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21 July 2011
1. Essay: Can We Trust Producers of “Humane Meat”?
2. Comment Regarding Last Week’s Essay
3. Book in Progress – CVA Member Contributions Encouraged
4. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman
5. Upcoming Activist Opportunities
6. CVA Members Seeking Like-Minded People in Their Regions
1. Essay: Can We Trust Producers of “Humane Meat”?
As Erik Marcus discusses in The Ultimate Vegan Guide, animal products are commodities. Milk from one farm, for example, is essentially the same as milk from any other farm. The same goes for eggs and the various kinds of flesh. Therefore, buyers tend to focus on price, which often results in small profit margins and strong incentives to do whatever competitors might be doing to reduce costs. Individual farmers need not be cruel or even callous; market forces drive many agricultural practices. Those who try to implement less abusive but more costly husbandry standards will tend to lose in the competitive marketplace.
Some producers, trying to appeal to consumers who object to cruel animal husbandry practices, claim that their facilities are “humane.” There are several different certifying bodies, some more legitimate than others, whose “humane” label can result in premium prices and significant profits for producers. However, there are reasons to distrust those who claim to use “humane” methods.
Often, “humane” labels are given to producers who self-report that they employ less abusive systems, and there is little or no oversight. “Humane” standards themselves tend to be modest improvements over the status quo that do not significantly reduce the degree of animal abuse. For example, “free range” chicken sheds typically include a small opening at one end of a large shed, which leads to a small, enclosed, outside space. Relatively few chickens find, let alone use, the open space that distinguishes “free range” from standard enclosures.
Also, we should not expect respectful or compassionate attitudes towards farmed animals among those producers who regard animals as property whose purpose is to generate income. Just as slave owners were typically callous and cruel, those who see farmed animals as means to financial ends are disinclined to care much for the welfare of individual animals. There are many pig farmers who claim to “love” their pigs, but if asked why they don’t use a local anesthetic before performing excruciating castrations, they will typically respond that it is too costly. The actual cost is nominal, a cost which anyone who cared about the pigs’ welfare in the least would gladly bear.
It is practically impossible to obtain animal products which have not involved exploitation and some degree of abuse. Even if egg-laying hens were treated well, there is no use for the male chicks, who are nearly universally killed. The only way to get a cow to lactate is to impregnate her, and there is similarly no use for the male offspring. It is very costly to raise animals for flesh but refrain from eating them until they have lived a full life and die (or are euthanized) in their old age. Wild-caught fish aren’t brutalized during their lifetimes, but surely they suffer when suffocating out of water.
For those who insist on consuming animal products, the only way to be sure that the animals are treated as advertised is to visit the farms and inspect the facilities first-hand. However, this approach doesn’t work when eating out. Next week, I’ll discuss the social challenges of trying to be a “happy meat” consumer.
For an excellent commentary that addresses these issues, I recommend “How ‘Conscientious Carnivores’ Ignore Meat’s True Origins”
http://www.theatlantic.com/life/archive/2011/07/how-conscientious-carnivores-ignore-meats-true-origins/241828/.
Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.
2. Comment Regarding Last Week’s Essay
Another consideration about whether humane slaughter is possible is psychological: animals become attached to one another--very similar behavior in humans we would call love. Mothers want to keep their young beside them, and vice versa; animals of some species mate for life; friends and littermates like to hang around together; some, like pigs, love to snuggle into adulthood. We only need ask ourselves if we would think it possible to humanely kill our spouse, son, daughter, parent, or best friend.
Gracia Fay Ellwood
3. Book in Progress – CVA Member Contributions Encouraged
My name is Shebani, I’m a rising senior at Yale University and founder of the Yale Animal Welfare Alliance. I found out about the Christian Vegetarian Association from a friend at Yale, and I think the work that you do is really fantastic. I was wondering if your group would be interested in helping me with a project that I am starting. Here’s a brief description:
I love advocating for animals and writing, and this summer I decided to start writing a book that aims to encourage people to eat fewer animal products. The book is going to be a collection of stories and quotes, interspersed with my own writing and analysis, from vegans, vegetarians, meat-eaters, and everyone in between about the food choices they make and their views on plant-based eating. I’m aiming for an accessible, non-judgmental tone that will appeal to people who might usually shy away from books on the subject. I plan to include stories from people with a variety of backgrounds and viewpoints with the hope that their contributions will help dispel some of the common misconceptions and stereotypes about vegetarians and vegans and also make the concept of a plant-based diet seem less alien and more doable.
