Why I am not a vegan

[Monica]

In regards to this issue, and how would your view accommodate the diversity of humans?

I envision us transitioning to a peaceful, 4D STO planet. This would obviously entail great changes. Not only would the meat industry have to be eradicated, but also war, poverty, and a great many other injustices. It won't happen overnight.

We must continue to be stewards of domesticated animals, because they depend on us.

The diversity of humans can be accommodated, as long as they aren't harming anyone else. One person's freedom ends where another's begins. Just like we try to reduce violent crime...No, those who wish to commit violent, criminal acts aren't accommodated by society.

Speaking of criminals, this illustrates exactly why I feel that quitting meat is the single most important first step towards manifesting a peaceful planet:

Vegan Diet Impacts California Prison

At the time, the State of California had a recidivism rate of 95%. This is the percentage of former prisoners who are rearrested. The Victor Valley facility enjoyed a recidivism rate of less than 2%.

So, what was the key factor behind this success? A vegan diet.

Upon arrival, new inmates attended an orientation where they received two clear choices. They could live on one side of the prison which operated using the standard California Department of Corrections (CDC) guidelines and food menus; or, they could live on the side of the prison operated under the “NEWSTART” program which included a vegan diet, bible studies, job training and anger management.

In a video-taped interview obtained by Vegetarian Spotlight, Victor Valley nutrition services coordinator Julianne Aranda explains that “what we eat not only affects us physically, but it affects our mental attitude, our aggressiveness and our ability to make good decisions”. In interview after interview it was clear that the NEWSTART program staff was in agreement that the mind and body must be cleaned up in order for the inmates to achieve positive behavioral changes.

Initially, although the State of California was very supportive of the NEWSTART concept, they told Moorland they didn’t believe that even five inmates (of the 500) would accept that kind of a diet. In fact, they told Moorland that inmates would probably “burn the place down before they became vegetarians”. However, once the program was in progress, the opposite became true. On average, 85% of the inmates chose the NEWSTART side while only 15% chose the CDC program.

The remarkable behavioral changes could even be seen outside in the prison yard where according to prison officials, nobody “owned” or controlled the yard. Typical lines drawn between blacks, whites, hispanics, gang members and other groups were non existent. On the NEWSTART side, everyone played basketball together and had great fellowship. The CDC side of the house had the same racial divisions experienced at any other prison.

In testimonials, inmates assert that the surprisingly good-tasting food led them to feel better, have greater energy, increased stamina and reduced problems with acne. Indeed the effectiveness of a vegan vegetarian diet in rehabilitation has been scientifically validated.

How 'bout that s*** eh? Can you imagine if all prisons did this? Just think of the implications if everyone quit eating animals. It would help foster in a new era of peace!

No, of course diet isn't the only factor. But it is a key factor. This prison experiment supports this theory. Yes, they offered additional services too, which were undoubtedly factors as well. This model could be duplicated and further studied...huge implications for war zones as well.