Scope of this group

[andyswarbs]

I think I would like clarification on boundaries of this group.

Question No 1: Yes, it is centred on "health". But most people who adopt a truly "vegan" lifestyle do it for ethical reasons. That is their life's goal is often to reduce animal suffering for the sake of a slice of meat on the plate that is patently unnecessary for humans to continue to exist, and arguably to exist healthily.

So perhaps most people go "vegan" for the above reason. But many people also go vegan for personal health reasons, and this is true in my case. Many people also argue that veganism is good, indeed the only way for the planet to survive. Finally (as far as I am aware) some people go vegan for financial reasons - they see a vegan lifestyle as a sustainable way to a more cost-effective living style.

Now the most contentious of the above is probably around animal welfare, or lack thereof in modern day society. The Internet is full of exposes on how animals are totally abused, not just in some far off country or in some distant past, but here and now. A person who is vegan for such reasons may wish to post links to and debate around such issues. So I would like clarification on this subject.

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Question 2: Is this a lifestyle change?Indeed for some it may be a "dietary" change they may not perceive as a lifestyle change. For others if it is not a lifestyle change then it is not vegan. This may sound a moot question, but I have seen some very heated debates on this subject. Indeed the very history of the Vegan society itself is contentious on this point.

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Question 3: The term VEGAN is a shorthand that includes a lot of lifestyles. The largest contingent is possibly the whole-foods plant-based group. These people tend to use the term vegan as a shorthand to explain to the "uninitiated" (if that is a fair word to use here) that they are going vegan for health reasons. This then includes those who move towards a minimalist oils style of living as a potentially even healthier version.

But then there are people who eat a primarily raw food diet, a fruit diet and so forth.

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Question 4: Words, Words, Words. There is no doubt that some people who join this group will be very passionate about the subject. I include myself in that. But advocacy for some almost becomes all-consuming. Potentially this can lead to very society-challenging debates. After all veganism is a very disruptive force. I am thinking here of the recent public flurry of headlines around words such as holocaust, rape and murder.

But it is not just about terminology. It is about whether on this forum it is right to discuss activism such as Cube of Truth and more.

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I don't know the answer to these questions. I know what I want the answer to be. But I want these questions up-front as it begins. Indeed some people may have other "boundary" questions to add to the list.

Thanks for reading.

Andy

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Hi Andy,

I'm a great believer in courting controversy to keep things in the open its how we go about it that would define my boundaries. In other words as long as all members are respectful of one another's needs the emphasis with this forum is vegan focussed support, full stop.

As to me its a big decision becoming vegan and one that isn't taken lightly so is an ethical, moral decision. And how the person achieves this is their prerogative.

One of my favourite sayings about others life-styles/behaviour is: "it's fine as long as it does not hurt anyone else and is not made compulsory".

So here's me being an idealist as far as I'm concerned the members have a free hand as long as HU guidelines are followed and others needs/opinions are respected. As I prefer bridges to walls or boundaries.

Also you said about whole-foods plant-based group well I put this up as a topic and would very much like input on what Topic's you would like,

Thank you for asking this and I'd like to know what boundaries you'd like Andy because this is your forum as a vegan a member and a volunteer.

Jerry.