PVs and Veganism as a Religion?

LESSON OF THE DAY:

Everyone is a potential vegan. I mean EVERYONE.

Everyone is a possible vegan. OK, yes, I think it was somewhere in a how-to activism guide or something that in terms of efficiency, you shouldn't cater to really old people or guys who seem to really love preparing their meat. But I honestly think veganism spreads in all and any directions, even if there are venues that are more likely to latch on to vegetarianism/veganism. Alright, don't try to convert folks on their deathbeds, because that's just not nice (come on, are we that desperate?), nor is it efficient for the movement. But otherwise, have at it. (EX: Health food stores, fitness centers, nutrition centers, pet stores(eesh), pet-related things, other social justice movements, universities, children-centers, etc. are great places to start)

Veganism isn't necessarily like a religion (although it can become religion-esque for a lot of people). I think that defining Veganism as a religion is very problematic because it takes the objectivity and the ultimate reality out of the matter. (this is not a critique of traditional religion. Though I am not religious, I am not about to defame any of them). However, it is largely agreed that religion is a perspective. Although each group views their god or gods as the proper god, we have had to come to terms with the fact that we all live on the same planet and that therefore this must be something about interpretation. On the contrary, it is not as if veganism and vegetarianism is opposed by a number of strong unified groups of meat-eaters that ritualistically worship their meat. No, no, what we see with the veg/AR movement is a spectrum

Omni-->Flexitarian-->Pescetarian-->Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian-->VEGAN

To say that veganism and vegetarianism is a religion is to shut your eyes to reality. While on the one hand i am not hesitant to hide my own animality -- to show that I have urges and instincts and other things which we try to conceal from ourselves as a 'supreme' species, I think that we have no need to gnaw on other animals to sustain ourselves. Our societies and civilizations have become so developed (in the traditional sense of the word) that killing other animals is completely superfluous and frankly inefficient for society, environment, etc. Because it is unnecessary to sustain ourselves via animal products, it is cruel to use them. (I personally don't believe in using animals for any means, so...)

Point of the story: Veganism is not a religion.

(I wish i had the motivation for mindless schoolwork that i do for vegan activism.)