Why I am not a vegan

[Jade]

What's upsetting me at this moment is that, we are literally laughing at the idea of animals being murdered and raped (it's funny because we're only peripherally participating!), but we're focusing on Monica as the real enemy here. Don't get me wrong, I've had my outs with Monica and hardly agree with her on everything, but turning this conversation around to how it's her fault that certain people *aren't* vegan is very warped, IMO. If you don't want to be a vegan, OWN IT, don't put the blame on someone else.

I think you're misunderstanding.  Nobody was laughing about animals being murdered or raped.  That is blatant misinterpretation.  If anyone was laughing at something, I'm sure it was the absurdity of the juxtaposition I raised when I pointed out how eating meat and doing those things are completely different.  And it is ridiculous that someone would consider them to be concomitant.

Can you honestly say you have never, in your entire life, laughed at a joke involving something of a macabre nature?  Be honest with yourself.  You've never laughed at death?  If you say no, I'm sorry, but I won't be able to believe you, no matter how sincere you are.  That is how unlikely I think that is.

It's interesting that you wouldn't even hear my answer before you decide my sincerity, but that's okay. I've certainly laughed at things that are macabre. It's hard for me to think of a time that I've laughed at death, that seems a little too macabre actually for my taste, but your surety that you are right convinces me that I probably have. Either way, in the context of this thread, or this forum, I don't think hyperbolizing about rape is the gentlest means of communicating your point. Yes, this goes both ways in the discussion - but rape IS ACTUALLY involved in the things we are discussing, so it's a little insensitive to be so dismissive.

But, what I find funny is, my main point wasn't about having a funny bone tickled, but the idea of blaming another for your lack of convictions. I was just pointing that part out because I've been seeing it so much lately. "Oh, it's people like you who are exactly the reason I WON'T become vegan!" - why ever, ever let one person decide such an important decision for you? I truly understand that the delivery of the message is important, but to totally wipe out the validity of what you are hearing because you don't like the messenger is hardly open-minded.