I don't recall how I received it. Maybe a friend sent it to me. Perhaps I stumbled upon it from another website. I don't remember. But it was YouTube video of a Holstein cow who could not move. Because she was still alive, she could still be used for meat. She bellowed and cried as the men tortured her with electric shocks and a forklift to try and get her to slaughter. This was in no way humane. It was disgusting. I wanted no part of it. And the video started me on a path of reading and study that has led me to some conclusions.

I believe I have a moral commitment to do as little harm as possible while on this earth. My refusal to eat animal products is my way of lessening suffering immediately. I do not have to wait on any elected official to do the right thing. I can do make the choice to do the right thing now and have immediate impact.

I believe animals suffer immensely when we choose to make them into our meals. There are no "happy cows" out there dying to be your dinner. If you would like to get just a little three minute taste of the horrors that go into creating meat, watch this graphic video <CLICK>

I also believe human beings suffer when we choose to eat meat. The grain we use to fatten livestock could easily go to hungry people. We actually produce enough food now to feed the world, we just choose to use it poorly by giving it to the animals headed for slaughter. And, I also believe the people who work in slaughterhouses are harmed. They become so desensitized to the violence that their well-being deteriorates.

I believe our planet suffers when we choose to eat animals products. Animals crowded together produce high amounts of methane which continues to hurt our ozone layer. We are probably going to pay a heavy price for this in the not-to-distant future (we likely already are). We also continue to hurt our planet by tearing down trees to make more room for the animals we produce for eating. Much of the rain forest is being depleted in order to make room for cattle.

Finally, I believe our health suffers when we choose to eat animal products. People who eat meat and dairy have higher rates of coronary heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and a variety of other ailments than those who do not. And, those who do not eat animal products typically live several years longer than those who do. Why would you choose to give up those years of being with loved ones and friends?

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has a great Vegetarian Starter Kit that will assure you there is only health benefits from choosing to lessen suffering. <CLICK>

The decision to go vegan was an easy one when I was confronted with the facts. I only wish I had made the decision to lessen suffering earlier in my life. But today, at every meal I make a compassionate choice to lessen suffering.

Sources:
Livestock's Long Shadow from the Food & Agriculture Org. of the UN
University of Chicago Study
Position Paper of the American Dietetic Association
Food Revolution by John Robbins
The China Study by T. Colin Campbell

Please check out other important books and DVDs <CLICK>

Here are some great booklets from Vegan Outreach :
Why Vegan?
Guide to Cruelty Free Eating