Our subjects cover: animals, religion (Christian, Jewish and
others); diet and lifestyle (vegan and vegetarian); and other miscellaneous
subjects.
Wow, Jim. You raise some mighty big issues that will take a lot of soul
searching to answer. For the most part, I think Christians, as well as
others, have simply grown up eating animals and have been taught that's how
it's supposed to be, so they never questioned it. I know that's where I come
from. Recently I met someone who worked for a while in a slaughterhouse
until he just couldn't bear it any longer and I came face to face with what
really happens to the animals. I never had given it any thought before. I
know it sounds cruel but I just didn't. I came to veganism because of a
belief that it's a much healthier lifestyle for me, and then I was
introduced to the whole issue of cruelty to animals through the e-mail list.
I'm not sure just witnessing to people and leading them to Jesus Christ
would resolve the animal issue because most Christians are where I used to
be.
One final thought - thanks for the words on "taking the Lord's name in
vain." Your analogy to a woman taking a man's name in marriage and then not
living as his caring, faithful helpmate made that phrase come alive for me.
It never quite clicked before. Thanks!