Vegan and Pagan

Comment by Stephen Michael on March 8, 2013 at 7:36pm

I don't see how anyone would think it is bad..if it makes you happy and tunes you in more with the Goddess then go for it. That's what relly matters

Comment by Rose on March 9, 2013 at 1:01pm

With this life choice I feel more in tune with mother nature and the goddess, and pure from any blood shed.

If you haven't noticed "mother nature" kills indiscriminately. How do I feel about being vegan and pagan? If it feels right for you, do it, but don't be one of those people who feels holier-than-thou because of it. 

This idea that being vegan somehow makes one more "in tune with mother nature and the goddess" is an entirely new age idea. Ancient pagans were not vegan. There was also lots of bloodshed back then. And which goddess do you mean, because there were many. Some who required blood sacrifices. 

Comment by Sage Mama Wolf on March 9, 2013 at 5:57pm

Absolutely, and I agree that it is a new age thing, I am not ignorant of that :). If I were to hunt (I just dont have the desire to unless it was absolutely necessary) I would use the entirety of that animal, it is the way meat is processed that has given me these decisions and outlook. There is a lack of respect for animals during slaughter, which is why I have made this choice. I do not believe I am above anyone, everyone has a right to their own choices. Thank you for your input.

Comment by Faelyn on March 9, 2013 at 7:25pm

I remember when I first made the choice to become vegetarian. My friends, and family gave me that "yeah right... sure you are" look. They expected me to go back to eating meat after a week. It's now been 5 1/2 years since I've eaten meat. And I don't, in the foreseeable future, plan on going back. I decided to go vegetarian for, what seems like, the same reason you chose to be Vegan. However, I know now that just being vegetarian (or vegan) isn't enough. Vegetables and vegetarian/vegan options, in most cases, just as harmful to the earth and the humans on it because of the way they are grown, harvested, preserved and shipped off to super markets.

My own personal next step is to get any fruits and vegetables from a local farmers market - where I have the chance to talk to the actual farmer who tilled the land, planted the seeds, watered, and cared for the plant and then eventually harvested the plant. I want to know my food didn't travel across the country to get to me.  It's a tough step to take - because we are so spoiled with how easy it is to come across food, but it's a step I'm going to take the time  to make.

I don't think their is anything wrong with being vegan, and it making you feel closer to your own personal goddess/gods. That's how it should be. Don't change yourself, or let anyone put you down for a choice you made with good reason for yourself.

Comment by Faelyn on March 9, 2013 at 7:27pm

Forgive my spelling and grammatical errors in my previous comment.

Comment by Felis Draco on March 10, 2013 at 8:21pm

I have to say that I applaud and even admire anyone who has made the difficult choice to become vegan or even vegetarian. It is difficult particularly in our society, when the meat/poultry/dairy industries are so strong. Whether you do this for ethical reasons or for health reasons, it is YOUR decision and if it feels right for you, more power to you.

I have to agree that the whole idea that being vegan makes you closer to nature is not really pagan, nor is it necessarily even a human trait. We really are omnivores, even the current craze of the Paleo diet still acknowledges this, even while avoiding more "modern" foods (such as grains).

I do eat meat and fish; unfortunately I live with a guy (my husband of 18+ years) who has a whole range of food allergies, and many of them are vegetables! (He can't almost anything in a salad, and can only tolerate some foods cooked, such as carrots and tomatoes). He doesn't like beans, and is allergic to soy, so going vegetarian is really not an option in our household. I keep thinking about trying to go vegetarian myself, and I do try to get my food from more local sources, and in better quality. (For example we just signed up with a local dairy that delivers—and although I am now lactose intolerant and generally avoid dairy, my husband actually has found that the dairy's locally produced milk DOES taste better than the store-bought milk. I like eggs, and these are also local.)

So I guess my ultimate comment is that if you can do so, it's a good thing to do. I am still an omnivore, although I probably eat more vegetarian than I used to. (But I also admit to enjoying a good barbecued steak.) I do, sometimes, remember to offer thanks to the animal whose flesh I am eating. And that is an ancient way of acknowledging what nature provides.

Comment by Brandon on March 10, 2013 at 11:50pm

The stuff they put in animals these days is gross. Good choice, I myself can't function without meat. I applaud you though. 

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