It had long been an enigma to me as a Christian
why my family and my church could be so compassionate toward humans, and yet support
societal norms which visibly contributed to animal suffering. I never heard anything
to indicate that the way we regard our non-human brothers and sisters deserved
a compassionate look. So when I began to study theology, I hoped that I would
find in the scriptures confirmation for my vegetarianism and animal rights activism.
I was not disappointed, and I also found contemporary theologians with supporting
theses. I would like to share with my fellow TVSers some things that may help
you to understand how vegetarianism and compassion to non-human animals is in
fact confirmed, not negated, by themes that thread their way in Judeo-Christian
teaching.
The Old Testament is very specific when it comes to what "God
said" that we should eat. In the first chapter of the Bible, Genesis I, there
is a clear mandate in 1:29: "Behold, I have given you every tree with seed
in its fruit; this you shall have for food." This was God's intent in the
Garden of Eden, but, humans being imperfect, things changed. It would seem that
later, after the flood, God gives permission to Noah and his descendants to eat
flesh: "every moving thing ... shall be food for you. As I gave you green
plants, I now give you everything." How could God say that? But if we read
on, "for the shedding of lifeblood, I will surely require a reckoning"
(Genesis 9:2-5). What seems to be the point is that if we unnecessarily kill an
animal, we will be accountable to our Creator. Of course, we now know that eating
flesh is by no means necessary for human health; in fact, there is much evidence
that it is, in fact, unhealthy to stray from a plant-based diet!
In the New
Testament, Jesus did not give clear directives about diet, but neither did He
give guidance about many other important issues. Since Jesus seemed so often to
speak obliquely, we are challenged to study not so much the specific words, but
the themes often repeated in His teachings. Prominent among these are repentance,
the kingdom of God, loving one's neighbor, and "becoming as servant to the
least".
Undoubtedly, we must repent for centuries of animal abuse. In
the kingdom of God, non-violence to humans and animals will prevail. DNA research
confirms that animals are indeed our neighbors, and who could be the least among
us than those who have no voice (that we can understand)? It also seems significant
that Christ, in His dying, became known as "The Paschal Lamb." Then,
the ritual Jewish meal always contained a dead animal - a Paschal (Passover) lamb.
Isn't it interesting that Jesus gave us bread and wine -- grain and fruit -- to
eat thenceforth in remembrance of Him?
I know that mainstream western religions
seem slow to embrace the non-violent lifestyle which we vegetarians try to live.
But we must be cognizant that the churches move slowly because they take seriously
their important role as the guardians of tradition. As seminaries graduate more
and more scholars researching environmental and animal-related issues, I believe
we will see change. Treating animals compassionately (and this includes not eating
them) certainly seems consistent with the will of God for ALL of His created beings.
From The Gospel of the Holy Twelve, trans. by G.J. Ouseley:
"The fruit
of the trees and the seeds and 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."
"Not by shedding innocent
blood, but by living a righteous life shall ye find the peace of God .... Blessed
are they who keep this law; for God is manifested in all creatures. All creatures
live in God, and God is hid in them..."
{SIDEBAR} Spiritual and Religious
Traditions vis-a-vis Vegetarianism
In future Grapevine issues, we will explore
the relationship of religions like Jainism and Buddhism to vegetarianism. We have
a potluck scheduled this fall with the Jain Study Center of NC. In early March,
we have a potluck with the Kadampa Tibetan Buddhist Center; Dr. Robbie Watkins,
Center Director, offers this introduction:
Kadampa Center is an organization
devoted to the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism as taught in the Gelugpa
tradition. We are part of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana
Tradition, a worldwide organization of over eighty city and retreat centers, monasteries,
publishing houses, hospices, and healing centers. We sponsor a full spiritual
program, including visiting teachers from around the world, biweekly meditation
and discussion sessions, and regular retreats. As in all Buddhist traditions,
we place tremendous emphasis on the development of compassion for all living beings,
and are interested both in making compassion a real force in our lives, and having
our actions be a reflection of this compassion.