II.

The Evolution of Vegetarianism

Historically, vegetarianism was often based on philosophical beliefs. Followers of certain sects of Hinduism and Buddhism have a centuries-old tradition of not eating animal flesh because of beliefs in the sacredness of all life and the reincarnation of souls into the bodies of other living things. Roman Catholic Trappist monks still practice vegetarianism to fulfill their vows of austerity and self-sacrifice.

Modern vegetarianism entered public consciousness during the 19th century. Beginning in 1847, the Vegetarian Society, a British nonreligious organization, popularized the term vegetarian. The promotion of vegetarianism gained strength worldwide in 1908 when the International Vegetarian Union was founded; the Union, which brings together vegetarian societies from all over the world in a series of congresses, is still operating as a nonprofit organization. Some 20th-century vegetarians tend to reject eating meat because they believe that the killing of animals is both unnecessary and cruel. Other vegetarians also believe that using available land to raise vegetables and grain instead of cattle and other animals makes good economic and ecological sense.