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Christian vegetarianism is based on extending the compassionate teachings of Jesus, the twelve apostles and the early church to all living beings through vegetarianism or veganism. Alternatively, Christians may be vegetarian for nutritional, ethical, environmental or other spiritual reasons.

Churches

Vegetarianism is common among both Jewish and Gnostic forms of Christianity. The first Christian community, the Ebionites, are known to have been vegetarian, as were other Jewish-Christian sects. Many Gnostic sects as well have promoted vegetarianism throughout history, including the Cathars.

The Seventh-day Adventists present a health message that recommends vegetarianism and expects abstinence from pork, shellfish and other foods proscribed as "unclean" in Leviticus.

The Word of Wisdom is a dietary law given to adherents of the Latter Day Saint movement (also known as Mormonism) which says that meat and fowl "are to be used sparingly; And ... that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine." Not given as advice, this commandment is reiterated in the same section, "And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger." ^[1] (see also animals in the LDS Church).

All Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic monastics abstain from meat year-round, and many abstain from dairy and seafood as well. Laity generally abstain from animal products on Wednesdays (due to a traditional belief that it was a Wednesday on which Judas arranged to betray Jesus Christ) and Fridays (because Jesus was crucified on a Friday), as well as during the four major fasting periods of the year: Great Lent, the Apostles' Fast, the Dormition Fast and the Nativity Fast. This is not for environmental or animal welfare reasons, but for spiritual reasons. Fasting is seen as purification and the regaining of innocence. Through obedience to the Orthodox Church and its ascetic practices, the Orthodox Christian seeks to rid himself or herself of the passions, or the disposition to sin.

Roman Catholic monastic orders such as the Carthusians and Cistercians also follow a strict vegetarian diet, and Catholic laity are encouraged to abstain from meat on Fridays and through the Lenten season leading up to Easter. Carmelites and others following the Rule of St. Albert also follow a vegetarian diet, although the old and sick are permitted to eat meat according to this rule of life.

Some Charismatics believe raw veganism was the original diet of humankind in the form of Adam and Eve, and if they are ever to return to an Eden-like paradise then they will have to return to a similar diet (see Hallelujah diet). A "diet of Paradise" doctrine also appears in Orthodox Christianity [1].

Some members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) practice vegetarianism or veganism as a reflection of the Peace Testimony, extending non-violence towards animals1. Historically, the early vegetarian movement had many Quaker promoters. And some Ranter sects back in the mid-17th century are known to have been vegetarian as well.

In some Christian communities partial fasting, for example during Lent, resembles vegetarianism since meat and dairy products are forbidden for a temporary period. For some groups, seafood is permitted during these periods of fasting. A basic difference to other forms of vegetarianism is that Lent has spiritual connotation, not environmental or animal welfare reasons. Also, abstaining from meat and dairy products during Lent is intended to be temporary, lasting only until the season is over, not a permanent way of life.

Individuals

There have been various notable ascetics, such as Saint David, who have adopted a vegetarian diet for spiritual reasons.
Keith Akers claims that the movement away from simple living and vegetarianism began with Paul the Apostle, and that Christians should look at returning to pre-"Pauline Christianity".
Christian anarchists, such as Leo Tolstoy and Ammon Hennacy, believe that the Christian principles of compassion and nonviolence require a vegetarian diet, whether Jewish Christians were historically vegetarians or not.
Nathan Braun states that the Christian mandate to feed the hungry can only be truly fulfilled on a world-wide scale by our evolution to a vegetarian diet. He, along with many other environmental vegetarians, believe that a carnivorous diet consumes and destroys too large a proportion of the world's food resources.
Andrew Linzey is an Anglican priest, a theologian and a writer. He is internationally known for his views on Christianity and animals.
Benjamin Urrutia writes articles, book and film reviews from the viewpoint of Christian vegetarianism.

Organizations

Footnotes

^ Doctrine & Covenants, section 89

References

The Lost Religion of Jesus (2000) by Keith Akers, Lantern Books. ISBN 1-930051-26-3, Historical overview of Christian vegetarianism
Good News for All Creation (2002) by Stephen R. Kaufman and Nathan Braun, Vegetarian Advocates Press. ISBN 0-9716676-0-8, Overview of contemporary Christian vegetarianism
Good Eating (2001) by Stephen H. Webb, Brazos Press. ISBN 1-58743-015-0, A sound and informative view on Biblical and Christian vegetarianism, from Genesis to modern day saints.
The Bloodless Revolution (2007 ) by Tristram Stuart. ISBN 13: 978-0-393-05220-6, A Cultural History of Vegetarianism from 1600 to Modern Times (Quaker reference)

External links

[1] Doctrine & Covenants, section 89

[1]

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 ==Churches==
+Vegetarianism is common among both Jewish and Gnostic forms of Christianity.  The first Christian community, the Ebionites, are known to have been vegetarian, as were other Jewish-Christian sects.  Many Gnostic sects as well have promoted vegetarianism throughout history, including the Cathars.
 The [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Seventh-day Adventists]] present a health message that recommends vegetarianism and expects abstinence from pork, shellfish and other foods proscribed as "unclean" in [[Leviticus]].
@@ Line 14: / Line 17: @@
 Some [[Charismatic movement|Charismatics]] believe [[raw veganism]] was the original diet of humankind in the form of [[Adam and Eve]], and if they are ever to return to an [[Garden of Eden|Eden]]-like paradise then they will have to return to a similar diet (see [[Hallelujah diet]]).  A "diet of Paradise" doctrine also appears in [[Eastern Orthodox Church#Fasting|Orthodox Christianity]] [http://www.antiochian-orthodox.co.uk/image_likeness.htm].
-Some members of the [[Religious Society of Friends|Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)]] practice vegetarianism or veganism as a reflection of the [[Peace Testimony]], extending non-violence towards animals[http://www.quaker.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=90274 1]. Historically, the early vegetarian movement had many Quaker promoters.
+Some members of the [[Religious Society of Friends|Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)]] practice vegetarianism or veganism as a reflection of the [[Peace Testimony]], extending non-violence towards animals[http://www.quaker.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=90274 1]. Historically, the early vegetarian movement had many Quaker promoters.  And some [[Ranter]] sects back in the mid-17th century are known to have been vegetarian as well.
 In some Christian communities partial [[fasting]], for example during [[Lent]], resembles vegetarianism since meat and dairy products are forbidden for a temporary period. For some groups, [[seafood]] is permitted during these periods of fasting. A basic difference to other forms of vegetarianism is that Lent has spiritual connotation, not environmental or animal welfare reasons. Also, abstaining from meat and dairy products during Lent is intended to be temporary, lasting only until the season is over, not a permanent way of life.