veganism: One of the Elders after church told me that not eating all of the bounty god gave us, including animals may be anti-Christian, this has given me great pain as I have been a vegetarian since 8. Can someone help clear this up ?|||There is nothing in the Bible that says you must eat meat. In fact, before the flood, mankind only ate vegetables. So, if anything, one could make a stronger case for being more vegan/veggy vs. omnivorous. However, after the flood, God gave man the meat of the animals to eat as well. However, sometime after that, the nation of Israel was established and they were given a dietary law. While it did include meat, the standards were so high, that there weren't too many meats they would eat. Their diets were mostly vegetables, bread, etc. When Christ came, He basically established a rule that says that one can eat of anything on the earth because God made it all for man anyway. So, eating something that doesn't comply with the dietary laws of the Jews was made ok. The bottom line is that there's nothing in the Bible to say that you must eat meat. There's nothing that say you can't eat something either. However, keep in mind that your body is the temple of God and that you must take care of it. While there are some nutrients that you'll get more easily from meat than from non-meats, not eating meat doesn't mean that you're unable to take care of your body. Chances are, this is just a conviction of the one elder in your church. While he should be respected, that doesn't make him right in everything he says. If he's telling you that "XYZ" or else you might not be a good Christian, tell him to point you to the scripture and verse. Afterwords, write it down and read it for yourself in context. Spend about a week or two studying everything you can about the given verse(s). Then, if you find that he's wrong, ask him to explain himself. It's fine to have convictions, are we are to share them with other Christians. However, there is a difference between sharing your convictions with another person and using your position in the church to pressure people into living a specific way. I honestly don't want to be vegetarian/vegan. I personally think it's silly. But, if someone wants to eat this way, it's only right for a fellow Christian to respect it. God doesn't have a definitive standard for us regarding food. Really, about the only thing a Christian is expected to do with their food is to thank God for it and to ensure that they are giving of their food to others. (i.e. have people over for dinner, take people out to dinner, being generous with your food.) This is the example Christ gave us. God did give us all the animals to eat; however, if you don't eat something out of conviction or because it's not your custom, then that's fine. However, also make sure that your conviction isn't used to burden another. ***e-mail me if you'd like more information or you have other questions regarding this subject or others. ***|||If God gave you freewill then he's not going to care that you don't eat the animals. It never says "God will send you to hell because you didn't eat the deer." You can appreciate his bounty in more ways than devouring them. You're respecting his creations by letting them live and be. As long as you don't condemn others for eating animals and they don't condemn you. You appreciate their beauty, while others like the taste.|||Becoming a vegetarian—or remaining one—is strictly a matter for individual decision. Because of health, economics, ecology, or compassion for animals, a person may choose to follow a vegetarian regimen. But he must recognize it as only one way of eating. He should not criticize those who choose to eat meat, just as one who eats meat should not condemn a vegetarian. Eating meat or refraining from it does not make one a better person. (Romans 14:1-17) Neither should one’s diet become the prime concern in his life. “Man must live,” Jesus said, “not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah’s mouth.”—Matthew 4:4.|||First of all the worst thing you can do is listen to a pastor. They teach their tradition and not what the bible says. It is not against God to be a vegetarian. I have never seen a verse that says it is. In fact, when God created the world originally there was meant to be not death at all. Death is the penalty for sin. So even the animals wouldn't have died, therefore there would have been no eating meat. Genesis 1:30- And to every beast of he earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given ever green herb for meat: and it was so. Here it says that every living thing was given green herb to eat. There was not to be killing. When Adam and Eve died the punishment for sin was death. Therefore God immediately made coats of skin (Genesis 2:21) from animal to cover them up (for a picture of salvation from the blood of the sacrifice of Jesus) so killing animals was then allowed. It is not against God not to eat animals but it isn't bad to eat animals. Lesson here, dont listen to pastors. They teach from their own ideas and not the bible. Always ask for verses for what they are teaching and make sure it fits the WHOLE bible. God bless you :)|||Well if you looked at it from the old testament in which virtually ALL the animals were unclean - all the good ones at least - then yes, it is supported. However the New Testament gives dominion of all animals on earth to Man, so...in a sense yes and in a sense no.|||short answer: nope. man was given all animals to eat right after the flood. all flesh except its blood. that contains the soul, and it must be given back to god. sacrifices were meat, beef and lamb. it was to be made to smoke to give a restful order. conclusion: God loves a barbeque ! now. go enjoy a 1/4 pound burger or a fish. jesus ate them, so you can too. or lamb. gramps|||It isn't specifically mentioned. But we are free to eat what we wish. The Bible does state that. Freedom is the key here. There is nothing that we are required to eat.|||Yes. Daniel and his friends were vegetarians. But no diet is favoured over any other by the Bible.|||I know of no Biblical mandate commanding you to eat meat. You are not sinning by refusing meat or animal products.|||NO. Just the Opposite.