Okay, let’s talk about this “Cult of Meat Eaters” thing. I stumbled across it online a few months back and honestly? It kinda made me scratch my head. Why would eating meat be like a… religion? Sounds nuts, right? But people were talking about it seriously, so I figured I should dig deeper instead of just chuckling at my screen.
First Steps: What is this Thing?
First thing I did was obvious: searched more. Typed stuff like “meat eater cult online” and “why people obsessed with meat”. I wasn’t looking for fancy research papers, just real people talking about it. Found forums, social media groups – the usual dark corners of the internet. Saw the term thrown around, sometimes jokingly, sometimes dead serious.
The vibe? It wasn’t just about loving a good steak. People were using words like “tribe,” “community,” “way of life.” They had strong opinions, almost angry ones, about vegetarians or health stuff. Like, really defensive about their bacon, you know? Saw memes mocking vegans, talks about “weakness” and “nature’s way.” Felt tribal, us vs. them.
Trying to See Inside the Bubble
Didn’t want to be some outside judge, so I tried lurking. Joined a couple of groups. Kept quiet, just watched. The posts were wild:
- Pictures of massive hunks of beef piled high. Like, crazy amounts.
- Arguments about “natural human diet” using old caveman drawings as proof.
- Celebrating hunting trips as some sacred ritual.
- Vitriol towards “soy boys” and “salad munchers.” Felt personal.
The language got intense. People weren’t just eating meat; it was an identity. Calling themselves “true carnivores,” talking about “pure energy.” Some were into those hardcore carnivore diets – zero plants, just animal stuff. Sounded extreme, borderline unhealthy.
Why Would Anyone Jump In?
So, why join? From watching, talking carefully to a few (trying not to get roasted!), and seeing what they craved, here’s what clicked for me:
- Belonging & Clarity: Simple answer for complex health worries? Rules like “only meat” are dead simple. People feel lost with all the diet noise. This cuts through it. Plus, they get comrades cheering them on. Feels good to be part of a pack.
- Feeling Strong & Manly (Often): Saw this a lot, especially guys. Big meat = strength, primal power. Tied into this idea of rejecting modern “weakness” – symbolized by veggies or processed food. It’s powerful imagery. Makes folks feel tough.
- Fight Back Feeling: Against government guidelines, against vegans shaming them, against “Big Ag” or whatever they think is pushing plants. It’s rebellion on a plate. Makes their bacon feel like a political act!
- The Simplest Solution: Honestly, some folks just hate dieting complexity. Eat meat. Period. End of story. That’s super attractive when you’re frustrated.
It felt less about just the food and more about finding a tribe that validates you, makes you feel powerful and gives simple answers in a confusing world. Even if, to me, calling it a “cult” feels dramatic… the intense group think and devotion some showed? Yeah, it kinda tracks.
My takeaway? Food isn’t just fuel. For this group, it’s a battle flag. Digging in taught me that sometimes the plate holds way more than just protein – it holds identity, belonging, and sometimes, a whole lot of defensive anger. Eye-opening, for sure. Makes you think about how tangled food choices and personal identity really are.
