Nobody Wants to Hurt Animals

Posted on by The Crumby Vegan Posted in Food/Nutrition, For the AnimalsTagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Something that has always puzzled me… 

-Kill tons of animals: farmer.
-Kill a dog: criminal. 
-Avoid killing any animals: vegan… Well that’s just weird!

Actually, if we think about it, veganism isn’t weird at all, it’s actually super normal to not want to hurt animals. Don’t get me wrong, not everyone loves animals but you don’t have to love something to not want to hurt it. For example: 

There is a child in the street.
You notice the child.
You don’t know the child.
I’m going to guess that you don’t love the child.

This doesn’t mean you want the child to come to any harm though… That would be a bit extreme, right? So, naturally, you leave the child alone and you definitely don’t fund a business which would result in the death of that child. 

Now let’s try this with a cow…

There is a cow in the field.
You notice the cow.
You don’t know the cow.
I’m going to guess that you don’t love the cow.

So even though you don’t love the cow and you have no connection with the cow, you still don’t want the cow to come to any harm though, right? Because that would be extreme. So, naturally, you leave the cow alone and you definitely don’t fund a business which would result in the death of the cow… 

So many people don’t want to hurt animals but their compassion does not align with their actions. Let’s check if you’re one of them…

FLOWCHART2

 

Factory farming and animal slaughter happen behind closed doors and the food industry make it very easy for you to feel as though you don’t hurt animals by eating them or their by-products because you’re not the one killing them… But you’re funding an industry that does. Don’t pass the buck. 

Nobody wants to hurt animals and by cutting out (or at least reducing) the animal products in your diet you will gain an incredible sense of balance and justice. Your feelings towards innocent beings will begin to align with the food choices you make. If you would like any help in doing this then I’m here for you, whenever you need me 💚

 

 

 

 

61 thoughts on “Nobody Wants to Hurt Animals”

  1. Reply
    GrAnnie says:

    Very clever, made me laugh at your wit in spite of your serious message.
    I’m using oat milk generally but find soya easier to cook with, not so good in tea though.
    Linda McCartny is now supplying my sausages.
    when out I always prefer the veggie option, although even people who are close just don’t take it on board.
    Keep up the good work Zo.
    xxx

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Reply
    caribbeancurl says:

    Great post! I always find it puzzling that society considers veganism (that promotes the proper treatment of animals) extreme and weird. Or even too hard to do.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Reply
    Emily Anne says:

    I completely agree! But for some, this concept is very difficult to wrap their heads around. “You don’t have to love something to not want to hurt it.” So much yes!!! Why is one animal considered a pet, while another is considered dinner..makes no sense to me. I’ve been called a “militant vegan” because I had said I was an ethical vegan…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Reply
      The Crumby Vegan says:

      Ah I’m so glad you agree Emily!

      I remember telling someone that I was vegan because I love animals, and their reply was ‘but I don’t love animals’… Implying that they could then eat them. But surely just because you don’t love something shouldn’t mean it has to die!! Strange world we live in 💚

      Like

  8. Reply
    David von Janowski says:

    One problem is being raised as a child and given meat to eat. You are given cuddly toys like rabbits, reindeer and dogs. You then ask – why am I eating a bunny? Why am I eating a moo moo? I like Rudolph! Sounds illogical to a five year old and even at 60 years old I still see it as illogical. Why should I eat my friends. I refer now to rabbits and cows in any discussions about eating meat. Keep up the excellent work Zoë. Your message is great 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Reply
      The Crumby Vegan says:

      Thank you for the wonderful comment David. I thnk you’re absolutely right with regards to how you converse with your friends about animals.

      I also think it’s super confusing for children. I always think of Peppa Pig… It’s so strange that children would watch that and then eat a pig.

