The idea behind veganism, or anti-racism, or anti-sexism, or LGBTQ rights, or any other equality movement, is that a perceived difference between myself and another is not justification for exploiting them or discriminating against them. Racism allows for exploiting nonwhite people based on skin color. Sexism, gender. Homophobia, sexual identity. Speciesism is a discrimination bias that says anyone who is not human can be exploited for a human’s interests. So veganism is the opposite of speciesism in that it recognizes the inherent moral worth of all sentient life rather than allowing one group’s (humans) interests to override the interests of the other group (animals).

Answering why I’m vegan would be like describing why I’m not racist or sexist or whatever. It’s simply the right thing to do. Jesus’ golden rule in Matthew 7:12 is really important, because it emphasizes the ethic that if I don’t want to be treated a certain way, I have no right to treat someone else that way. I don’t want to be objectified for my traits, so I don’t objectify an animal and put their bodies’ uses for myself over their inherent moral worth as a fellow sentient being.

It has a lot to do with my faith. I came into veganism through watching Earthlings and reading the vegan hardcore lyrics, but once I made the decision my faith has been a big part of it. G-d made Creation. Animals are part of Creation. So if I see G-d’s Creation only as a means to my selfish end (satisfying my taste buds), that’s huge sin. Only if I see G-d’s Creation as inherently beautiful, worthy of respect and admiration, can I truly be at peace with myself and with everyone else. 

In Genesis 1:29-30, Adam and Eve, even animals seem to be vegan. It was when humans began trusting themselves over G-d that they had to rely on their own power for sustenance, and so violence and competition for food was introduced. In Isaiah 1:11-14 G-d seems to say that He despises bloodshed, even of animals. Even if it might “inconvenience” myself to change my habits, skip a meal once in a while if my school caf doesn’t have anything vegan, go dumpster diving for food, etc., I see that as a part of carrying my cross. When Jesus said we’re to carry our crosses, that means having radical empathy for others at the expense of ourselves. There’s no distinction of who we are to have empathy for—it’s everyone! 

It sounds like you’re coming at veganism the same way I did, not really knowing what it’s all about but somehow sensing the inherent truth of it and being willing to change. What videos or articles or whatever have you read already? Let me know so I can link you to all the stuff that I first researched, I’ll link you to all the vegan straight edge bands too so you can read their lyrics and get stoked on the music! That helps a ton too.

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