Standard Arguments Against Veganism, Pt. 9

Jan 18, 2021

"Most people are not just comfortable in their ignorance, but hostile to anyone who points it out."
-Plato

1. Vegans are rejecting their true nature

It's interesting how people who have never been vegan think they understand the mindset of a vegan. (Actually, it's quite a Freudian perspective, assuming that vegans are repressing their dark, primal instincts.) Of course, they do this because they're projecting their own prejudices against vegans and their fears of veganism onto us because they refuse to acknowledge veganism as a legitimate lifestyle.

This excuse is rooted in the belief that vegans actually do want to eat animal products because we (sometimes) eat plant-based meat, dairy, egg, and honey alternatives, and we're rejecting our human nature by repressing our instincts and desires to consume animals and animal products. However, what they fail to understand by making this excuse is that they've never chosen to eat animals; that decision was forced upon them. They don't actively go hunting every time they want a snack, and they're not repressing the urge to rip into their cat's neck every time they look at them. (Additionally, veganism isn't just about what -- who -- you eat.)

2. The animals would go extinct

Oh, so now we care about the animals? But, why? Why does it matter if the only reason we want them to exist is so they can be killed and eaten? And what about all the species going extinct because of the animals we use in agriculture? If we care about some, shouldn't we care about others, too?

Keeping someone alive just so you can kill them, and forcing them to breed with others all in the name of continuing the species, is far more barbaric than allowing them to drift into nonexistence. Anyone would rather not exist than live a torturous, diminished life with an excruciating, terrifying death. And if you think there's some way to humanely exploit someone's body, please see Part 3 and Part 7 to understand why that idea is a fallacy.

3. Plant foods don’t taste the same

(Meaning, they don’t taste as good.) Sure, they may taste slightly different, but taste buds change. Lives, on the other hand, can't be recovered once lost, and trauma, both physical and psychological, can never be undone. Luckily, as you forget the flavors and textures of animal-based products, you will naturally come to favor plants.

If you do want to eat the vegan alternatives to nonvegan products, think of plant-based foods as just another version or brand of the meat, dairy, eggs, and honey you already consume. And remember that it’s very difficult to acquire a taste for something new when you are still consuming some of the old things. Once you cut out animal products for good, your taste buds will swiftly change and the plant-based versions will become just as, if not more than, palatable.

However, there's no mandate proclaiming that all vegans must consume meat, dairy, egg, and honey alternatives; you can choose to eat plants in their more wholesome form, plants that should already make up the bulk of your diet anyway. (Also, as I've said before and will undoubtedly say many times again, veganism isn't about food; it's about showing respect for the lives of others.)

4. Vegans are too extreme

Would you make those same claims about feminists, civil rights activists, or even about environmentalists? If not, that's some mighty prejudice you're carrying around, and maybe you should do some more research into veganism and animal rights before making such callous assumptions about how we have chosen to live. (Check out the links below to get started.)

Irrespective of blatant discrimination, who says you have to be like every other vegan? You can be any kind of vegan you want. Regardless, what other vegans do doesn't have to be your business. They don't control you or what you choose to do with your life. So, don’t blame vegans for speaking out against violence when you’re the one perpetrating the violence.

5. Not all animals are treated like vegans claim

Similar to the first excuse on this list, people who say that the animals really aren't treated so badly have rarely, if ever, actually seen, heard, or read anything about what happens to animals used in various industries; but somehow they know that vegans only show the worst of the worst, the exceptions to the norm. If animals truly aren't treated so badly, then there shouldn't be any issues with taking a look to see what actually happens to them, and no one should feel uncomfortable in watching their suffering.

However, regardless of how they're treated -- whether it's better or worse -- using their bodies against their will and forcefully taking their lives is never humane or ethical, no matter what way you try to spin it.

be conscious, be kind, be vegan