Weekly Newsletter from Christian Vegetarian Association CVA - January 31, 2020
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

  1. Activist Feedback
  2. Overcoming Conflicts with Compassion
  3. All-Creatures.Org Ministry

1. Activist Feedback

Rick Hershey writes:

Chip and I handed out 2270 CVA booklets today at Simmons Bank Arena (formerly Verizon Arena) in North Little Rock for Winter Jam.

Thanks.

CVA members: Last week’s e-newsletter had a list of upcoming events, including Winter Jam opportunities. Winter Jam events feature a very receptive crowd, and a lot of activists have enjoyed leafleting at Winter Jam. Please contact Lorena at lorenavalenziveg@gmail.com if you might be able to help.

2. Overcoming Conflicts with Compassion

Recent essays have discussed how rivalries invariably lead to conflicts that undermine communities. Compassion neutralizes rivalries and helps resolve conflicts.

A question we might routinely ask is, “What is the most compassionate choice in this situation?” Put another way, “If I were in their shoes, what would I want?” Obviously, this is a variant of the Golden Rule, which is a central tenet of nearly all religions, including Christianity (Matthew 7:12).

Often, people seek what is best for abstract groups, which are creations of the human mind. Species, nations, and ethnic groups have some grounding in real attributes, but the specific boundaries that define the various classifications are generated by humans. Species, nations, and ethnic groups don’t have feelings or desires – individuals do.

If compassion is our guide, we will attend to the needs of individuals, not abstract groups. And, of course, we should include nonhumans in our circle of compassion. They have feelings and desires just as humans do. The biological definition of species – the ability to produce fertile offspring – generates no moral justification for abusing nonhumans. A human and a gorilla cannot reproduce, but this should not disqualify the gorilla from our circle of compassion. Similarly, the biblical witness denounces mistreatment of nonhumans and emphasizes the importance of nonhumans to God. As people who are guided by the life and teaching of Jesus, we must ask what would the Prince of Peace do? He always showed kindness and compassion toward those who were weak and vulnerable, and so should we.

Stephen R. Kaufman, MD

3. All-Creatures.Org Ministry

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