Last month, the definition of “creed” in Ontario, Canada’s Human Rights Code was modified to include non-religious beliefs such as ethical veganism. In 2011, Canadian animal-law organization Animal Justice began its efforts to include veganism under the same protections as religious belief systems. Executive Director of Animal Justice Camille Labchuk successfully petitioned the Ontario Human Rights Commission to include secular belief systems and ideologies in the definition of “creed.” Under this definition, service providers such as hospitals, schools, and employers may not discriminate against requests based on vegan ideals. Also, schools cannot obligate students to dissect animals, hospitals must provide vegan meals upon request, and employers cannot discriminate against workers who choose not to wear animal-product based uniforms. Labchuk—who plans to undertake changing legislation in other districts in Canada—believes that “recognizing veganism as a form of creed is an important precedent and a clear statement that vegans and their beliefs deserve respect.” The validity of this update will be tested by the first ruling to come in front of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, which as of now has expressed positive feedback about expanding the definition of creed to include "political perspective ... made up of a recognizable cohesive belief system or structure."
Canada has basically said that someone's belief in the living beings all around us, is just as legitimate a basis for a belief system, as one based on the belief of a magical sky-fairy.
Not one comment here has addressed that. Is it that difficult a proposition to counter? Is no one up to the task?
Also remarkable (at least in my own mind) is that there is more and more evidence pointing to the idea that life on Earth, Humans included, may have been evolved from an abundance of sharing of DNA,,,,by Bacterium!
As researchers discover more and more, the evidence is becoming incontrovertible that evolution was highly directed by the sharing of DNA and various protein bundles, between many of Earth's species. These relationships were much more symbiotic in nature, than competitive, and "sharing" was/is a most vital means of adapting and evolving. This happens in so many ways, that it's beyond the scope of this article; but, a few examples would be food that is ate, colds/flus, insect bites, mycelium and plant symbiotic relationships. One of the more common modern theories concerning the evolution of nucleated cells, is that they were most likely formed at first by a symbiotic relationship between different structures, rather than a single structure evolving another structure inside itself. There is a lot yet to be learned, we have only scratched the surface.
Fortunately, many of us don't require government endorsement of our beliefs or philosophy. Vegans are probably a bit weaker due to their dietary deficiency.
Fortunately, many of us don't require government endorsement of our beliefs or philosophy.
That is the crux of the matter.
While many of us don't require governmental recognition, some do. Why would you consider Ethical Veganism as a belief system, to be different from other belief systems? What would be the specific reasons you would not be in favor of said recognition?
The phrase "under God" can mean something different to members of the approximately 313 religions and denominations in the United States, from monotheists who believe in one God (in the Judeo-Christian and other traditions), to polytheists who believe in many Gods , to others who believe in no God , or a God as represented by animal spirits, alien groups, or psychoactive substances .
In an attempt to document "all" the religions in the United States, their membership levels, and their unique beliefs, we have created the chart below. It details 28 of the largest religious groups (by members) in America, and it provides expanded sections on 35 Christian religious denominations, 124 "Other" religions and 127 "New Age" religions.
In this chart, religion is defined as "any specific system of belief about deity, often involving rituals, a code of ethics, a philosophy of life, and a worldview." Given this definition, we excluded from our results below the individuals classified in 2001 as "Nonreligious/Secular" (27,539,000 adults), "Agnostic" (991,000 adults), and "Atheist" (902,000 adults).
The information in the chart was compiled primarily by using the 2001 "American Religious Identification Survey" conducted by The Graduate Center of The City University of New York. 50,281 households in the continental United States (48 states) were randomly dialed and participants were asked "What is your religion, if any?" We supplemented those findings with data from J. Gordon Melton's The Encyclopedia of American Religions, 7th Edition , Kosmin & Lachman's One Nation Under God: Religion in Contemporary American Society , the Religious Movements page of the University of Virginia, the Ontario Consultants on religious tolerance, Wikipedia, and the official websites of several specific religions.
...........under one column.......
Native American Religion - "The religion of Native Americans has developed from the hunting taboos, animal ceremonialism, beliefs in spirits, and shamanism embraced by those early ancestors... Beyond the directly inherited traditional Native American religions, a wide body of modified sects abounds...The religions do share some common tendencies. Religion tends to be closely related to the natural world. The local terrain is elevated with supernatural meaning, and natural objects are imbued with sacred presences. Ceremonial rituals involving these supernatural-natural objects are meant to ensure communal and individual prosperity. These common underlying features unite a diversity of contemporary Native American sects... Ceremony plays a vital, essential role in Native American religions."
- Religious Movements Page University of Virginia "Native American Spirituality"
Because Veganism is what I consider to be a fad based on bad science. Religion is based on faith and is thus protected. Why do Vegans need special recognition? Is it based on faith only?
Homo sapiens is an omnivore. Our metabolism is optimized for a diet that includes some meat. Not necessarily a lot... but some. A meatless diet is by definition unhealthy, unless compensating supplements are added.
I can understand the ideal of not killing any animal, but I think it's an incomplete idea. Many animals would not exist at all, if not to be consumed. And plants are living things, as well as animals. The "vegan ideal" is only truly practicable with a synthetic foodstuff that supplies all dietary requirements.
