There is a lot of misunderstandings of the writings in the bible. The last time I was at church, the pastor said that God gave man dominion over all things and because of that man has the right to kill and eat animals.
Dominion should mean we have to protect them, care for them, not kill them.
For many Christians it is a declaration of war on nature.

One of the best quotes in support of vegetarianism in the bible is
Ezekiel 47:12
" Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing."

I have remembered that Paul's letter to the Roman congregation has a whole chapter about those who were judging others who were not eating meat.

All of chapter 14 deals with the above, and while it does say in verse 2 that a person who eats vegetables is weak, it meant it in a spiritual sense, since the main point was concerning the recent change in doctrine about eating food that were considered 'unclean'.

I hope things have improved for you...

jalan

RawPracticalist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> One of the best quotes in support of vegetarianism
> in the bible is
> Ezekiel 47:12
> " Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks
> of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor
> will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear
> fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows
> to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their
> leaves for healing."


That's nice! I'm not a religious person but I appreciate it as part of the tradition, and it contains a lot of wise things!

>Banana ice-cream rocks!<

Wild animals are afraid of us because they fear we want to kill them.
Isaiah gives us a picture of a peaceful world, peaceful coexistence of all creatures. That will come when we stop killing animals.

Isaiah 11,6
And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

Isaiah 11,7
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

Isaiah 11,8
And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the basilisk's den.

Oh my, how could this post bring so many comments so quickly?

I am not so sure that anything christian is anything good to measure anything. Especially after the recent public commentaries in politics asking christians to leave a particular political party.

In that message, someone compared marriage to "clam chowder'. What? And that same sex marriage was not 'clam chowder'. Its the strangest thing, given that clams are literally not kosher, especially if its mixed with milk.

I will not pretend to understand or defend anything christian. All I can think is what about nutritional science? observation? and really thinking?

Mislu, this thread is several years old, and was, um, resurrected by "JesusFreak," who I am assuming is a new member here. I thought her post, though I couldn't relate to it, touching in its sincerity. Let's not let this become a semantic debate please!

Tamukha,
Thank you, I noticed the date after I posted, so my appology for getting the date wrong.

Mislu,

No apology necessary, dearie I know I have a hard time telling friend from foe where religiosity is concerned, things being what they are these days, but I read the post and thought, "Seems benevolent--good for her!" Then I went back and saw the OP date and thought, "Whoa. Well, it is a nice change from the Endless Raw Potatoes Thread, at least."



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/2012 02:02AM by Tamukha.

Sixth Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Kill

Are Christians more vegetarian than the average population because of this commandment?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2012 12:04AM by madinah.

Madinah,
I somehow don't think so, as most of the time the thats considered only to refer to humans, as in not committing murder. Oddly enough some have even gone far enough to say it doesn't apply to war either, as its 'impersonal' somehow because its part of national duty, something like that. Also doesn't apply to execution of criminals by the state, or in the old law certain violations of the Jewish torah.

