It costs money to convert? Well, yeah, I guess you have to take classes and such, and they have to get their money from somewhere. I have no idea how it works, but could you trade labor or maybe get some kind of a discount, or is this a sort of test to see how dedicated you are? I've read that there are a few of those on the journey to becoming a Jew in some groups.

I've had a problem eating things that had a mother since the first time I saw a movie about cows being slaughtered. It was so horrifying, I can see the scene in perfect, vivid detail to this day. I don't understand how we, as supposedly "advanced" creatures, think it's okay to decide what other living things "deserve" to live or die based on what we like to have on our PLATE. It's disgusting.

Heh. I keep that to myself most of the time. I hope you don't mind if I lose it a little with you, since we're of like mind. ;)