Last month, the definition of “creed” in Ontario, Canada’s Human Rights Code was modified to include non-religious beliefs such as ethical veganism. In 2011, Canadian animal-law organization Animal Justice began its efforts to include veganism under the same protections as religious belief systems. Executive Director of Animal Justice Camille Labchuk successfully petitioned the Ontario Human Rights Commission to include secular belief systems and ideologies in the definition of “creed.” Under this definition, service providers such as hospitals, schools, and employers may not discriminate against requests based on vegan ideals. Also, schools cannot obligate students to dissect animals, hospitals must provide vegan meals upon request, and employers cannot discriminate against workers who choose not to wear animal-product based uniforms. Labchuk—who plans to undertake changing legislation in other districts in Canada—believes that “recognizing veganism as a form of creed is an important precedent and a clear statement that vegans and their beliefs deserve respect.” The validity of this update will be tested by the first ruling to come in front of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, which as of now has expressed positive feedback about expanding the definition of creed to include "political perspective ... made up of a recognizable cohesive belief system or structure."
The fall of civilization is apparently nigh. Canada is loony.
Canada has basically said that someone's belief in the living beings all around us, is just as legitimate a basis for a belief system, as one based on the belief of a magical sky-fairy.
Not one comment here has addressed that. Is it that difficult a proposition to counter? Is no one up to the task?
The belief system needs qualifying . Bacteria are living too ...
Bacteria are living too ...
That sounds exactly like something one might hear an adherent of Buddhism say. Remarkably, another belief system covered under Canadian law.
:~)
Bacteria are living too ...
Also remarkable (at least in my own mind) is that there is more and more evidence pointing to the idea that life on Earth, Humans included, may have been evolved from an abundance of sharing of DNA,,,,by Bacterium!
Nothing else can share DNA like bacteria . They don't even need to have sex ...
It is very intriguing!
As researchers discover more and more, the evidence is becoming incontrovertible that evolution was highly directed by the sharing of DNA and various protein bundles, between many of Earth's species. These relationships were much more symbiotic in nature, than competitive, and "sharing" was/is a most vital means of adapting and evolving. This happens in so many ways, that it's beyond the scope of this article; but, a few examples would be food that is ate, colds/flus, insect bites, mycelium and plant symbiotic relationships. One of the more common modern theories concerning the evolution of nucleated cells, is that they were most likely formed at first by a symbiotic relationship between different structures, rather than a single structure evolving another structure inside itself. There is a lot yet to be learned, we have only scratched the surface.
I have proof of that caught on film Larry!
EGADS!
Is no one up to the task?
Two cases, Larry...
First, there are those of us who agree with the Human Rights Commission Of Ontario, and admire their courage,
Second, there are those who, having no actual argument, will toss "clever" one-line zingers...
Nice ad hominem "argument". I am "impressed".
Cerenkov,
You have just demonstrated that
Good work!
Your comprehension is limited. You attacked the source not the argument. Ad hominem. Your education is lacking.
Is that the emoji for a stroke? Seek help. It's never too late to admit your dementia.
Fortunately, many of us don't require government endorsement of our beliefs or philosophy. Vegans are probably a bit weaker due to their dietary deficiency.
Fortunately, many of us don't require government endorsement of our beliefs or philosophy.
That is the crux of the matter.
While many of us don't require governmental recognition, some do. Why would you consider Ethical Veganism as a belief system, to be different from other belief systems? What would be the specific reasons you would not be in favor of said recognition?
I don't know Canadian law. In the US, "church status" is kinda sorta important for taxes...
And maybe things like employer relations..
Interesting,,,so I googled ...
Ethical Veganism could be viewed as a type of belief system, not too unlike some forms of Buddhism, some types of Naturalism.
Because Veganism is what I consider to be a fad based on bad science. Religion is based on faith and is thus protected. Why do Vegans need special recognition? Is it based on faith only?
Maybe; see my above post!
:~)
Personally I only eat animals if they were dissected in a biology class ... yum !
Guess there will be no more vegan medical students in Ontario.
Veganism and science are rarely compatible.
bf must be futzing around with his profile again. I got an email for a post that then doesn't appear... A pity, because it's a good post:
Vegans are more likely to be mentally ill. It's crazy not to eat meat!
pmc/articles/PMC3466124/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201211/youre-vegetarian-have-you-lost-your-mind" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"> . com/blog/evolutionary- psychiatry/201211/youre- vegetarian-have-you-lost-your- mind
http://healthyeatingharbor. com/vegetarians-more-likely- suffer-mental-disorder
Homo sapiens is an omnivore. Our metabolism is optimized for a diet that includes some meat. Not necessarily a lot... but some. A meatless diet is by definition unhealthy, unless compensating supplements are added.
I can understand the ideal of not killing any animal, but I think it's an incomplete idea. Many animals would not exist at all, if not to be consumed. And plants are living things, as well as animals. The "vegan ideal" is only truly practicable with a synthetic foodstuff that supplies all dietary requirements.
I think that will come... but not soon.
I... I... actually agree with you, Bob. This feels strange... I'm uncomfortable. ..
I sympathize. From time to time, I find myself agreeing with some idiot who, in general, I consider a moron. Stuff happens.
It will pass...
It already has...
Omnivores can no more change what are than different genders can change what they are.
They don't have to live the life that was given them, but it doesn't change anything.
Ethical Veganism
Is this a Gwyneth Paltrow thing ? Like her divorce that she called "conscious uncoupling" ?