      As you have said many times, it’s slowly changing. Again, thank you so much for your supportive comment 💚

      Like

  10. Reply
    Chantal says:

    When you put it this way, it makes perfect sense. I’m not vegan, but you made an excellent point about not wanting to kill animals. I’m one of people whose feelings don’t align with their actions on this . 😩

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Reply
      The Crumby Vegan says:

      Thanks for your mega (and very honest!) comment Chantal. I couldn’t imagine someone saying that they want to hurt animals but then I would at least understand why they ate meat. Otherwise everything is out of balance 🙂

      Remember no one is forcing you to go vegan, but if you do care about animals then you can, maybe once a month, just decide that you’re not going to eat something anymore. So if you eat ham sandwiches but you don’t really care about them too much, then to start off slow you could say I’m not going to eat ham sandwiches this month and then build every month from there. Still have pork/ham otherwise but just not this particular item, That way you’d slowly learn about yummy alternatives and when it comes to the first time you say, no I’d rather have something else than a ham sandwich, you’ll feel on top of the world because you’ll be making a decision that you believe in.

      I’m totally here for you if you fancy a chat and thanks again for commenting 💚

      Like

  11. Reply
    klolszewski says:

    Spoken like a true vegan 😉 I love your wit and found myself chuckling at this post. However, the point came across loud and clear 🙂 I love the comparison you made between seeing a child and seeing a cow.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Reply
    Priyadarshini Rajendran says:

    What a great comparison. I am a vegetarian and have milk in my country because here it is not a industry that exploit cows. But I am appalled at the extreme distress cows go through in several countries. I am trying to be a vegan!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Reply
      The Crumby Vegan says:

      Thank you for your lovely comment Priyadarshini. It’s great to hear that you are trying to become vegan.

      Unfortunately cows are exploited in every country when they are used for milk. Every cow needs to give birth so that they lactate. That milk should go to the calf but unfortunately the calf is taken away immediately so that we can take the milk. The calf is then either killed or bred for milk, meat or leather. It would be really good if you could find an alternative to animal milk if possible.

      Again, I think it’s fantastic that you’re trying to become vegan and if you need any tips then please do let me know 💚

      Like

      1. Priyadarshini Rajendran says:

        Oh no..I feel very sad about the cows 😦 About making curd, do you have any suggestions please? Because we can skip milk but not curd.

        Like

      2. The Crumby Vegan says:

        Ah sorry you feel sad Priyadarshini, it is very sad what happens to them 😦

        My mother-in-law is Indian so I asked her about curd, she said you can find lots of dairy-free alternatives which are based on soy or coconut. I remember having one when I visited her last and it was wonderful. Where are you based? 💚

        Like

  14. Reply
    msmamabean says:

    Love how you approached this serious topic. Over the last year or so, me and my family have started to consciously reduce the amount of meat and animal products we use and consume. It really makes a lot of difference without actually feeling like we have sacrificed anything.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Reply
      The Crumby Vegan says:

      Ah thank you for your lovely comment! I think it’s wonderful that you’ve been reducing over the last year and I’m so happy to hear that you haven’t felt bad for it. A lot of people think that they are missing out when they swap a few products but the alternatives are normally super yummy, I hope you agree 🙂

      It sounds like you and your family are on a lovely journey 💚

      Like

  19. Reply
    Colleen Bijl says:

    Your article is interesting, I’m a meat eater and probably always will be. A pet is not on the same level as a cow. Cows are bred to eat and provide milk. Pets are there to provide comfort and joy. Sometimes though I agree slaughtering animals for food seems cruel and I do think about that at times.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Reply
      The Crumby Vegan says:

      Thanks for your comment Colleen 🙂

      You’re 100% right that cows are bred for meat and their milk… But that doesn’t make it right. We’ve just been told that it’s supposed to be that way.

      Same reasoning for one animal being viewed as a pet and one being a farm animal, we are told it’s that way and therefore except that one animal should be treated differently from another. Really just depends which country you’re in as to how that animal is treated… One animal isn’t born a farm animal or a pet, we have chosen it to be that way and because I also find it cruel that animals are slaughtered so we can eat them (as you seem to, too) that’s why I don’t eat them.

