Weekly Newsletter - September 7, 2016
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

  1. Activist Feedback
  2. Reflection on Comments by Jonathan Sacks in Not in God’s Name, part 2
  3. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman

1. Activist Feedback

Gracia Fay Ellwood, who tabled at the AR2016 conference in Los Angeles writes:

Our experience tabling at the conference was the best we’ve ever had. We had four people who handed out several boxes of literature and lots of the children’s coloring books, and we sold many bumper stickers and several books.

There seems to be much greater interest in the interface of religion/spirituality with animal issues than previously. I would even all it a thirst for spiritual insight and grounding. A person making a documentary on religion and animal concerns interviewed me, and In Defense of Animals has a Vegan Spirituality umbrella group.

Upcoming Outreach Opportunities

9/16-17/16 PA, Philadelphia Belong Tour 2016
09/18/2016 GA, Atlanta Matthew West
09/18/2016 CT, Stamford Jeremy Camp
09/21/2016 PA, Pittsburgh Stand Up, David Jeremiah (Guest Mercy Me)
09/22/2016 TX, El Paso The Very Next Thing Tour Casting Crowns
09/22/2016 OH, Cleveland Stand Up, David Jeremiah (Guest Mercy Me)
09/23/2016 AZ, Phoenix The Very Next Thing Tour Casting Crowns
09/24/2016 GA, Duluth Third Day
9/23-24-16 CO, Denver Belong Tour 2016 (Loveland, CO)
9/23/2016 GA, Marietta God is On the Move Fall Tour
09/25/2016 GA, Duluth Chris Tomlin
09/29/2016 IL, Chicago Unleashed Tour, Skillet
09/29/2016 MO, St. Louis Love Life 2016 Women’s Conference
09/29/2016 CA, Sacramento The Very Next Thing Tour Casting Crowns
09/30/2016 OR, Portland The Very Next Thing Tour Casting Crowns
09/30/2016 MN, Minneapolis Unleashed Tour, Skillet
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
10/03/2016 OK, Tulsa Mercy Me (Tulsa State Fair)
10/7-8/2016 CA, San Jose Belong Tour 2016
10/8/2016 OH, Cleveland Unleashed Tour, Skillet
10/11/2016 CA, Fresno Mercy Me (Big Fresno Fair)
10/13/2016 LA, Baton Rouge The Very Next Thing Tour Casting Crowns
10/14-15/16 FL, Florida Belong Tour 2016
10/15/2016 CA, San Diego Crowder
10/20/2016 OK, Tulsa The Very Next Thing Tour Casting Crowns
10/21-22/16 MN, St. Paul Belong Tour 2016
10/22/2016 MO, St. Charles The Very Next Thing Tour Casting Crowns
10/26/2016 OH, Cincinnati Crowder
10/27/2016 IN, Indianapolis The Very Next Thing Tour Casting Crowns
10/28/2016 OH, Columbus The Very Next Thing Tour Casting Crowns
11/03/2016 FL, Jacksonville The Very Next Thing Tour Casting Crowns
11/05/2016 NC, Greensboro The Very Next Thing Tour Casting Crowns
11/10/2016 FL, Pensacola The Very Next Thing Tour Casting Crowns
11/12/2016 TX, Corpus Christi Spirit Fest (Mercy Me, Newsboys…)
12/16/2016 TX, Dallas Mercy Me
01/02-04/17 GA, Atlanta Passion 2017

Tabling

10/02/2016 NJ, Morristown New Jersey VegFest
10/08/2016 CA, San Francisco World Vegan Festival
10/22-23/16 OR, Portland Portland VegFest
10/22/2016 FL, Orlando Central Florida VegFest 2016
10/22/2016 TX, Dallas Texas Veggie Fair 2016
10/22/2016 MA, Boston Boston Veg Food Fest
11/12/2016 GA, Atlanta Atlanta Vegfest 2016
11/12/2026 FL, Tampa Tampa Bay Veg Fest 2016
12/03/2016 FL, Fort Lauderdale South Florida Veg Fest
12/11/2016 OR, Portland Portland: Green Festival

2. Reflection on Comments by Jonathan Sacks in Not in God’s Name, part 2

Sacks wrote, “No society has survived for long without either a religion or a substitute for religion.” We need a sense of connection to something larger than ourselves to make our lives feel meaningful and to have a sense that we are part of something that can transcend the death of our bodies. Collectively, people seem to gravitate toward others who share their religious or religious-like beliefs (such as nationalism).

Religions or religious-like beliefs are typically grounded in stories that tell us, directly or indirectly, how to lead our lives. These stories are generally ancient myths that have been interpreted differently over the ages, reflecting changes in values and beliefs. For example, many have claimed that the Bible mandates that men should dominate women. However, many have challenged this interpretation, and many contemporary feminists assert that the Bible provides support for women’s rights.

Similarly, many people have found a humanocentric reading of the Bible attractive, most likely because such an approach seems to endorse humanity’s abuse of nonhumans. Yet, Andrew Linzey and others have shown that animal-friendly interpretations of the Bible are very reasonable. Importantly, our hopes and fears, many of which are unconscious, influence how we interpret religious stories and texts. We can call ourselves “Christian,” for example, but what we believe will reflect how we want the world to be. Consequently, people who regard themselves as faithful Christians differ greatly when it comes to issues of theology and social justice.

Such diversity can be a strength, as long as we can to talk to each other respectfully. By exploring our values, beliefs, and commitments, we can identify when beliefs that “feel right” might result in harm to vulnerable individuals.

Stephen R. Kaufman, MD

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

Heavenly Will and the Law

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