Vegetarianism

[EmilyRaven]

I happen to be a vegetarian, vegan actually, and have abstained from meat and animal products most of my life. I wouldn't call it a requirement for any spirituality but I certainly feel that is related to my concepts of nature-based faith and Druidry. Just because the ancients did something doesn't mean we should follow suit. Eating meat was more practical in the past for some populations, but if you do research you'll find that actually milk and cheese was a far more common staple to the ancients. Even the Vikings saw the practice of slaughtering animals for food as wasteful and had a diet rich in cheese supplemented with caught game and fish, but cheese was the main source of their protein.

When I meet people I usually don't tell them I'm a vegan. I also have Celiac Disease, so I can't eat wheat. So I can simply pass on many foods without making it a big issue. If asked I will talk about it though because being vegan makes me feel happy. It's amazing to me that plants produce fruits (we call some of them vegetables) that have seeds in them that are to be eaten to help their seeds spread. I think that's a unique relationship that we animals have as crucial to plant's survival thanks to the food they give us.

Anyhow. If anyone is interested there is a lot of research showing that we are not true omnivores and our bodies do much better health-wise on a plant-based diet. http://michaelbluejay.com/veg/natural.html

If nothing else meatless mondays are popular here in the states and a good way to add some variety to your diet without going full on vegetarian.

[Ravenari]

I am an omnivore, though I love fruits and vegetables and will happily cook vegetarian (as I will be this evening).

I have been told by a haematologist that I must consume red meat on a regular basis (more often than I used to) because my body struggles - due to a genetic deformity - to accept oral iron; and all plant-based iron is simply discarded/excreted by the body. Though this is not enough, and I also need iron infusions.

That being said, my reasons for being omnivorous are also spiritual. I believe that, for myself and as an animist, plants are not worth more than animals and that I would rather eat mindfully than choose one over the other. I prefer to source vegetables that don't support slavery, and animals that haven't come from factory farms, over ones that aren't, though this is not always easy where I live. In some cases, I had to stop eating certain foods for some years until I could be sure of finding an organic, humane alternative.

My love and appreciation for plants is only growing through my experiences of OBOD, which if anything, makes it even harder to consume a whole plant, or to eat the fruit of a tree, knowing that its seeds will not be replanted to create new trees. But eating anything that lives is a difficult path, I think, for some, and it is through that path that I find increasing respect for my animal and plant kindred.

[Blyth]

What an interesting post! As a child, meat was not readily available due to war time shortages; when the proper stuff was first presented to me at about the age of 7, I didn't like the look or taste of it. I still don't like it. As you say, horses for courses [excuse the pun!] - it's my choice as it is for others.

[ecstaticearth]

I have been a vegetarian for a number of years now, and I also believe in the benefits of organics and a high raw diet.

Personally I feel, being a spiritually awake person and on the Druid path, that I am aware of the responsibilty I have in my actions, the choices I make have 'ripples on the pond', so to speak. By living an ethical life, being aware and responsible for my actions, and recognising the divinity that 'sparks' all creation, how could one live unconsciously eating and consuming those products that cause suffering unnecessarily.

It is my choice to be vegetarian, and I dont expect everyone to make my choices in life, but I do expect everyone to at least become aware of what they put into their bodies, and why, and the causes and outcomes of their choices. Then make your own decisions, as Druids, and as fellow creation, and intelligent beings with the capacity to reason and live responsibily.

We are not iron-age or ancient Druids, we are contempory Druids living modern-day lifestyles, living various degrees of harmony within the natural world, evolving consciously within higher consciousness, in a society that is technologically advanced and as Druids I feel we should borrow from the permaculturist term of appropriate-technology.

As Druids we project peace to all directions, shouldn't that peace extend to all living beings?

There's a famous quote that sugests that the state of humanity is reflected in the way we treat those of fur, feather, scale and claw. Just something to ponder on anyway.

... living by example... being the change I wish there to be in the world...

/|\

[Anais_Starwood]

Im a long term vegetarian and vegan for two years now. I didnt do it for spiritual reasons but more for environmental and health reasons. I'm not an animal rights activist but I appreciate that being Vegan spares a life or two. And thats pretty awesome.

[Dru]

Big time carnivore here and have nothing against vegans and vegetarians. Never considered a vegetarian diet and probably never will unless ordered by a doctor. Not much in the way of getting organic meats that don't cost an arm and a leg around here so I get whats cheap and easy at the super market.