Sunday 6 March 2011

Religious Vegetarianism: A Mission Impossible?



Following my series of posts on individual religions and what they have to say about animals, I now propose to change emphasis slightly by looking at the specific issue of religious vegetarianism in Christianity and Islam.

I have chosen these two religions simply because meat-eating is far more prevalent in Christian and Muslim cultures than in Eastern traditions, almost as if it is an unchallenged norm.

Thus, it is common to hear such phrases as, "Humans are meant to eat meat," or "It's natural," as is humorously depicted in the American sitcom, All in the Family:




Subsequently, over the next few posts, I aim to research the following issues:
  • What is the "normative" view of meat-eating in Christianity and Islam?
  • What "Christian" and "Islamic" reasons can vegetarians give for their way of life?
  • How do non-vegetarian Christian and Muslims respond to these claims?