veganism: Is it a quasi-religious cult, an art-movement, a way of being different, or a mental illness?|||At one time, I naively thought that it was simply a dietary preference. After coming to yahoo answers, though, I have discovered that it is so much more, at least for most of it's practitioners. Veganism appears to be a strange state of self-delusion where, with the help of PETA propaganda and Disney cartoons, animals are cute, innocent creatures, with near human-like emotional and mental capacity, and where vegans manage to fool themselves into thinking that they are somehow saving the lives of livestock (I believe the popular term is "sentient being"), and that, contrary to what anthropologists have proven, humans actually evolved to be herbivores. It is also a state of denial and hypocrisy, where it is ok to destroy animal habitat, to pollute and run them over with your car, and then smugly claim that you don't hurt, kill, or "exploit" animals. When these double standards are mentioned, they modify their position to claiming that they only avoid animal usage to the extent that is "practical". Veganism is also a state of self-righteousness, with vegans being morally and intellectually superior (and are the only humans that have earned the right to be called animal lovers), whereas the rest of us are ignorant, barbaric, animal-hating savages. Veganism does have some similarities to a "quasi-religious cult". Members of the cult like to nag and harass (they call it "educate") non-members, in the hopes of getting them to join. Most of them take it a step too far, though, and resort to name calling and insulting non-vegetarians to the point that one begins to wonder if they really want to convert them, or just continue to criticize them to reinforce their own feelings of superiority.|||Vegan-ism is very similar to Vegetarianism in the sense that you either choose to be, or are brought up that way. It is similar to a religion in the sense that if you've been one since a very tyoun age then you are likely to stay that way for the rest of your life. I personally am vegetarian becase I was brought up that way, and when my parents changed back to eating meat when I was 4 I refused (just how I was brought up). It has nothing to do with mental illnesses. Some people are allergic to toxins in meats (very rare), and some people want a healthier diet. Some religions I am aware also ban the eating of some meats, so veganism could be an easier option than just avoiding one particular meat. It almost definately has nothing to do with income, as (as far as I am aware), vegan substites are actually more expensive. Hope this helped.|||None of the above. It's actually a way of seeking harmony. People who don't like the idea of treating animals badly don't contribute to the ill-treatment of animals. Everyone has a different idea of what that means. For most vegans, it roughly translates to "animals aren't property and should not be used/treated as such." I'd imagine it is somewhat like the abolitionists in America. They thought that slavery was wrong because they thought that people weren't property and shouldn't be used/treated as such. I wouldn't describe them as a religion/cult, an art movement, "just trying to be different," or mentally ill. I have no idea what their social status was, but I'd imagine that folks from all walks of life were that way. I don't think veganism can actually be considered a cult, for a number of reasons. Here's a "cult checklist" for you to look at. Cults are typically organized and have a leader. Vegans are not organized and do not have a leader. Cults usually try to isolate their members from non-members (even family members), but vegans usually don't refuse to associate with non-vegans, especially not family members. http://www.csj.org/infoserv_cult101/chec鈥?/a> As for religious, religion almost always includes a belief in the supernatural. Vegans vary widely on that front. Some believe in a deity (or multiple deities), others are unsure, and some are convinced there is absolutely no chance that there's a deity. The moral code in religions usually comes from the supernatural. You do something bad, you'll be punished (go to hell, be reincarnated again, whatever). As with vegans, there's no belief that anything horrible will happen to you if you're not vegan. You'll just be... not vegan. Religion also usually has a sense of sacred and profane that veganism lacks. Here, have a look at this link. http://atheism.about.com/od/religiondefi鈥?/a> An art movement also doesn't fit in. Not all vegans are artists, nor do they all even agree on what vegans should do. There are, on one hand, the peaceful vegans. On the other are the ones who engage in criminal activity in the name of veganism. (ALF, anyone?) Some vegans are very private, others want to share veganism with others. Still others are the in-your-face types. I suppose you could argue that veganism is a movement of some kind, but it isn't really an artistic one. I think veganism might be considered a political movement, though. As for a way of being different, there are certainly some vegans and vegetarians who do it just to be different (or to fit in), but I've found that most of them are young and don't stick to it. Most vegans (like most everyone else who spends a long time doing something) actually believe in it and try to live it. To suggest that the majority of vegans are just seeking attention or trying to be different makes about as much sense as suggesting that those who practice abstinence, or who don't drink/smoke/do drugs are just trying to be different. As for a mental illness, I have no idea where you get that one. Here's a list of mental illnesses. Veganism is not one of them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_illn鈥?/a>|||Aside from 2 points (gack) veganism is caused by the disparity between humane awareness of what is right and wrong, and the general public's apathy about the plight of any other living being on earth, other than themselves. Vegans respect and cherish all life. Most meat-eaters are quite vocal that they really only care about their own lives, and those of the people they know and/or love. Vegans generally don't use terms like "deserve to die". But hey...2 points is 2 points.|||For the love of animals They want to be healthy Environmental reasons Health issues (allergic reactions to dairy - etc.) Religious beliefs To answer your question - NO, NO, NO & NO - get your facts straight! Being a vegan is about being healthy - no different than you wanting to eat healthy & start working out. :) Don't knock it til you try it!|||It can be related to many things, a texture dislike, a religious reasoning, a dislike to animal cruelty or diet preference. What ever the reason is their choice.|||Veganism is a persons choice, Some people are Vegan because of religion but most are by choice Veganism consists of eating no animal products, It's in no way a mental illness?|||what causes it? Everything you lack, compassion, decency, intelligence FAILTROLL!!!!|||This is what causes it --->>>http://www.mercyforanimals.org/ohdairy/|||It's called "I actually care about animals and laugh at those who ask questions like this because it's obvious you have no respect for living things other than yourself."|||It's a way to see idiot questions here on this site...|||LOVE, COMPASSION, KINDNESS & PEACE Lots of Love Misscpb xxx|||vegan.com peta.org|||Veganism is a harmless medical condition caused by a microscopic species of fungus that grows on the roof of your mouth and feeds on stray particles from undigested fruit and vegetables.|||just your basic attention seekers who feel the need to tell me my bloody steak isn't delicious, but, we both know that it really is.|||I believe it's an eating disorder, along the lines of anorexia nervosa or bulimia.