In regards to eating meat

[Tenet Nosce]

I have never said that, and have repeatedly stated that each person must decide for themselves, and have asked only that they consider Ra's words to the extent necessary for the individual metabolism.

As far as I can recall, I haven't seen anybody argue against this...?

In fact, I thought I was arguing in support of this by encouraging people to go within and connect with their inner diet guru, rather than relying so heavily on external sources. And, as I also recall, you agreed with this view.

As Pablisímo pointed out:

I think it's more important to understand the other perspective than to agree with it.

It would appear that people can actually agree with each other, and yet not understand each other. Perhaps it has something to do with those archetypes projecting themselves into the situation...?

I've pondered quite a bit on this, and though I haven't yet arrived at a resolution, I do think I have a better understanding of what sets me off in this discussion. Or any discussion for that matter... veganism is just one example.

The first is the notion that a person can speak/feel on behalf of another. I have a very strong reaction toward claims that somebody knows how the animals feel, or how Gaia feels, or how another member feels, or how *I* feel. This seems to me as setting oneself up as an authority over others and *to me* feels like a boundary violation. In my opinion, one should only speak for themselves unless they have been specifically appointed as a representative for others.

The second is the notion that the ends justify the means. I get really squirrely when I perceive that excuses and allowances are being made for others who employ below-the-belt tactics for a "good" cause. It reminds me of nations that are complicit in terrorist acts originating from within their own borders. "Officially" the governments will condemn these acts, but the truth is that they are looking the other way, and that constitutes to an approval in my book.

Now that being said, I would like to take responsibility for my projecting these onto you, or anybody else in this thread. That is all.