Posted February 9, 2011 by Rachelle Owen
We’ve heard them all before … but next time you hear them, you’ll be able to answer! (P.S. If you don’t see your myth here, check out our archive!)
Ummmmm, what?! Yes, I understand that big industries bred these animals for slaughter, but that doesn’t make torturing and killing them any less wrong. This rationale is the same that allowed people to think that black people were born to serve whites, or that women were born to serve men.
People like to say this in the same breath as “Animals don’t know anything else!” … hmm. Let’s examine this logic. People once held as slaves … sure, if they were born into slavery, didn’t know anything else. Does that make slavery OK? Nope. Children who are born into poverty and never know a running water faucet … do they never desire clean water? Of course they do! Chickens, pigs, cows, other animals suffering on factory farms—although they look different—all desire freedom, just as we do.
Bear with me here. If you’re going to eat ANY processed foods … be it milk, meat, or (some) vegan meat, there will most likely be chemicals involved. Sadly, much of our food is treated with pesticides and other chemicals—although it’s easy to find organic and pesticide-free veggies at nearly every grocery store.
There are a few reasons why someone might say this when they come across a vegetarian—the main one is that they’re digging for some half ass excuse to justify eating animals. The other reason is that they don’t realize that every time they sit down to a meal containing meat, eggs, or dairy products, they’re dining on known carcinogens (like ARSENIC, which has been found in chicken), bacteria, and other contaminants that can accumulate in our body and remain there for years. Animal products are loaded with bacteria, antibiotics, hormones, dioxins, and a host of other toxins that can cause serious health problems in humans. If you’re worried about chemicals, going vegan is no-brainer.
Otherwise known as “those monkeys look happy to me!” … first of all, chimpanzees are not monkeys. Secondly, who in their right mind actually believes a company would put money into an advertisement showing a trainer beating an animal? Of course the chimpanzees are going to “seem happy” … they’ve been beaten and are scared NOT to.
Think about it: It’s what goes on BEHIND the scenes that matters. Chimpanzees are torn away from their mothers soon after birth, are transported from country to country, state to state, and are denied anything that would be natural to them—all for a 30 second clip. Another quick fact? The “grinning” face that chimpanzees often make in advertisements and movies is actually a grimace made out of fear. It means they’re terrified or anxious. How about that for shitty?
Comment below with a myth YOU always hear and we’ll bust them next week!
peta2 Street Team Coordinator + lover of vegan food, cats, animal rights, Dawson's Creek, and Harry Potter.
Too long to explain here, it's long enough for a novel.
Father loves to farm, be self sustainable, loves to read, he's a antiques/vintage auctioneer, art student, and looks like mr. Rogers. My mother is a Montessori teacher and is amazing with children, all about local organic foods, loves gardening, cooking etc. my sister who is nine years older than me was into indie music and introduced me to all sorts of things at a young age. This all rubbed of on me and from that base I grew into similar things. I'm an INFJ
I'm tall, a geek, nacho - obsessed, I love sewing and Cath Kidston, also I'm vegetarian (wannabe vegan.)
Jersey girl now I'm all country.
I love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!
Life On A Tour Bus
I am Angela. When I am not helping animals I am listening to music, reading, or playing video games. My spirit animal is a fox and I love nature. What else is there to know? Want to know anything about me, need advice or anything message me :)
Well let's just say life ain't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride. I love all my pets and would do anything for them. I have one dog, two cats, a ferret and my babygirl shaymin,(the cutest hedgehog alive) I'm into all different kinds of music. I'm a singer myself and love art.
Stay loud!
637 days ago
0
Chimps “smiling” doesn’t mean they are happy, it actually is them showing fear.
707 days ago
0
“animals were put here to be eaten” that one annoys me! its like “no, they werent!!!!!!” oh, and “vegans are so stupid” no, YOU are stupid! youre probably gonna die first!!! and be much fatter!!
826 days ago
0
“God made animamls for humans to eat”…or, “But I only eat fish that was caught from the ocean…not raised”…or my favorite one for branding cows: “HOW ELSE ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHICH COWS ARE THEIRS???” And has anybody else noticed that it’s the same people who say “animals dont mind death” that throw the “plants have feelings too” excuse?? IDK. Just sayin.
829 days ago
0
“humans are omnivours!” and “fishing doesn’t hurt the fish”
829 days ago
0
8)
829 days ago
0
I ALWAYS here this: “Fishing doesn’t hurt this fish”. This is also knon as: “Its catch and release.”
829 days ago
0
Even if veg*n foods were full of artificial chemicals I’d rather eat them than dead flesh or pus-filled milk!
830 days ago
0
I was at school and saying how I wanted to become vegeterian, then this guy said “Vegeterians are sooooo unhealthy!” Then I came back with the myth on here. Then he said “It’s sooo expensive!” I came back there too. Then he said vegetarians need to take pills all the time?! I didn’t see that on here, so it that true?
830 days ago
0
@Anne and Sara, we busted this a few weeks ago: http://www.peta2.com/2011/01/bustin-vegan-myths-part-2.html
@Erin Elizabeth, sorry, I’m not sure what quote you’re talking about.
830 days ago
0
Hey! So this guy yesterday told me “But animals are already dead so it is not making a difference if you eat them or not”
How do I bust this?
Thanks!
831 days ago
0
These forums need a “Like” button. lol I’m so used to facebook! Totally agree with you though Amber. 8)
831 days ago
0
One aggravating thing I hear a lot from my mom is “The animal is already dead, you might as well eat it now.” (after she cooks a meal). Um…it wouldn’t be dead if you didn’t buy it and cook it!
831 days ago
0
Way to rip off that Alice Walker quote. Otherwise, another delicious mythbust!
831 days ago
0
“you really think that you’re saving animals? What you don’t eat someone else is, so it doesn’t matter anyways”
I hate when people tell me that being a vegetarian doesn’t make a difference
831 days ago
0
“you need to eat meat so you can get your protein!” …lol
and
“humans are omnivours!” lol, my dad decided to throw this one at me and my sister. Yeah, because we are going to listen to his outdated and barbaric eating habits, yuk!
832 days ago
0
“People are meant to eat meat.” That one just kills me.
Oh, and “You would eat meat if you had to.” Um, yea, if I were starving, I probly would, but I’m not, and neither is anyone else I know.
“Why do you get meat substitutes? You’re vegetarian, but you want something that looks and tastes like meat? That’s dumb.” Why do you eat things that look and taste like vegetables but aren’t? Yarg.
832 days ago
0
They should teach this in school when they teach logical fallicies.
Go Peta!!!