Catholic Vegetarians & Vegans

Christine85 --- that is what discernment is all about - finding God's will for our lives, not ours! I don't know if you would have the opportunity to make a retreat or find a spiritual director who could lead you through The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ - this is such an excellent tool of discernment for all stages of life, no matter what we are discerning!

I am well --- at times a bit too busy to look up --- but today at Mass reminded that the tradition is that the child set at the center of disciples when Christ tries to show that this is the example of how to live (not striving for money, pleasure or power) is Ignatius of Antioch - http://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/20...our-cross.html ---- God Bless!

Hi, I don't know where God is leading me anymore I will have to wait for it to unfold slowly over time. I am trying to very slowly discern Gods will I think it's best I just try and do His will in the present moment and see where that leads me
How are you going?

Christine85 - I certainly understand! I think when I first started understanding this issue it was almost impossible for me not to want to tell the entire world that the chicken on their plate got there after suffering an awful life and that eating this made them less concerned about the environment, creation, and therefore less connected to their own role in God's creation - I may think that - but I DO NOW remember that I didn't always know this stuff either and I'm sure my food choices frustrated others! In the same regard I know people who are much better at recycling than I am, better about use of resources, electricity etc, walk when they can instead of jumping into the car... etc, etc. etc.....

So - for how we interact with others - I think the very best thing we can be is well informed. Keep learning, stay open, and treat others with respect, even when they don't offer you that courtesy. (perhaps especially when they don't offer us that courtesy!)

We are all learning together - and have so much to share here!! How is your discernment to the religious life going?

Hi thanks for your reply, yes it was a knee jerk reaction to say she is the one influenced by evil if she thinks animal cruelty is ok!! I feel bad about writing that now. I was angry at her telling me I was influenced by evil. Oh well what can you do?
I find it's easy to get worked up for me when I feel passionate about something but I guess that is what it's like at the start that whole zeal of I can change the world everyone else needs to change too hahaha!!! Oops!! Yes compassion and gentleness and acceptance of others is certainly very important!! I guess if you want to be a vego you can't expect everyone to have the same opinion and you certainly cannot hold it against them !
I hope you are doing well!!
God bless you

Christine85 --- Many people think having concern for animals then means we value animals above people - we need to always clarify that we know and believe that we are unique in all creation, made in God's image and likeness - AND with this we also have been given a great responsibility to care for creation - and that means animals as well.

There are places in the world where a plant based diet is not yet possible - and therefore people's well being needs to be considered here first - however in these places animals are not raised in conditions that is immoral as they are in confined animal feeding opporations (CAFO) --- AS in the west, dairy, eggs, poultry and the finishing of beef continues to be..... ALSO we have the alternative HERE to have a healthy plant based diet that is (1) more compassionate (2) uses less resources (3) is better for the planet (4) is healthier ----

NOW --- I didn't know this always --- and I know others don't know it now. Sometimes when we are confronted with a truth that challenges us to change something --- we all become defensive as many do about their diet - but that is not our place to judge ----

Your friend believes you are being influenced by Buddhists - well I wouldn't take that ans an insult - you can easily share that many people of the early church also cholse to live on a plant based diet --- and you fell called to do the same --- do not stoop to calling names, if you do - then you have confirmed what they believe about you - you must be compassionate to people first and foremost ---

The Cathesim of the Catholic Church is very clear - it is wrong to cause animals to suffer and die needlessly - I DO NOT NEED ANIMALS FOR MY FOOD - therefore it is wrong to have them die for my food ---- HOWEVER --- and this is really important to clarify - we must put our resources first toward the alleviation of suffering of people - GOD LOVES ANIMALS - therefore there is nothing wrong with our loving them, just that we are not to confuse the love of animals with how we should love and care for people.

I have written a letter to Pope Francis and I am sending it today. It talks about how I hope he can say something about animal compassion and that if we have compassion for animals we have compassion for people. I wonder if he will listen to what I have written. I told my Catholic friend I keep in touch with via email and she said I am being influenced by the devil because I am listening to my Buddhist friend. She said that it doesn't matter what happens to animals it matters what happens to humans.. I responded actually it seems you are the one influenced by the devil if you think animal cruelty should be tolerated

Hi guys I am really praying that Pope Francis will start to advocate animal rights. I think he needs to, the Catholic Church has the truth yet it fails on compassion towards animals. I have tried at the Catholic College I go to to talk about compassion towards animals and I was only made fun of. I guess I eat meat at times too when I am weak so it is wrong for me to judge, but I just wish that Catholic that ate meat would start to consider how much better and compassionate it is to look out for the animals and to not live off meat all the time. It feels like it is a tendency to just eat it without realizing what the animal went through to feed you. Many people are oblivious to how bad the slaughterhouses are

TIP OF THE DAY: -- This is interesting - the benefits of hemp in a vegan diet.... http://www.livingharvest.com/hemp-101 --

ARL337.... that actually made me laugh out loud... I did not see that punch line coming!

JOKE OF THE DAY:

A guy has celery sticking out of one ear, lettuce out of the other, and a zucchini up his nose.
He goes to the doctor and asks him what's wrong.
The doctor tells him, "Well, for one thing, you're not eating right."