Hi every body!

[SkepticalGorilla1985]

Hello everybody, just joined this forum in the hopes of finding people with similar viewpoints. As currently in my day to day life I dont get to meet any fellow atheists or vegans. I live in the southern united states... also known as the bible belt and work in construction. Ive been an atheist for a few years, and just recently bacame a vegan thanks to the vegan atheist's videos on youtube. Specifically the documentary 'Earthlings' I used to hunt and fish, and since I lift weights every other day, I was eating a lot of meat daily.
Being woken up to hard truths in the factory farming industry, and the sentients of our fellow creatures was mind bowing for me. I'm very happy with the change and I havent lost any momentum in the gym. I still lift heavy and train hard. Hope to meet some new freinds or aquaintances who I can talk to about these topics or anything else.

[brimstoneSalad]

Welcome SkepticalGorilla! I'm glad you found us, and I hope you like it here.

Congrats on going vegan. What are some of your favorite new staples for building?

Is construction a pretty religious industry?

[Cirion Spellbinder]

Welcome Skeptical Gorilla!
How do other people react to your vegan lifestyle?

[SkepticalGorilla1985]

for the most part, a lot of laborers and people around me tend to be a believer. Either catholic or southern baptist, i catch a little hell for not believing in anything.
I tend to tell everybody who comments that i tend to think instead of believe.

And being vegan isnt too bad i get funny looks and "where do you get protein" but most people applaud the fact that i want to take care of my body so much. even tho the health aspect was secondary to ethical dilema

[sanna143]

Hi I know..I also get the questions about protein..It's so annoying..What about all the meat eaters who just eat junk food nd shit. Hypocrites x3 What kind of view did u have on vegans/vegetarians before u became a vegan urself?

[Jebus]

Welcome SkepticalGorilla.

That's some transformation- from hunter to vegan. Wow! Good on you.

[SkepticalGorilla1985]

Hi I know..I also get the questions about protein..It's so annoying..What about all the meat eaters who just eat junk food nd shit. Hypocrites x3 What kind of view did u have on vegans/vegetarians before u became a vegan urself?

My view on veganism before hand was pretty negative, i was raised in a religious right strict family. And when i was an adult i emulated that in a way. just wanted to be a country boy and not have to think too much. I was working as a boat mechanic and heavy epuip operator in the south, to fit in i fished A LOT and hunted all types of game. (i ate everything i caught or killed) but at the mere mention of vegan/vegetarian i would laugh and consider that type of person extra terrestrial. "i dont want that rabbit food" was what i would say. didnt really meet too many vegans though... that whole movement was pretty obscure to me. As far as the animal rights go they were just dumb animals to me, animals that didnt feel or didnt have a soul. Typical biased viewpoint that propagates itself in rural ignorant areas or family groups. I regret that i didnt wake up sooner but i did and it feels great.

[SkepticalGorilla1985]

Welcome SkepticalGorilla.

That's some transformation- from hunter to vegan. Wow! Good on you.

Thank you now lets see if i can bring more like me to this side!

[sanna143]

Hi I know..I also get the questions about protein..It's so annoying..What about all the meat eaters who just eat junk food nd shit. Hypocrites x3 What kind of view did u have on vegans/vegetarians before u became a vegan urself?

My view on veganism before hand was pretty negative, i was raised in a religious right strict family. And when i was an adult i emulated that in a way. just wanted to be a country boy and not have to think too much. I was working as a boat mechanic and heavy epuip operator in the south, to fit in i fished A LOT and hunted all types of game. (i ate everything i caught or killed) but at the mere mention of vegan/vegetarian i would laugh and consider that type of person extra terrestrial. "i dont want that rabbit food" was what i would say. didnt really meet too many vegans though... that whole movement was pretty obscure to me. As far as the animal rights go they were just dumb animals to me, animals that didnt feel or didnt have a soul. Typical biased viewpoint that propagates itself in rural ignorant areas or family groups. I regret that i didnt wake up sooner but i did and it feels great.

Some people realise things sooner and some realise things later. Sometimes it's just coincidence..I stopped eating red nd white meat when I was 13, because I had just finished eating a chicken and only the bones were left on the plate. Then I just suddenly "looked through the chicken's eyes" like i imagined the moment it got slaughtered and I thought about how I would feel like if that was me. So that's how it started..And at that time there weren't any vegan products in the stores but now it's just become more and more. Also gluten free products have become more usual now.

[TheVeganAtheist]

Welcome to the forum SkepticalGorilla1985. Great to have you in our community.