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Debate Score:98
Arguments:65
Total Votes:117
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 Being vegetarian is the right thing to do (65)

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Being vegetarian is the right thing to do

i'm arguing that everyone should be vegetarian and that it would help the world. what're some main points that i should make known?

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3 points

These are the main reasons for vegetarianism

Reasons:

Environmental

Ecological

Economical

Ethical

Religious

Health

Psychological

Reasons for eating meat

Tastes nice.

Because they can.

^^ That is fact. End of the day whenever I have ever argued with anybody it ALWAYS ends with that. No matter what they come to with their nutrients bullshit, top end of chain bullshit, natural bullshit... in the end that is their final answer. No matter what. Some continue to argue - but the point remains.

TERMINATOR(6780) Disputed
3 points

Environmental

How is eating plants rather than animals good for the environment? (This is not a rhetoical question, I actually don't understand it)

Religious

Read this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taboo_food_and_drink

Health

I agreed with this. There are some ailments which require vegetarianism, then there are some which require the consumption of meat.

Psychological

What the hell is that supposed to mean? I recall an article from the New York Times, which I did not read fully, saying that people condemn the eating of meat because meat is alive. Remember biology class? VEGETABLES ARE ALIVE, TOO!

Tastes nice

And what's so bad about having good taste?

On a personal note, I rather dislike the taste of meat.

Side: Absolutely not
Kinda(1649) Disputed
1 point

Environmental

Let me explain in laymans terms because I've forgotten the exact figures and can't find (haven't tried hard either) the source or statistics - but it's definately true.

Firstly I'm sure you've done geography and so the foodchain?

It tells you the further up the foodchain you go the more inefficient and so wasted energy is.

i.e. - 10% of sun's energy converted to vegetation of which 10% goes to livestock of which 10% goes to humans

That means in total we get 0.1% of the sun's energy. However if we cut out livestock and ate vegetation we would have 1% of sun's energy.

That basically means tons of vegetation is going to livestock which we could directly consume. Not only does that mean there's more vegetation and so food to go around it lowers the costs of vegetation too. Kind of like cutting out the middle man. or cow.

Not only that. 1 tonne of livestock (after raising it etc.) is equivalent to 50tonnes of vegetation. (Not sure about the number)

Not just that. Millions of acres of rainforest (including amazon) have been cut down to build ranches for livestock to graze on.

This also includes water. Water to raise the crops and to keep the cow alive. Tonnes of water is wasted in raising livestock.

Plus they fart alot. Methane gas is a significant contribution to increased global warming. Lol serious.

Ahh i could just go on and on.

VEGETABLES ARE ALIVE, TOO!

LOL. Yeah man.

I'm gonna go from a Hindu standpoint because that's basically the only reason I don't eat meat.

Plants are not considered to have enough concience to be considered unlawful to eat. Technically that would mean we can't eat shit. lol.

The psychological side is that the meat we eat - not only do we consume the violence required to prepare the meat but we also consume the characterisitics of the animal. Like many cultures - eating the heart of an elephant makes you brave or tiger makes you strong etc.

Quick post. Soz. Not very well structured. But hope you get the jist.

Side: Absolutely not
2 points

Absolutely not! First of all, protein is the most essential dietary substance (coming from the Greek word 'protas' meaning 'first'). Protein is best found in meats and fish. If we were all vegetarians, the world would be overrun with the animals that we otherwise would have eaten. Another argument is that animals eat meat. If you believe in evolution, than you believe that our cousins are omnivores. If they can do it, why not us? Also, out digestive system would be different is we were meant to only eat meat. Meat is also packed with other vitamins and minerals essential to humans.

Side: Absolutely not
HGrey87(750) Disputed
3 points

1. The idea that you can only find sufficient protein in meat is propaganda, courtesy of the meat industry. Read about the China Study for more on that, and on dairy.

2. The world would be overrun? What, chickens are going to organize and march on our capitols? Explain to me exactly what you mean by that.

3. "If they can do it, why not us?" They eat meat to survive. We eat meat because we like it, not because we need it. Humans are extremely overpopulated thanks to medicine and other lifespan-increasing advances. If we want to stay overpopulated, we need to consume less.

