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Do You Prefer Atheism Or Veganism?

Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2015 10:31 pm
by Red
So I had the idea for this topic for a while. Basically, are you a more militant vegan, or a more militant atheist? For me personally, I am a more militant vegan, which is kind of why I put this post in this forum. Back in my early days, I used to be a more militant atheist. I'm not really sure why, but a possible answer could be that I already knew the arguments for and against atheism, and I was more cozy with that subject. Sure, I knew the arguments for and against veganism, but those did not interest me as much. However, during the time that I was gone, I kinda dropped the concept of New Atheism. If you ask me, it doesn't really seem to be helping anyone and doesn't seem to be helping society in any significant way. I've noticed that veganism is a more, say, worthwhile and productive subject matter. Atheism seems to be the complete opposite, in terms of global impact. I realized that debating over veganism and carnism helps more lives, and actually helps society, and I have a better chance of changing someone's moral perspective, for the better. Like I said in some of my recent posts, I don't see any practical use of atheism to help anyone get anywhere. I know this story sounds insane, but I've grown up a bit and realized the things that actually matter in this world. Like brimstoneSalad and Jebus said, part of being vegan is being a so-called vegan ambassador or diplomat or whatnot.

TLDR (for lazy bastards) was a more militant atheist, realized veganism actually help society more. Basically, I'm a more militant vegan.

So what about you? Are you in more militant vegan or atheist? Are you equally militant about both? Leave a response!

Re: Do You Prefer Atheism Or Veganism?

Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2015 10:56 pm
by EquALLity
I wouldn't call myself a 'militant' atheist or vegan. That implies radicalism, doesn't it?

I've actually thought about this a bit, and I used to think that the obvious answer to which is more important (atheism or veganism) is veganism. But...

Ethical veganism is (obviously) based on ethics. But religions teach evil things, like stoning gay people, so you can't base right and wrong off of religion. We need secular morality to justify veganism rationally, and secular morality is useful in other ways as well.

And Christian vegans, for example, might have difficulty convincing other Christians to go vegan for religious reasons, because the Bible can be used to promote or speak against veganism. So maybe it'd be easier to spread veganism if atheism was spread first.

Well, either way, I care a lot about both, and if I care more about atheism, it's mainly for veganism.

Re: Do You Prefer Atheism Or Veganism?

Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2015 11:30 pm
by Red
EquALLity wrote:I wouldn't call myself a 'militant' atheist or vegan. That implies radicalism, doesn't it?
In this context I'm referring to being strong about your beliefs and actions.
EquALLity wrote:I've actually thought about this a bit, and I used to think that the obvious answer to which is more important (atheism or veganism) is veganism. But...

Ethical veganism is (obviously) based on ethics. But religions teach evil things, like stoning gay people, so you can't base right and wrong off of religion. We need secular morality to justify veganism rationally, and secular morality is useful in other ways as well.
I never implied that religion doesn't have it's short comings. But in the first world you don't see any stonings, the worst there is might have to be people with signs saying "GOD H8S FAGOLAS" and whatnot. Definitely in 3rd worlds but when I'm referring to society, I'm referring to the first world. I think I could have done a better job at expressing that..
EquALLity wrote:And Christian vegans, for example, might have difficulty convincing other Christians to go vegan for religious reasons, because the Bible can be used to promote or speak against veganism. So maybe it'd be easier to spread veganism if atheism was spread first.
Well.. it's. Uh.. agh, you do have a point. It would be much more efficient to open up the philosophy of atheism to theists before we open other subjects that may or may not be against their faith.
EquALLity wrote:Well, either way, I care a lot about both, and if I care more about atheism, it's mainly for veganism.
Now thinking it, atheism and veganism do go hand-in-hand in many ways.

Re: Do You Prefer Atheism Or Veganism?

Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2015 11:45 pm
by garrethdsouza
Even I don't like the term militant to some extent as it can be misinterpreted, why not choose another term instead like activist or something.

Militant specifically means ".favouring confrontational or violent methods in support of a political or social cause." So it would be a great loophole for theists/carnists if they interpret it as meaning one is OK with violence.

I do feel veganism is important as it has a more direct impact on changing a lot of things including a lot of extreme suffering of the animals, the environment and health. But I don't think one has to pick one or the other, that's the fallacy of relative privation.

For me atheism is what lead me to going vegan. Also after becoming atheist and more importantly being involved in atheist/,free thought groups online and locally my perspectives on a lot of things were changed for the better including affirmative action, feminism, abortion, veganism etc and I like the idea of community building as well. Many of the vegans are woogans and are quite irrational and sometimes it can be harder to relate to some of them in community building than to atheists.

Re: Do You Prefer Atheism Or Veganism?

Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2015 12:35 am
by Red
garrethdsouza wrote:Even I don't like the term militant to some extent as it can be misinterpreted, why not choose another term instead like activist or something.

Militant specifically means ".favouring confrontational or violent methods in support of a political or social cause." So it would be a great loophole for theists/carnists if they interpret it as meaning one is OK with violence.
Like I said, in this context, I'm referring to how strong you are about your beliefs.
garrethdsiuza wrote:I do feel veganism is important as it has a more direct impact on changing a lot of things including a lot of extreme suffering of the animals, the environment and health. But I don't think one has to pick one or the other, that's the fallacy of relative privation.
Yeah that's kind of why I asked if you are equally militant about both. And like I said, I don't see any full use of new atheism in the first world, but can be used for third world countries and theocracies and such. (see reply to EquALLity). Well, most new atheism takes place on internet communities, where it won't really help the third world as much as other actions. That's kinda what I meant by new atheism not helping society as much as veganism.

Re: Do You Prefer Atheism Or Veganism?

Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 12:47 am
by linux_vegan
RedAppleGP wrote:So I had the idea for this topic for a while. Basically, are you a more militant vegan, or a more militant atheist? For me personally, I am a more militant vegan, which is kind of why I put this post in this forum.
I'm confused. Your religion is listed as "Christian."

Re: Do You Prefer Atheism Or Veganism?

Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 10:04 am
by EquALLity
linux_vegan wrote:
RedAppleGP wrote:So I had the idea for this topic for a while. Basically, are you a more militant vegan, or a more militant atheist? For me personally, I am a more militant vegan, which is kind of why I put this post in this forum.
I'm confused. Your religion is listed as "Christian."
Woah. :shock:

What happened, Red?

Update:
Oh... https://theveganatheist.com/forum/viewt ... 7&start=40
Never mind! ;)