Vegetarian Manifesto

The question “why are you a vegetarian?” is a question that I answer at least 100 times a day. A lot of people think I am dumb or that I am “missing out” on such meat as bacon, chicken, and cheeseburgers. If they only knew that they wish they were missing out on those items as well. I do not have one set answer on why I choose to no longer eat meat of any kind, but I have several. For starters it was a huge health concern for me. Many Americans do not understand portion control. So a hamburger with two patties, cheese, mayonnaise, bacon and lettuce and tomato (how dare they.) on a dollar menu is considered a snack so why not order two or three?
Another thing that I feel strongly about is the animal cruelty. Imagine being in a crowded cage full of other animals just like you without a clue that you are soon about to be on a dinner plate somewhere or packaged and shipped to the nearest grocery store. Cows, chickens, and pigs are beaten and tortured then slaughtered. If one vegetarian can save 1,000 lives a years by choosing not to eat meat then imagine how many lives could be saved if one person a day just decided that they were no longer going to consume meat either.
I could name a long list of reasons on why eating me is not for me and why it should be for a lot of people and stand behind other people and their reasons. Hinduism and Buddhism hold vegetarianism as an ideal way to promote non-violence and spiritual fulfillment. I love the idea that even though it is because of their religion that it is kind of an obligation, but it is still apart of whom they are. It’s a lifestyle.
I won't lie, at times I crave that delicious chicken sandwich that I see on a billboard while I am riding the train or during a commercial when I am watching television. I don't need meat in my diet to survive. Many try to argue with me when they say that God put animals on this earth so that we as human beings can enjoy them. So why did he put fruits and vegetables here? for decoration? to give the world a splash of color? I don't think so. If a majority of the people knew what went into to their meat and poultry before it gets to them I bet any amount of money in the world that they would no longer want to eat meat. Some people are simply in denial or they state that they don't care because it's yummy or that it was just an animal that got killed and there were more where that came from. The truth about what I put into my body is what has changed my mind. Maybe it could change yours as well.