Side: Absolutely not
TERMINATOR(6780) Disputed
2 points

Take rabbits for instance. They were introduced into Australia in 1788. Their numbers were in the hundreds of millions by the 1950s. The government did everything possible to kill them: from shooting them to biological warfare! A primary argument for vegetarianism is that it will save the animals. If problems like these arise, we shall have a terrible time trying to kill them.

Side: Absolutely not
TERMINATOR(6780) Disputed
1 point

1. The idea that you can only find sufficient protein in meat is propaganda, courtesy of the meat industry. Read about the China Study for more on that, and on dairy.

First of all, this is a bold-faced lie! After four months of studying (and attempting to implement) bodybuilding, the number #1 thing that I found was that we need protein. Protein is not some type of propaganda. The etymology (another hobby of mine) of the word 'protein' is 'protas,' a Greek word meaning 'first.' It would not be called protein if this were not true.

2. The world would be overrun? What, chickens are going to organize and march on our capitols? Explain to me exactly what you mean by that.

This was merely an example I thought up. Do with it what you will.

3. "If they can do it, why not us?" They eat meat to survive. We eat meat because we like it, not because we need it. Humans are extremely overpopulated thanks to medicine and other lifespan-increasing advances. If we want to stay overpopulated, we need to consume less.

It is a little something called the food chain or the circle of life.

Side: Absolutely not
lawnman(1106) Disputed
1 point

Humans are extremely overpopulated...

Would you care to debate that proposition?

(I think it's time to remind each other of the day when debates were common place at CD.)

Side: Absolutely not
1 point

Yeah I don't think it is either. I mean Iron is very important for your blood.

Example: My cousins friend got into a car crash and she was a vegetarian. She was loosing immense amount of blood. So, she didn't blood from blood donation foundations ETC. But there was a problem. There was to much Iron in the givers blood and they couldn't put it into her because he heart was used to pumping low supplied blood stream. She died.

^True Story^

If you do it for a diet haha nope not going to work.

Some of my parents friends when growing up tried that and they gained weight! (about 20 people)

Side: Absolutely not
wforcier(98) Disputed
3 points

First is the defense:

On TERMINATOR's post

First of all, protein is the most essential dietary substance (coming from the Greek word 'protas' meaning 'first'). Protein is best found in meats and fish.

Yes, but it is also found in numerous vegetables and especially beans. Oatmeal, peanuts, and spinach are a great source of protein

If we were all vegetarians, the world would be overrun with the animals that we otherwise would have eaten.

Why do we need to eat them? We can utilize their innards for fertilizer and we can use other parts for other goods. Further, this is simply random speculation. There are more than enough carnivores that would attack these animals if we ceased requiring them for food.

Another argument is that animals eat meat. If you believe in evolution, than you believe that our cousins are omnivores. If they can do it, why not us? Also, out digestive system would be different is we were meant to only eat meat. Meat is also packed with other vitamins and minerals essential to humans.

Answer to the vitamin thing is the same as protein above. Just because our bodies have capacity for something and evolution dictates that we should does not mean that it is the proper thing to do. Further, omnivores, by definition are opportunistic. They require neither one food source or the other as long as they gain the needed minerals.

On to Sulith's post

My cousins friend got into a car crash and she was a vegetarian. She was loosing immense amount of blood. So, she didn't blood from blood donation foundations ETC. But there was a problem. There was to much Iron in the givers blood and they couldn't put it into her because he heart was used to pumping low supplied blood stream. She died.

This is full on scare tactics. Just because a vegetarian has low iron does not mean that all do. Iron is readily available in a vegetarian diet. Many foods are much more fortified with iron than they once were. The foods suggested in the protein answers are also high in iron.

If you do it for a diet haha nope not going to work.

Some of my parents friends when growing up tried that and they gained weight! (about 20 people)

Gaining weight and a healthier body are two completely different things. Further, a well-planed vegetarian diet is one of the best and easiest ones to have (as long as you can control yourself). Another thing that many people do not understand is that eating healthy food is not equivalent to losing weight. If I eat enough of a vegetarian food, I will still gain weight. This, however, does not contest health.

