I think it's wonderful if people are vegetarian, or better yet, vegan! I truly admire you vegan folks! (I am a vegetarian, slowly working up towards vegan status.. and actually, if you had any tips, I would greatly appreciate it. I know this is supposed to be a debate, but seriously, if you have any helpful hints on veganizing, I'd love to hear them!) I do have a question though: why give up honey? I know that vegans do not eat honey or use beeswax materials, but I have not found a case of bee abuse or cruelty. Perhaps you could help me out there as well?
I personally can not bring myself to eat meat or drink milk. (And I don't really like eggs either) However, I have nothing against meat-eaters, and I totally understand where you guys are coming from. The benefits I see of being a vegetarian are: feeling healthier, conserving water and other resources, causing less animal cruelty (of course this one all depends on your own viewpoints), less workers' rights violations in the slaughterhouse and fast food restaurants, cleaner air, less hormones, less chance of weird diseases, I personally feel stronger and cleaner, saving the rainforest, I also feel that it is more fair, and, like the Buddhists say, feeling and being more compassionate. To me it just seems like it's better for Mother Earth.
I'm curious to hear from other vegetarians why they went vegetarian. Anyone care to share?
Oh - and one last thing: I have a killer vegan cookie recipe if anyone wants it. Of course, I can't take credit for them... someone else published the recipe a long time ago. You can't even tell these babies are vegan. I made them for a bunch of my friends (all omnivores) and they all loved them!