In regards to eating meat

[Monica]

I'm sorry, but where was the "bashing" part of the post?

It's fine to disagree about diet. But to seize every mention of vegetarianism to bring up fanaticism, equating every raw vegan with religious fervor, is prejudiced and disrespectful.

Prejudiced how? And disrespectful to whom? I have a right to my own opinion, and I believe that people have a right to hear that opinion.

Yes, you do have the right to your own opinion.

As I was reading your post on the Allergies thread, I was thinking, "This is really good info...Tenet is providing another angle that is equally valid" and was going to "like" the post, even though I disagreed with parts of it, because it was so well presented, until I got to this part:

Raw foodists will swear up and down that the foods themselves contain all the enzymes necessary to digest them, and tend to get all worked up in a tizzy when somebody says otherwise. The fact of the matter is they don't really know what they are talking about. They will make all sorts of technical-sounding arguments that somewhat overlook basic human physiology, and typically refer to an 80 year old study on leukocytosis. These claims are part true and part mumbo-jumbo.

Almost invariably, if you push a raw foodist on their logic you will find that underlying a seemingly scientific facade is lurking some sort of quasi-religious fervor and a fundamentalist mindset that refuses to acknowledge shades of gray. A true scientist would calmly explain the facts to you, and not become offended if you questioned said facts and/or produced counterevidence. Try to keep in mind that raving testimonials are nice, but have no bearing in a scientific discussion.

The parts in bold are inflammatory and prejudiced. This has nothing to do with the fact that I happen to be in the group of people you are referring to. I would find it just as inflammatory, and just as unacceptable, if you had said:

Christians will swear up and down that ... and tend to get all worked up in a tizzy when somebody says otherwise. The fact of the matter is they don't really know what they are talking about.

Almost invariably, if you push a Christian on their logic you will find that underlying a seemingly scientific facade is lurking some sort of quasi-religious fervor and a fundamentalist mindset that refuses to acknowledge shades of gray.

or

Asians will swear up and down that ... and tend to get all worked up in a tizzy when somebody says otherwise. The fact of the matter is they don't really know what they are talking about.

Almost invariably, if you push an Asian on their logic you will find that underlying a seemingly scientific facade is lurking some sort of quasi-religious fervor and a fundamentalist mindset that refuses to acknowledge shades of gray.

With Christian or Asian substituted, do you see the obvious prejudice now?

This isn't because I happen to be an aspiring raw vegan. It would be the same, if you had made such comments regarding Christians, Asians, or any other subculture.

Why do you and Pickle seem to think that I am talking about you when I am not? We've established over and over again that I do not think you are "fanatics" or "zealots" or whatever you think I am calling you. I think you and Pickle are two fine, dandy, intelligent, and interesting individuals. At least as far as one could surmise through some Internet conversations. Please, stop taking it personally. I am not talking about you.

It might help to use qualifiers such as "some raw vegans" rather than blanket terms like "raw vegans do this or that" and "raw vegans are this or that and "almost invariably raw vegans" which imply all or nearly all raw vegans are being addressed by your statement. I'm not taking it personally. Whether I am a raw vegan or not, it is a blanket statement. It would be the same if the comment were made about Christians, Asians, or any other group. Using qualifiers can negate the broad sweeping generalization.

I mean, really, based on our conversation yesterday, you must really think I am some kind of psychopath or something.

Um, no, actually I think you're a very intelligent, articulate person and I enjoy dialoging with you! I'm not sure which conversation you're referring to. (Now who's taking it personally? )

I'm simply requesting that generalizations not be used regarding any group of people.