JesusFreak Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Today's post from my health blog (search
> "healthyskinnybeautiful" and you should find it).
> Hope you come visit! Tash
>
> Raw Vegan Christian
> Each man should give what he has decided in his
> heart to give, not reluctantly or under
> compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ~2
> Corinthians 9:7
>
> Early in my transition to a plant-based raw food
> diet, the majority of my struggles were emotional.
> I frequently had feelings of self-pity that God
> was calling me to eat this way. I often felt
> jealous of other Christians that felt no
> conviction regarding healthy eating. I had deep
> feelings of loneliness because such a major life
> transition was very difficult, and I desperately
> wanted to have other Christian journeying
> companions--yet to be a "raw vegan Christian" at
> the time, even on the internet, seemed almost
> unheard of--much less, a high-fruit/low-fat raw
> vegan Christian.
>
> I recall one year that was extremely difficult.
> We were a part of a wonderful house church. We
> loved the teaching and the members. At the
> beginning of our involvement, a meal was served
> beforehand, ended quickly, and teaching began. I
> focused on loving others and engaging in
> conversation, and before I knew it, it was time
> for "content time". As the year progressed,
> however, the meal became longer and longer, and it
> became increasingly difficult for me to deal with,
> emotionally. Although I stayed true to my
> convictions at house church, the following days I
> had severe struggles with self-pity and
> loneliness. When we moved, we were sad to leave
> our wonderful house church...yet for me, it was a
> HUGE relief.
>
> God gave me a wonderful gift in our move. Not
> only was my hubby very supportive of my eating
> convictions (he was quite impressed with the
> changes in my health) and had become a vegan
> himself, but God gave me a Christian friend who
> lived in my area and was also a high-fruit/low-fat
> raw vegan. It blessed me beyond belief to be at
> Christian fellowships with someone who also
> refrained from eating the food that was being
> served. It was an indescribable gift and treasure
> for me. Through the long, difficult year, God had
> really grown me in learning to walk with Him in
> those "alone" times and get my eyes on Him and His
> suffering when I am feeling self-pity. But now,
> He had led me into a time of refreshing
> fellowship. I was grateful for the growth through
> the hard time, but....no doubt, I was sooo happy
> to be in a new season!
>
> God eventually led my friend to a slightly
> different style of eating, which was definitely
> sad for me, but by this time I was feeling much
> more comfortable with the diet God had called me
> to. My hubby was very supportive, and the sad
> feelings passed before long. I felt happy in
> following God....which brings me to today.
>
> Last month, following the advice of some long-time
> low-fat raw vegans, on my trip to visit family &
> friends in my home state, I gave myself the
> freedom to not be perfect with my eating. It was
> incredibly liberating to not feel like a "bad
> person" because I ate some non-optimal foods (that
> in the past, I may have considered reasonably
> healthy options). I was able to feel and see the
> HUGE difference in how I feel, look, serve, and
> function when I am eating low-fat raw vegan vs. a
> more traditional diet. I could not deny the huge
> increase in insulin I needed, the lethargic and
> depressed feelings in my body and mind, the poor
> digestion, bloating, gas, snoring, odors, and--the
> brain fog. Wow. I felt BAD, physically, that
> whole month. Before eating low-fat raw vegan, I
> never realized that I was feeling bad...now that I
> have felt incredible, light, energetic, alert,
> sensitive, focused, and happy--I know that I want
> to follow God in this because I like who I am when
> I am who He created me to be. I have so much
> more to give to the world when I am "my best
> self"--eating optimally for optimal living.
>
> This year, God has really helped me to deal with
> my issues of pride and judgment. He has really
> humbled me and reminded me that transitioning is
> HARD--physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
> He has reminded me that the circumstances that led
> to my education about eating raw foods for
> healing...well, it was certainly atypical. Of my
> own accord, I would not have sought education
> about eating for health. My history was anything
> BUT healthy eating, and I fought against anyone
> who had anything critical to say about my food
> choices.
>
> Just one more reminder that ANYTHING good in me is
> from God, not from me. Being a raw vegan
> Christian was not my idea; it was God's. But I am
> soooooooooo glad He had this idea. His ways and
> thoughts are higher than mine. It has been such a
> growing process and I am sure it will continue to
> be. I am no longer fighting God on this one. It
> is a true gift to honor God and offer Him my best
> as make each food choice for His glory, each day.
>
> God, my thanks are beyond words. What an
> incredible privilege and journey, by Your plan, to
> watch this body heal and respond to foods that
> nourish, or go downhill from foods that destroy.
> Forgive me for my rebellion, self-pity, jealousy,
> short-sightedness, and stubbornness. Thank You
> for Your grace and patience with me, Your child.
> May this life glorify You and bring You pleasure.


I have to say, this was so beautiful and I felt at peace just reading it. Thank you for sharing your story.

Mislu Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Madinah,
> I somehow don't think so, as most of the time the
> thats considered only to refer to humans, as in
> not committing murder. Oddly enough some have
> even gone far enough to say it doesn't apply to
> war either, as its 'impersonal' somehow because
> its part of national duty, something like that.
> Also doesn't apply to execution of criminals by
> the state, or in the old law certain violations of
> the Jewish torah.


So in the end it does not apply to HUMANS.
Thou Shalt Not Kill WHAT?

My suggestion is to not to try to change others. Do what you love doing and let others make their choices too. If what you do has a visible positive effect on you, it will be self-evident. Image speaks louder than words. Be an inspiration.



RawGosia channel
RawGosia streams

Rawpracticalist,
People will believe whatever they want to believe, and yes, it may not be consistent or make sense. It may also be something you don't want them to believe. Rawgosias suggestion is probably the best I have heard yet.

I wasn't saying what I was saying as in supporting it...just saying thats what I have observed many christians belief.

PYTHAGORAS
"Oh, my fellow men, do not defile your bodies with sinful foods. We have corn, we have apples bending down the branches with their weight, and grapes swelling on the vines. There are sweet-flavored herbs, and vegetables which can be cooked and softened over the fire, nor are you denied milk or thyme-scented honey. The earth affords a lavish supply of riches, of innocent foods, and offers you banquets that involve no bloodshed or slaughter: only beasts satisfy their hunger with flesh, and not even all of those, because horses, cattle, and sheep live on grass."

What would we say if some more intelligent more powerful beings than us where eating us for their meals?