Is veganism a religion?
Here is an interesting article I just read:
It states that vegans should be protected by law same as people with religious beliefs. I actually agree, I don't think it is right for somebody to be discriminated against because they are vegan but if you think about it, vegans are very much discrimated against. It is a meat-eaters world. Now that I think about it, I think every restaurant should be required to have at least one vegan item on their menu. Why not?
I found several definitions of "religion". The term isn't clear cut. If the definition involves the belief in a higher power, then wouldn't that make buddism NOT a religion when it is considered one?
Here is the definitions (from dictionary.com)
1.a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2.a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3.the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4.the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5.the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6.something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
By most of these definitions, would veganism be considered a religion?
Should veganism be considered a religion? Your thoughts?
i wouldn't consider iraq a holy war... i'm just sayin' this world would be a lot better place without it.
i would consider buddhism more of a philosophy than a religion.
religions purpose is to make money and help people not to be afraid of the dark.
W's the one who said that prayer (or god - can't remember the exact quote) was a part of his foreign policy... ;)b
the way you over simplify and lump groups together amazes me
i'm good at it.
i wouldn't consider iraq a holy war... i'm just sayin' this world would be a lot better place without it.
You just said it was a war caused by religion. That's a holy war.
Provide reasons, please. It more than meets the requirements put forth by theologians, scholars and the dictionary definition in the first post of this thread.
That's capitalism and night lights. Please see the definition at the start of this thread.
i wouldn't consider iraq a holy war... i'm just sayin' this world would be a lot better place without it.
You just said it was a war caused by religion. That's a holy war.
nope
Provide reasons, please. It more than meets the requirements put forth by theologians, scholars and the dictionary definition in the first post of this thread.
nuh-uh
That's capitalism and night lights. Please see the definition at the start of this thread.
nope
Your rhetoric. It stuns me.
I would agree that religion isn't the cause of wars, it is what people do with their beliefs and them trying to forch them on others that cause wars.
Veganism for example, we don't (generally) push our lifestyle on others, but some radicals could go off and say, those who don't eat vegan are for animal cruelty and are evil and should be killed. That is kind of the same thing. I am vegan for my reasons, I don't like that everybody else isn't vegan but hey, that is their choice, I am not going to force my lifestyle on others.
Religion should be the same way, but you have those radicals out there. It is like blaming guns for murder when the guns were only the tool, I go by the phrase "guns don't kill people, people kill people". Same goes for religion "religion doesn't cause war and death, people cause war and death" religion is only the excuse.
Take away religion, poeple will only find another excuse to kill.
"guns don't kill people, people kill people"
But the gun helps.
"guns don't kill people, people kill people"
But the gun helps.
Too funny LOL'sssss
The conversation is semantics.
At what point does a group of organized thoughts become religion?
When does religion/ banks/ governments become to large to fail?
Even as poorly suited they may be for the greater good the tradition and dependence is established.
There needs to be huge force to break the draw, vehicles of social change are not great enough.
i would consider Buddhism more of a philosophy than a religion.
That is a an old debate and it really is a matter of semantics. Buddhism is unique in that it lacks dogmatism and the belief (or disbelief) in a a supreme being, a creator, one or many gods. I don't know of any other major religion that does that. The definition of religion may include belief in a supreme being or just an adherence to defined guiding principals. There has never been a war fought in the name of Buddhism. No one has ever been persecuted for NOT being Buddhist. Millions have died in other wars in the name of religion. Religion has been the biggest cause of genocide throughout human history.
Buddhism does not try to convert others but rather encourages people to fully investigate Buddhism before adopting it. Buddhism recognizes the validity and value of other religions. The many different types of Buddhism have very different practices, rituals etc., that conform to local traditions but the basic principles are simple: Peace, compassion, help others, don't harm or cause to be harmed any sentient being. Those basic principles are as simple as Veganism and very similar. That brings us back to the subject of this thread: is Veganism and religion? Why (or why not) would Buddhism be a religion and not Veganism.
hey rswhitaker,
I have always had an interest in buddhism, more of a curiosity then anything. Christianity is not really my thing because I have a lot of issues with the bible. From what little I know of buddhism it seems much more my thing then christianity (I was baptised and grew up catholic, but got out of it when I got too old to force to go to church anymore). I just have a problem with how strictly peopple actually BELIEVE those myths in the bible, I see the bible as more a book that tells tall tales meant only to teach morality, not to be used as a history book, but I have been chastised pretty badly by my family for believing this and as a result I have grown even further and further from christianity.
