MARCH 2013 AGN VEG NEWS
No More Excuses!
The horse-meat scandal shook the confidence, or little confidence, consumers had on the food system. Consumers learned that eating animal products invariably leads to animal cruelty, environmental devastation and health issues. What is left to do? Transitioning to a plant-based diet! Please visit No more excuses. The only defensible option is to go vegetarian
Sometimes a scandal such as the one with the horse meat can lead us to see how corrupted and unsafe our food system is, especially when it relies on and profits from the commoditization of God’s animals.
Have a blessed day!
<>< <>< <><
Lorena Mucke
Coordinator
Christian Vegetarian Association
Please read these two blogs - First:
Alex Jamieson’s “I’m Not Vegan Anymore” - http://alexandrajamieson.com/blog/
And then -
Marla Rose’s Response – “I’m Not Not Murdering Anymore” - http://veganfeministagitator.blogspot.com/2013/03/im-not-not-murdering-anymore.html
Alex Jamieson’s “I’m Not Vegan Anymore” - http://alexandrajamieson.com/blog/
And then -
Marla Rose’s Response – “I’m Not Not Murdering Anymore” - http://veganfeministagitator.blogspot.com/2013/03/im-not-not-murdering-anymore.html
Prayer Circle for Animals Weekly Update
Our prayers for all animals continue to circle the earth, to
uplift humanity's consciousness, and to bless the animals themselves.
Thank you for joining people around the world who are praying this
prayer in many different languages but all with the same love:
"COMPASSION ENCIRCLES THE EARTH FOR ALL BEINGS EVERYWHERE"
Gandhi used to tell his followers that by not fighting back and by looking into the eyes of their oppressors with love, they could change the world. I have often thought that there must be many individuals who have worked in slaughterhouses and other places of animal confinement, torture and murder who have glimpsed that spark of love and pure innocence in the eyes of their animal victims and begun a journey toward compassion.
Recently, I read about Alvaro Munera, once known as El Pilarico, a bullfighter. In 1984 the bull Terciopelo (which means Velvet) injured Alvaro during a bullfight. He has been in a wheelchair since that injury. You wouldn't think someone like that would seek protection for bulls instead of revenge. But Alvaro has used his influence as a city council member and activist in Spain to campaign against bullfighting.
Due to his injuries, he traveled to the U.S. for physical rehabilitation and attended college. In his words, he stated, "The US is a totally anti-taurino country, and due to my former profession I felt like a criminal. I became an animal rights defender. Since then I've never stopped fighting for every living being's right not to be tortured. I hope I will continue to do so until the very last day of my life." In addition to his anti-bullfighting experience in the U.S., he also speaks of the misery he felt as a bullfighter causing so much pain to innocent animals. If you want to read more about it go to http://www.sott.net/article/243041-An-ex-bullfighter-tells-why-he-became-an-animal-rights-activist.
Animals all over the world are finding ways to communicate to humanity that they want to live and be free, just as we do. When we combine our energy of prayer and action with theirs, it gives me so much hope. This week let us hold the wisdom of Gandhi and the animals in our hearts and see people from all walks of life gazing into the eyes of animals and, through that gaze, see the truth of who they are-our sacred brothers and sisters-here with us to share this precious planet in peace and joy.
May all beings be happy. May all beings be free.
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Please visit the website www.circleofcompassion.org often to see updates and special prayers, and also to join in our "A prayer a day for animals" which features a prayer for a different group of animals each day of the week. It is also a place to send ideas or prayer requests. Please forward this widely so that we may continue to add more people to our ever-expanding circle of compassion.
1083 Vine Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448
This Week’s Famous Quote
“When I was old enough to realize all meat was killed, I saw it as an irrational way of using our power, to take a weaker thing and mutilate it. It was like the way bullies would take control of younger kids in the schoolyard.”
