Would religious types consider becoming vegetarian to fight climate change?

[judgefudge]

I understand the situation is different in different parts of the world, but it would seem relatively easy to do in the developed world. If major religious leaders started asking people to give it some thought at least, it may help. I don't think any of the major religions preclude being vegetarian and it would seem in line with their teachings to do it if it would help...

No, I enjoy eating meat. I don’t think it would make that much difference anyway.
Frankly the golden rule isn’t something that comes up that often. And your phrase ‘religious types’ comes from a point of bias I would argue.

Its got nothing to do with being religious or not. I don't believe veganism is any better for the environment and I don't believe humans are suited/designed for a vegan diet and I've never seen a healthy long term vegan. So no, I will never be vegan. Yes I would be on board with reducing meat consumption to a point and paying more for meat that has come from animals reared in better conditions.

Honestly, I think this whole veganism is better for the environment thing is a scam.

It’s a personal choice, nothing to do with religion.

If a minister stood in front of the congregation telling them to stop buying fast fashion and start earning Quorn it would be a bit weird - and people would no doubt manage to swing it against Christianity.

I think getting religions to ask their followers to become vegetarian is frankly daft.
Asking everyone to become mainly plant based with small amounts of animal products would do wonders for the health of the country. Most UK residents live off meat and carbs very happily if not very healthily, but they don't really care and are unlikely to change whoever asks them.

What???

No, if my Vicar used his position to promote any random agenda I would find another church. Despite what Welby seems to think, that is not the role of church leaders. They should stick to preaching the Bible.

No because religion is about power and control, not unselfish acts like saving lives

This!

No, I love meat.

And I'm another who doesn't believe that being vegan is good for the planet. Am not convinced that overly processed 'plant based' products are any good for you.

You haven’t got a clue what being a "religious type" involves do you OP?!

I also don’t believe that veganism is the way to go to prevent climate change. Eating locally produced,seasonal foods is the way to go. Not “plant based” nonsense produced in factories miles away!

I think OP's argument (clearly you disagree) is that vegetarianism is supported in the Bible.

For me personally I'd like to see a bit (lot!) more politics from the Church - Jesus was a radical and I would like to hear a lot more actually challenging us to go and behave differently. The Church can and should be taking positions on key issues like food poverty, homelessness, war (in Ukraine and elsewhere, tell us which they feel is a just war and why), refugees, the environment... people like Welby and the Pope have been given a platform and should use it to campaign to world and national leaders on these issues, and call their congregations to action.

I can't see where OP mentioned veganism.

I am religious, I am a lay preacher and am at church every Sunday. I am also vegan as I think being vegan is better for the environment than any other diet.

I am not sure where vegetarianism is supported in the Bible, except maybe when fasting (as Daniel did).

Of course, we have a responsibility to steward the earth well, and this is part of our worship. But for a church leader to say this equates to a meat free diet would be manipulative and wrong.

And, I agree 100 per cent that social justice is central to the gospel. People of faith contribute massively to this end. But, it is my opinion that we (and our leaders in particular) should be doing ourselves rather than campaigning.

Orthodox Christians are vegan (ish) for about half the year anyway (includes shellfish & honey). Most Wednesdays and Fridays in remembrance of the betrayal and the crucifixion, Lent, Advent and a couple of other fasting periods through the year. Nothing really to do with animal rights or environmentalism, it's about humbling and emptying the self before God and having discipline over the passions.

I've been vegetarian for over 40 years and that decision was definitely informed by my faith.

"Religious types"?

I'm not religious, but that still gets my back up.

Me neither.....people can't be arsed to read posts properly these days.

Where I live there seems to be a veritable epidemic of colon cancer. The rural Irish think meat is good and therefore more meat is better. Then I know ppl touting the meat only diet - all this guff about the lean fit Maasai warriors.

I think we could eat a lot less meat , people were pretty healthy on wartime rations. Bit of dairy , bit of fish lots of veg? Save the rain forest . All that awful soya grown to feed beef.

I think it's hard to say you care about others if you don't care about the environment / ecological issues / animal welfare etc. So there is a link to veganism.

Especially when people in other nations are the ones primarily experiencing the impact of climate change.

My sister is a devout christian, and welcomes climate change. She doesn't recycle, she has no interest in saving the planet because she thinks we are in the end times. It has been foretold and there is no point in trying to save the world. This is all part of god's plan, and we should just accept with good grace. She and other believers will be raptured soon anyway.

As a 'religious type' myself I think you're missing the point.
If we all followed the teachings of our faith better (and that includes me) the world would be a better place. Eating less meat might come into it for some, especially as it's easier than loving my neighbour, but I don't want a sermon on it.
The 7 christian virtues are faith, hope, charity, temperance, prudence, justice and fortitude. Let's start with those and let's start with ourselves.

Most religions are all about self and humans. They don't give a shit about animals or the planet. Excluding Buddhists.

The latest research shows that a diet incorporating one portion of meat a day has a lower carbon footprint than a vegetarian diet with increased dairy consumption. The most carbon neutral diet is vegan but that brings a whole host of other ethical concerns about the source of food too.

Orthodox Christians are vegan on Wednesdays and Fridays and during fasts which occur during the year, such as Great Lent and Advent.