Christian vegetarianism
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Christian vegetarianism is based on extending the compassionate teachings of Jesus, the twelve apostles and the early church to all living beings through vegetarianism or veganism. Alternatively, Christians may be vegetarian for nutritional, ethical, environmental or other spiritual reasons.
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[edit] Churches
The Seventh-day Adventists present a health message that recommends vegetarianism and expects abstinence from pork, shellfish and other foods proscribed as "unclean" in Leviticus.
The Word of Wisdom is a dietary law given to adherents of the Latter Day Saint movement (also known as Mormonism) which says that meat and fowl "are to be used sparingly; And ... that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine." Not given as advice, this commandment is reiterated in the same section, "And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger." [1] (see also animals in the LDS Church).
All Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic monastics abstain from meat year-round, and many abstain from dairy and seafood as well. Laity generally abstain from animal products on Wednesdays (due to a traditional belief that it was a Wednesday on which Judas arranged to betray Jesus Christ) and Fridays (because Jesus was crucified on a Friday), as well as during the four major fasting periods of the year: Great Lent, the Apostles' Fast, the Dormition Fast and the Nativity Fast. This is not for environmental or animal welfare reasons, but for spiritual reasons. Fasting is seen as purification and the regaining of innocence. Through obedience to the Orthodox Church and its ascetic practices, the Orthodox Christian seeks to rid himself or herself of the passions, or the disposition to sin.
Roman Catholic monastic orders such as the Carthusians and Cistercians also follow a strict vegetarian diet, and Catholic laity are encouraged to abstain from meat on Fridays and through the Lenten season leading up to Easter.
Some Charismatics believe raw veganism was the original diet of humankind in the form of Adam and Eve, and if they are ever to return to an Eden-like paradise then they will have to return to a similar diet (see Hallelujah diet). A "diet of Paradise" doctrine also appears in Orthodox Christianity [1].
Some members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) practice vegetarianism or veganism as a reflection of the Peace Testimony, extending non-violence towards animals1. Historically, the early vegetarian movement had many Quaker promoters.
In some Christian communities partial fasting, for example during Lent, resembles vegetarianism since meat and dairy products are forbidden for a temporary period. For some groups, seafood is permitted during these periods of fasting. A basic difference to other forms of vegetarianism is that Lent has spiritual connotation, not environmental or animal welfare reasons. Also, abstaining from meat and dairy products during Lent is intended to be temporary, lasting only until the season is over, not a permanent way of life.
[edit] Individuals
- See also: Category:Christian vegetarians
- There have been various notable ascetics, such as Saint David, who have adopted a vegetarian diet for spiritual reasons.
- Keith Akers claims that the movement away from simple living and vegetarianism began with Paul the Apostle, and that Christians should look at returning to pre-"Pauline Christianity".
- Christian anarchists, such as Leo Tolstoy and Ammon Hennacy, believe that the Christian principles of compassion and nonviolence require a vegetarian diet, whether Jewish Christians were historically vegetarians or not.
- Nathan Braun states that the Christian mandate to feed the hungry can only be truly fulfilled on a world-wide scale by our evolution to a vegetarian diet. He, along with many other environmental vegetarians, believe that a carnivorous diet consumes and destroys too large a proportion of the world's food resources.
- Andrew Linzey is an Anglican priest, a theologian and a writer. He is internationally known for his views on Christianity and animals.
- Benjamin Urrutia writes articles, book and film reviews from the viewpoint of Christian vegetarianism.
[edit] The Bible
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The Bible comments on diet:
On the morrow, as they went on their journey and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour. And he became very hungry and would have eaten; but while they were making ready he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened and a certain vessel descending unto him as though it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners and let down to the earth, wherein were all kinds of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts and creeping things and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." But Peter said, "Not so, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." And the voice spoke unto him again the second time, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." This was done thrice, and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
—Acts of the Apostles 10:9-16
It is likely that this passage refers to Peter's having observed a kosher diet all his life, not to his having been a vegetarian. This vision prepares Peter for welcoming gentiles--who eat meat considered unclean under Jewish dietary laws--into the Christian movement. The question of whether gentile converts to Christianity needed to adopt a kosher diet was one of the most serious issues of the early Church. The Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) finally decided not to require gentile Christians to undergo circumcision or to keep kosher.
A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
—Proverbs 12:10
This verse implies that a godly, or righteous man, one who wishes to serve God well, would care about the needs of the animals that he owns. In modern western lifestyles, animal ownership and management is not usually in the hands of the person eating the meat. Therefore Christians often do not realise their accountability towards these animals, since they are so far removed from them.
Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.
—Proverbs 15:17
This passage can be taken in two ways. It can refer to the idea that it is better to eat together in love and harmony with a low quality meal, than to have an elegant, sophisticated meal without the joy of fellowship and love amongst the people eating the meal. It can also be taken to imply that it is better to eat vegetables, and show love to the world, than eat meat, and in doing so show show hate towards animals.
[edit] Organizations
[edit] Footnotes
[edit] References
- The Lost Religion of Jesus (2000) by Keith Akers, Lantern Books. ISBN 1-930051-26-3, Historical overview of Christian vegetarianism
- Good News for All Creation (2002) by Stephen R. Kaufman and Nathan Braun, Vegetarian Advocates Press. ISBN 0-9716676-0-8, Overview of contemporary Christian vegetarianism
- Good Eating (2001) by Stephen H. Webb, Brazos Press. ISBN 1-58743-015-0, A sound and informative view on Biblical and Christian vegetarianism, from Genesis to modern day saints.
- The Bloodless Revolution (2007 ) by Tristram Stuart. ISBN 13: 978-0-393-05220-6, A Cultural History of Vegetarianism from 1600 to Modern Times (Quaker reference)
[edit] See also
- Asceticism
- Christian pacifism
- Eastern Orthodox Fasting
- Fruitarianism
- Gospel of the Ebionites
- Postmodern Christianity
- Simple living
- The Celestine Prophecy
- Vegetarianism and religion
- Islam and animals
[edit] External links
- Christian Vegetarian Association UK
- Catholic Vegetarians
- Episcopalian Vegetarian
- vegetarian John Wesley and Methodist Veg.
- Adventists give vegan international relief
- Hallelujan Acres
- Christian Religion and Vegetarian Resources
- Was Jesus a vegetarian? - article by Keith Akers
- Biblical Opposition to Flesh Eating
- An extensive website about vegetarianism from the Christian perspective, run by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
- ChristianityToday.com Books and Culture "Revenge of the Ebionites" book review by Stephen H. Webb
- Animal Rights and its role in religion
- Review by Urrutia of Good News for all Creation: Vegetarianism as Christian Stewardship by Stephen R. Kaufman and Nathan Braun
- Christianity and Vegetarianism: Some Thoughts, compiled by David Ogilvie
- Christianity and Animals by Andrew Linzey
- Christianity and Animals: An Interview with Andrew Linzey (1996)
- Christianity and Vegetarianism PowerPoint presentation, by God's Creatures Ministry
- Christianity and Vegetarianism - Pursuing the non-violence of Jesus, Fr. John Dear S.J
- Salvation Army's founders vegetarian
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