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.)

The Mountain Goats at Farm Sanctuary??

John Darnielle from the Mountain Goats

This is pretty stellar: (http://farmsanctuary.org/mediacenter/2009/pr_zoopII.html)

Indie Rock Legend John Darnielle from the Mountain Goats Returns to Farm Sanctuary for Zoop! II

Sold-Out Concert to Benefit Nation’s Leading Farm Animal Protection Organization

Watkins Glen, NY – June 9, 2009 – Forty years after Woodstock, music— and animal — lovers have another reason to flock to a farm in rural upstate New York. Back by popular demand, indie rock legend John Darnielle, Peter Hughes and John K. Samson of the Mountain Goats will return to Farm Sanctuary’s New York Shelter once again this Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14 for Zoop! II, a weekend of intimate, solo acoustic sets, shelter tours, camping and a communal bonfire to benefit Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization.This one-of-a-kind musical experience, named after a lively goat who arrived at the New York Shelter barely able to walk, and now sports a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg that keeps her zipping through the pastures, offers concert-goers the unique opportunity to meet the benefit’s namesake, as well as the hundreds of other rescued farm animals that live at the shelter, camp and picnic with new friends, and tour local attractions in beautiful upstate New York.

Darnielle, hailed by premiere music magazine Paste as one of the “100 Best Living Songwriters,” alongside such greats as Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen, describes the first Zoop! as “one of the absolute highlights of ten-plus years as That Guy From The Mountain Goats.”“We are thrilled to welcome John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats back to Farm Sanctuary for Zoop! II,” said Michelle Waffner, Farm Sanctuary’s education director. “The first Zoop! raised critically needed funds for the hundreds of rescued animals we care for at our New York Shelter, and the fact that this year’s concert sold out just days after we opened registration is a testament to Darnielle’s amazing talent and loyal fan-base.”The hyper-prolific, highly literate and militantly lo-fi musician’s first benefit for the sanctuary in 2007 was an overwhelming success, drawing attendees from all over the country for a magical weekend that is still talked about today.

Farm Sanctuary’s New York Shelter, located next door to Sugar Hill State Forest, just west of Watkins Glen, is open for tours from May through October. Daily guided tours provide visitors the unique opportunity to learn the stories of the hundreds of cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens and other farm animals that call the sanctuary home and spend time interacting with them. Summer tour information is available here:

http://www.farmsanctuary.org/farm/newyork/ny_tours.html.