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Spiritual / Religious Kind Connections?
Started
by VeganNun
on April 11, 2012
Hi! I'm a new vegan and I'm a Catholic sister (nun). I'm interested in discussing the religious aspects of veganism and kind living... regardless of religion, I'd love to hear from other people who are making this choice because of (or alongside) a religious commitment...
Thanks!
The Vegan Nun
One of the reasons I chose to follow this diet is because I wanted to eat food the way God intended it- pure and from the ground. My parents were super against it, and said that God gave us dominion over all the animals. I discussed this with my veggie friend and she said that, while this is true, He did not say we should torture and mis treat them first. Since it is hard to find more "ethical" meat, I choose to stick to a strickly vegan, mostly unprocessed, diet.
Welcome Vegan Nun... It's an interesting subject. I became vegetarian at around 11 years old (a very long time ago now :) ) and just "felt" it was wrong for me not to be one... A few years afterwards I starting studying Buddhism and realized I found the way for me. I have a few friends who found their way along a similar path. I have wondered if it's a natural sensitivity that leads us to one or both. Most Vege/Vegans I have come across certainly seem to think or have more self awareness about them.... Not that others don't but it seems more common..... Namaste my Catholic friend.
Re: Breatharianism, sounds kooky to me...
I don't think Jesus was a vegetarian, but I think if Jesus were walking around on the North American continent today, he would be one. Vegan, probably. I suppose for me the whole ethic of nonviolence is what moves me to be vegan. Nonviolence to the planet, nonviolence to those who hunger because of our first-world food choices, nonviolence to my body, nonviolence to undocumented workers who shouldn't be exposed to employee abuse and animal violence in slaughterhouses, nonviolence to animals.
There's a quote I heard Fr. John Dear say; he attributed it to Edna St. Vincent-Millay. Something along the lines of "I will die, but that is all I shall do for death." I like that quote. I will die, but I will not take lives unnecessarily... I will die, but I will not lash out at others or try to harm them... I will die, but I will not hasten my death by making bad choices...
Thanks for the thoughts... keep them coming!
VeganNun
I am not Catholic or Christian, but I am a vegan for religious reasons. I follow eastern philosophy (Hindu beliefs) because I believe in transmigration of the soul and that animals possess souls. These views predominated long before christianity. In fact, I have a hard time accepting Christianity or discussing religious topics with Christians because they don't believe that animals have souls. These views have greatly influenced the way we look at animals as a whole in our modern world.
I recommend reading "Vegetarianism: A History" by Colin Spencer because it talks about vegetarianism throughout history from a religious perspective.
I don't follow a relgion but am very spiritual. Growing up we weren't introduced to any relgion and so I don't know much in the bible. Thank you for posting this as it is an interesting topic.
I also chose this lifestyle for similar reasons Vegan Nun, not contributing to the violence the animals are exposed to for their life and horrible end.
I am a fellow Christian, as well as a new vegetarian/vegan. I believe the Lord frowns upon our neglect and inhumane treatment and slaughter toward his beautiful creatures. All animals have souls, unique personalities, and feelings. They are fully aware of their surroundings and their maltreatment. To think I have been contributing to this terrible cause for so many years sickens me. Last year, I was shown "Food, Inc." This documentary really opened my eyes to what is actually happening to these unfortunate creatures, everyday. Ever since, I have "flirted" with the idea of going vegan, second-guesssing, getting an unpleasant feeling in my stomach just thinking about what the animal went through before butchered up and served on my plate. But now, preparing to be baptized next month and turning over a new leaf in my life, I am more than willing to make the commitment to be cruelty, meat-, and dairy-product free! Nothing on this planet deserves to be treated they way these poor animals do!
Peace & Blessings,
Kaitlin
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