_________________

Next is the offense:

A vegetarian diet is better for the environment.

Depending on which trophic level an individual consumes from, the amount of energy varies. Starting from photosynthetic plants, the amount is greater than consumers of them. Only ten percent of energy is transferred from one level to the next. To overly simplify the rule, ten pounds of grain is required to produce one pound of cow. Therefore, eating the ten pounds would be better for the environment. Instead of losing the nine pounds to heat, humans could consume it instead.

Vegetarianism helps fight world hunger

A major issue with world hunger is that so much energy is lost in the production of food stuffs for developed countries (and that many developed countries are greedy). Everyone becoming a vegetarian would significantly decrease the need for food across the globe. The world already produces more than enough food for the world, so imagine what would happen if we added even more through preventing the loss of energy from the consumption meat.

Side: Yes it is
Kinda(1649) Disputed
0 points

As a hitler lover wouldn't you be siding with vegetarianism

Side: In general - yes
Kinda(1649) Disputed
1 point

Protein can be found in non-meat foods

Domesticated animals are forcefully impregnated and taken care of. They would have an extremely limited chance of survival on their own. Certain animals however i.e. cows who provide milk would have their numbers controlled.

Your question is if our cousins (apes) can do it why can't us? So they throw shit at each other....?

meant to only eat meat

Really?

Vegetarians are generally healthier than those who eat meat. Even those who don't get their essential proteins or iron. Let's talk facts next time please.

Side: In general - yes
TERMINATOR(6780) Disputed
1 point

meant to only eat meat

Now you are putting words in my mouth. You are taking part of a longer sentence and quoting it as if I meant something different. My Onkel warned me about bastards like you!

First of all, that was a typo. It was supposed to say 'meant to only eat vegetables.' Secondly, if you read the entire sentence (with the typo corrected) you will see that I mean something different.

Side: In general - yes
1 point

well it all depends on how you look things it is an opinion and everyone is entitled to there own so how can you guys say its the wrong thing to do when it simply your opinion and there are dietary supplements for protein if you go vegetarian so that is not really a deciding factor i dont think.

Side: Absolutely not

First I want to say this: I am going to give an argument as close to Deviant's as possible. I hold him in high regard and, seeing his views are often understood, think that that shall be the best way to handle the situation.

On a personal note, I would like to mention that I have acid reflux. If I were to eat most types of fruit, they could eventually lead to my demise.

- Most people who are not born into it do it for the following reasons: 1.)to save the planet; 2.) it is anti-religious; 3.) it is anti-animal rights; 4.) or that it is unhealthy.

1.) As I have said before, read Deviant's post about global warming on the debate entitled 'Do we live in a short-term thinking society?'

2.) Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and other religions all advocate the eating of meats.

3.) So is keeping them as pets. You gonna ban that, too?

4.) If it is so unhealthy, why do bodybuilders recommend it?

- On average, vegetarians suffer from more ailments than omnivores.

- Some ailments require a near or total vegetarian lifestyle, whereas other require an omnivorous one.

- Vitamin B12 is ONLY available from meat, which is why rabbits often eat plants infested with insects, or their own feces.

- Lower protein or iron levels can lead to low sodium levels.

- Cholesterol levels rise with the implementation of a vegetarian diet.

- Cholesterol levels are often misconceived to be caused by eating meats. The truth is, cholesterol is caused by junk food.

Wanna lower cholesterol levels? BAN MCDONALD'S!

http://www.acu-cell.com/veg.html

The following is a link about the cons of vegetarianism:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/kosloff15.htm

Ron Kosloff, the author, is quite witty and an enjoyable read. However, the length of the article and the fact that it is nearing midnight here in Canada keeps me from reading the whole thing, but I shall point out a few facts that he gives:

- Vegetarians say that our cousins (gorillas) are vegetarians, thus we should be. Ron's answer: Gorillas are slow. They couldn't catch an animal is they wanted to. Humans, on the other hand, are and always have been very capable of doing so.

- *There has never been a vegetarian Mr. America, Mr. Universe, or Mr. "Anything." Vegetarian 'weightlifters' eventually become lethargic, their muscles won't grow much, they will fail. He says that he decided to test himself for six months. His muscles began to atrophy and he gave up after 3 months.

