From "Christian Vegetarianism : A Biblical Approach to Life"
Traditional Christian abstinence from animal flesh is usually associated with its esoteric sects and the search for spiritual growth through physical discipline. The significant rise of vegetarianism in recent years has inevitably come to include a Christian minority within its ranks. Whilst the values themselves may appear to have altered, they stem once again from the very essence of the faith itself.
The spiritual truth; " Do unto others as you would have done unto you " is by no means unique to Christianity. It can be found within the sacred scriptures of every major world religion. At the heart of Christianity, in particular, can be found the qualities of love, mercy, compassion, pity and peace. This will sound ironic in the light of just how badly the spirit of the religion has at times been embodied by its adherents. In itself, vegetarianism is but one small step towards approximating the peaceable kingdom. There exists no ' pure land ' theology, but a need for humility as well as vision. To a growing number of Christians, however, there exists no means of reconciling the institutionalised violence of the meat industry, and its inherent disrespect for life, with divine will. Far from being a substitute religion or a modern day heresy, vegetarianism is increasingly advocated on Biblical grounds. To many, it is not merely an objection to the conduct of the world, but a physical statement of faith.
The Old Testament
The early Hebrews who penned Genesis were not vegetarian, although they accepted this as being God's original aspiration for mankind:
" God said, ' Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food '. "
( Genesis 1:29 )
Attempts to Biblically accommodate the wanton slaying of animals for food, usually stem from Genesis 9: 2-3:
" And the fear of you and the terror of you shall be on every beast of the earth and on every bird of the sky; with everything that creeps on the ground, and all the fish of the sea, into your hand they are given.Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant."
It should be remembered that the above state of affairs were brought about by man's disobedience and are at odds with God's original plan. The lines also relate to the time immediately after the flood. Although largely interpreted as a divine blessing to eat animals, the verses more accurately convey a remorseful concession to survival eventualities in a frequently harsh, fallen environment. It has also been suggested that God's expectations of human conduct, as a whole, have never really been high. God's original scheme was repeatedly referred to as 'very good', words never attributed to later conditions that included killing. There is no indication in these lines, however that animal life should be held cheap. It could only be used with the greatest reserve, as the conditions which immediately follow make clear;
"Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood".
(Genesis 9:4 )
The relevance of this verse is primitive and direct. Whilst some carnivorous animals devour still-struggling prey, man had to be sure that anything he ate was dead. It is ironic that a measure intended to reduce suffering should have led to the drawn out practice of 'Ritual Slaughter' which exists to this day. The time and effort required of the 'Koshering' process should originally have instilled reflection within those who had to perform it. As with God's failed attempt at weaning his people off meat and violence in the desert ( Numbers 11: 4-34 ), the wretched task of attempting to separate blood from animal flesh should have discouraged its use. Blood however, remains in the capillaries at the end of the ritual. The only way of literally adhering to the above instruction is to avoid eating the flesh of dead animals altogether. The Book of Deuteronomy similarly records a time in the history of the Jewish people, when animals were killed in order to satisfy negative cravings. Again, a concession to human weakness was only made through the added inconvenience of ritual slaughter ( Deut; 12: 20-23 ).
The injunction of Genesis 9:5 is more critical. Not only will the carnivorous animal have to account for those it kills, but eating meat also hastens death;
"And surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man's brother I will require the life of man."
Reuben Alcalay's complete Hebrew-English Dictionary provides a startling literal translation of the above verse:
"And your life will I seek, at the hand of every creature you slay."
As in so many areas of life, spiritual law cannot be broken. Man merely rebels against it and sooner or later it breaks him. We have a physical choice as to whether or not we spill blood to acquire food. What we do not have is a Biblical warrant to claim that unnecessary killing is God's will.
God's will is life:
"I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life, that you and your children may live."
( Deuteronomy 30:19 )
Proverbs 6: 16-17 is significant in clearly listing 'Hands that shed innocent blood' as an 'abomination' to the author of life. It is therefore only natural that vegetarian foods should be dealt with favourably throughout the Old Testament:
"For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks, of water, of fountains and depths, springing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates; a land of olive-trees and honey; a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness; thou shalt not lack anything in it...And thou shalt eat and be satisfied, and bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee."
( Deuteronomy 8: 7-10 )
It is clear that far from being contradictory, the Old Testament narratives on killing for food have internal integrity and contemporary relevance. The weight of scientific evidence suggests that the vegetarian diet is the most naturally suited to human beings. God's laws are not arranged so as to be contrary to health, humanity or well being. In order to avoid eating animal flesh raw, as would genuine carnivores, a thousand culinary disguises are deployed. The resultant reduction in the human lifespan from an entire range of health disorders, is estimated as high as 25àThe Book of Daniel ( 1: 3-21 ) recorded similar findings around 600 B.C.
