Too many people ask me why I'm vegetarian. I do not agree with preaching the politics or imposing vegetarianism on others like some dread locked hippie drinking dandelion wine at a BBQ. But I will because I am constantly asked to, explain my beliefs.

To me being vegetarian means no beef, no fish, no chicken. First off, I do not believe that we eat meat because it is healthy or because we own canine teeth. Grabbing chicken breasts at Safeway is not primitive hunting. If you believe we eat meat as a part of a balanced diet, I don't have a lot of respect for you. You don't know jack-squat about the role of protein in nutrition. Listen, we eat meat nowadays because we like the smell, the taste, the texture. We "consume" meat for our pleasure. Being vegetarian isn't about being selfish. It's about discipline. It's about the self control of greed and desire. The one thing I absolutely hate about vegetarians is vegetable spare-ribs, tofurkey, mock chicken, etc. If you want to eat bacon, deal with your stupid guilt, get over it, pass on the flavoured gluten bullshit and eat bacon and be happy. Mock meat is against the point and just plain fucking horrible.

For me, being vegetarian is a conscious decision of compassion. I believe in the act of putting people before myself and that means, if someone serves me meat not knowing I'm vegetarian, I will eat it. Hypocritical, huh? I think cooking is a grand gesture made humble. How many meals have you eaten lately without thinking about what went into it? If someone goes to the effort, out of the goodness of their heart, of making substance to further my life, I should not put my beliefs in front of their good will. Silently, I usually give thanks to the animal that has given it's life for a higher purpose. Vegetarianism is a way to cultivate kindness.

Okay, so much for that shit, so my reasons for being vegetarian;

1 - The simplest. The fact that I can survive without eating meat means I do not need to eat meat.

2 - I do not believe in arrogance. Human beings do not control this Earth. Animals or any living creature upon it are not here for our benefit. I do not believe in the participation of farming animals or in suffering and violence inflicted upon animals for our meals. You may laugh at that but reflect upon a moment in your life of your own pain. Animals are subjected to slaughter, decapitation, skinning, processing, cooking for what?

3 - The greatest reason is the most complicated to explain. Above all, I value thinking. The ability to improve upon oneself through thought and awareness. Humans differ from all animals by their ability to think. Human life is a precious situation and I believe it is my duty with my life to try to be the best person I can be and to do that I have to question everything I am taught. If an animal is self aware, that is aware of it's own existence, it has the potential, no matter how small, to better itself. I refuse to participate in any way with it's death.