- If humans are meant not to eat animals or their byproducts, why does a woman lactate after giving birth?

- The amino acid comparison between meat and vegetables states that the best proteins are eggs, intestines, liver, glands, and raw milk. Note that amino acids are the basis of all human and animal life.

Feel free to contest me on this if any of my sources are flawed.

DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT ADVOCATING CARNIVORISM, RATHER ADVOCATING AGAINST VEGETARIANISM.

Side: Absolutely not
Kinda(1649) Disputed
1 point

Lol this is a weak argument.

You're arguing against vegetrianism for bodybuilders. Such a small proportion (not just their dicks) of society and such an extreme sect of people with extremely high competition.

But instead of arguing the whole stance of your argument I will just take sections one by one.

2.) Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and other religions all advocate the eating of meats.

Subjective. Probably true. However it still doesn't take away the right to choose. There are many things it these religions advocate and people choose not to do them - so why use this as an excuse to do so?

3.) So is keeping them as pets. You gonna ban that, too?

ehh?

4.) If it is so unhealthy, why do bodybuilders recommend it?

It IS unhealthy. Bodybuilders only recommend it as a high protein diet for those who want to bodybuild. A small section of people DEDICATED to their bodies welfare. That's different from the average family.

- On average, vegetarians suffer from more ailments than omnivores.

No they don't..if so proof?

- Cholesterol levels rise with the implementation of a vegetarian diet.

Again another misconceived problem with vegetarianism.

Humans, on the other hand, are and always have been very capable of doing so.

Really? You're telling me you're able to capture an animal in the wild without any tools?

If humans are meant not to eat animals or their byproducts

You're confusing VEGANISM with VEGETARIANISM.

Note that amino acids are the basis of all human and animal life.

They can be easily obtained from any 'vegetable' foods.

Side: Absolutely not
TERMINATOR(6780) Disputed
1 point

I gave you my sources, why don't you give me yours? Number 2 (3) was talking about the abuse of animal rights.

Number five: without any tools? A childhood friend could easily catch birds - I've seen people catch or fight animals with their bare hands (and no, not Tarzan).

READ MY SOURCES BEFORE POSTING A DISPUTE!

Side: Absolutely not

While I don't have too much nutritional knowledge, I can say that both sides are valid. First, I view the ideal diet as 75% herbivorous, and 25% carnivorous. Terminator's correct in that a strictly vegetarian or vegen lifestyle leads to health issues, but so does a completely carnivorous diet. I think the key is moderation. Meats offset the lack of protein (this is where I'm not very knowledgeable, I understand that there's a protein debate [but my rule of moderation has never failed me so I eat meat]) and fish gives you essential oils. It has been argued that because humans have a long digestive tract, we are more suited to a herbivorous diet, as opposed to the carnivorous short digestive tract but as omnivores, I think that our digestive tract suits both (again in moderation). Vegetarian supporters consider this, the Inuits' diet consists of only meat. They didn't (don't) grow vegetables and yet they lived relatively problem free lives. They may be an exception, but this is the case, so it is possible. Perhaps they as a people adapted their digestive systems to easily expunge the fats etc.. Meat supporters consider this, vegetables, nuts, grains contain an assortment of nutrients you can't only get from meat. I LOVE STEAK. LOVE IT, but I rarely eat it. In a perfect world, I think we could eat more meat and still be healthier, but this isn't a perfect world. The method in which animals are prepared is a travesty (to both parties) and as a result, we end up with mad cow, gmo foods eating our immune systems (and actually come to think of it, veggies can be poisonous to us if they're sprayed to death with pesticides).

