Why I am not a vegan

[Sabou]

I think you did misunderstand, but I will take responsibility for not being clear. I did say: And we could say that the personal choice includes consideration of other beings, but it does not follow that this is inherent in the statement.

I think all of our choices are private and personal in the sense that what we choose is our responsibility alone—we can't expect others to make our choices for us, or ignore our choices and let what will happen, if we want to be conscious.

But the statement that diet is a personal choice is too simple for me (especially within the context of this thread and others which concern the taking of sentient life for food), and implies that it doesn't concern anyone (or anything) else. This is what I was commenting on.

I guess it is this point I was alluding to (the first bold part) in regards to respecting someones privacy fully. I guess my distortion is that I feel I should respect another's decision enough to not be ignorant, but to allow that choice without having to dissuade, leave another to their own devices. Maybe because I feel that no one can be convinced to not eat meat by anyone other than themselves. I chose to follow a vegetarian lifestyle, not by anyone telling me to or explaining why, but by my own realizations based upon my own distortions. 

I am still not quite convinced of the last part i made bold. I believe I get what you are saying about diet in relation to personal choice. I agree that it does NOT only affect yourself but it affects the animal/life form that was killed for you to eat, etc. Saying it is personal implying that it concerns nothing else does seem ignorant. But, I still don't quite believe that is what was meant initially by the statement "diet is a personal choice". It seems you are assuming ignorance by that statement, but what I get from the statement  "diet is a personal choice" is - please respect my dietary choices, for it is something that is not black and white. There are sooo many factors that influence someones diet and it is not fair to cast judgment on these choices based upon the understanding of anyone BUT the person making that choice. 

I do look forward for your clarification, because I am just trying to understand this whole situation in general. I admire your passion for what you believe and see much strength and love in it. I see how much you care.