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Why I'm a VegetarianRead the article this discussion is about
This archived discussion is "read only". « Previous 1 2 Next » » RichardSpeaks - Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Great Article, Richard In response to Boanerges"I presented what happened to me. . ." Welcome to the new article discussion. I never said God didn't answer my prayers. I said that I found a way to heal of all the ailments. That WAS the answer to prayer. I know that you believe what you believe and I have no beef with that. But remember, or at least consider, this: we each see what we want to see. We create our own experience of reality. That may sound a bit new agey, but it happens to be true. Based in physics, not psychics. I know that I had it within me the whole time to release alcoholism and drug abuse. I just had to awaken to that reality. Life is just one great big wonderful placebo effect. -- posted by RichardSpeaks » RichardSpeaks - Re: Taking Responsibility In response to Pinky102"I've been working on it all my life. . .Maybe I'll get in down pat one of these days." Don't count on it. Just because one knows something doesn't mean one always puts it into practice! I have been a "believer" in self responsibility and self healing for 24 years now and I still fall flat most of the time. But, it's the journey, not the destination, right?? I think it was Ben Franklin who said God helps those who help themselves. Think I'll help myself to some tea. 'Night. -- posted by RichardSpeaks » feistyfemale56 - Lots of changes Talk about a person who took control of their actions--giving up drink, drugs, smokes, and meat? That took and I imagine, still takes, a ton of self-awareness and integrity to decisions. I can understand that of the four, the hardest to change was to stop eating meat, or greasy burgers, for you. I've stopped smoking and had little difficulty, but to control what I put into my mouth is far more difficult.Your point about prayer seemed to me to be about not simply praying and waiting for God/Higher Power to act on our behalf, but rather to see that God has already provided the answer(s) for us--inside ourselves. Prayer is not a passive activity, you seem to be saying--that we need not think all we have to do is sit back and wait--have I understood that correctly? -- posted by feistyfemale56 » RichardSpeaks - Re: Lots of changes In response to feistyfemale56"...have I understood that correctly?" Sorry it has taken so long to reply. I have been putting together a workshop that I just recently delivered. It went extremely well. Now I can get back to some leisurely writing. You have, indeed, understood me correctly. It is so easy to believe in some sort of "outside" supernatural force coming to the rescue. We've been taught to do that. It is much more difficult to accept one's own power, the power that has been given to each of us by the Creator. Jesus told us in Luke 17:21 that the kingdom of God is within us. I totally believe he meant that the answers are within us. We can spend a lot of time crying for outside help and miss the glory that is us. There is a wonderful little expression from Islam that I often use in my Sunday messages: Trust Allah and tie up the camels. In its simplest interpretation, it means we must do our part. But sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to not only understand, but to even notice. -- posted by RichardSpeaks » Pinky102 - Re: Re: Lots of changes In response to Re: Lots of changes posted by RichardSpeaks:You have a lot to say that leads to understanding God, Richard. -- posted by Pinky102 » RichardSpeaks - Re: Re: Re: Lots of changes In response to Pinky102"You have a lot to say. . ." Thanks for the kind words, not only here but wherever we connect. What I say is a drop in the bucket. I know you know that. But I have been on this journey now for a long time. In 1982 I finally opened my mind enough to actually get something. When I decided that fundamentalist Christianity was not necessarily the only, let along the whole truth, I felt like I had jumped into a bottomless abyss. Fortunately, I reached bottom and began to walk again. Where I am now is through self- and spirit-guidance. I have never lost my love for the Creator. I have just allowed that creator to reveal Itself to me according to my ability to receive and understand. Everyone on a spiritual path is doing the same thing, even if it sometimes seems like they are bull-headed. I love them anyway. Can't help it. That's God within. Well, isn't THAT smug!!!!! Ha -- posted by RichardSpeaks » Pinky102 - Re: Re: Re: Re: Lots of changes In response to Re: Re: Re: Lots of changes posted by RichardSpeaks:"Well, isn't THAT smug!!!!!" There are those who want us to believe it is smug. And, there are those who got pretty upset with Jesus for saying something very close to it. So upset they figured out how to get him crucified during Passover. There are probably those who would nail you to a tree if they could get away with it. -- posted by Pinky102 » RichardSpeaks - Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Lots of changes In response to Pinky102". . .those who would nail your to a tree. . ." It's happened before. Christians have done a lot of their own crucifying, both literally and figuratively. And it continues. . . But not me. I'm above all that!!! -- posted by RichardSpeaks » WmICIII - Your article I am also a vegetarian, but I must caution you about some of your rationale. Humans are omnivores. We are basically designed like weak scavengers; we can digest anything, but have poor resistance to poisons and disease. Many other species designed as we are, derive the vast bulk of their proteins from insects.I also would like to note that the vast bulk of all food poisonings, more than two thirds, are from fruits and vegetables, not animal products. Some of these are from chemical fertilizers and pesticides, but buying 'organic' will not serve to prevent poisonings from spoilage or disease. Microbia, disease, cancer and all manner of natural toxins are organic too, after all. For myself, I cannot always find or afford organics. But I still do eat eggs and dairy as I have found no evidence that the dietary hormones that are given animals (and which are secreted in eggs and milk) pass into the blood stream of those who ingest these products. All credible studies show these hormonal proteins are broken down in digestion. I am a vegetarian for the simple reason that I like animals; some of my fondest friends have been critters. I simply felt like a hypocrite eating meats when I knew I wouldn't be able to kill an animal for food except under threat of starvation. For me adding to the misery and suffering in the world (I believe animals have feelings just as we do) seemed both unwanted and unnecessary. -- posted by WmICIII » RichardSpeaks - Re: Your article In response to WmICIII"Humans are omnivores. . ." I agree, to a certain extent. In the natural world, in order for humans to get vitamin B-12, we need to consume some form of fauna. That includes not only insects, but microorganisms on unwashed veggies, fruits, roots, and other stuff from the earth. We get little on scrubbed produce. That's why most vegetarians take a supplement. But other than those exceptions--and we can do without the insects actually--we do not need any animal product. We could live our whole lives on vegetation and a B-12 supplement and do just fine. (And, if we didn't get so scrupulous about cleaning the plants, we could probably do away with the B-12, especially if the plants are home grown.) All of the necessary amino acids are available in the plant kingdom; so are all the other vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and miniscule elements that we need. Including water, which is hard to get in meat and eggs. Vegetation has a high concentration of water, as you know. I could go on for another page about why vegetarianism is a healthier and wiser choice; but, like you, I am a greener more for ethical reasons than health reasons. I even have trouble killing ants. Don't get me wrong; I do kill them, but I bless them first!! Thanks for your comments. -- posted by RichardSpeaks « Previous 1 2 Next » Please follow the guidelines set forth in the Suite101 Posting Etiquette when adding to the discussion. |
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