Don't fear vegetarians

There have been a lot of comments written in about the PETA billboard urging vegetarianism. I find it very interesting that so many "average" people are threatened by the concept of vegetarianism. I am LDS and also vegetarian. When people initially find out that I don't eat meat, there is a tenseness in the air that can actually be felt. Hey, all I said was "no thanks" to your turkey dinner, not "I'm a member of al-Qaida."

My reasons for avoiding meat are ethical, although the health benefits are very real.

It is estimated that only 3 percent of the population is vegetarian. Some are very zealous and want to spread the word — kind of like the LDS missionaries who just want to share their message. I personally don't go chastise meat eaters, although we have had some very lively family discussions on Thanksgiving.

Joanne Sorensen

Murray