Weekly Newsletter - June 22, 2016
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

  1. Advocating for Animals, part 1
  2. Activist Feedback
  3. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman

1. Advocating for Animals, part 1

Recently, I argued that contemporary animal abuse is perhaps the greatest crime in human history. One need not conclude that it is humanity’s most evil activity to agree that it is a monumental tragedy and disgrace and warrants our vigorous opposition. How can we advocate for nonhumans effectively?

For starters, I think that we must defend the civil rights that make advocacy possible. In particular, we must protect freedom of speech and expression. The forces of evil always try to suppress free speech, because the light of truth is their enemy: “And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” John 3:19). Indeed, all authoritarian regimes repress free speech.

We must fight “ag-gag” laws that criminalize exposing abuse on factory farms. And, we should defend free speech, even if we disagree with the content of that speech or find that speech offensive. Those seeking to curtail our own speech on behalf of nonhumans will always argue that our speech is wrong, offensive, or dangerous.

As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis opined in 1927, "If there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the processes of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence." Next week, I will continue to reflect on the rights that make animal advocacy possible.

Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.

2. Activist Feedback

Jim and Jan Weiland, who tabled at Asheville, NC Veg-Fest, write:

We had a wonderful time working at the table. It was surprising to us that so many people had such an interest in a vegetarian lifestyle from a Christian perspective. We thought that there would be some antagonism from those coming to the event, but found that the people had many questions and desired to know more about the ethical treatment of animals as Christians. Typical questions we received were: Did Jesus eat meat? Why should Christians not eat meat since God said we could and that's why animals are here? Didn't Jesus say that it's not important what goes into the body, but what comes out of the body?

Fortunately, we were well-prepped and prayed-up for the questions. Many of the people we spoke to were very thankful for CVA's representation and all that you are doing. They also seemed to like the Joyful, Compassionate Eating booklet and the lamb on the cover as well as the picture on the t-shirts.

We passed out hundreds of JCE booklets and sold some T-shirts, DVDs, and bumper stickers. The total of sales was $77.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to be a part of the CVA outreach in Asheville, NC.

Upcoming Activist Opportunities

07/3/2016 PA, Philadelphia Tenth Avenue North (with Finding Favour)
07/6/2016 TN, Nashville TobyMac
07/16/2016 DC, Washington Casting Crowns
07/19/2016 FL, Miami Chris Tomlin Worship Night in America
07/23/2016 NY, NYC Chris Tomlin Worship Night in America
08/12/2016 FL, Miami Outcry
08/17/2016 NC, Raleigh Needtobreathe
8/19-20/16 OH, Columbus Belong Tour 2016
08/19/2016 AR, Little Rock Outcry
08/20/2016 CA, San Francisco Matthew West
08/21/2016 TX, Dallas Outcry
08/24/2016 AZ, Phoenix Outcry
08/25/2016 CA, San Diego Outcry
08/25/2016 OH, Columbus Needtobreathe
08/26/2016 OH, Cincinnati Needtobreathe
08/26/2016 AZ, Phoenix Matthew West
08/26/2016 NV, Las Vegas Outcry
08/27/2016 IN, Indianapolis Needtobreathe
08/28/2016 CA, Anaheim TobyMac
09/08/2016 CA, San Jose Needtobreathe
09/10/2016 CA, Los Angeles Needtobreathe
09/11/2016 CA, San Diego Needtobreathe
9/16-17/16 PA, Philadelphia Belong Tour 2016
09/18/2016 GA, Atlanta Matthew West
09/18/2016 CT, Stamford Jeremy Camp
9/23-24-16 CO, Denver Belong Tour 2016 (Loveland, CO)
09/29/2016 MO, St. Louis Love Life 2016 Women’s Conference
09/30/2016 TX, Dallas Belong Tour 2016
09/30/2016 TX, San Antonio Women of Joy
09/30/2016 VA, Roanoke Extraordinary Women Ministries
10/01/2016 TX, Dallas Belong Tour 2016
10/7-8/2016 CA, San Jose Belong Tour 2016
10/14-15/16 FL, Florida Belong Tour 2016
10/21-22/16 MN, St. Paul Belong Tour 2016
12/16/2016 TX, Dallas MercyMe
01/02-04/17 GA, Atlanta Passion 2017

Tabling
09/24/2016 DC, Washington DC VegFest
10/02/2016 NJ, Morristown New Jersey VegFest
10/22-23/16 OR, Portland Portland VegFest
10/22/2016 TX, Dallas Texas Veggie Fair 2016
11/12/2016 GA, Atlanta Atlanta Vegfest 2016

Please contact Lorena at lorenavalenziveg@gmail.com if you can help. Remember, the CVA donates up to $20/hr to the veg. advocacy or animal advocacy group of your choice for your volunteer work.

3. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman

Christian Indifference Part 2

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