That middle one does not seem to put together enlightenment and vegetarianism at all, just seems to be a page advocating vegetarianism through pulling vague sources out of Judaism.
Just wanted to point this out, but: "the consumption of meat as halachically unacceptable": According to the Old Testament/Torah/whatever you want to call it, eating meat is permissible, and I'm almost positive it is a positive commandment(good deed, do this and you get reward) to eat meat at certain times.
Apparently when you offered "thank-you" sacrifices when the Temple was not destroyed, you were required to give some of the meat to the Kohains(people who burnt the sacrifice, upkept the Temple, and generally helped people bring sacrifices) to eat, and then to have some yourself. Also with other offerings, but I'm very confused as to which ones so I won't bother trying to explain them. On the holiday of Passover, you are REQUIRED to eat a roasted lamb when the Temple was built.
As a side point: There is nowhere that the Jewish friends that are providing me with the above argument know that vegetarianism is called "ultimate meaning of Jewish moral teaching", or anything close to it, backed up slightly by above.
I did a brief search for websites about vegetarianism and enlightenment. So sue me, I didn't in depth read for accuracy. However, this just seems to be one person's interpretation of the Torah, and that's perfectly valid. Each Rabbi interprets differently. Some have more credibility than others, but I wouldn't discount any. No offense, but I think you are focusing on small points. My point was that it is associated with enlightenment, and most the links illustrate that. I don't know why you are disagreeing with possibly the most moderate and neutral part of my post, of all the possibly offensive things I said, you want to debate the stereotype of an enlightened vegetarian? Maybe I'm just exposed to different stereotypes, but I thought that was pretty standard...Not saying I buy all this stuff, but come on vegetarianism is the "zen" stereotype.
I'm debating what I know about(or what I can leach off of my friends). I know nothing of Yoga, or Buddism, or Hinduism. I still don't buy into your enlightment idea, Why is the vegetarianism associated with enlightment? Because someone says so? How about the other people who say not like him?
Also, my morals are most likely different then my neighbor. Why is veginism(because i still need spellcheck to actually spell it, so i give up) an higher form of it? What if I say it isn't? You say it is, but morals are different for everybody.
I thought the vegetarian stereotype wasn't enlightened monks, but it was shrill, self-righteous assholes who think they're better than omnivores. I mean, I've heard people claim that vegetarianism makes you enlightened... but I wouldn't describe it as a stereotype, especially when compared to the one I mentioned.
A lion won't even care about this thread if he eats me.
I feel like I am on the outside of the loop here, what is up with all the vegetarians on smogon.
Is this was it is like to be a republican?
see what i don't get is
if vegetarians love animals so much
why do they eat all their food
i am looking at you lee, and i "get it," but i think you are a victim of laziness in classifying all the various forms and presentations of meat, which is loosely defined as "from an animal" while also "containing protein"
vegetarians/vegans (moreso vegans) that justify eating fish are kind of idiotic. it is meat, it doesn't matter if it's bloody and red when it's fresh, it is still meat.
I did a brief search for websites about vegetarianism and enlightenment. So sue me, I didn't in depth read for accuracy. However, this just seems to be one person's interpretation of the Torah, and that's perfectly valid. Each Rabbi interprets differently. Some have more credibility than others, but I wouldn't discount any. No offense, but I think you are focusing on small points. My point was that it is associated with enlightenment, and most the links illustrate that. I don't know why you are disagreeing with possibly the most moderate and neutral part of my post, of all the possibly offensive things I said, you want to debate the stereotype of an enlightened vegetarian? Maybe I'm just exposed to different stereotypes, but I thought that was pretty standard...
@ssbbm
You make good points. I'm not saying our morals put us on top, but they certainly help us build when we're up there. Obviously, the world isn't perfect and many people have no morals, but it's a lot easier to build a civilization if you can trust the guy next to you.
LEE i was only targeting you where i expressly said your name - i wasn't calling you a vegetarian or anything and then continuing to bash you, i was just writing more of my post!!
i care about your health too, otherwise you wouldn't be so pretty
You do realize that our bodies aren't designed to consume the volume of meat that we do, right? If it weren't for mass production which is a very modern invention, we wouldn't be able to eat nearly as much meat than we do now. It would just be too scarce and expensive. Our bodies are designed to eat leafy greens and vegetables and, occasionally, fruits. Meat is a luxury.