In conclusion, take a page from the natives of this world, eat greens, some red meats (cook them first :), lots of fish (not chinese because lead seeps into the fish from the can, and not long living fish because they accumulate lots of polution [the best fish are up north in alaska and siberia as those waters are still pristine] and definitely not farmed fish because they get antibiotics due to the harsh, crowded, feces conditions). So...fish 15%, other meats 15%, veggies (incl. nuts) 60%, dairy 10%. That's my opinion :)

Side: Absolutely not

I knew that you would come up with the best argument. Perhaps it is from years of my linguistical training, but I usually take a debate too literally. The name of the debate is 'Being vegetarian is the right thing to do'. The reason for my debate was to disprove that phrase. An addition to your debate is that the Icelanders eat a diet consisting mostly of fish (never been there, don't know about their vegetables) and they have the highest longevity rate in the world.

Protein is essential to health and bodybuilding (my pasttime for the last 4 months) and amino acids are essential to just about every bodily system (my second link gives more details.)

Carbohydrates are stored in the muscles. When the reserve in the aforesaid muscles becomes full, it gets stored as fat.

The Cyclic Ketagenic diet says that one ought to eat many carbohydrates during the weekend and, perhaps, on a Wednesday. The rest of the week, eat very little. This way, your reserve gets refilled just as it begins to get depleted.

I also agree with your statement that a carnivorous lifestyle is unhealthy, yet that is not the name of the debate; if it were, I would have advocated against it.

Side: Absolutely not

Thank you :) It was my intent to disprove that phrase on the grounds that strictly adhering to one modality is rarely the right choice. There are most definitely ethical concerns regarding meat preparation and consumption, but I would never allow that to taint my own experience. I eat a lot of chicken, some fish, some beef, some pork, and quite a bit of vegetables. I will often eat raw vegetables in a sauce as a full meal. I'm sure the Inuit example I used isn't even close to the only one. I believe that meat is good as long as you choose the source. Shorter lived northern fish as one example, free range chicken NOT fed with ground up chickens etc.. Same for pork and beef.

For the next two statements, you're going beyond my knowledge on the subject, I've never really worked out so I never educated myself on diet protocol. (Although I started push-ups, sit-ups, running, and some dumbell stuff). One thing I can add is that I have spoken to a few naturopathic doctors over time and one thing that stuck, was the issue of fruit. While they're healthy, it's apparently prudent to eat the fruits within their own seasons. Bananas in winter, for example, are a bad idea as bananas grow in certain climates = contain certain nutrients. When you eat a fruit out of season, it apparently doesn't give you what you need for the current climate you live in and (not quite sure if I remember correctly) tricks the body into producing certain nutrients that don't coincide with your required dose for that season.

I'm sure that could be polished quite a bit but I made my point :)

Also, in my previous statement I forgot to add fruit, they contain many beneficial nutrients, the least of which being NATURAL sugars.

Eat well!

Side: Absolutely not

This has been a fun debate. MAYBE IT WOULD BE FUNNER IF YOU WOULD TELL ME WHY YOU ARE AGAINST ME AND NOT HIDE UNDER THE CLOAK OF ANONYMITY!!

Side: Absolutely not
1 point

humans are naturally designed to eat meat, that's why we have canines, that's why we have an apendage. Down With PETA!! Down With PETA!! Down With PETA!! Down With PETA!! Down With PETA!! Down With PETA!! Down With PETA!!

Side: Absolutely not
1 point

This really depends on a person's animal-ethical point of view. From my view, it is a suitable thing to do, but not the right thing to do.

First of all, meat is actually a very necessary component of the human digestive system. It provides the body with protein, for a start. True, it has been proven that protein can be substituted in other forms... blah blah blah. The biggest substitute I've heard of is the pill form. The average human diet is composed of meat, and it has continued to be, for thousands of years, a very popular choice in food for many human beings. Humanity won't be switching from meat to pill just for the sake of righteousness, if such a thing truly complies with vegetarianism. So, right off the mark, it sure isn't a popular choice.

It isn't a smart choice either; think about this from an evolutionary perspective. We, as human beings, have evolved with meat. We have evolved from consuming it in physical, nutritional form. To stop eating meat is to essentially draw a new path for your own evolutionary road, and it's obviously a very unhealthy road I might add.

Okay, let's hit it on the head for good. It isn't a "right choice" because there is nothing "right" about it. I hear all this nonsense about "protecting animals" and "saving animal rights". Well, I'll admit there are problems in regard to animal consumption by humans, but vegetarianism isn't the only solution. We can work with the rights of animals and help protect animals from harm and possible extinction. More importantly, we can make a difference without vegetarianism.

