On more than one occasion, I have heard it said that if Jesus was alive today (ie, still walking as a mortal man among us), he would be a vegan. I suspect this opinion is directly related to the modern day concept of factory farming and all of the abuses it entails. We are told that Jesus would be deeply saddened and even offended at how we treat animals today and therefore in protest or perhaps solidarity, he would abstain from all forms of animal exploitation -- including for food, clothing, entertainment and experimentation. ----------------------------------------- Whats the Real Issue Here? ----------------------------------------- But is the mistreatment of animals our primary concern as vegans? Is it okay to kill them for food and clothing as long as we provide them with a quality of life before we humanely slaughter them? I can only speak for myself when I say rather bluntly that I do not care what anyone did or did not eat in the Bible. My view of ethical veganism is not established upon what a fallen world has chosen to consume when, according to the Scriptures, Gods original intent was for humans to be herbivorous. But what about Genesis chapter 9, you say? What about it? Am I to find solace or acceptance in a directive that included animals living in fear and dread of humans? ----------------------------------------- Three Undeniable Facts ----------------------------------------- I am an ethical vegan because animals are sentient (capable of experiencing pain and pleasure), because they want to live and enjoy their lives just like we do, and because we have no dietary or biological need to consume their flesh or their body secretions. Whether or not Noah, the Lord Jesus or the Apostle Paul encouraged, instructed, tolerated or participated in the killing of animals for food does nothing to change these three facts. Animals feels pain. Animals want to live and enjoy their lives. You and I do not need any animals products in order to live a happy and healthy life. ----------------------------------------- Are You Stuck in the Middle? ----------------------------------------- In the Bible we are told that Eden was vegan and Eternity will be as well. If you believe this to be true, I implore you to either go back to the Garden or take a step towards the future. Either way, the end result is the same. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4) I cannot for a moment embrace tolerance and acceptance of animal abuse and exploitation just because we currently find ourselves stuck in the middle between paradise lost and a promised new heaven and earth. ----------------------------------------- The Kingdom is Within You ----------------------------------------- If believers are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, then they can do nothing less than teach others kingdom principles today. Did not Jesus himself teach his disciples to pray, Your kingdom come. Your will be done. As in heaven, so on earth? From a scriptural viewpoint, veganism was our past and will be our future for eternity. Why live your life stuck in the middle? Change your way of thinking (repent) for the kingdom (peaceful co-existence / non-violence / veganism) is within you. ~ Dave Rogers
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 02:50:04 +0000
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