The Church Of Vegan
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In the past I have referred to veganism as being like a religion. It does resemble a religion in some ways. Veganism requires its followers to adhere to a specific code. Its followers “seek to exclude” all forms of exploitation or cruelty to animals from their lives. Vegans tend to evangelize, attempt to convert others to their “cause”. It’s possible to use veganism as a “belief” when requesting a special menu on a plane trip.
In other ways it isn’t the least like a religion.
There is no God of Vegan. There is no Vegan Bible. There is no church. No preacher. No acolytes. But these things are minor in comparison to the Big One: THERE IS PROOF.
A vegan can point to actual proof of cruelty to animals. A vegan can easily prove that it is good for the environment to go vegan. A vegan can easily support a “belief” that a vegan diet can and usually is healthy. Veganism is based on reality, not fantasy. A vegan doesn’t just “believe” a certain way. A vegan actually knows.
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“A vegan doesn’t just “believe” a certain way. A vegan actually knows.”
I think that’s accurate, although Veganism is an appeal to our collective morality, which is different in kind than “knowing science.” Veganism is an appeal to our moral intuitions, our common empathy, justice, etc; however, to label this ethical system a “religion” is to suggest that our collective belief that racism, for example, is immoral is also like a religion – a position that would be uncomfortable for most.
Alexs last blog post.."Real" or faux – what does our choice suggest?
I like both of your ideas.
I think it makes sense to occasionally treat veganism as a religion in order to protect vegans legally.
But I don’t think it makes sense to treat veganism as a religion in general, because it’s not a religion. It’s a group of beliefs and practices that stem from basic morality.
Alex and Eccentric, I certainly agree.