The fact is that mafism is much easier to convert to than vegetarianism, and it follows that more people will be able to quit the conventional Western diet in favor of mafism than vegetarianism. In other words, mafism will help people who would otherwise remain consumers of beef, pork, or lamb to cease consuming those products.

Since the conventional Western diet relies heavily on mammal meat such as beef, pork, and lamb, an increase in the number of mafists will decrease the amount of meat consumed in the world. Therefore, the spread of mafism will contribute to the larger vegetarian ideal of a decrease in the number of animals raised and slaughtered for food.

In fact, since a conversion to a mafist diet entails far fewer obstacles than a conversion to a vegetarian diet - no support groups, no recipe swapping, and no meat substitutes are required - mafism has the potential to significantly affect the size of the meat industry in the industrialized world - something which vegetarianism has not been able to do.

Moreover, mafism will allow struggling vegetarians who would otherwise lapse into a conventional Western meat-eating diet to fall back to mafism instead, thus helping them refrain from consuming beef, pork, and lamb - again, contributing to the overall vegetarian ideal of a world in which less meat is consumed, not more.

Initial vegetarian hostility towards mafism may be find its origin in a fear that mafism may poach potential converts to vegetarianism, or that mafism may thin the ranks of vegetarians. Neither scenario is likely. Needless to say, those who are vegetarian have succeeded in controlling their diet through personal values such as dedication and discipline, and the advent of mafism will not change those values.

Those who would aspire to a purely vegetarian diet are uhlikely to be seduced by mafism, since mafism does not meet their requirements. However, mafism will allow aspiring vegetarians to reduce their meat intake and take a major step towards vegetarianism. After practicing mafism for six months, for instance, the switch to vegetarianism is far less drastic and consequently much easier than it would otherwise be.

Both mafism and vegetarianism can and will affect the number of cows, pigs, and sheep slaughtered for food. While mafists and vegetarians do not necessarily agree on a number of issues, a strategic alliance between vegetarians and mafists is to the advantage of both communities. It is hoped that vegetarians will lend their support to the budding mafism community, that an atmosphere of mutual respect will prevail, and that the numbers of mafists as well as vegetarians will grow.