Christian Vegetarians?
Followers of the trend have what they believe to be Scripturally-based reasons for the path they’re pursuing, and it is interesting to see these reasons explained.
I realized that a growing number of Americans refrain from eating meat for various reasons, myself included. But I wasn’t aware until recently, when looking for some seasonal recipes on the Internet, that there’s in fact a vital Christian movement promoting vegetarian living.
It seems a very organized and dynamic movement; I eventually found myself shifting my search so that I might better understand the underpinnings of this trend.
Followers of the trend have what they believe to be Scripturally-based reasons for the path they’re pursuing, and it is interesting to see these reasons explained.
There is even a Christian Vegetarian Association; their “Frequently Asked Questions” section covers everything from Christian stewardship to personal health, from compassionate animal farming to world hunger.
There are forums for Christian vegetarians such as the one featured on MySpace and beliefnet; also, there is a formidable body of literature devoted to the concept of meatless Christian living. I even came across the story of a vegetarian pastor in North Carolina, a man who encouraged the healthcare professionals in his congregation to start a nutrition ministry for the church and the surrounding community. This program offers, among other things, vegetarian meat substitutes, and it is a model that’s caught the attention of other area churches as well.
What do you think of this whole thing? On a crass, vehhhhhhhhry earthly level, I can tell you that after three weeks of having taken in no animal fat, I found it very hard to keep my trousers up and eventually had to go buy new ones that fit the new me.
But the larger question of whether there might be something lasting to be striven for, cultivated, and cherished within the context of faith, rather than merely a few pounds to be lost…a very powerful notion, indeed.
* * * * * *