Veganism

Many animal rights activists and vegetarians would try to manipulate the masses by using scripture as a means to solidify their position. They attempt to shake the moral foundations of Christians and convince them that eating meat is not only undesirable, but also unethical, and even sinful. A closer look into the scripture will reveal that not only is this position foolhardy, but based on non-truth and therefore not from God.

Before we proceed, let us consider two concepts; rights and responsibilities. A right, in context of animal rights, is "something (not being subordinated to human interests) to which one (an animal) has a just or lawful claim." ^1a A responsibility is defined ^1b as; being liable to be called upon to answer for one's acts or decisions, able to choose for oneself between right and wrong, and also involving the accountability or important duties.

Vegetarianism is simply one aspect of the larger issue of animal rights. As such we need to look at those aspects of animal rights that condemn the eating of meat as well as some purported basis of this ideology. Quoting Tom Regan, "Genesis clearly presents a picture of veganism; that is, not only is the flesh of animals excluded from the menu God provides for us, even animal products -- milk and cheese, for example -- are excluded." ²

³ Genesis 1:29 infers vegetarianism; "And God said, Behold, I have given unto you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." However, ³ Genesis 1:28 (and 1:26) completely undermines the idea that mankind does not have the right to subordinate the animal kingdom, as it deems necessary. "And God blessed them (man), and God said (commanded) unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."

The inference that fruit and herbs were to be for (as) meat does not preclude the use of meat from the creator's plan. God's first commandments to mankind included the direction to control (subdue) and was given supreme authority (dominion) over all earthly creatures. Any man that would suggest otherwise would seem to position himself as a higher authority than God, of which no Christian (or Jew) should subscribe to.

³ Genesis 3:21; "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them." Activists against the use of fur as coats would seem to think God to be less wise than they. Could God not have shown Adam and Eve the way to weave clothing from wool, or cotton?

³ Genesis 4:4 invalidates Regan's second point that no indication of meat eating occurred before Genesis 9; "And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering." The fat offered was unlikely harvested from a sheep that still lived and the edible parts of the sheep were unlikely discarded.

³ Genesis 4:3; "And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord." and ³ Genesis 4:5; "But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect…" it would seem even God has preference to meat over fruit. Abel may have tended sheep solely for clothing (wool), but why would he slay a sheep for it's fat and it not be repugnant to God if this was not the way he intended?

³ Genesis 9:3; "Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things." Even if Regan is correct in his interpretation of no pre-flood eating of meat, God makes it very clear that animals are for eating in this passage. How can he or others put forth a position challenging the wisdom of God?

With Jesus feeding the masses, as told in ³ Mark 6:38-43, with loaves of bread and fish, there seems little hope for vegetarians finding support for a Christian basis in the new covenant having changed God's original intent. That all creatures where placed under mankind's sovereignty and supplied as a source of food.

³ I Timothy 4:3,4; speaking of the end times - "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it is received with thanksgiving." Timothy indicates that there will be those who will put forth and even demand that we not partake of that which God has provided for us. Are we in this "end time" now that veganism is becoming not only popular, but also political?

Animal rights would seem to originate more from the influences of other cultures giving animals a humanistic or even deification status. Modern society's tolerance of other religious influences and media and marketing has intermingled human traits with animals in every entertainment medium. The result is that people seek and find human characteristics in animals that aren't there, and sometimes give animals more empathy than their fellow man.

Many calculations on the impact of growing beef fail to calculate the other by-products (clothing, shoes, etc) that come from the same cattle. Man made products are many times more destructive to the environment and use much more (polluting) energy to create. Whether from a deep rooted conviction (religious or self-deluded), from political positioning, or from pure fanaticism, many fail to look at the complete picture.

Having established that there is a God given right for man to eat meat, and a God given sovereignty over all living creatures, let us view what responsibility this entails. Someone once said; "With great power, comes great responsibility." God gave humanity great power; free will and sovereignty over earthly creatures, and we will be judged (as the definition for responsibility ¹ suggests) on how we use this power.

Remember in Genesis 1:28; "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth…" I would charge that the direction to replenish the earth has as much to do with the resources of our earth as it does with procreation. To use any resource to excess is in direct conflict with the precept to replenish the earth.

All resources, especially animal, should be used wisely, and not to be expended without regard to other species, the impact on the ecosystem, and (future generations) the fruit of our "multiplying." Activists have help bring "wisdom" to many industries, forestry, fishing, game and others where careful control and "replenishing" is nearly common place. For many activists this is not enough. They continue to lobby against these industries to further restrict or eliminate them.

Energies expended by activists might be better directed at creating new products, procedures, and technologies to redress those issues that they feel so strongly against. Christians should consider more closely the back ground, the motivation, and sincerity of those who cite scripture in favor of their cause. In all things look to the Lord, pray and humble thyself to God and open your heart to his wisdom. Be wary of the false prophets who would use scripture to confuse and subjugate your will to do as God has deemed good and just.

These false prophets take many forms. From well-sounding activists, to the unspoken effects of some media on your conscious and those of our children (can the constant bombardment of cartoon animals with human traits - oft acting more humane than real humans make us feel that animals are more innocent or human than we?). Modern society rejects this en-mass as feasible as it would be obvious and we would reject it completely. However, consider this fellow Christians, false prophets are considered prophetic because they are overt and not so obvious, therefore giving them stature and credence.

For those who look truthfully into their hearts and find that God moves you to be a vegetarian, so be it. But veganism without contemplation, prayer, and the inspiration of God is unwise. It is sacrilegious to use scripture to put forth an agenda not inspired by God, and sinful (false prophecy) to use scripture deceptively to convince others of the righteousness of your cause.

Truth can be found in that we are stewards of God's creation. As such we have great responsibility to care for our home (earth), and the creatures in and on it. We may use creatures, but not abuse them. We are not to elevate them above heavenly creatures, God, or ourselves. Animals have no God given rights. God has given us rights, and with them responsibility. And in this duty we will be held accountable.

References

1. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 1974 (a) p603 and (b) p597 G. & C. Merriam Co.

2. http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2326

3. The Holy Bible, Authorized King James Version, The World Publishing Company