My animal-ethical point of view tells me that it isn't wrong to eat animals, and as there is no direct benefit to us from ceasing the consumption to eat meat, there simply isn't anything right about it. Like I said; vegetarianism is suitable, but it isn't right.

Side: Absolutely not
Sirmentro(3) Disputed
1 point

So tell me... why are we cutting so muh rainforest? Just because we really like wood furniture? No it is because there is too little space to grow our livestock. And not only is there too little space to grow livestock, there is too little space to grow the food that we feed our livestock. Oyeah that's right - we feed our food. Eating meat is highly inefficient because it takes way too much food to feed our own food.

I don't know the exact number, but I believe from mind, and this is not exagerated, that abvout 1000 species of animal go extinct every year. How many days are there in a year? And that is mostly because we cut the rainforest.

We have the right vegetables to replanish protein and other needed vitamines and the sorts, yet we keep on believing being vegetarian is unhealthy. Well, being a meat eater is wrong. You probably want to look away, but the world of today is not treating it's animals right. I can tell you all bout it but if you want the truth, it's easy enough to find. Just know that if you don't want the truth, you aren't ready to debate such a subject.

It's a damn shame that eating meat isn't a crime jet, because what humanity is doing to the planet is the biggest crime in history.

But then consider this: there is a middle way.

Because yes: it takes allot of knowledge to obtain a healthy vegetarian diet. So it will probably fail. But you don't have to choose between meat seven times a week or none at all. Because studies have even shown that you meat eaters out there, enjoying a damn large chunck of meat every day, are even more unhealthy nowadays. Think about heart deseace and breast cancer and -know what I have a link on all of this... And it is something every meat eater has the right to know. This ain't propaganda, it's science.

Supporting Evidence: The Statistics on all of this (www.consumercide.com)
Side: Absolutely not
1 point

It really depends on who you are. If you have been brought up in a culture where you are not allowed to eat meat, then it wouldn't be fair of people to say that it isn't the right thing to do. Or if your religion says you can't eat meat. Being Vegetarian is the right thing to do if you are eating sufficient protein and still being healthy.

Side: It depends on who you are

Vegatables are living things as well,but i understand why people consider eating animals wrong, they feekl pain like us and have emotions.

Side: It depends on who you are
1 point

yes being vegtarian is good ....as it also gives us complete the needed nutritents to our body

Side: It depends on who you are
1 point

It's your choice. You can do it for moral reasons, environmental reasons, health reasons, religious reasons, or anything else that makes sense to you. Also, as long as you can afford it, vegetarian food is better than non-vegetarian food, and you still get enough protein.

Side: It depends on who you are

Why should we stop eating meat. We are omnivores by nature, trying to change that would be unnatural. Veg heads that I know eat soy products every now and then, that taste like animals. If you're going to eat something that tastes like an animal, why not just eat the animal, it's not like by not eating the animal it's self that you're offending it any less, just as if it could feel offense it's be just as offended by you eating something that tastes like it.

I understand we can get other nutrients we need like proteins from some vegetables and fruits, like nuts, but why would you want to.

It'd be low variety eating the same foods every day just because you need some protein, it'd also be unnatural to eat vitamins and other things made in a lab when you could just go eat an animal for it.

The animal kingdom is full of predators, what's the harm in one more.

If we one day suddenly all became vegetarian imagine the economical problems that would ensue.

Side: It depends on who you are
0 points

WHY? CAUSE YOU ARE A VEGETARIAN . NO, ITS NO GOOD TO BE A VEGETARIAN.WHY DO YOU EAT VEGETABLES THEY ALSO HAVE LIVES YOU TO ARE KILLING SOMEONE.

WHY DO YOU TAKE VACCINATIONS THEY TOO ARE TESTED ON ANIMALS AND SOMETIMES RESULTS IN KILLING THEM.I AM VEG BUT STILL SUPPORT THE BEING NON VEG. PARTIALITY IS NOT GOOD. OKAY.

SO BEING A NON VEG IS NO HARM.

Side: It depends on who you are