Do you think people think of veganism as more of a belief/religion rather than a diet?

@Piper Yep. There's so much contempt and I've never understood why. Maybe it's the reminder? I don't know. But I can't wrap my head around why people get so angry at a personal choice. Especially when it doesn't impact them in any way.

@Ynotisay Yes. I have experienced the ridicule many times personally in 'real life', since I made the decision to abstain from eating other animals almost 40 years ago. My second question submitted on a site similar to this one, was asking why so much contempt and ridicule for vegetarians and vegans...because I'd seen so much of it expressed there, over and over.

@Piper I’ve actually been called a "murderer" for admitting that I occasionally eat meat, although it’s The smallest percentage of my diet, I much prefer chicken and seafood. So unfortunately there’s enough fanaticism to go around. Personally I respect veganism and mostly because of my mother I learned to cook vegan dishes so I could include things that she enjoyed. I cook them for myself, as well, when I want something fairly light.

@bijouxbroussard wow, that’s fucked up. I once served the “bird-within-a-bird-within a bird” dish (a long time ago, wouldn’t do that now) to friends, and someone who wasn’t there then lambasted me on social media asking “why did three birds have to die?”

Errrr, I didn’t go out and shoot them myself!!

@Piper There are militant vegans/vegetarians. I don't have a lot of time for that. But I think the anger in response is usually coming from those who whine about 'freedom' but don't want to apply it to others. They see it as a personal attack because of course they do. A lot of people live in a world of enemies. It was the same thing when Michelle Obama pushed hard for healthier food choices for kids. What kind of person fights against that? My take is that it typically comes from unhealthy people who eat shit. And who then drive up healthcare costs that we're all on the hook for. I don't get it.

@bijouxbroussard I'm not surprised, unfortunately. I've observed some of that kind of hateful, totally counter-productive behavior from vegans/vegetarians. Not in 'real' life, but online. I've also been insulted and blocked for pointing that out that insulting people for eating meat is counter-productive to changing anyone's mind, and for saying I don't see anything wrong with eating eggs that come from well treated hens.
What I've experienced since I stopped eating meat, is not just a defensive reaction when the subject comes up, but an often antagonistic or ridiculing one.

@Ynotisay Yes, I know. I also know that many, many vegans and vegetarians are not at all hateful or "high and mighty" towards those who are not.

I do remember well, how people reacted when Michelle Obama pushed for healthier meals for kids. I also remember the angry, indignant reactions over just a "meatless Monday" for public school lunches. ONE day, ONE meal, and people flipped out.