Let’s assume for this article that the Bible is true and the stories therein are true. If we do this, what might we learn about the way we eat? What insight can we glean about carnism and veganism?
Why should we look to the Bible at all? Simply because a huge percentage of the western world believes in the Bible. If not the Bible then the Torah or Quran – The holy books of the Abrahamic religions which make up several million people. Therefore, this is relevant to a huge group of people.
So, let’s start in the beginning, in The Garden Of Eden. The Garden of Eden was vegan and we know this because God told Adam and Eve what they could eat and meat was not a “thing” back then:
“Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food.” – Genesis 1:29
So who slaughtered the first animal? It was God himself after “the fall” when Adam and Eve became aware of their nakedness. It is written:
“And the LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them.” – Genesis 3:21
This does not outright imply that God killed an animal, perhaps he magically acquired animal skin – that’s for you to decide. However, we do know that God walked around in the garden. In Genesis 3:8-9 it reads:
“Then the man and his wife heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the breeze of the day, and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?”
This to me looks like God was walking around on the ground. He had to call out to Adam because he didn’t know where he was. So, I assume he did a little hunting that day.
God adopted a non-vegan lifestyle before mankind did when he did that. Man continued a plant-based diet for another 1,656 years which takes us to Noah’s flood time. At that time, God said this:
“Everything that lives and moves will be food for you; just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you all things.” – Genesis 9:3
Animal Cruelty Goes Way Back
Cain and Abel’s sacrifices – Credit: jw.org
While humans had a plant-based diet from the time of creation until Noah’s flood time, they were certainly NOT vegan.
Abel would sacrifice his animals to God. His brother Cain would offer God his crops. God rejected Cain’s offering but accepted Abel’s animal sacrifice.
“Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.” Genesis 4:2-5
What Did God Think of Animal Sacrifice?
It pleased him greatly. It is described as a sweet aroma to him in many scriptures. God did not only condone animal sacrifice but it was his idea in the first place. It probably would never have taken place had it not been for God requiring it. If you read the entire book of Leviticus, you’ll see all God’s detailed instructions on how to do animal sacrifices.
Why Animal Sacrifices?
The reason for animal sacrifices is summed up nicely in a single New Testament scripture:
“Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” – Hebrews 9:22
If you do not want to be accountable for your sin and be damned to eternal death because of it, you can put your sin on a completely innocent animal and then slit its throat and drain it’s blood to get you off the hook.
Of course, you can’t do that today because it’s illegal and the animal rights activists would have a fit! However, conveniently, Jesus, the Lamb of God was the ultimate poor innocent bugger who shed his blood and died to appease God so that you don’t have to worry about your sin anymore. “It is finished” no need to kill the animals.
It’s Not Over
But it’s not over is it. We still slit the throats and drain the blood of billions of innocent sentient beings. Now more than ever. Could it be that God is still getting his sacrifice fix?
Energy Vampirism and the Gods
We live on a planet where there is suffering and despair and it’s rife! In the wild, carnivorous animals rip their teeth into weaker animals and eat them alive while they scream and die the most horrific death.
People are cruel to people too, enslaving and abusing each other and animals alike. The people’s prayers of anguish, desperation and sorrow go up to the Elohim. The Elohim demand praise, worship and exclusive devotion or else eternal torment. The billions suffering in hell being burned for eternity are also crying out to god to be saved. Their crime? Not being “washed in the blood of the lamb”. Meanwhile, those who make it to heaven get to spend eternity praising God and worshiping Him for all eternity.
But don’t worry because “The FEAR of God is the beginning of wisdom” – Proverbs 9:10
The Good News
You don’t have to be part of this. You can go vegan and vow to never be a part of animal suffering or give your money to it when you buy meat, eggs or dairy.
You can believe in YOURSELF, become empowered. Be happy and not sorrowful. If you make a mistake, forgive YOURSELF and seek to improve. If you wrong somebody, seek forgiveness from that individual and make it up to them. You can be grateful to the TRUE creator of the universe (whoever that may be). A true and good God will not require you to beg on your knees for forgiveness and worship him.
You are OK, you don’t deserve an eternity in hell. You don’t have to fear God or walk on eggshells.
Don’t accept an innocent man’s blood so that you can be “saved”. Instead, take responsibility for your own life and your own actions.
Don’t be good because of the promise of heaven or the threat of hell. Just be good because it’s the right thing to be. Love your neighbor and love the animals. Do no harm to any living thing.
You don’t need religion to live a good life. You need empathy. Take care of your health, of your planet and of your human and non-human brothers and sisters.
Be free. Be saved from all this bullshit. Be kind. Be yourself and love yourself. If you stand before your creator when you die, you can say that you did your best. You are innocent, you are beautiful.