Any secular vegetarian leaflet will promote the rarely disputed potential of the lifestyle for reducing world hunger. In essence, it takes 10 kilos of plant protein fed to an animal, to acquire 1 kilo of its flesh. In 1974, Lester Brown of the U.S. Overseas Development Council estimated that if Americans alone were to reduce their meat consumption by just 1On one year, it would free at least 12 million tonnes of grain for human consumption, or enough to feed 60 million people. The demand of wealthy countries for meat generates poverty and instability overseas, which often perpetuates war. It is perhaps for this reason, that religious articles which question vegetarianism on spiritual grounds, usually make concessions for its compelling logic. Vegetarianism will not banish the world's ills. It is however in keeping with the highest aspirations of the prophets, that humanity should bear witness to an order of life, struggling to be born within us;
"In that day I will also make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field,
The birds of the sky
And the creeping things of the ground.
And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land.
And I will make then lie down in safety."
( Hosea 2:18 )
In Psalm 145:9 the Biblical message that God's love embraces all his creatures is revealed. The Prophet Jeremiah envisaged a time when the Lord would inscribe his will on the human heart in order to encourage compliance with divine law. The time has never been nearer...
"How full of death is the life of momentary man."
Francis Quarles, 1592-1644
"Humanity cannot be benefited by ought that is, by its very nature, subversive to humanity."
Anna Kingsford, 1846-1888
"Thou shalt not kill" does not apply to murder of one's own kind only, but to all living beings, and this commandment was inscribed in the human breast long before it was proclaimed from Sinai."
Leo Tolstoy, 1828-1910
The New Testament
The traditional image of the Nativity, inspired by one of the four canonical Gospels, heralds a promised age of reconciliation with the animal kingdom. Although it has often been argued that concern for animals is nowhere to be found in the New Testament, Christ's parables usually encourage regard for them, as a means of illustrating his wider teachings ( Matthew 12:11 ) ( Luke 13:15, 13:34, 15:4 ), ( John 10:11 ). In Matthew 12:7, Jesus reminds his contemporaries of God's disapproval of animal sacrifice by quoting Hosea;
"But if you had known what this means,
'I DESIRE COMPASSION AND NOT A SACRIFICE,'
you would not have condemned the innocent."
The profanity that the continuing sacrificial system would have represented to Jesus has traditionally been underestimated by theologians. God's condemnation of animal sacrifice had reached its most vehement by the time of Isaiah 1: 11-16. Five hundred years after it had been condemned by the last of the prophets, animals were still being dragged in a frenzy to be murdered in God's name. It is unlikely that the only aggressive confrontation of Christ's ministry ( Mark 11: 15-18 ), should have stemmed purely from a sense of outrage at sacrilege or mercenary profit. If Jesus disapproved of these things he would have ached for the suffering that they inflicted.
Largely through its saints, Christianity has accumulated a wealth of positive insight about animals. It is therefore disconcerting that its more negative ideas and influences should continue to hold such prominence. Many Christians seemingly oppose, as a matter of principle, any exploration of the relevance of Christianity beyond familiar boundaries. Objections to humanitarian attempts at aligning vegetarianism with contemporary Christianity are usually very specific. The following three examples, from largely excellent works, would best serve to encapsulate widespread thinking;
"Jesus himself declares that we are worth more than the animals ( Matthew 10: 29-31 ). In everyday life, this means that while unnecessary killing is deplorable, it is not sinful to sacrifice that which is lower on the creation hierarchy of life for that which is higher."
"How to rescue the earth without worshipping nature"
Tony Campolo
The traditional Christian concept of human superiority within creation is supported, rather than weakened, by extending ethical consideration to animals, all of whom die unnecessarily in abattoirs. It does not follow that being 'worth more than animals' should give us any right to exploit them. Animals have a role to play in creation and redemption ( Romans 8:21 ), ( Colossians 1:20) of which we are largely unaware. Creation ultimately exists for it's Creator ( Colossians 1:16 ).
"For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the Same. As one dies, so dies the other: indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity."
( Ecclesiastes 3:19 )
"As a faithful Jew, Jesus ate meat at least on every Passover. Moreover, he had no scruples against catching and eating fish, for on two occasions he caused his disciples to catch a large netful. He caused a few fish to multiply miraculously so as to feed thousands of men, women and children ( Mark 8: 18-20 )."
"Should those who worship God be vegetarians?"
