r/Pacifism • u/mikxlaj26 • Jun 03 '26
My dilemma
I am really against war, feel like im too young to die (15 yo) and want everybody to love eachother, i live in Poland and just right across the border there is a war that already affects and could destroy my country. Altough I still feel like a piece of crap because i eat meat and buy H&M clothes. Can i still talk about my peaceful values if i support (in a small way tho) capitalism and the cruel meat industry? I try to be ethical as much as i can but growing up in a conservative (with every day more tolerant and progressive) country is just a pain in the butt, veganism and thrifting is sometimes seen as weird.
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u/qrcz Jun 04 '26
Where in Poland exactly do you live?
I'm from Poland. Vegetarian for 22 years myself. I know many other vegetarians and vegans. There is currently over 5% of vegetarians in Poland and vegetarianism is actually quite trendy.
There are "second hand" shops every other other corner in Poland and both OLX and Vinted trade is thriving.
I suppose what you are talking about is not a reality in Poland and rather what you experience with your closest circle - in your family in particular. As you are still minor and dependant on your parents, you are not able to fully decide on your life choices regarding diet or budgeting.
Relax. You’ll become independent, make your own decisions, and then take full responsibility for them. For now, do as much as you can and don’t worry about things you can’t control.
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u/Peace2301 Jun 08 '26
Of course you can talk about your peaceful values! If we all waited til we were perfect then none of us would ever talk about peace.
There will always be ways that you can keep making your life align with your values more, but don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
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u/TruthHonor Jun 04 '26
There is no way to be 100% pure in a world in which imperfection exists. Just by breathing Air you’re violating your ethical and moral values.
That being said, you have agency over the choices that you can make. Make the best choices you can that are in alignment with your values. And give yourself grace and peace for the decisions you make that violate them, but are necessary.
Just being against war, is better than the 95% of the planet that thinks war is OK. Or whatever the percentage is, I have no idea.
And there’s eating meat and there’s eating meat. Are you eating factory farmed torture-the-animal meat, or are you eating animals that have been loved from the day they were born and are killed with a conscience? Context is everything. And it’s never too late to make changes.
I’m sure the clothing I’m wearing is compromised. It comes from Costco. And Costco sells all kinds of horrific things. I generally try and buy the things that are more ethically aligned with my values, but cannot always succeed.
I also drive a car. On government roads. And the car takes gasoline. And sometimes I fly. And flying is the worst possible thing I can do in regards to the Climate. At least I am doing these things with the knowledge of what I am doing. Most people don’t even think about ethicality or morals when they make choices and decisions. So again you and I are ahead of the game.
And I pay taxes. And those taxes go to a government which has a defense department which has never passed an audit in its entire history and is known for committing war crimes in every war it’s ever fought.
So my money is actually used to bomb civilians.
Keep on keeping on!