Is veganism a religion?

[bumkin]

If veganism becomes classed as a religion,will that mean terrorists will be able to claim their beliefs are a religion, this case does not bode well ,if it goes in their favour.

if you are a vegan it is out of choice normally if there is nothing on the menu thats suits you can always have a bread roll and a glass of water

 

[Scribus]

Reading the link in the OP I see that there is already a schism within the vegan ranks between dietary vegans and ethical vegans. (the Monty Python sketch springs to mind one more) with our man locating himself firmly in the latter camp -

His beliefs affect much of his everyday life. He will, for instance, walk rather than take a bus to avoid accidental crashes with insects or birds

 

[teslacoils]

By a similar rationale, I'd say farming was more likely to be classified as a religion, which would give us significant protection, and class fly tipping and quad bike theft as hate crimes.

 

[Cowabunga]

They could try, but all they'd achieve is wasting their time and money. Restaurants aren't forced to offer kosher or halal food, why would they be forced to offer vegan food?,

They, have not claimed that food is their religion, which is basically what this vegan is claiming. Otherwise why pursue it?

 

[Scribus]

The BBC article (and it strikes as one of their fairer efforts) goes on to note that -


To qualify as a philosophical belief, veganism must:

• be genuinely held
• be a belief as to a weighty and substantial aspect of human life and behaviour
• attain a certain level of cogency, seriousness, cohesion and importance
• be worthy of respect in a democratic society, not be incompatible with human dignity and not conflict with the fundamental rights of others
• be a belief, not an opinion or viewpoint based on the present state of information available.

I would think that it passes muster on the first two points but hardly scrapes home in the rest.

 

[Hindsight]

First thing, I'll state that I know little about employment law, that said... this is an employment tribunal, I don't think that any precedent set in one is binding in the Courts as a whole, unless taken up by a judge in them. And... if this were to be accepted as the Claimant hopes, it could and probably would lead to a lot of other relatively 'odd' things being given the same status - that would argue against such a decision. But who knows? Whoever is running the tribunal may be looking to make a name for himself...

Hi, As you point out an employment tribunal. Is this case similar to the air stewardess, if I recall, that was told could wear but not display a cross necklace as it was a religious symbol. Best wishes for New Year.

 

[Swarfmonkey]

Otherwise why pursue it?

Because he's a delusional cultist, egged on, no doubt, by his legal representation. He's just another gullible mark for the lawyers - win or lose, they'll get their fees (even if it's just from the insurance policy - which is how "no win, no fee" pond scum solicitors cover their arses, financially).

 

[dudders]

Reading the link in the OP I see that there is already a schism within the vegan ranks between dietary vegans and ethical vegans. (the Monty Python sketch springs to mind one more) with our man locating himself firmly in the latter camp -

Veganism may be a belief, but it doesn't qualify as a religion - yet. To achieve that status, you must have that schism, with people on each side believing in the same god but being prepared to kill each other for worshipping that god in a different way, viz. Christianity & Islam. Once the dietaries and the ethicals start killing each other, then veganism will be a religion. We'll have to balance the benefit of having fewer of them against the downside of the raised status (temples, bishops, etc).

By a similar rationale, I'd say farming was more likely to be classified as a religion, which would give us significant protection, and class fly tipping and quad bike theft as hate crimes.

We haven't yet had enough cases of murder going on between arable and livestock farmers. "You're a farmer, I'm a farmer, but you have cows instead of sheep, like I do, therefore I must kill you." I can't be bothered to get that passionate, but perhaps some can?

 

[unlacedgecko]

First thing, I'll state that I know little about employment law, that said... this is an employment tribunal, I don't think that any precedent set in one is binding in the Courts as a whole, unless taken up by a judge in them. And... if this were to be accepted as the Claimant hopes, it could and probably would lead to a lot of other relatively 'odd' things being given the same status - that would argue against such a decision. But who knows? Whoever is running the tribunal may be looking to make a name for himself...

There is already legal precedent for a similar view, that of anti fox hunting. Unfortunately I am sure the claimant will be successful in this case.

Foxhunting views placed on par with religion after landmark legal ruling

Views on foxhunting have been placed on the same legal footing as religion after a landmark ruling said an animal rights campaigner’s opinions amount to philosophical beliefs.

