As I have mentioned in several previous posts over time, I joined this forum to learn. This is another of my questions in that direction.
I have seen an overwhelming recurring theme in the discussions members here have that illustrates a considerable lack of tolerance by many people towards those choosing a vegan lifestyle. Sometimes, it may be explained by the activist approach some vegans adopt - no-one likes to be preached to - but more often it is more deeply seated and, for want of a better term, institutionalised. There is also, of course, a lot of intolerance to other aspects of people's lives; racism, sexism, LGBT+ prejudice, religious prejudice, disability prejudice, ageism and so many other "isms", in many cases in spite of legislation to the contrary. None are socially acceptable, although many are somehow still socially accepted.
To my mind, if it is wrong to vilify someone for choosing to follow Judaism, it's wrong to vilify someone for choosing to follow a vegan philosophy. Religious debate is fine, of course, as is dietary debate, since that only demonstrates healthy questioning and constant re-evaluation, but shunning those of a different belief is hugely damaging.
My question to you all, though, is that as vegans I'm sure you all experience this prejudice to some degree or another; what strategies have you learned to cope with the pressures, change people's prejudices and/or promote tolerance in others. I also have a secondary question to those of you who actively distance yourselves from those not following a vegan philosophy whether you would consider this now to be an active intolerance from the other side or simply a form of self defence.
I will also state here absolutely and clearly that I have no hidden agenda in asking this and am not trying to subliminally argue for or against anything. I will happily accept any answers at face value and if I follow up with any questions they will only be for clarification.
I have seen an overwhelming recurring theme in the discussions members here have that illustrates a considerable lack of tolerance by many people towards those choosing a vegan lifestyle. Sometimes, it may be explained by the activist approach some vegans adopt - no-one likes to be preached to - but more often it is more deeply seated and, for want of a better term, institutionalised. There is also, of course, a lot of intolerance to other aspects of people's lives; racism, sexism, LGBT+ prejudice, religious prejudice, disability prejudice, ageism and so many other "isms", in many cases in spite of legislation to the contrary. None are socially acceptable, although many are somehow still socially accepted.
To my mind, if it is wrong to vilify someone for choosing to follow Judaism, it's wrong to vilify someone for choosing to follow a vegan philosophy. Religious debate is fine, of course, as is dietary debate, since that only demonstrates healthy questioning and constant re-evaluation, but shunning those of a different belief is hugely damaging.
My question to you all, though, is that as vegans I'm sure you all experience this prejudice to some degree or another; what strategies have you learned to cope with the pressures, change people's prejudices and/or promote tolerance in others. I also have a secondary question to those of you who actively distance yourselves from those not following a vegan philosophy whether you would consider this now to be an active intolerance from the other side or simply a form of self defence.
I will also state here absolutely and clearly that I have no hidden agenda in asking this and am not trying to subliminally argue for or against anything. I will happily accept any answers at face value and if I follow up with any questions they will only be for clarification.
