Those defending meat-eating often cite certain biblical passages. The discussion below represents the CVA’s responses to some frequent biblically based objections to our position. We emphasize that we do not hold that the Bible condemns all meat-eating, but we do believe that our faith calls us to be vegetarian today.
Genesis 1:26,28
Adam’s “dominion” over animals, we believe, conveys sacred stewardship,
since God immediately after-ward prescribed a vegetarian diet (1:29–30) in a
world God found “very good” (1:31). Created in God’s image of love (1 John
4:8), we are called to be care-takers of God’s Creation, not tyrants over
God’s creatures.
Genesis 1:21–22 relates that, before God created humanity, God regarded the animals “good” and blessed them. Further evidence that we should consider animals as inherently valuable comes from Genesis 2:18–19, which indicates that God made animals as Adam’s helpers and companions: “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’ So out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them…” (RSV). Adam named the animals, which we believe shows concern and friendship. We don’t name the animals we eat.
God endowed pigs, cattle, sheep, and all farmed animals with their own desires and needs, which is apparent when these animals are given an opportunity to enjoy life. For example, pigs are as curious, social, and intelligent as cats or dogs. Pigs can even play some video games better than monkeys. Similarly, chickens enjoy one another’s company and like to play, dust bathe, and forage for food. Jesus compared his love for us to a hen’s love for her chicks (Luke 13:34).
God gives Noah permission to eat meat (Genesis 9:2-4)
Virtually all plants were destroyed by the Flood. Alternatively, God may
have allowed Noah limited freedom to express human violence, since
unrestrained violence was responsible for the Flood itself (Gen. 6:11–13).
Importantly, this passage neither commands meat eating nor indicates that
the practice is God’s ideal. Indeed, eating meat came with a curse—animals
would no longer be humanity’s friends: “The fear of you and the dread of you
shall be upon every beast…” (Gen. 9:2). While eating meat was not
prohibited, it represented a complete break from God’s ideal of animals and
humans living peacefully together, as depicted in Eden and by the prophets.
Genesis 3:21; God Clothes Adam and Eve in animal skins
Humans cannot normally obtain animal skins without an animal dying, so it
seems that animals died to clothe Adam and Eve. However, the Bible does not
relate that God killed any creature to obtain the skins. The Bible does
suggest that God works in mysterious ways (Deuteronomy 29:29, Romans 8:28),
and “all things were created by him, and for him (Colossians 1:16). If God
had animals die for this purpose, it would not follow that humans have
unlimited license to kill and otherwise harm God’s creatures.
Jesus casting demons into swine (Matthew 8:28-32; Mark 5:1-13; Luke
8:27-33)
The Mark and Luke accounts refer to the possessed man as from Gerasa, but
there are no steep banks near this city. Therefore, it is most reasonable to
regard this story as allegorical, not literal, and Jesus was not actually
responsible for killing 2000 pigs. Though this appears to demonstrate
greater concern for people than swine, modern animal agriculture harms both
animals and humans, and there remain good reasons to choose a plant-based
diet.
Killing the fatted calf in celebration of the Prodigal Son’s return (Luke
15:23)
Eating the “fatted calf” was a sign of joy and celebration that, presumably,
Jesus’ audience understood. This was a parable, and no calf was actually
killed. When people today use language and metaphors such as “to kill two
birds with one stone,” that doesn’t mean that we actually approve of such
behavior. Furthermore, if Jesus had approved of animal agriculture in his
day, it would not follow that he would endorse modern factory farming.
The miracle of the bread and fishes (Matthew 15:34)
Multiplying fish who are already dead to feed to people who have no
objection to eating fish is an act of compassion that has no adverse impact
on the fish. This story does not depict Jesus killing any animals, but
rather miraculously feeding several thousand people. The people were hungry,
and Jesus had compassion for them. Again, fishing 2,000 years ago was a far
cry from the driftnets, long-lines, and aquaculture farms of today, which
are environmentally destructive and treat fish as though they were pieces of
seaweed rather than God’s creatures.