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[roscoe erf]

I hope the judge knows the difference between a religion and a cult.

yes a cult is mostly hairy

 

[M-J-G]

I hope the judge knows the difference between a religion and a cult.

What is the difference? A Religeon fits under the umbrella of a cult.

 

[Danllan]

Is no-one else suspicious that this is all a set up?

LACS (the employer) might capitulate, or present a weakened case, allowing the claimant -or whatever he;s called- to win, pegging a little stake in the ground for the veganista movement.

i am very suspicious, ....'of all the employers in all the world.


(and I'm currently whittling the cudgel i referred to in another thread...being bored with rational debate)

That was my first thought; I can't write for employment tribunals, but the Courts see this sort of thing a mile off and think very poorly of it.

Hi, As you point out an employment tribunal. Is this case similar to the air stewardess, if I recall, that was told could wear but not display a cross necklace as it was a religious symbol. Best wishes for New Year.

Not really, it would extend a great deal further.

There is already legal precedent for a similar view, that of anti fox hunting. Unfortunately I am sure the claimant will be successful in this case.

Foxhunting views placed on par with religion after landmark legal ruling

Views on foxhunting have been placed on the same legal footing as religion after a landmark ruling said an animal rights campaigner’s opinions amount to philosophical beliefs.

www.telegraph.co.uk

No. I'm pro-hunting, spent a night outside Parliament etc. etc. but... hunting is not analogous to a vegan way of life, not in the sense that this kind of fellow is trying to argue anyway which, it seems to me, is a sort of secular Jainism - but I noted his environment damaging clothes etc. too...

 

[FonterraFarmer]

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter

And as some would say , one person's freedom fighter is another person's terrorist.

 

[Cowabunga]

Veganism may be a belief, but it doesn't qualify as a religion - yet. To achieve that status, you must have that schism, with people on each side believing in the same god but being prepared to kill each other for worshipping that god in a different way, viz. Christianity & Islam. Once the dietaries and the ethicals start killing each other, then veganism will be a religion. We'll have to balance the benefit of having fewer of them against the downside of the raised status (temples, bishops, etc).



We haven't yet had enough cases of murder going on between arable and livestock farmers. "You're a farmer, I'm a farmer, but you have cows instead of sheep, like I do, therefore I must kill you." I can't be bothered to get that passionate, but perhaps some can?

I don't recall scientologists, jehovas or mormons going around killing each other much. Maybe they do, on the quiet? What do I know of their quackery? Nothing.

 

[CornishTone]

Because if they win this, it will surely be illegal to discriminate as it is illegal to discriminate commercially on religious, sexual or race grounds. You can be absolutely certain that they will go for this if they win.

No one is forced to sell Halal or Kosher in their eatery, so how would they be forced to sell a vegan menu? If you don't sell the food they eat, they can eat elsewhere, the same as any other cult, religion or nut job.

My mother and sister own a couple of cafes and they stock a few vegan products. Their suppliers all tell them the same thing, don't advertise them as vegan, because no one will buy them! If "the" vegan asks for a vegan option, you can point them to the product but if you label it as vegan it'll sit there till "the" vegan happens to walk through the door.

 

[Scribus]

And as some would say , one person's freedom fighter is another person's terrorist.

Indeed, works both ways.

 

[Cowabunga]

What is the difference? A Religeon fits under the umbrella of a cult.

The main difference is that one can be registered as a charity for tax purposes and the other not. Otherwise they are just as cookey as each other, all other things being equal. Both have power and wealth at their heart. The act of putting the fear of their particular god into their followers.

 

[topground]

Veganism is a dangerous amalgam of an eating disorder and a pseudo religion. If this poor fool wont use a bus for fear of killing an insect he needs to be educated about the means of protection of his plant based diet from insect and rodents.

 

[Grassman]

Religeon is belief in something totally ridiculous and unbelievable and no proof whatsoever it exists. Yet millions do and are encouraged or forced to do so.
I can't see how veganism is even in the same sort of category. It's just a lifestyle choice.

 

[sheepish]

The main difference is that one can be registered as a charity for tax purposes and the other not. Otherwise they are just as cookey as each other, all other things being equal. Both have power and wealth at their heart. The act of putting the fear of their particular god into their followers.

The Vegan Society is a charity. As is the League Against Cruel Sports.