I think that the members and leaders of the Christian Vegetarian Association would have some really interesting and wonderful stories to share for my book. I am looking for short contributions, around 650 words, from anyone who has anything to say about eating less meat – vegetarians, flexitarians, pescatarians, vegans, meatless Monday followers, and meat-eaters are all welcome. Here is a general idea of what I am looking for to get people started:
If the writer has taken any sort of steps towards adopting a plant-based diet, I would like to know: a) what compelled them to make that change b) a little bit about them c) how they feel after making that change and d) what difficulties they have encountered. If the writer hasn’t taken any steps towards a plant-based diet, I would like to know if they have ever considered making a change, and what they think about vegetarianism/veganism/programs like Meatless Mondays.
If you are interested in contributing to the book or helping me find stories, please let me know! I'd ideally like the stories by August 15th, but if anyone needs more time that's completely fine, just ask them to get in touch with me at [email protected]. Thank you!
4. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman
Building a Church on the Proper Foundation
http://www.all-creatures.org/sermons97/s26jun88.html
5. Upcoming Activist Opportunities
7/23-25 GA Atlanta Women 'N Power Conference
7/24-28 OH Cedarville Camp Electric Christian Music Learning Camp!
7/26 MD Columbia Relient K Christian Rock Concert
7/27 VA Virginia Beach Relient K Christian Rock Concert
7/27-30 TN Nashville Immerse 2011
7/28 NC Charlotte Relient K Christian Rock Concert
7/29-31 IL Zion Ignite Festival Christian Music Fest
7/30 CO Loveland HeavenFest Christian Music Fest
7/28-31 WI Milwaukee GermanFest
8/3-6 NH Gilford SoulFest Christian Music Festival
8/4-6 TX Midland Rock the Desert Christian Music Fest
8/4-6 PA Hershey Joyce Meyers Minitries Conference
8/4-14 WI West Allis Wisconsin State Fair
8/6 IL Chicago Joel Olsteen: A Night of Hope Conference
8/6 OH Wapakoneta The Hoppers Gospel Tour
8/6 MO St Louis Casting Crowns Christian Family Day
8/7 NC Asheville TABLE VegFest
8/10 IN Indianapolis Third Day @ Indiana State Fair
8/10 IN South Bend World Pulse Festival Christian Music Fest
8/11-13 MI Muskegon UNITY FESTIVAL
8/12-13 NE Omaha Women Of Faith Conference
8/12-13 GA Atlanta Women Of Faith Conference
8/12-14 CA Anaheim Harvest Crusade
8/12 AL Huntsville The Hoppers Gospel Tour
8/12 AR ALMA Casting Crowns Christian Concert
8/13 TN Chattanooga The Hoppers Gospel Tour
8/13 KS Kansas City Farm Aid 2011
8/14 MI Clarkston Third Day Christian Rock Concert
8/19-20 IN Indianapolis Women Of Faith Conference
8/20 NE Kearney Casting Crowns Christian Concert
8/20 OR Gresham FishFest Christian Music Fest
8/21 CO Denver Casting Crowns Christian Concert
8/25-9/5 MO Branson Southern Gospel Picnic
8/26-27 TX Dallas Women Of Faith Conference
8/26-27 DC Washington Women Of Faith Conference
9/1-2 PA Pittsburgh Benny Hinn Miracle Services
9/2-4 SD Sioux Falls Lifelight Christian Music Festival
9/9-10 CA Anaheim Women Of Faith Conference
9/9-10 PA Philadelphia Women of Faith Conference
9/10 PA Philadelphia GreenFest Philly
9/10 CA Los Angeles Harvest Crusade
9/15-17 MO St. Louis Love Life Women's Conference- Joyce Meyers-
9/16-17 WA Spokane Women Of Faith Conference
9/16-19 MO Kirkwood Greentree Festival
9/17 OH Mt Vernon SonFest 2011 Christina Rock Festival
9/17-18 MO Kirkwood TABLE 2011 Kirkwood Greentree Festival