      I don’t eat animals because I don’t want to hurt animals. I absolutely understand that you probably will always be a meat-eater but in the same breath, give yourself a second to think how you’d feel if you reduced the meat in your diet. You’d be doing it because you find the slaughter of animals cruel and you’d probably feel amazing for trying to find an alternative that you didn’t associate with unnecessary death.

      I genuinely appreciate your comment and you sound quite compassionate considering you think about the animals, so I hope you don’t take offense at anything I’ve said 💚

      Like

  21. Reply
    Jody says:

    This is a very informative post and definitely, gives me something to think about. While I might not be able to completely give up meat, I can support doing a meatless day once a week.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Reply
    Sweet Coralice says:

    Nicely put! I’m not big on red meat but I do like to eat chicken. Sometimes though, I skip animal products/meats altogether and stick with healthier options. My daughter and I have been talking about foods that are vegan/vegetarian and how some are pretty good. But … I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go full vegan/vegetarian if I’m being honest, though ☹️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Reply
      The Crumby Vegan says:

      Good to hear you’re not big on red meat and fortunately no one is asking you to go vegan/vegetarian 🙂

      My whole goal is to just make people aware of their choices… If they have compassion for animals, the environment or their health then maybe we take a step forward together but I’m not trying to force anyone to do anything 💚

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Reply
    Nicole Anderson says:

    A well thought-through and logical perspective that would be hard to argue with. However as we know, people at large simply do not give the animals a second thought when they are eating as this is just the ‘norm’ that they understand and have grown up with. Hence why so many don’t relate that well and where they sometimes regard vegans as ‘weird’. Food for thought (pardon the pun).

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Reply
      The Crumby Vegan says:

      I totally agree with your comment Nicole – thank you. We are in a society which is blinded by what the media, food industry, medical industry etc. so it’s easier for them to make money… And it has been for quite some time.

      Fortunately there is a huge wave of awareness and it’s only growing because people like yourself are making these kinds of comments. Thank you for reading 💚

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Reply
    lifestylemav says:

    What a thoughtful post. Asa food blogger – who is often invited to try restaurants out – it can be hard to control what animal products I eat. However, I’m a real animal lover and I’ve tried to reduce my meat intake at home. That’s why my fridge is FULL of vegan products 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Reply
    emilynncaulfield says:

    Very interesting point! Vegans aren’t weird at all.. To be honest the analogy of the farmer and a criminal strike me as weird LOL. Thank you for a different way of thinking ♥

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Reply
    legacyofpythagoras says:

    It’s great that you feel that everyone should go Vegan, but I’m surprised that you have not yet noticed the speciesist moral contradiction in your own post.

    You state that even if we don’t love a particular child then we should still seek to never hurt children. But then you go on to tell your readers that even if we don’t love animals then it’s still morally ok to only *reduce* “animal products in their diet.”

    If given the chance, would you tell a person who is hurting/killing human children to “consider reducing your harm of children?”

    So why the double standard when it comes to the nonhuman victims?

    We can’t eliminate the speciesism in others unless we first eliminate the speciesism in ourselves. We can’t observe justice for our nonhuman victims while still only “reducing” our enslavement and murder of them.

    Please consider doing *unequivocal* Vegan Education instead of welfarism. Here’s how:

    What Is The Only Form Of Animal Activism That Is Both Morally Justifiable And Most Effective?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Reply
      The Crumby Vegan says:

      Thanks for taking the time to write such an in-depth comment.

      I want to be clear that I wish everyone would go vegan, but in my opinion, asking everyone to go vegan overnight doesn’t work. In my experience, I’ve had a lot of people go vegan because they slowly reduced the animal products in their diet as that doesn’t overwhelm them as much (myself being one of them) hence the style of my blog.

      Hurting children is against the law whereas hurting animals is not (in most respects) unfortunately. We live in a society where there is not much of a link between eating animals and harming them – hence what this post was trying to do. We don’t live in a black and white world.

      You ‘create vegans’ one way and I’ll do another. Keep up the good work 💚

      Liked by 1 person

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