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I feel similarly when it comes to the treatment of animals by the capitalist system. Your post reminded me of a discussion from Project Illumine, Surah 80: Abasa. Starting at Verse 24, the next set of verses refers to knowledge, plants, animals, and humans. Sheikh gave a moving interpretation of how knowledge is like the water that flows; guiding conduct between humans and animals. This has always stuck with me. The more I learn about various supply chains, including the meat industry, the less I want to consume. Even within the halal meat industry, you can find unjust treatment of animals, which is unsettling to learn about. Activists like Wayne are heroes; they play a critical role in how society's moral compass turns.

I'll leave you with this: "We do not become activists, we simply forget that we are. We are all born with compassion, generosity, and love for others inside us. We are all, inside, concerned human beings." - Frank Barat

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(From Dean on Wayne's team): This is so beautiful! Of so many moving lines here: "This is why Wayne’s actions are meaningful to me beyond the issue of animal cruelty. It is about living life for a principle, a purpose, and a cause that can elevate humanity, if not for all the forces in our world fighting against it." This fight is about the animals and about so much more. And it gives me so much hope for change that your family is moving towards veganism because of Wayne's story.

Thank you so much for sharing, Grace! Please email me so I can loop you into some of our volunteer efforts for change! dean@thesimpleheart.org

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Thanks for introducing me to Wayne Hsiung's site. Being a long time vegan, I'm interested in seeing what he has to say.

I sometimes wonder if I should also blog about this. I love to cook, and after forty years of veganism, I'm pretty good at it, and at some of the socially awkward situations that come up. They're decreasing, thankfully, but still make some people uncomfortable.

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Yessss!! You should absolutely blog and share your wisdom and recipes! That would be amazing 🤩 ❤️

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Thanks, Grace! I'll see what I can do. I'm actually writing a cookbook for my granddaughter, so I can use some of that material.

I have a whole philosophy around food, and it's worked so well for me over the years.

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Thank you for posting a comprehensive view of your beliefs. Amen.

It is sad that religious beliefs get absorbed into a nation state's official conditions of civic responsibilities, and thus enlist and coopt those emotions into their political service. Happens everywhere.

Be well.

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I agree and really appreciate these words: "It is a redline moment for humanity. As a full-blown genocide unfolds before our eyes, amidst the chaos, the darkness, and the extreme suffering all around us, there is a reorganization happening. People are realigning, not on religious lines, but on ethical lines. On human lines. Which side of the redline does one fall? Does one condemn the genocide? Does humanity include all humans, or only some humans? What do we each stand for in this moment? What are we willing to sacrifice?"

And I also agree that Wayne is a real hero for doing what he does for the sake of animals.

Congratulations on deciding to go vegan. I've been vegan for forty years now, and would never turn back. Besides being ethical, the food is delicious and nutritious.

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