People adjust to the vegetarian diet for many reasons, and perhaps that is why it is always so confusing for some non-vegetarians to understand the drive behind what they find to be ridiculously drastic measures. After all, if you have grown up eating meat products, are reasonably healthy and love nothing more than roast beef, grilled chicken or a plate of veal, then you might not have a clue how someone could deny themselves such a diet staple. But there isn't just one reason, or one belief that a person holds, which drives him or her to swear off animal products. There are a variety of views and tastes involved, which are sometimes influenced by a strong understanding of health or politics.
The most opinionated and political vegetarians have chosen this way of life because of their feelings about protecting animals, and not killing them for the use of their bodies when there are other foods that can be eaten, murder free. They probably will never bewearing leather, suede or fur (faux or otherwise.) They see the animals as beings that have just as much a right to life as humans do. So even if these vegetarians had enjoyed the taste of meat, they will hold true to their beliefs and make this conscious choice to avoid it.
The next level down on the scale of vegetarian activism is the decision made for health reasons. These men and women are well read on the health costs of enjoying a slab of rare steak or a bacon cheeseburger. They know the toll these foods will take on their cholesterol and their waistline. Consequently, they understand the many benefits of whole grains, soy products, fruits and vegetables. They know these foods will help prevent heart disease, obesity and the onset of many types of cancers. It is not rare to find that these vegetarians also enjoy the taste of meat every now and then, but they put their health first and choose the vegetarian diet much like others chose the Atkins, Slim Fast or juice diet.
There are some groups of vegetarians that couldn't really care less about the animals. They wear leather and suede for fashion purposes and have been known to accessorize with fur every now and then. They don't eat any type of meat, poultry, fish or eggs. They do this because they simply don't like it. Whether the taste is abhorrent to them, or they can't chew the food without thinking of the word "flesh," these vegetarians will be the most likely not to cheat. They enjoy the health benefits, and the animals they are saving in the process, but mostly can't handle the consistency, appearance and idea of eating a dead animal.
Besides the three main groups, you will have people who become vegetarians for other reasons. Some do it for periods of their lives, and some try it for weeks or months at a time for reasons of detoxification, weight loss or illness. Others are vegetarians for religious reasons, mandated by generations of customs and traditions.
Buddhists, for instance, advocate vegetarianism because of their notion of karma and mercy. Their beliefs tell them that they will suffer the consequences of their evil actions of eating the flesh of living creatures. They also follow the mantra that a veggie diet helps them achieve a pure mind and body and this helps with their self-cultivation.
According to the website of the International Vegetarian Union (IVU), one Buddhist spokesperson questioned, "...how can one have the heart to eat the flesh of creatures who have suffered the pain of being slaughtered, skinned, dismembered and cooked? Being unable to bring ourselves to eat the flesh of these poor creatures is an expression of mercy." The simplest most direct way for them to achieve having a compassionate heart is to follow this meat free diet.
Though it is commonly thought that Christianity has no connection with vegetarianism, the Old Testament is very specific when it comes to what God said to eat. In the first chapter of The Bible, there seems to be a clear message. "Behold, I have given you every tree with seed in its fruit; this you shall have for food (Genesis I 1:29)." Once again later on, there is another passage from the mouth of God, "for the shedding of lifeblood, I will surely require a reckoning (Genesis 9:2-5)." Though The Bible can be interpreted in a number of ways, some interpreters read this as the God's way of letting humans know they will be held accountable if they unnecessarily kill an animal. Since eating animal flesh is not a necessity for human health (and some may argue detrimental), perhaps Christians have always been expected to follow this diet as well. The IVU website also makes a comment on Jesus giving Christians bread and wine -- grain and fruit -- to eat remembrance of Him. Some argue that through this act, he was also making diet restrictions and commentary.
Hinduism is also a religion in which both the old and new systems converge in response to their stand on vegetarianism. The Hindu holy book, The Vedas, contains much commentary on diet restrictions, that very clearly states "You must not use your God-given body for killing God's creatures, whether they are human, animal or whatever." (Yajur Veda, 12.32) It further goes on to identify the purchaser, seller, cooker and eater of meat to be killers in their own right. This, in addition to India's traditional reverence of the cow (The very name for the cows is aghnaya which means "not to be killed.") makes it clear what diet is to be expected of the people.
Although the Jewish diet can be interpreted much in the same was as the Christian, there are many Jewish vegetarians worldwide who feel that the ancient people and living traditions and ethical principals all point towards vegetarianism and have been misunderstood. According to Rabbi Simon Glazer's Guide To Judaism, "the first intention of the Maker was to have men live on a strictly vegetarian diet. The very earliest periods of Jewish history are marked with humanitarian conduct towards the lower animal kingdom."
The reasons for being a vegetarian range from a matter of taste to devoutly religious. Some beliefs have been around for thousands of years, while new reasons continue to come forth, as new health discoveries give a fresh point of view to every generation.
