Why vegan? In 30 seconds or less
So, I recently started a new job at a church and through the normal ‘getting to know you’ type stuff, the topic of “why are you a vegan?” obviously comes up a lot. Usually during meals. This made me really focus on my “vegan elevator speech” or whatever you want to call it. Basically, a one or two sentence statement that qualifies or explains the reasons why you do what you do. Mine goes something like this:
God gave man dominion over the animals. Animals are one of God’s creatures that we are to love and respect. I do not want to support an industry that tortures and mistreats animals.
There, that’s pretty much a light summary of what I believe. Of course this is usually followed up by one or two notorious questions:
“So if you don’t eat meat, how do you get protein?”
and
“So I can understand not wanting to kill an animal, but what about cheese and eggs? Nothing dies for those.”
This is good reinforcement for you as to why you believe in being vegan and also can be used as a chance to spark conversation with people who would never think to consider where their food comes from. Also, for new vegans, this might serve as something to hold on to so that when confronted, you have something to say that will, hopefully, knock their socks off.
So here is my question for you guys:
What is /your/ vegan elevator speech? and what are the most common follow up questions?
September 9th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Great question! My answer would be: I have been a vegetarian for 15 years and I’m alive and well. Hence, if we don’t need meat in order to stay alive, how can we morally justify the torture, suffering and murder of hundreds of animals simply to satisfy our taste buds?
September 24th, 2009 at 12:25 am
I would say:
a)Animals suffer a lot in the production of animal products and b) I think animals should not be treated like things or property, but like living feeling beings.
October 9th, 2009 at 9:22 am
The replies I’ve most often had (probably because they’ve had some time to think about it as I’ve beeb vegetarian for a long time) are along the lines of “Humans are naturally omnivores, it’s in our nature to hunt and eat animals” Also the protein/ vitaminB12/essential aminoacid thing.
October 27th, 2009 at 4:13 am
I am vegan because it is wrong to deny any animal, including a human, the basic rights to pursue pleasure and avoid pain.
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:57 am
one of my best friends says “i can’t eat anything that used to have a face.” she is a world traveling photographer…who is also allergic to all dairy products. hard times, but very faithful!
November 5th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Animals are NOT property! So we certainly can not eat them.