9/23-24 VA Middleburg Awakening Festival Christian Music Festival
9/23-24 AZ Phoenix Women Of Faith Conference
9/25-26 IL Belleville Our Lady of the Snows Youth Day Celebration
9/29-10/1 TX Dallas Benny Hinn Miracle Conference
9/29-10/1 GA Atlanta Joyce Meyers Ministries Conference
9/30-10/2 CA San Diego National Youth Workers Convention
10/1-2 CA San Francisco TABLE World Vegetarian Festival
10/7-8 VA Lynchburg Extraordinary Women's Conference
10/7-8 CO Colorado Springs Hearts @ Home- Mom Revolution Women's Conference
10/7-8 MA Amherst Acquire the Fire Christian Youth Conference
10/13-15 CA Long Beach Joyce Meyers Ministries Conference
10/14-15 IN Fort Wayne Extraordinary Women Conference
10/21-22 MS Tupelo Extraordinary Women Conference
10/29-30 MA Boston Boston Vegetarian Food Festival TABLE
11/3-5 OH Cleveland Joyce Meyers Ministries Conference
11/4-5 IL Rockford Extraordinary Women Conference
11/4-5 MN Rochester Hearts @ Home Mom Revolution Conference
11/18-20 GA Atlanta National Youth Workers Convention
6. CVA Members Seeking Like-Minded People in Their Regions
AL Decatur Ginger [email protected]
AZ Flagstaff Debbie [email protected]
AZ Mesa Shaynie [email protected]
AZ Phoenix Jeff [email protected]
CA Agoura Hills Jill [email protected]
CA Bishop Sylvia [email protected]
CA Chico/Oroville Claire [email protected]
CA Downey Irene [email protected]
CA Foothill Ranch Cindy [email protected]
CA Huntington Beach Pamela [email protected]
CA Lake Forest Valerie [email protected]
CA Los Angeles Armaiti [email protected]
CA Los Angeles Russell [email protected]
CA Los Angeles Chris [email protected]
CA Nevada City Ellen [email protected]
CA Pasedena Jeannie and John [email protected]
CA Perris Debi [email protected]
CA Pleasanton Laura [email protected]
CA Point Richard Norma Jean [email protected]
CA Port Richmond Norma [email protected]
CA San Jose Colleen [email protected]
CA San Mateo Pamela [email protected]
CA Sonoma Eric & Deepty [email protected]
CA Orange County Marina [email protected]
CA Vallejo Judy [email protected]
CO Longmont area Sara [email protected]
CT Clinton Elizabeth [email protected]
DC Washington Jennifer [email protected]
DE Newark Maureen [email protected]
FL Cocoa Charlie [email protected]
FL Cooper City Gail [email protected]
FL Ft. Myers Betty [email protected] (winter)
FL Ocala Erika [email protected]
FL Ocala Samantha [email protected]
FL Oviedo Antonio [email protected]
FL Pace Herman [email protected]
FL Sarasota Julie [email protected]
GA Lawrenceville Lorena [email protected]
GA Stone Mountain Carl [email protected]
HI Honolulu Mahalo [email protected]
IA Des Moines Andrew [email protected]
IL Belleville Catherine [email protected]
IL Bloomington Betty [email protected]
IL Chicago Deborah [email protected]
IL Chicago Corrie [email protected]
IL Chicago Robert [email protected]
IL Chicago Sandra [email protected]
IL Chicago Hts. Chuck [email protected]
IL Chicago NW suburbs - charlie boy [email protected]
IL Chicago, S. suburbs - John [email protected]
IL Galesburg Lori [email protected]
IL Ottawa Lisa [email protected]
IL Schaumburg Dee [email protected]
IL Schiller Park Cezary [email protected]
IL Staunton Brett [email protected]
IN Westfield Angie [email protected]
KS Lawrence Ashley [email protected]
KS Lawrence Lisa [email protected]
KS Lecompton Judy [email protected]
KY Bowling Green Maryanne [email protected]
LA New Orleans Carolyn [email protected]
MA Cape Cod (Hyannis) Linda [email protected].
