| | '''Veganism''' is the following of a diet in which refrains from consuming any [[animal]] products - including [[meat]], seafood, [[poultry]], [[eggs]], [[milk]], or [[honey]]. It is often thought of as a stricter form of [[vegetarianism]]. Vegans also try to avoid use of [[wool]], [[leather]], [[fur]], [[silk]], [[down]], and other animal-derived products. The basis of veganism is the idea that killing animals for food is only one part of a wider problem of unfair exploitation, and that keeping animals for eggs, wool etc. is another form of the same exploitation. | | '''Veganism''' is the following of a diet in which refrains from consuming any [[animal]] products - including [[meat]], seafood, [[poultry]], [[eggs]], [[milk]], or [[honey]]. It is often thought of as a stricter form of [[vegetarianism]]. Vegans also try to avoid use of [[wool]], [[leather]], [[fur]], [[silk]], [[down]], and other animal-derived products. The basis of veganism is the idea that killing animals for food is only one part of a wider problem of unfair exploitation, and that keeping animals for eggs, wool etc. is another form of the same exploitation. |
| − | These beliefs are refuted by most, as many believe [[God]] placed animals on earth for human consumption and to allow us to prosper. This is not supported by scripture, as Genesis clearly states that God gave man plants and every green thing for food (see Genesis 1:29). God only allowed meat eating after the flood,(see Genesis 9:2-3) as all plant life had been wiped out and the environment was not as suited for hardy plant populations as it was before the flood. | + | These beliefs are acknlowledged by most, since God says killing animals is wrong. This is supported by scripture, as Genesis clearly states that God gave man plants and every green thing for food (see Genesis 1:29). God only allowed meat eating after the flood,(see Genesis 9:2-3) as all plant life had been wiped out and the environment was not as suited for hardy plant populations as it was before the flood. |
| | In addition, many mistakenly believe it is impossible to supply all the essential nutrients required by the human body entirely through plant products. In actuality, we could supply more nutrients to people through plants than meat, since it take 16 pounds of grain fed to a cow to make 1 pound of beef. Treating animals as if they are common and expendable objects would be disrespectful to the God who gave us dominion over them. Jesus speaks of compassion, and in the New Testament God is stated by Jesus to look after the needs of animals (see Matthew 6:26). If we are to follow God's example, we must treat animal life with respect. | | In addition, many mistakenly believe it is impossible to supply all the essential nutrients required by the human body entirely through plant products. In actuality, we could supply more nutrients to people through plants than meat, since it take 16 pounds of grain fed to a cow to make 1 pound of beef. Treating animals as if they are common and expendable objects would be disrespectful to the God who gave us dominion over them. Jesus speaks of compassion, and in the New Testament God is stated by Jesus to look after the needs of animals (see Matthew 6:26). If we are to follow God's example, we must treat animal life with respect. |