Could I fit into the Vegan world?

[wasatchrunner]

I've been researching the vegan diet for awhile and have made some steps torwards becoming vegan. Through my research one thing is becoming very apparent. I do not fit the typical vegan mold. For one thing most people would consider me a conservative. Are there any conservative vegans? My main reason for changing my diet is health. I do believe we eat way to much meat and animal products. I am also probably more of an environmentalist that most conservatives. I hope the vegan community will still accept me even if I don't fit the typical mold.

[JP]

nice one that you are going vegan! Well done!

I think it is safe to say there is no such thing than "vegan community". Veganism is just about abstaining from the use of animal products and there are people from all kinds of backgrounds doing it, from leftist trade unionist like myself to religious fundamentalists, new ageists, to health freaks, to environmentalists to animal lovers and so on and so on.

It is true though that conservatives are in the minority in vegan/vegetarian "movement" because of the values that are commonly attached to being vegetarian or vegan, that is compassion, caring for those in weaker position, feeling solidarity for others and so on - kind of opposite values of your average conservatism.

As much as i hate to plug this you may want to check this message board out:
http://www.conservativeveggie.com/messageboard/

[J]

There is no one vegan community. This community here is farther left than some.

JP usually conservatives think they are being compassionate. Tough love and all that....

Anyway I'm a marxist and I accept you wasatchrunner.

[Frostfire]

You probably get asked if you are Mormon a lot, but if you are, there is a large group of LDS veggies/vegans in and around SLC/Provo. Their website is: http://www.ldsveg.org/

[seasiren]

Welcome! There are many conservative Vegans, you'll be just fine.

[GenTDuke]

Hey man, I dont know if I relay consider my self conservitive but I am a working class essex boy that tends to lean towards the right; at least with peope. There no such thing as a typical vegan BTW.

Compasion is not the only reason to be vegan, you shouldnt have a problem getting on with other Vegans, most are rational and inteligent unlike the idiot masses; so you can actualy have a reasoned chat with most of them without fear of being hated fo having a different opinion . I like to think I am a liked person here and I must deffinetly aint what is considerd average.

[wasatchrunner]

Thanks for excepting me everyone even if I'm different. JP and Crystal, thanks for the links.

[compassionategirl]

I've been researching the vegan diet for awhile and have made some steps torwards becoming vegan. Through my research one thing is becoming very apparent. I do not fit the typical vegan mold. For one thing most people would consider me a conservative. Are there any conservative vegans? My main reason for changing my diet is health. I do believe we eat way to much meat and animal products. I am also probably more of an environmentalist that most conservatives. I hope the vegan community will still accept me even if I don't fit the typical mold.

hey wasatchrunner,

You might want to read Matthew Scully's book called Dominion. SCully is a very conservative political figure - former speech writer to George Bush if I recall correctly!

Also, you mention being an environmentalist. As author and environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill said, the best gift you can give to the planet is to go vegan.

I also recommend John Robbins, The Food Revolution.

I dont see why the vegan community would not accept you - vegans are not an elitist, exclusivist bunch. Just the opposite - we invite people to join us in living a healthier, more aware and compassionate lifestyle.

[Fudgam]

Pretty much... what matters is that you are vegan. Doesnt really matter what motivates you.

[JP]

Hey man, I dont know if I relay consider my self conservitive but I am a working class essex boy that tends to lean towards the right; at least with peope. There no such thing as a typical vegan BTW.

Compasion is not the only reason to be vegan, you shouldnt have a problem getting on with other Vegans, most are rational and inteligent unlike the idiot masses; so you can actualy have a reasoned chat with most of them without fear of being hated fo having a different opinion . I like to think I am a liked person here and I must deffinetly aint what is considerd average.

lol! Well, everytime we discuss social issues you come across as very left wing mate I guess the divisions are hard to make, but right wing attitude to people would be moralistic, restricting individual freedom, being against for instance homosexuality and womens right to control their bodies.

Whereas if you just hate anti-social scally scum pissing on your doorstep that feeling is common from right to left I guess where the political differences come is in the solutions (left leaning towards collective and social solutions, right individualising social problems and making it a problem of individuals choices, or even worse, genetics)

[GenTDuke]

The whole left right thing is to simplistic a view on politics anyway, "Whereas if you just hate anti-social scally scum pissing on your doorstep" is mainly were I feel right wing, ide like to assert my authority on them. If I got into power ide send them to re-education camps and force them to watch Elvis all day so they will beome kool... dont think im joking I have plans

[bronco]

The whole left right thing is to simplistic a view on politics anyway, "Whereas if you just hate anti-social scally scum pissing on your doorstep" is mainly were I feel right wing, ide like to assert my authority on them. If I got into power ide send them to re-education camps and force them to watch Elvis all day so they will beome kool... dont think im joking I have plans

If I were you Id keep quiet about those plans, or else we migh have to send you to an education camp. And rest assured that camp would involve lots of Dolph Lundgren and Bud Spencer movies .

[Fruitbat]

My main reason for changing my diet is health. I do believe we eat way to much meat and animal products. I am also probably more of an environmentalist that most conservatives. I hope the vegan community will still accept me even if I don't fit the typical mold.

Whatever reason you choose to become vegan - that does not make you any less vegan. I was originally a "health" vegan and now I am vegan for a whole range of ethical and health reasons.

I dont believe in a "typical" vegan mold - the type of vegans you will encoutner depends entirely on the vegan groups you interact with. For example the Vegan Society ran a "Typical vegan" campaign which highlights the diversity of vegans from all backgrounds, motives, lifestyles etc etc etc. Though it is true that there are more vegans in some areas than others...

Environmentalism is another great ethical reason for being vegan.

Well done on becoming vegan and welcome to VF!!!!

[JP]

The whole left right thing is to simplistic a view on politics anyway

very true, like there are some absolutely disgusting stalinists who are considered part of left wing despite being tyrannical and authoritarian to the bone.

Thats why i say i am left libertarian, or libertarian communist or something like that

[Malcolms Billy]

Hey wasatchrunner! You say you're more of an environmentalist than your average conservative and you wanna go vegan? You sure you're a conservative in that case then? I'd be more worried about fitting into that mold than he vegan one, LOL!
In any case, the cows and pigs you don't eat won't give a monkey's (bad pun I know) why you won't eat them, so be whatever you like!
I'm a mixture of very left wing and extremely un-PC, but so far no animal has taken me to task about that! (mind you, it's starting to dawn on me why I'm getting chased by herds of cows every time I try to cross one of their fields when out on a walk! ).