~ River Phoenix (actor, 1970 - 1993)
The Exploitation of God’s Animals: A Social Justice Issue
Paul Graham, writer of the daily vegan food blog www.eatingveganinvegas.tumblr.com, explains why the liberation of animals from human victimization is a social issue. He takes the reader through a trip through history highlighting some of the major social justice issues that were once ignored and ridiculed but later where embraced. Graham believes the time has come for human rights. Please visit Being Vegan --This is a Social Justice Issue
Of course the victimization of animals is a social justice issue. God’s animals have been endowed with instinct and needs, and the capacity to feel pain and joy. To prevent them from living their lives fully, from exercising their instincts and needs and from living their lives free of exploitation invariably raises ethical and spiritual issues than cannot be swept under the rug any longer.
Have a blessed day!
<>< <>< <><
Lorena Mucke
Coordinator
Christian Vegetarian Association
“The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.”
God instructed Adam to “till” and “keep” the Garden of Eden, and by analogy we may see caring for God’s Creation as our sacred task. The typical meat eater’s diet can require up to 14 times more water and 20 times more energy than that of a vegetarian. Indeed, current use of land, water, and energy is not sustainable; resource depletion threatens to cause hardships for humankind this century.
Reduce Meat Consumption to Save the Planet
Scientists are urging to reduce meat consumption at least by half in order to prevent more environmental devastation. Contemporary animal agriculture has proven to be disastrous for the planet by contributing to extensive pollution, degradation of soil, deforestation, unsustainable use of water, land and fossil fuels; and of course emission of greenhouse gases. The United Nations Environmental Program stated: “Unless action is taken, increases in pollution and per capita consumption of energy and animal products will exacerbate nutrient losses, pollution levels and land degradation, further threatening the quality of our water, air and soils, affecting climate and biodiversity.” Please visit Halve meat consumption, scientists urge rich world
It’s imperative that people, especially those eating the typical Western diet laden with animal products reduce their meat intake significantly, or even better, give it up altogether. Environmental devastation, unimaginable suffering for God’s animals and the already too high rates of chronic diseases should be strong motivators to show compassion to farmed animals and stop eating them. After all, what is sustainable for our bodies is sustainable for the planet.
Have a blessed day!
<>< <>< <><
Lorena Mucke
Coordinator
Christian Vegetarian Association
Ditch Dairy and Feel Better!
Harvard declares dairy is not part of a healthy diet. They suggest that collards, bok choy, fortified soy milk, and baked beans are safer choices than dairy for obtaining calcium, as are high quality supplements. Please visit Harvard Declares Dairy NOT Part of Healthy Diet
It’s not surprising to learn about Harvard scientists recommendations because dairy is for calves, not humans. Aside from the ill-effects of dairy on our bodies, the production of dairy is a source of much suffering and death for dairy cows and their calves. A diet that shows compassion to God’s animals is a diet that promotes good health.
Red Meat Increases Risk of Dying
2. Reflections on the Lectionary 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 – Are We “New Creations in Christ”?
This passage includes the well-known verse: Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come (2 Cor 5:17). What does it mean to be a new creation?
I think this passage teaches that those who are “in Christ” have a new outlook on life, which manifests itself in new behaviors and new choices. Jesus exemplified love, compassion, and mercy. There are people who claim to be “saved” or “in Christ,” but if they manifest the same hardness of heart they had before they were “saved,” I think they have deceived themselves. While we all “fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), those who are new creations in Christ continuously strive to emulate Jesus’ attitude toward God’s creation.
Are those who contribute to the abuses of animal agribusiness saved? I don’t know – some people may not have access to nutritious non-animal foods. For those who do have a choice and who know (or have no excuse for not knowing) about the cruelties of modern animal agribusiness, they are only “in Christ” to the degree that they try to use Jesus as a model for their choices.
Next week, I will reflect on the last part of this reading: For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.
3. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman
Removing Ourselves from a Violent Worldhttp://www.all-creatures.org/sermons98/s20130303-removing-ourselves-from-a-violent-world.html
4. The March-April Issue of The Peaceable Table Is Now Online
Contents include:
There have been readers, even in ancient times, who ridiculed the book of Jonah because they couldn't believe Jonah survived three days in the fish's belly. But perhaps the laugh was on them. When read as a parable, the book uncovers some of the riches of God's love, not only for human animals, but also for the furred and feathered ones with whom we are all bound together. See the Editor's Corner essay, "Jonah, the Fish Story, 'and Also Many Animals.'"
In one of the Unset Gems, author Victor Hugo tells us why animals are in no risk of going to hell.
Our Pioneer, Maria Rosa Martinez of Argentina, tells in an interview about becoming a vegetarian in her teens, how her family and friends responded, and how a powerful short video convinced her to become a vegan. (Ms. Martinez is the translator into Spanish of Quaker Animal Kinship's booklet "Are Animals Our Neighbors?" Both English and Spanish copies are available for distribution; just ask.)
A Book Review by Robert Ellwood looks at A Faith Embracing All Creatures, an anthology of knowledgeable and sensitive essays on various aspects of the Christian faith having to do with animals. Several of them, citing Bible passages frequently quoted by those who mean to challenge a compassionate veganism, show that a very different interpretation is called for.
To read these and more, see http://www.vegetarianfriends.net/issue95.htmlWe welcome comments on anything in this issue as well as suggestions and submissions for the next one.
Peace on Earth,
Gracia Fay Ellwood, Editor
Soaring of Veggie Meat Sales after Horsemeat Scandal
Maybe something good is resulting from the horsemeat scandal in Europe: the marked increase in veggie meats. Quorn products have more than doubled in the UK since mid-February; and Fry's, a South African vendor of veggie sausages and pies in Europe, has seen sales increase by 30 percent. Please visit Sales of Veggie Meat Soar after Horsemeat Scandal
Horses, cows, pigs or chickens... all sentient beings created by a loving God. Surely, if God endowed them with the capacity to feel pain and to suffer, it makes no sense to intentionally cause them suffering by raising them for food. Fortunately, more and more people realize that really there's no need to eat animals in order to live healthy, joyous lives. Nowadays, the abundant variety of tasty veggie meats makes the transition to a plant-based diet easier than ever before!
Have a blessed day!
<>< <>< <><
Lorena Mucke
Coordinator
Christian Vegetarian Association
CNN Article:*EATING ANIMALS IS MAKING US SICK *
~ by Jonathan Safran Foer ----Please read and share.http://edition.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/10/28/opinion.jonathan.foer/index.html?iref=allsearch
~ by Jonathan Safran Foer ----Please read and share.http://edition.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/10/28/opinion.jonathan.foer/index.html?iref=allsearch
While surfing for a movie to watch one night, Matt Stary stumbled across Forks Over Knives. Matt watched the film and his life has been very different ever since. Read Matt's testimonial at http://bit.ly/13QjdaZ.
The New Food Scandal
After the horsemeat scandal a new one arises: organic eggs deception. More than 150 poultry farms in Germany and 36 Dutch poultry farms are under investigation for fraud involving organic eggs. These farms seem to have violated rules for free-range and organic poultry farming by keeping more than the permitted number of chickens in their stalls. Sadly, the eggs were sold at higher prices under the organic label. Please visit Organic egg fraud follows horse meat scandal
The animal-based agriculture industry is a broken system that has been corrupted by their lack of ethics and compassion. Consumers are deceived from the beginning, most of them ignorant of the cruel practices to which God’s animals are subjected, and the marketing labels that don’t convey their true meaning. We rest on safer, more faithful and more compassionate grounds when we stop eating God’s animals or their secretions, and instead replace them with healthier plant-based options.
Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis has gone vegan, and is talkin’ tofu (VIDEO)
Ask Your Doctor About Meat™ - YouTube
269life's 3rd Worldwide Event promo
This Week’s Famous Quote
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
~ Albert Einstein
Featured Recipe
Germany is the place where the first supermarket in Europe opened. Vegilicious, carries over 1500 products including chocolate bars, cereals, veggie meats and 30 different cheese alternatives. According to Kalkowski, who co-owns Vegilicious with wife Kim, "You can have anything you think you might be missing, so there's no need to eat animal products anymore." Please visit Europe's first vegan supermarket opens in Dortmund
The world is changing! Just a decade ago, the word “vegan” was fairly unknown. Today, veganism is becoming popular and well-accepted because the benefits of a plant-based diet are too numerous and too great to ignore. Vegan supermarkets are the result of the demand of vegan products because veganism is good for all of God’s Creation: humans, animals and the environment.
Have a blessed day!
<>< <>< <><
Lorena Mucke
Coordinator
Christian Vegetarian Association
U.S. Vegan Population Doubles in Only Two Years!
According to a new Harris Interactive study commissioned by the Vegetarian Resource Group, the number of vegans in the United States has doubled since 2009 to 2.5% of the population. An amazing 7.5 million U.S. citizens now eat vegan diets that do not include any animal products – no meat, poultry, fish, dairy or eggs. Close to 16 million, or 5%, identify as vegetarian, never eating meat, poultry or fish.
If this rate continues, vegans will be 10% of the U.S. population in 2015, 40% in 2019, and in 80 % in 2021! This would mean an end to the exploitation and suffering of billions of farmed animals. The study also revealed that 33% of U.S. citizens are eating vegetarian meals a significant amount of the time and ordering vegetarian meals at restaurants, though they are not vegetarians. That is over 100 million people, one third of the country!
Interestingly, the demographic breakdown of the study discovered that it was equal percentages of Democrats and Republicans eating vegetarian. Perhaps these two parties CAN agree on something- the vegan lifestyle is healthy and compassionate. Conscientious eating is going mainstream so if you haven’t already, reduce or eliminate your consumption of animal products- everyone’s doing it!
According to a new Harris Interactive study commissioned by the Vegetarian Resource Group, the number of vegans in the United States has doubled since 2009 to 2.5% of the population. An amazing 7.5 million U.S. citizens now eat vegan diets that do not include any animal products – no meat, poultry, fish, dairy or eggs. Close to 16 million, or 5%, identify as vegetarian, never eating meat, poultry or fish.
If this rate continues, vegans will be 10% of the U.S. population in 2015, 40% in 2019, and in 80 % in 2021! This would mean an end to the exploitation and suffering of billions of farmed animals. The study also revealed that 33% of U.S. citizens are eating vegetarian meals a significant amount of the time and ordering vegetarian meals at restaurants, though they are not vegetarians. That is over 100 million people, one third of the country!
Interestingly, the demographic breakdown of the study discovered that it was equal percentages of Democrats and Republicans eating vegetarian. Perhaps these two parties CAN agree on something- the vegan lifestyle is healthy and compassionate. Conscientious eating is going mainstream so if you haven’t already, reduce or eliminate your consumption of animal products- everyone’s doing it!
Americans Are Eating Less Meat
Americans are eating less meat, even though we are still the population that eats the most meat in the world. Why the decline? Many are the factors, including: environmental devastation, animal abuse, health, small ranchers going out of business, corporations getting too big, etc. Please visit We're Eating Less Meat
The meat industry is simply devastating for God’s Creation. Supporting it means supporting cruelty, degradation, disease, corruption and much death. On the other hand, transitioning to a plant-based diet supports hope, compassion, justice, healing and restoration.
Easter Recipes!
If you are still thinking about what you are going to make for Easter, check out these amazing recipes! In this page you’ll find everything from appetizers to desserts! Vegan Easter Recipes
Have a blessed day!
<>< <>< <><
Lorena Mucke
Coordinator
Christian Vegetarian Association
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