Christian Vegetarian Association Blog - Awareness About Who We Eat


	CVA BLOG

Awareness About Who We Eat
May 27, 2013

Welcome to the weekly CVA blog! In it you will find famous quotes, news and commentaries.

Awareness about Our Food Choices

Famous Quote: Alexander von Humboldt (1769 – 1859), Prussian geographer, naturalist and explorer

Eating Meat Does Not Necessarily Mean Eating Animals

Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 10:25

Protecting Some, Eating Others

Wayne Pacelle Discusses Ag-Gag Bills at Ellen Show video

1. Awareness about Our Food Choices

The average person in our country has very little, or not idea, of what it takes to produce his or her food. The ignorance on this subject has allowed the proliferation of factory farms and slaughterhouses, which only bring misery, disease and harm to humans, animals and the environment. It’s imperative everyone becomes aware of what and who they are eating in order to be able to make mindful decisions, which should lead to the transitioning to a plant-based diet.

Please visit Removing the veil: Awareness necessitates a vegetarian diet:
http://dailyuw.com/archive/2013/05/05/opinion/removing-veil-awareness-necessitates-vegetarian-diet#.UYecS4J8M7A

Awakening to the reality of who we are eating and how these beings are treated is essential if we want to align our food choices with our values and beliefs. Living in alignment with what helps God’s Creation to become a joyful and harmonious place invariably prompts us to lift up the veil and make connections; and thus, we become agents of healing and restoration. Although this journey is heartbreaking and challenging at times, it is also fulfilling and beautiful, centered around mindfulness, soulfulness and heartfulness.

2. This Week’s Famous Quote

Cruelty to animals is one of the most significant vices of a low and ignoble people. Wherever one notices them, they constitute a sure sign of ignorance and brutality which cannot be painted over even by all the evidence of wealth and luxury. Cruelty to animals cannot exist together with true education and true learning.

~ Alexander von Humboldt (1769 – 1859), Prussian geographer, naturalist and explorer.

3. Eating Meat Does Not Necessarily Mean Eating Animals

Ethan Brown, CEO of "Beyond Meat" believes that by the end of this century people will no longer eat meat from animals, but instead "veggie" meats made from plant protein. "Beyond Meat" currently makes plant-based chicken meat sold at Whole Foods and other select stores.

Please visit Beyond Meat CEO: One day eating meat will have no connection to animals:
http://gigaom.com/2013/05/07/beyond-meat-ceo-one-day-eating-meat-will-have-no-connection-to-animals/

In this day and age, especially in developed countries like the U.S., the availability of plant-based products like meats, cheeses, eggs and milks makes it easier than ever for people to adopt a compassionate, healthy, plant-based diet. Although, of course, these products are certainly not needed in a well-balanced plant-based diet since legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits can provide pretty much all the nutrients needed by a human body, the amazing advances in food science and technology are clearly showing that people --even those who like the taste of meat-- don't need to eat God's animals. Consuming the flesh and secretions of God's animals goes against Christ's teachings of compassion, mercy and love because causing unnecessary suffering to any creature is simply not compassionate or loving.

4. This Week’s Bible Verse

(RSV) 1 Corinthians 10:25

Eat whatever is sold in the meat market.

Paul wrote, “Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience” (1 Corinthians 10:25). We believe that this passage warns people against rejecting God’s gifts. However, Christian vegetarians celebrate good food. We do not object to meat because it is from God but because man-made factory farming is so harmful.

5. Protecting Some, Eating Others

Taco Fusion is a Mexican restaurant known to serve exotic meats like ostrich, camel, and bison in its tacos. On May 2 they added lion meat to its menu of "Safari Tacos" even though lions are considered an endangered species. It’s important to note that it is legal to sell and eat lion meat in the U.S. Since offering lion meat, the owner and employees have received threats.

Please visit Fla. Mexican Restaurant, Employees Face Threat Over Lion Meat Tacos:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/fla-restaurant-taco-fusion-scrutiny-offering-lion-meat/story?id=19158871

This is a clear example where profit and business clearly trump ethics and compassion. God’s animals are ambassadors of the natural world and when we exploit them we are breaking the human-animal bond with tremendous consequences. The fact that something is legal doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for our spiritual path.

Complaining about the selling or eating of lion meat, or finding it offensive, but supporting the selling and eating of other animals shows how powerful cultural values and beliefs are. It’s essential to unlearn those beliefs in order to be able to embrace all creatures with ethical consistency erasing those speciesist boundaries that prevent us from blossoming emotionally, spiritually, culturally and socially.

6. Wayne Pacelle Discusses Ag-Gag Bills at Ellen Show video

Wayne Pacelle, President of the Humane Society of the United States, was a guest at the Ellen Show to talk about what “Ag-gag” bills are and why it is so important everyone opposes such type of legislation.

Please visit Wayne Pacelle Discusses Ag-Gag Bills at Ellen Show :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsNZNbZdRl8

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