Question by Love #me#, Hate #me#: Is it more important to be thought of as a vegan than to actually be a vegan?
People who aren’t actually vegans call themselves “vegan”. So is it a status symbol of sorts? Is that why they call themselves a vegan, while admitting they are just “trying to be a vegan”?
I apologize to those who have been offended by my line of questions and answers. The YA section V & V is for questions and answers regarding V & V, not for the promotion of V & V exclusively though.
Let it be understood that I agree with your cause. I think your cause is noble. To give any negative connotation to your cause or beliefs has not and will not be my agenda.
So please, either answer the question/questions or just ignore it if it bothers you.
awwdree—just a vegetarian? You underestimate yourself 
angua—-30 years? Keep up the good work!
evil—a case of changing a definition to make something difficult to attain more convenient. When someone invents a concept though, you can’t just go and change it for convenience sake. That’s weak. If you want to be a true vegan you can move to a temperate climate, grow your own food and do whatever you need to do to be a true vegan. If that’s what you really wish to do is be a true vegan.
Your argument is like saying I have $ 50M and I’m trying to be a billionaire, so I’ll call myself a billionaire because after all, I AM trying.
A true vegan is only one who follows what the creator of veganism defined it as. You can’t change someone’s idea for convenience sake and say it’s the same thing.
evil—I may have miscomprehended your answer……my apologies if that is the case.
black byrus—I’ve agreed with you on other posts but when you say this:
“”Because I walk on the road, which has dirt underneath, which probably has animal feces and animal corpses in it. Really, I’m not even vegetarian, because I was walking by McDonald’s a few days ago and accidentally breathed in and I think I got a couple of meat molecules in my mouth. Even my very computer is… well, I don’t know what all is in it, but I can only assume it must have SOMETHING non-vegan in it…”"
I can’t take your answer seriously. I’ve been making a simple point with absolutely no gray area whatsoever.
shelly—I applaud your vegetarianism but:
“But the definition of VEGAN has been only no meat, dairy, or milk. So someone who may use leather, or even eat honey, can fit this definiton.”
does not fit the defintion as coined by the creaotr of the concept of veganism and you will likely be chastised here by “vegans” who will tell you “you are Not a vegan” while at the same time they are not vegans either.
blackbyrus—”as far as is possible and practical”—to me this says as long as it’s convenient….If a person really wants to be a true vegan they can…..they would have to make more than superficial sacrifices but they could do it. But no one is willing to give up their cushy lives to become a true vegan. As soon as it becomes inconvenient, further sacrifice is considered “absurd”. Vegan-lite is the vegan of today. Deciding their own limits of sacrifice to qualify as a vegan as opposed to living their lives according to the definition of veganism’s creator. As time went by, the inconvenient portions of veganism were doctored to make it easier to qualify as a vegan. Thus today’s vegan is vegan-lite compared to it’s creator’s definition. There are no sacrifices anymore. The standard has been lowered like the standards are lowered in U.S. schools. To accomodate those who can’t pass the test.
blackbyrus–BTW I appreciate your ability to exchange ideas without condescension.
Best answer:
Answer by awwwdree
I think a lot of people do think its a status symbol, because it takes a lot of strength to really be vegan, I was vegan for six years before I got pregnant with my son and started having cravings for cheeseburgers. I tried making boca burgers with veganrella but it did not work. it took a lot to get to where I am now, almost six years later, I am still only vegetarian, and not even striving to be vegan again. It’s hard.
What do you think? Answer below!
