The word vegan is used by different people to mean different things. Some people see veganism as a philosophy and a way of life. Some see it as a form of religion (abstinence from eating meat has been a fundamental of many Hindu and Buddhist factions for hundreds if not thousands of years). Some people use the word vegan to simply mean a dietary choice, and others to simply classify the ingredients within an option on a menu.
Why one goes vegan is therefore fundamentally dependent on what that particular person understands the word vegan to mean. This means we all need to remain aware of both our own definitions and motivations, as well as the definitions and motivations of those we are interacting with when considering why we pursue our individual versions of a vegan lifestyle. Without this awareness it becomes too easy to become overwhelmed with conflicting ideas.
In today’s society there seem to be five common, and totally independent, reasons for people to be attracted to aspects of a vegan lifestyle.
1. Animal rights.
2. Health benefits.
3. Environmental awareness.
4. Religious compliance.
5. Fashion.
This web site was created by people motivated by animal rights who subscribe to the Vegan Society definition of veganism ‘… a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals …’
We welcome and offer support to all people who choose to follow any version of veganism where it results in reducing the number of animals cruelly exploited by society, and where it results in more people becoming aware of systemic cruelty to animals in society from vivisection through to the satisfaction of sadistic eating rituals.
It is well documented that a vegan diet results in many health benefits, both in the short term and in the long term. Many athletes and bodybuilders choose vegan diets purely to satisfy their personal performance targets. And many doctors recommend patients with chronic conditions that are common amongst meat eaters to favour vegan diets. This movement towards vegan diets has nothing to do with animal rights, it is solely motivated by the desire to increase the wellness of the individual.
The scientific community has made society aware of the environmental damage caused by animal agriculture as it supplies humanity’s demand for food based on meat and milk. The massive impact on greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the contribution to global warming as well as the water pollution from these industries, are accelerating the planet to a point where it will be unable to sustain life. Many prominent vegans are totally motivated by reversing this trend before it is too late. People motivated to veganism for these reasons may or may not be interested in animal rights or the health benefits of vegan diets.
There are also many people throughout the world that follow religious groups that forbid them to eat certain animal and dairy products. As the word vegan has moved into common language, these people often ask for vegan dishes as a simple and well understood way of communicating that they require these animal ingredients to be absent from their food.
Last but not least, it has definitely become fashionable to be vegan. There is an abundance of people that have begun following the vegan diet and vegan lifestyle as a fashion statement. This is wonderful for all the animals who avoid an early death. The animals are not fussy why they are given reprieve.