Peter’s dream, in which he is instructed to “kill and eat” all creatures
(Acts 10:13)
Peter recognized that this dream should not be taken literally to mean that
he should proceed to kill and eat all animals. Instead, "Peter was inwardly
perplexed as to what the dream might mean" (Acts 10:17). He recognized its
meaning when the gentile Cornelius invited him to dinner. Peter realized
that the dream was instructing him not to go out and eat meat, but to preach
the Gospel to the Gentiles. The Jewish dietary laws should not prevent the
spread of Christianity, and, at Cornelius' dinner, Peter related to his
hosts, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with
or to visit any one of another nation; but God has shown me that I should
not call any man common or unclean." (Acts 10:28). Whatever the meaning, it
does not argue that modern factory farms, with all their consequences, have
God's blessing.
“Everything created by God is good” (1 Tim 4:1-4)
This passage reflects Paul’s efforts to fight against a split in the
Christian community and does not justify cruel treatment of animals. Here,
Paul rebukes false doctrines that forbid marriage as well as certain foods.
Christian vegetarians don’t forbid either marriage or meat. Rather, we
encourage a plant-based diet as good, responsible, Christian stewardship.
Modern animal agriculture is a human creation, and it harms humans, animals,
and the earth. While we should thank God for our ability to enjoy food, we
may also thank God for providing tasty vegetarian options. Indeed, many
Christian vegetarians see each meal as a prayerful reminder of God’s grace
and goodness. Each vegetarian meal reminds them of Isaiah’s prophecy that
all Creation will live harmoniously at the end of time, as in Eden.
Vegetarians are “weak in faith” (Rom. 14:1)
Paul wrote to the Romans that “the weak man eats only vegetables” (14:2). At
that time, Jews were banned from Rome, and a kosher butcher would have been
arrested. Unable to obtain kosher meat, many Jews abstained from meat
altogether, for fear of eating meat that had been offered to a pagan god.
Paul maintained that eating meat, even if offered to idols, was not a
spiritual concern, because the pagan gods didn’t exist. Only the “weak in
faith” failed to appreciate that sacrifices to fictitious gods were
meaningless. Paul said that meat-eaters should not condemn those who
abstain, and vice versa (14:3). It appears that Paul wrote this to the
Romans because Paul was concerned about differences on diet dividing the
church. Paul was not justifying meat-eating per se, and this passage
certainly does not endorse factory farming.
“Eat whatever is sold in the meat market” (1 Corinthians 10:25)
Paul wrote, “Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any
question on the ground of conscience” (1 Corinthians 10:25). We believe that
this passage warns people against rejecting God’s gifts. However, Christian
vegetarians celebrate good food. We do not object to meat because it is from
God but because man-made factory farming is so harmful.
Whatever one eats does not defile him (Mark 7:18-19)
This passage reads, “And he [Jesus] said to them, ‘Do you not see that
whatever goes into a man from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not
his heart but his stomach and so passes on?’ (Thus he declared all foods
clean.)” This section actually relates to eating with unwashed “defiled”
hands (Mark 7:1-5). Jesus then explained that the Pharisees were only
concerned with what went into their mouths, but what really defiles a person
are evil thoughts from the heart within.
Animal sacrifices
The Bible relates that God accepted animal sacrifices. Given the many
biblical passages showing God’s concern for animals, one may conclude that
the Hebrews’ need to relate to God with sacrifices was a more pressing need.
It is possible that, since all ancient cultures sacrificed animals to their
gods, the ancient Hebrews could not imagine approaching God without first
performing sacrifices themselves. Interestingly, the Bible does not describe
God demanding sacrifice–it only explains how sacrifice should be carried out
if performed. Even Abraham’s sacrifice of the ram was Abraham’s idea, not
God’s requirement (Genesis 22:13).
Regardless of sacrifice’s role in the worship of the ancient Hebrews, several later prophets objected to sacrifice, emphasizing that God prefers righteousness. Animal sacrifices are not required or even desired now, for at least two reasons. First, Paul encouraged self-sacrifice, writing, “[P]resent your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). Second, traditional interpretations of Jesus’ death affirm that, because of him, animal sacrifice is no longer necessary. Christians, being new creations in Christ, may model Christ by choosing a loving relationship with all Creation. Indeed, Jesus twice quoted Hosea (6:6), saying, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” (Matthew 9:13, 12:7).