'Awake' June 8, 1976
There are no recorded instances in the Gospels of Jesus having eaten red meat. John's Gospel states that the Last Supper was on the night before the Passover whilst the other three accounts state that it actually was the Passover. If this were the case then the Paschal Lamb is conspicuous by its absence. From what we learn of Jesus from the New Testament it appears he was not an orthodox Jew. In the Eucharist his followers have been given a rite to replace the Passover ritual. There are several occasions in the New Testament where the word 'meat' is translated from five original Greek words; Broma, brosimos, prosphagion, trope and phago. In none of these instances can animal flesh be specifically concurred. The original words refer to general sustenance. Although one wonders where the significance would exist if Jesus had historically eaten meat on occasion. Would he have offended humble households who were offering all they had, or given them a lecture on vegetarianism? Compassion is progressive and Jesus' contemporaries were astonished enough by instructions such as 'Love one another'.
The miracles involving fish are the most frequent and obvious source of objection to vegetarianism on Christian grounds. The supernatural character of the events however and the compassionate instinct which inspired them are less fully contemplated. Jesus' intention was to ameliorate suffering -not magnify it- as is the case with conventional fishing practices. It is hardly conceivable that he would have allowed untold numbers of fish to thrash and gasp their lives away under their own weight, or be viciously bludgeoned to death. That is the reality of almost all fishing scenarios, which cannot be condoned by a limited understanding of Biblical events. The bulk population at this time had little choice in the matter and would have been unable to survive without a diet that included fish. It is also significant that the two occasions on which Jesus is recorded as having eaten fish, both occurred as he was attempting to prove his physical resurrection.
"In the famous story of the Prodigal Son a celebration was held on his return. The importance of the occasion called for a specially fattened calf. As the narrative develops, it is apparent that there is no catering for vegetarian tendencies amongst the hastily gathered guests. The omission cannot be explained as a glitch in Jesus' teaching for in another graphic story the same situation occurs ( Matthew 22:4 ).
"Animal Rights & Wrongs - a Biblical perspective"
Tony Sargent
Significantly, the same publication commends the work of Wilberforce and the anti-slavery movement of the early nineteenth century. The slave trade itself was in many respects founded on scripture ( Titus 2:9 ). Indeed, some of Wilberforce's most implacable critics were "Christians", armed with the least noble passages from the New Testament they could find. The Gospel records no disapproval of human slavery on the part of Christ, on any of the occasions where he alludes to it ( Matthew 18; 23- 35 ), ( John 15:15 ), ( Mark 12: 1-11 ), ( Matthew 24: 45-46 ). Yet a large number of Christian reformers helped to legislate against it, inspired perhaps by verses more clearly aligned with divine will;
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."
( Matthew 5:7 )
When Christ's parables mentioned slaves, or meat dishes, he was using incidental terminology which his audience could relate to. Throughout its history, too rigid an adherence to the letter of the Bible has perverted its wider spirit. The fact that the earliest New Testament Gospel was written nearly a hundred years after the events it describes, might lend partial explanation to apparent anomalies in Christ's teaching. The early Church Father Athanasius commented; "Were we to understand sacred writ according to the letter, we should fall into the most enormous blasphemies as by ascribing cruelty and falsehood to the Deity."
A theological change of heart is needed, as much now as it was in Wilberforce's day.
The later writings of St. Paul are sometimes used to dismiss the Christian diet as being morally insignificant. Yet Paul was engaged in a massive campaign of evangelism whereby fewer regimens meant larger numbers of converts, although he does at one point lend serious reflection to vegetarianism ( Corinthians 8:13 ). In the final years of the twentieth century however, Christianity finds itself placed within a very different religious context. Whilst its adherents would often claim to practice and evangelise the noblest of faiths, its holy days are celebrated with the wholesale destruction of noble animal life. It is estimated that half a billion of God's creatures are butchered on the day that we celebrate the birth of the prince of peace.
The Gospel records Jesus' teaching from the age in which it was received. Although there often exists an implicit assumption that the demands of contemporary Christianity can be met purely through the imitation of the Jesus of first century Palestine. Christ was no static figure and never claimed to be perfect ( Luke 18:19 ). There is an entire range of pressing moral issues, which he simply does not legislate upon in the Bible. At the end of John's Gospel, the writer concedes that the New Testament can contain only a fraction of Christ's teachings ( John 21:25 ). It is obviously impossible for one book to contain the whole truth of God.
