Swedish,
original surname Svendberg. Swedish scientist and theologian whose mystical ideas
became the basis of a religious movement.
Swedenborgianism or Swedenborgism,
the system of philosophical and religious doctrines of Emanual Swedenborg, emphasising
the spiritual structure of the universe, the possibility of direct contact with
spirits, and the divinity of Christ. This provided the basis for the New Jerusalem
Church (or New Church) founded by Swedenborg's followers.
Eating the flesh
of animals, considered in itself, is somewhat profane; for in the most ancient
times they never ate the flesh of any beast or bird, but only grain . . .especially
bread made of wheat . . . the fruits of trees, vegetables, milks and such things
as are made from them, as butter, etc. To kill animals and eat their flesh was
to them unlawful, being regarded as something bestial. They only took from them
uses and services, as is evident from Genesis 1, 29-30. But in the course of tiume,
when mankind became cruel like wild beasts, yea more cruel, then first they began
to kill animals and eat their flesh. And because man had acquired such a nature,
the killing and eating of animals was permitted and is permitted at the present
day. - Heavenly Arcana
A relation to man in each and all things of the animal
kingdom is plain from these considerations; Animals of every kind have limbs by
which they move, organs by which they feel, and viscera by which these are put
in motion. These they have in common with man. They have also appetites and affections
similar to those natural to man. At birth they jave knowledge, corresponding to
their affections, in some of which appears something like the spritual. This is
more or less plain to the eye in the case of beasts, birds, bees, silkworm, ants,
etc. From these facts it is that altogether natural men assert that living creatures
of this kingdom are like them, apart from speech.
- Angelic Wisdom Concerning
The Divine Love and The Divine Wisdom (short title: Divine Love and Wisdom), trans.
from Latin by H.Goyder Smith from the author's original edition published Amsterdam
1763. Swedenborg Society 1937
Note: the later influence of Swedenborgianism
on vegetarianism can be seen in the Bible Christian Church founded in 1809