Thursday, June 13, 2019

Veganism and religion

Some people use religion or religious principles to justify eating animals and animal products. However, the following articles provide some really interesting perspectives on veganism and religion:
1. "Buddhism on a Plate: the case for Buddhists to go vegan"
2. "The Christian basis for veganism" and "Should Christians be vegan?"
3."Muslims Should Stop Eating Animals" (published by The Vegan Muslim Initiative, an organisation set up by two Muslim vegans that "aims to educate Muslim communities worldwide about the benefits of veganism"). See also: "You are what you Eid: Ramadan for vegans"
4. "Vegan is the new kosher, rabbis worldwide declare"
5. "5 reasons Hindu vegetarians should go vegan"

A central theme of these articles is that those who believe in love, kindness, and compassion should very seriously consider the impact that eating animals and animal products has on the environment, on other humans (who are affected by climate change or by working in the livestock and dairy industries), and of course the impact on the animals themselves - whether chickens in the egg industry, chickens in the food industrycows, pigs, fish... or other living creatures who, just as ourselves, do not wish to die early and wish to live peacefully and free from unnecessary pain and suffering.

Ultimately, many people find going vegan to be a hugely positive and rewarding experience that brings their actions and their way of living more into line with their underlying sense of ethics and morality.

If you are interested in reading more about veganism, and perhaps trying out some tasty plant-based recipes, check out the many free resources available from the Vegan SocietyVeganuary, or Challenge 22.