Apocryphal Gospels
In recent years the emergence of early scriptures relating to the ethical treatment of animals have gained increased publicity within vegetarian publications. The evidence in question may be ancient teachings of Christ which have survived Biblical editing. They might just as easily be wish fulfillment on the part of vegetarians. In an area where so little is actually known, it is certainly unwise to be dogmatic. It is an historical fact that the New Testament was modified by the Council of Nicea in A.D.325, to make it accessible to the Emperor Constantine, in an attempt to end Christian persecution. Between the "Correctors" appointed by the Ecclesiastical authorities and the Bibles many translations, it is impossible to ascertain the extent to which spiritual truths were lost. Most of the writings of vegetarian Christian sects were destroyed during the persecutions of 'heretics' by the Church, although ancient fragments of manuscript still survive, The following piece of Aramaic scripture, stored in the vatican library, has been quoted in several vegetarian publications;
"Jesus answered; and the flesh of slain beasts in his body will become his own tomb, for I tell you truly, he who kills, kills himself, and whoso eats the flesh of slain beasts eats the body of death."
It is from the mystical Essene "Gospel of the Holy Twelve" that most of the vegetarian teachings attributed to Jesus originate;
"...for they, making a God of their belly, sacrificed unto their God, the innocent creatures of the earth, in place of the carnal nature within themselves."
And;
"For the fruits of the trees and the seeds of the herbs alone do I partake, and these are changed by the spirit into my flesh and blood. Of these alone and their like shall ye eat who believe in me and are my disciples, for of these, in the spirit, come life and health and healing unto man."
There exists no means of verifying or denying the historical authenticity of scriptures which have emerged from apocryphal texts. Their large quantity, and the fact that only good would result if they were put into practice however, does add to their credibility, If 'By their fruits shall ye know them', then there may have been a few more orchards than abattoirs, had such passages been promoted and adhered to over the ages.
At the very least, the Bible reveals a pattern of ascent from the fall, where every manner of creature was consumed to facilitate man's survival, By the time of Moses, certain species were regarded as either 'clean' or 'unclean', under laws which took account of the hardness of men's hearts, In the New Testament, Jesus and his disciples are depicted as having partaken fish. Two thousand years later, is it not time for mankind's spiritual evolution to take its next logical step? Instead, Sabbath rest laws upheld by Jews have been ignored in Christian countries which have allowed factory farming atrocities to flourish. The most superficial of investigations into these practices will produce a catalogue of horror, which most Church leaders and the majority of Christians would deplore. Yet ethics require action in order to function. A principle objection to the vast routine removal of piglets' teeth with a pliers means little, if it is not reflected in the shopping basket. Through cultivating humane instinct we help to fulfil, rather than destroy the law;
"The wolf will dwell with the lamb,
And the leopard will lie down with the kid,
And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
And a little child shall lead them.
Also the cow and the bear will grazw;
Their young will lie together;
And the lion will eat straw like the ox.
They will not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain. "
( Isaiah 11: 6-9 )
Some Christians postpone till the end of time any cooperation with the Holy Spirit, in actualising the peaceable kingdom on earth. This suggests that the ethical demands of Christianity have no urgency or little value. No effort, however small, is lost within the divine plan. Christian sympathies should lie naturally with the 'crucified' and a choice for the kingdom of God must be a choice for love and not slaughter. In Matthew 16:3 Jesus asked his contemporaries; "Can ye not discern the signs of the times?". Properly discerned, these signs can tell us where the spirit of God is leading. As stewards of God's animals the challenge facing mankind is to become a blessing rather than a curse on creation, to bring healing rather than injury.
"He has told you, O man what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?"
( micah 6:8 )
Sources
"Animal Theology" - Andrew Linzey SCM Press ltd., 26-30 Tottenham Road, London N1 4BZ, UK
"Christianity and the rights of animals" - Andrew Linzey SPCK, Holy Trinity Church, Marylebone Road, London NWI 4DU, UK
"Reason, Religion and the Animals" - Rev. Basil Wrighton Catholic Study Circle for Animal Welfare, 39 Onslow Gardens, South Woodford, London E18 1ND, UK
"The slaughter of terrified beasts" - J.R. Hyland Viatoris ministries, Sarasota, Florida 34277, U.S.A.
"On behalf of the creatures"- J. Todd Ferrier The Order of the Cross, 10 De Vere Gardens, Kensington, London W8 5AE, UK
"These we have not loved" - Rev. V.A. Holmes-Gore The Order of the Cross.
"Cast out of the Ark" - Rev. James Thompson Christians Against All Animal Abuse, 'Peace Haven', Fron Park Road, Holywell, Clwyd CH8 7UY, UK
"Replenish the Earth" - Lewis G. Regenstein SCM Press ltd.
"Food for the Spirit - vegetarianism and the world religions" Steven Rosen Bala Books Inc., 74 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, N.Y. 11568, U.S.A.
"A Vegetarian Sourcebook" - Keith Akers
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot hear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth..."
( John 16: 12-13 )
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November 2007 
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