut out animal protein. There are a few people- myself included- that actually do not process plant proteins well and so must get it from animal sources. Plus, many plant protein sources(such as beans) can be full of starches that might pack on the kilos(and give one digestive issues to boot). If you are concerned about respect for animals, you can obtain meat from animals that are humanely raised and/or slaughtered(examples: grass fed beef and free range chickens). And, only purchase enough meat at one time that you can be sure you will consume. Wasted meat is not just wasted money; it's a waste of life as well.
There isn't really any need to argue against veganism. If they bring it up just try to avoid it or tell them why you continue to eat meat. Be honest, if you like the taste of meat or just don't feel like being vegan, just say it but also show understanding towards the things they say. I'm vegan and i would so much rather hear that than just some dumb argument/reasoning. I can honestly tell you that there is a factual comeback for any argument non vegans have, but i dont think anyone should just randomly bring up vegan eating and tell you not to eat animals.
If your not vegan/vegetarian, then say something like 'I agree/disagree with your point and/but I will continue to eat meat'
Plants are more than just objects too. Plus, our DNA tells us to eat meat because it presents an evolutionary advantage. Certain nutrients can be found in meat that promotes good health and growth.
Also, if that vegan friend has EVER stepped on a bug, let them know that bugs are animals too. How about sand dollars? Those are the corpses of sea urchins! Alcohol requires certain organisms to ferment it, then they die. So no booze either. Sourdough bread is off limits for the same reasons.
But the best reason to not be vegan is YOU JUST DONT WANT TO. It's as simple as that.
veganism is a choice and it shouldn't be something that you should feel obliged to be doing and also if you want to be vegan you should be for the right reasons and not because people are pressuring you to be!! just say that you aren't ready for that huge leap in your lifestyle!! not all vegans are trying to shove their beliefs down meat-eaters' throats though so do what you want!! but also, make sure when you are replying, that your answers aren't too insensitive (-:
