tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517797058287564272.post3591880078889806565..comments2020-08-12T03:28:22.001-07:00Comments on The Almost Vegan: Appropriating Jesus for Veganism?Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02883685141057444220noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517797058287564272.post-5822043153088674702010-04-21T13:16:25.962-07:002010-04-21T13:16:25.962-07:00It shouldn't be "fascinating" that p...It shouldn't be "fascinating" that people try to use myths to justify a position. Bea's argument is perfectly reasonable within a discourse that uses Jesus' consumption, or so the argument goes, of fish to justify eating flesh, dairy, and eggs today. Both sides present claims and counter-claims by taking a common myth and deploying it.Alexhttp://thatvegangirl.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517797058287564272.post-5040832854987252862010-04-09T07:56:41.377-07:002010-04-09T07:56:41.377-07:00Bea -- Thanks for your comment. I will, after the...Bea -- Thanks for your comment. I will, after the term is over, get somewhat "caught up" on Jesus-and-vegetarianism readings. <br /><br />However, the article whose link I've posted below is, I think, quite reasonably argued and researched. It argues that the claims that Jesus was a vegetarian are based on flimsy evidence. <br /><br />I have several friends who are NT scholars; I'm going to send out some emails later today and attach this and several other articles and see if they have time to respond.<br /><br />I think, at best, there are few reputable biblical scholars who believe that the Essenes were *definitively* vegetarian OR that Jesus was an Essene (in fact, that is not a traditional claim, though an interesting one). As this article explains, it takes quite a few leaps of logic to claim either fact.<br /><br />As a sociologist, I find it *fascinating* that many vegans feel compelled to find ways to "prove" that Jesus was vegetarian, or that John was a "raw foodist" (where is THAT evidence!) or that Peter...you get it. <br /><br />It should be OK to be both Christian and vegan, regardless of whether Jesus or his followers wore wool, used leather, ate meat, drank milk or used honey (which I think, in all likelihood, most or all did).<br /><br />Here's the article: <br /><br />http://www.slate.com/id/91229/Elainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02883685141057444220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517797058287564272.post-3127146852164301262010-04-08T20:44:36.133-07:002010-04-08T20:44:36.133-07:00Hi Elaine... I'm not "religious" in ...Hi Elaine... I'm not "religious" in any traditional sense... But I do believe a great, compassionate and wise philosopher named Christ did exist. And after having heard the views of Andrew Linzey and Norm Phelps I'm inclined to believe that Christ may very well have lived on a vegetarian diet. And here are some of my reasons:<br /><br />Christ was supposed to have traveled with the Desert Fathers who lived on bread cakes, figs, nuts, seeds, etc. They were vegetarians.<br /><br />All his teachings follow the Gospel of the Essenes - Which is basically Ahimsa - To do no harm.<br /><br />There is no mention of Christ ever consuming flesh... In any bible that I know of...<br /><br />And finally, I don't think it's too hard to believe that a man who valued peace and life so much that upon seeing the mass brutalization of innocents at Temple - could go in a rage from the anger of bloodshed. <br /><br />Having this view of a rational and loving man, all these situtations seem quite reasonable to me... Not the acts of a man as Son of "gOd"; But rather the responses of a man who valued justice.<br /><br />I don't think people should advocate going vegan because Christ (or any holy figure) was vegan ---But I can't honestly say that it's not the right step towards a more harmonious and spritutal life either.<br /><br />And finally, there is the beautiful account of our perfect plant based existence in the Garden of Eden: Genesis 1:29<br /><br />If you ever get caught up on your reading, you may find this site of interest too! :)<br />http://www.all-creatures.org/crdir.html<br /><br />~Peace~Bea Elliotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13981537551810309024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517797058287564272.post-88261750687701058862010-04-06T14:22:50.778-07:002010-04-06T14:22:50.778-07:00Hi Ginny! Thanks for your comment. I have not, u...Hi Ginny! Thanks for your comment. I have not, unfortunately, read either of the books you mention. My career has taken me far away from my theology training. (I'm a sociologist now.) I *Totally* agree that, in general, we know very little about the historical Jesus. We know what certain communities of followers wanted us to believe. We know, basically, how Christianity has mapped itself onto religions of the time (hence, holds things in common with Judaism, paganism, Greek and Roman thought). <br /><br />When I come up for air (after the term is over), I will read the books you mention (I've got a LONG list of books to read!).<br /><br />I so appreciate your taking the time to comment, both here and on Twitter.Elainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02883685141057444220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517797058287564272.post-28409288782248472672010-04-06T12:34:44.644-07:002010-04-06T12:34:44.644-07:00Great post, Elaine. And I really appreciate our di...Great post, Elaine. And I really appreciate our discussion on twitter as well. (I'm TheVeganRD). For the record, I wasn't actually making the case that Jesus was an ethical vegetarian or that the cleansing of the temple was about animal liberation. Rather, I was exploring the idea that Jesus opposed animal sacrifice--maybe not for reasons of animal welfare or rights, of course. Also, there are some interpretations related to Paul's discussion of meat in Acts that suggests the early church was vegetarian. I'm fuzzy on this, though and can't remember where I read it--maybe it was in the blog post I sent you? <br /><br />Anyway, I'm reading "Misquoting Jesus" by Bart Ehrman right now, which has me convinced we don't know a whole lot about what Jesus thought or said about anything. <br /><br />Have you read Andrew Linzey's "Christianity and the Rights of Animals?" It's a fairly alternative interpretation of the Bible. I'd love to know what you think of it!Ginny Messinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06838880559838804935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517797058287564272.post-64497327901455713592010-04-05T05:15:27.632-07:002010-04-05T05:15:27.632-07:00E: This is a great example of American narcissism....E: This is a great example of American narcissism. Let's take a centuries old world religion and impose our own belief system onto it. <br /><br />We are supposed to be transformed by faith, not the other way around.Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16021781602272064901noreply@blogger.com