But I would like to find something to believe in, if nothing else then to feel like I belong to a community.
So I am curious as to buddhism but all I find when I Google it seems to not really address my questions. I guess I need a "buddhism for dummies" type of thing, you know? I am curious as to what they believe comes after death, what is their beliefs as to nature, general all around beliefs?
and Mahayana (northern).
I'd love to discuss it with you I'll send you a personal message and give you some good online resources.
This article touches on many of the points raised in this thread; interesting...
"A Prisoner Seeks Vegan Food In Prison: Why Refusing Him Is Both Illegal and Foolish"
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/colb/20100331.html
This article touches on many of the points raised in this thread; interesting...
"A Prisoner Seeks Vegan Food In Prison: Why Refusing Him Is Both Illegal and Foolish"
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/colb/20100331.html
Interesting. And cheaper, too.
I don't think I'm as adamant or absolute, but I agree.
Anyway, I don't see veganism as a religion at all. Sometimes I think it's a belief, a lifestyle, a subset of a set of values, a way to cook, a label, a delightful way to eat, a healthy choice, an anti-aging and anti-illness strategy or a strict set of rules depending on what I'm thinking about exactly.
But religion? Nope, just don't see it.
If you read the article that HCM posted, there's a quote in it about the definition of religion, and it is:
"when a person sincerely holds beliefs dealing with issues of ‘ultimate concern' that for her occupy a ‘place parallel to that filled by ... God in traditionally religious persons,' those beliefs represent her religion." A person's religion, in other words, "need not be based on ... a mainstream faith."
So, you don't need a deity for religion, although this is the representation in most religions. I don't know if I agree if this says veganism is a religion, but I think it's an interesting thought.
I don't think I'm as adamant or absolute, but I agree.
Anyway, I don't see veganism as a religion at all. Sometimes I think it's a belief, a lifestyle, a subset of a set of values, a way to cook, a label, a delightful way to eat, a healthy choice, an anti-aging and anti-illness strategy or a strict set of rules depending on what I'm thinking about exactly.
But religion? Nope, just don't see it.
If you read the article that HCM posted, there's a quote in it about the definition of religion, and it is:
"when a person sincerely holds beliefs dealing with issues of ultimate concern' that for her occupy a place parallel to that filled by ... God in traditionally religious persons,' those beliefs represent her religion." A person's religion, in other words, "need not be based on ... a mainstream faith."
So, you don't need a deity for religion, although this is the representation in most religions. I don't know if I agree if this says veganism is a religion, but I think it's an interesting thought.
I'd just like to point out again (because things get lost in the shuffle), that one of the main things about a religion is that it tries to address the nature of the universe and our experience of reality. The confusion between religion and philosphy is that philosphy tries to do the same thing. The difference is the approach. Philosophy is based (largely) on a logical approach, a constructed and sustained arguement. Religion is based more on an instinctual truth, something you can't prove but know is there.
I try and use a "gut check" when sorting out religion and philosphy.
Anyways... Veganism says nothing about the nature of the universe or existence. There are philosphical reasons to be be vegan, even religous ones. But veganism isn't a religion because - in and of itself - it does nothing to address the "Big Questions".
Why are we here? How did we get here? What is our purpose?
"Refraining from the consumption of animals and animal derived products" is not an answer to any of those questions. Well, not a very complete or good one.
I really hope veganism is not a religion, because I already have a religion!
I was raised (and still am) a Unitarian Universalist. We believe in the importance of working to make the world fairer and more respectful, and that everyone has their own spiritual path in life which they have to find for themselves. To this end, my religion is extremely supportive of my vegan lifestyle. My husband is also vegan and works for a church, and they are great about considering his needs when they have a foodcentric event.
The root words of "religion" actually mean "to come together again." Religion is just a way to be spiritual and find meaning in life together with a group of people. I think it's really sad when people allow the misbehavior of the followers of one religion to ruin the whole concept for them.
*Gives Lauuren a fellow UU high-five!*
jbfc...
what does being "spiritual" even mean?
*Gives Lauuren a fellow UU high-five!*
Awesome!!
what does being "spiritual" even mean?
To have an inner life in which you intentionally contemplate meaning? That's kinda the definition I'm going by, anyway.
Pages