Jesus assisted his disciples in fishing (Luke 5:2-11; John 21:5-8)
In Luke and John, Jesus helped disciples catch a vast quantity of fish. In
Luke, the event is depicted as his first call of the disciples. In John, the
event occurs after the resurrection.
Many Biblical scholars see the events symbolically, and from a symbolic standpoint, Jesus assisting the disciples in netting massive quantities of fish could not be much clearer, especially considering his promise that he will make them "fishers of men." They are bringing disciples (fish) into the fold.
A literal reading of the text shows animals cooperating with Jesus to prove his divinity. In Luke, the miraculous catch prompted the fishermen to follow Jesus, who told them, "Henceforth, you will be catching men." When they returned to shore, they "left everything, and followed him." This demonstrates that killing fish was not the point of the story. In John, miraculously catching a massive quantity of fish once again established Jesus’ divine identity. Jesus then ate the fish, demonstrating that he was resurrected in the flesh. Again, the story is about an important teaching, not enjoying tasty food.
Didn’t Jesus eat meat?
Luke 24:43 describes Jesus eating fish after the Resurrection. However,
Jesus’ diet 2,000 years ago in a Mediterranean fishing community, where many
people struggled to get adequate nutrition, does not tell us what Christians
should eat today. Similarly, we do not need to dress just as Jesus did. We
are blessed with a wide range of healthful, tasty, convenient plant foods,
much like in Eden. Meanwhile, we believe that the way animals are treated
today makes a mockery of God’s love for them.
Are meat eaters sinners?
The Bible does not prohibit eating meat in all circumstances. While many
people have eaten meat for nourishment, most Christians today have ready
access to a wide variety of healthful plant foods. Many Christian
vegetarians find modern factory farming particularly objectionable because
it is unnecessary and merciless.
Have there been many vegetarian Christians?
Our numbers are increasing rapidly, just as vegetarianism is growing in the
general population. Also, many early Chris-tians were vegetarian, including
the Desert Fathers. Since then, the Trappist, Benedictine, and Carthusian
orders have encouraged vegetarianism, as have Seventh-Day Adventists. In the
nineteenth century, members of the Bible Christian sect established the
first vegetarian groups in England and the United States.
Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, Tertullian, Origen, Clement of Alexandria, John Wesley (Methodism’s founder), Ellen G. White (a Seventh-Day Adventists founder), Salvation Army co-founders William and Catherine Booth, Leo Tolstoy, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Rev. Dr. Albert Schweitzer were Christians who became vegetarian, as is the musician Moby.
Don't laws ensure the welfare of farmed animals?
In the United States and many other countries, standard procedures on farms
are specifically exempted from all humane legislation, regardless of the
pain and suffering they cause. Practices such as bodily mutilations, which
would warrant felony animal cruelty charges if done to a dog or cat, are
perfectly legal when done to a pig or chicken. At the slaughterhouse,
“humane slaughter” laws are weak and poorly enforced for pigs, cattle, and
sheep; the slaughter of birds is completely exempt. The CVA supports efforts
to improve conditions on farms, but for many reasons, including our desire
not to pay others to do things we would not do ourselves, we feel compelled
to be vegetarians.
What would happen to farmers and others whose livelihoods depend on
animal agriculture?
If people ate fewer animal products, businesses would adapt to the increased
consumer demand for vegetarian foods.
Since animals eat each other, what’s wrong with humans eating animals?
Christians are not called to follow the law of the jungle (where “might
makes right”), but to follow Christ—to be compassionate, merciful, and
humble, and to respect God’s Creation.
Are we natural meat eaters?
While humans can digest flesh, and it is likely that our ancestors consumed
some meat, our anatomy much more strongly resembles that of plant-eating
creatures. For example: like plant eaters (but unlike meat eaters), our
colons are long and complex (not simple and short); our saliva contains
digestive enzymes (unlike carnivores); and our teeth resemble those of plant
eaters—for instance, our canines are short and blunt (not long, sharp, and
curved).
The millions of healthy vegetarians (who tend to outlive meat eaters) demonstrate that it is neither necessary nor desirable to eat meat.
What if I don’t think vegetarianism should be my priority?
Cruelty-free eating requires very little time and commitment and can improve
one’s sense of well-being. Anyone can adopt a healthy vegetarian diet while
continuing other important activities.