Why I am not a vegan

[Sabou]

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.
 

I think we understand each other. The misunderstanding I think is that we are here, at B4, to discuss. I have been vegetarian since 1993, and not once have I tried to convince anyone else that they should also be. I only respond to questions asked of me about it, in very nonjudgmental ways. I don't hide it either. Here, I discuss it openly, presumably with others who are endeavoring to evolve, grow, learn, develop deeper self-awareness and deeper awareness of and connectivity with others (not just human).

I feel I should be able to say what I feel and think here, with this group, on any topic brought up, done so within the forum guidelines (which because of the nature of this advanced material can get a little blurry). So, here, it does sometimes get mixed up especially in volatile threads when those in a discussion TAKE things personally, when we are just discussing. On the other hand, I have seen direct insults thrown around, which do not fall under honest discussion, but rather reactive (which might be honest but isn't balanced with discernment) behavior. We might just try to flow with catalyst more, and allow a little defensiveness and volatility when it comes to touchy subjects, which is, after all, part of evolving. And those who react might reflect a little more on their reactivity, in the sense that it might shed light.

Yep, I get you. I was definitely cherry picking one point in particular in order to help myself understand your viewpoint on that particular matter, because it is something that I am working on myself. I have nothing wrong with your form of expression here on B4 in any regard.