Seriously. What does it appear that Vegans & Vegetarians are openly persecuting Omnivores for their choice?

For me, I love eating beef and chicken (as a matter of taste I dislike pork). However, I don't want to support the corporate farming that treats the animals so horribly. I made this choice after living in southern California and seeing how cows were treated at the farms in Norco. So for me, it's a business philosophy more than a lifestyle choice. I will buy locally grown, organic beef and chicken after I've talked with the owners of the farm regarding how the animals are raised, and slaughtered. I would never, ever force my eating preferences on anyone else, and never discuss why I refuse meat unless I'm asked.

I think you need to take a closer look at the backlog of questions in this section. You'll find plenty of 'questions' which are nothing but rants, insults, or attacks against vegetarians and vegans by meat-eaters.

I won't list user names because I don't want to be reported. But there are quite a few people who come here on a regular basis to harass and insult us. Same people, same ridiculous type of questions. If that's not trying to force their beliefs on us, then I'd like to know what is.

The truth is that most of us here at the Vegetarian/Vegan section don't give a rat's hind hoofie what you eat or don't eat. That's your business.

But extend the same "live and let live" attitude to us, too, please. Ignore the fanatics on both sides, and we'll all be a lot better off.

This is the last time I will reply to one of these questions. In future it will only be to discuss vegetarianism & veganism with like minded people. Do you have any idea how dull it is to read the same stupid questions every time you look on the forum? If you like meat and you're adamant about it then you don't really have any place posting here. We're not trying to dictate to you. If you can read English, which you obviously can, you'll note that this is the vegetarian and vegan forum. Logically, people who post here will be vegetarians or vegans, and as such, fairly likely to have strong views on the eating of meat. If you want to be told how right you are, find a more appropriate forum. It's not rocket science.

This is the Vegan and Vegetarian forum on Y! Answers. This is where people who already believe in these lifestyles come to talk about recipes and nutrition and ways to make thier preferred lifestyle a reality. No-one who is posting in this forum is trying to convert anyone because we are all already converts over here. Unless, of course you, the omnivore, come to a place for VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS, poke your little head in here and try to ruffle our feathers with a silly post.

So....in the true spirit of the forum, here is my favorite vegetarian recipe, you should try it, you might like it. Serve on top of basmati rice with some naan and a side of yogurt to cool your mouth. Yum.

Make a hot pepper mixture by grinding together and setting aside:

1/2 jalapeño pepper

1/2 clove garlic, minced

1/4 inch fresh ginger, grated

pinch cumin seeds

Heat in a saucepan:

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

tiny pinch hing

1/2 teaspoon cumin/mustard/sesame seed mixture

When the seeds pop, add and sauté until the onions are soft:

2 medium onions, diced

1 1/2 tomatoes, diced

the hot pepper mixture

1 Tablespoon tomato paste (opt.)

Add powdered spices and whole spices:

2 teaspoons cumin/coriander powder

1 teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon garam masala

1/4-1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper powder (opt.)

6 whole cloves

10 black peppers

2 inch cinnamon stick, broken into pieces

1 Tablespoon bay leaves

Then add:

1 3/4 cups cooked chickpeas (1 [19 oz.] can)

2/3 cup water

1 1/4 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons fresh coriander leaves (cilantro), chopped

Simmer for 10 minutes. Serve hot. You can crush a few chickpeas against the side of the pot with your spoon to thicken the sauce.

The sautéed onions, tomatos and spices create the robust, flavorful base for this dish.

Mash some chickpeas against the side of the pot to create a thicker texture.

First of all, I am not one of these people- I don't post things to question or attack meat eaters, I think it's counterproductive but I can understand why fellow veggies get so wound up. The V&V section here is full of rude questions and answers from meat eaters, and we are constantly having to defend ourselves, as if there is something actually wrong with caring about animal welfare.

But just a few comments on some of the stuff I've read on here by people who find veggies irritating or self righteous. Try to understand these points-

1. People say things like "why should anyone care what i eat?", well no we dont give a rat's *** what you eat per se, but when you eat MEAT you are causing the death of animals, so its not just about you and me. We aren't thinking of ourselves, we aren't saying "our team is better than your team", we are just pissed off that this kind of suffering and cruelty is supported by so many people, who act as though there's nothing in it apart from food taste.

2. Frankly, you're abusing the word "choice", and you aren't explaining why it's an acceptable choice to make. "Choice" isn't an explanation. I could murder someone on the street tomorrow and say it was my choice to do so I dont think it would hold up in court! If you're going to try and argue this issue with people who give it a lot of thought, you should have more than that to offer... A lot of veggies and vegans get very frustrated with the fact that many meat eaters literally do not think about what they're doing, they just never consider it, so it's not even a "choice", it's avoidance of making one- If you've thought about it and made the decision to eat meat regardless of knowing the facts then yes, it's just different choices. But that often isnt the case- And this is life and death we're talking about, it deserves a second thought... That's all we really ask.

At the end of the day, if someone cares enough about this stuff to change their diet against the mainstream for life, of course they're going to be sensitive about it, of course they want to share it with people, but please just bear in mind that it doesn't usually come from selfishness or ego- it's just something close to our hearts- I wish more people could understand that.

Eat meat if you like!!! In fact sit next to me at a meal and I won't bat an eyelid if you eat a meaty dish, tuck in,fill your boots!!! Most people in the world ARE Omnivores.

Those of us in the Vegetarian and Vegan section are just defending our beliefs. We are kicking back against people who ask us how to cook meat (personally,I haven't the foggiest and I'd be scared of under cooking/overcooking it and making someone ill), those who slam us for our choice and are deliberately nasty because we choose NOT to eat meat (gimme sprouts any day , I don't like the taste of meat) and people who ask why we don't like beef or how to trick a veggie into eating meat.

When people answer questions by saying 'EAT MEAT FREAK' or 'ha ha just hide the chicken under the potatoes' we WILL defend ourselves.Let me put it to you this way. If you hated the taste of celery and were seriously allergic to cucumber for instance, I wouldn't dream of serving them to you!!!

This concludes Today's diversity lecture!

Enjoy your lunch!!

Exactly how much time did you spend looking on here? You obviously haven't seen all the meat-eaters "ranting" on here. Most of the threads are them trying to be smart arses. Do your research before you come on here and say "oh why are they always trying to force their opinion on us"

I am a vegatarian and could care less what other people eat...I can't stand that everyone I know needs to make issue over the fact that I don't eat meat...they joke and make fun...my boss banned veggie burgers from his grill...question everything I eat...sooooo, I understand your frustration...I hate when people comment on others food, please keep that in mind if you ever comment on what people eat.

Yeah, I've noticed that, too. It seems to be a tendency for humans to assume that they personally have made the right choices and no one else has. This forum leaves a lot of room for opinions to be shared, but I think it's important not to make people feel bad for their choices or to push our opinions on others. We are supposed to HELP when we can. Great question, by the way. Happy New Year!

I think it really comes down to minorities that have made some kind of choice which makes them feel they are in some way superior to the majority.