• Article Author: Matteo Datini
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“Vegan Beliefs-An Austere And Complex Lifestyle?”

Veganism is a complex lifestyle to follow religiously. I used the word complex because a lot of people believe that one cannot entirely remove the use of animal or any of its by-products. But it has been one of the lifestyles that a lot of people pursue. They are supporters of products that do not promote animal testing. They do not use any products that came from animal skin or fur or anything whose parts were taken out of any animals. Vegan diet entails no animal products or by products on their daily intake.

It is a lifestyle, a philosophy, a phenomenon, a set of core values and principle; and in a sense a religion. Religion not in the sense an article of faith, although it can be, it is not always the case. But religion in the sense that it has been their belief and principle realizing how it can be beneficial for their health, society and nature.

One of their commitments is an austere vegan diet. Vegan diet has been around for years. Their choices of food vary from vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts and seeds. Needless to say they avoid all kinds of meat and dairy products. But the complete list is endless since they deter all products that use any animal by products down to, say, Vitamin A which came from egg yolk or oil from fish liver.

For most of them, religion was the basis of this preference. Although, vegan diet is a much stricter version of vegetarian diet, not all vegetarians are Vegan. And not all members of any religion who encourages vegan diet are vegan; but most of them are vegetarians or at least tries to eliminate the things to avoid as much as they can.

There isn’t really any religion that mandates all members to follow veganism. But I am sure most will agree that it is as close as you can be with whoever you believe is your ultimate creator. I am a member of the Christian religion. I am not as devoted as most of Christians are. But my religion has taught me that we should only consume those that are provided to us by nature. I am not a vegan, but I somehow believe in their core values. I also abhor animal testing. I feel that the products enjoyed by human can be tested safe without harming any creature that won’t even get to enjoy it after. I also believe on healthy eating, I am a vegetarian, you see. But I don’t think it’s practical to avoid vitamin A because my body needs it.

But the discipline needed for this way of life is easier said than done; which is why there has been a lot of criticisms directed towards their religion and their beliefs. But whatever religion you believe, whether you are a vegan or not; what matters is that you believe on something and you use this to good use. Vegan or not, one should eat healthy and steer clear of anything that could harm our body.