MA Somerville Joyce [email protected]
MD Columbia Jerry [email protected]
MD Rising Sun Connie [email protected]
MD Rockville Daniel [email protected]
MD Salisbury Kimberly [email protected]
MI Haslett Krista [email protected]
MI Lansing Tricia [email protected]
MI Rockford Ginny [email protected]
MI Royal Oak Willard [email protected]
MN Duluth Karen [email protected]
MN Moorhead Kathleen [email protected]
MN Sauk Rapids Michael [email protected]
MO Hazelwood Wendy [email protected]
MO Kansas City Diana [email protected]
NC Boone Becky [email protected]
NC Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill - Rondy [email protected]
NC Winston-Salem Mark [email protected]
ND Fargo Alice [email protected]
NH Bartlett Laura [email protected]
NH East Derry Rev. Alexander [email protected]
NH Fremont Jodie [email protected]
NJ Jan [email protected]
NJ Neptune City James [email protected]
NJ Nutley Sheila & Meghan [email protected]
NJ Piscataway Jaimie [email protected]
NY Hilton Carolyn [email protected]
NY Roslyn Christine [email protected]
NY Brooklyn Casey [email protected]
NY Brooklyn/Manhattan - Tracy [email protected]
NY Kirkwood Gloria [email protected]
NY NY City May [email protected]
NY Patchogue Mikki [email protected]
NY Rochester Tom and Gail [email protected]
OH Cincinnati Elizabeth [email protected]
OH Cleveland Betsy & Ken [email protected]
OH Cleveland Steve [email protected]
OH Fremont Debbie [email protected]
OH Toledo Bob [email protected]
OH Willoughby Beth [email protected]
OR Springfield Pastor CN Turrell [email protected]
PA Bethlehem Hannah [email protected]
PA Erie Alka [email protected]
PA Pottstown-Reading area - Georgia [email protected]
PA Philadelphia Leila [email protected]
PA Scranton Nick [email protected]
PA State College Karen [email protected]
PA Wyomissing Lois [email protected]
RI Providence Ed [email protected]
SC Spartanburg Lucas [email protected]
SC West Columbia Patricia [email protected]
TN Knoxville Tristan [email protected]
TN Nashville Ric [email protected]
TX Austin Diane [email protected]
TX Dallas Ricky [email protected]
TX Dallas/Ft Worth Margaret [email protected]
TX El Paso Sukie [email protected]
TX Houston Joy [email protected]
TX Houston Phyllis [email protected]
TX Irving Kitty [email protected]
TX Kerrville Mark [email protected]
TX Lakeway Trisha [email protected]
TX Mesquite Tanya [email protected]
TX Houston Ivan [email protected]
TX Uvalde Tonia [email protected]
TX Waco Robin [email protected]
VA Northern VA Christine [email protected]
VA Richmond Camille [email protected]
VA Springfield Danny [email protected]
VT Rutland Maureen [email protected]
WA Seattle Carol [email protected]
WA Seattle Joy [email protected]
WA Seattle Kelly [email protected]
WA Seattle Valerie [email protected]
WA Spokane Julie [email protected]
WA Tacoma Alissa [email protected]
WI Appleton Dana [email protected]
WI Kenosha Ben [email protected]
WV Huntington Ann [email protected]
New England Tracie [email protected]
Alberta Edmonton Leanna [email protected]
Ontario Hamilton Kris & Erin [email protected]
Ontario Ottawa Anne [email protected]
Ontario Scarborough Sheila [email protected]
Ontario Toronto Vicki [email protected]
Sutherland, NSW, Australia Brenda [email protected]
Leicester, England Kathryn [email protected]
Glasgow, Scotland Alistair [email protected]
Leiden, The Netherlands Simon [email protected]
Your question and comments are welcome
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