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Morals + Ethics + Religion
Morals
The morals surrounding vegetarianism are quite simple in that it is morally wrong to eat animals because they are tortured and suffer and then are killed all because human beings choose to eat meat, this is unnecessary and is immoral.
Ethics
The ethics of vegetarianism relate to how it effects your life and what values it brings to your life, e.g. do you feel a better person?
Religion
Hinduism
This religion views animals as sacred and therefore many of its followers are vegetarian. They are encouraged to be vegetarians because their religion promotes AHIMSA which means the act of non-violence, and therefore all violence must be reduced as much as possible to prevent bad Karma. Karma is the belief that when you die, all your good and bad actions are weighed up and this decides what your next life will entail, this then leads to their belief in reincarnation.
Hindus view cows as sacred for many reasons, one being that they view the cow as a surrogate mother who feeds human beings with her milk.
Vegetarianism is more than a way of life, it is a tradition.
Vegetarianism can be realized as a daily SADHANA, or spiritual practice.
Vegetarian hindus believe that eating meat produces a state of mind -TAMAS- which promotes sloth and ignorance.
A vegetarian diet also promotes SATVIC, qualities such as calmness and serenity, which are essential to spiritual development.
Buddhism
Some buddhists are vegetarian but not all. Attitudes on vegetarianism vary from sect to sect.
Buddhists practice METTA, which is a loving kindness to all beings without selfish attachment.
Buddha taught the middle way and did not encourage any extreme practices.
Sikhism
Many sikhs are vegetarian and do not eat fish or eggs or products that contain them.
All food served in a GURDWARA, which is the sikh place of worship is always vegetarian.
Judaism
The jewish law forbids causing needless suffering to animals, but many jewish people are not vegetarian. Jewish law forbids eating meat and dairy together and restricts which animals can be eaten and slaughtered in a way to minimise suffering!!!
Food must be KOSHER, which means it must be prepared in accordance with jewish law.
Islam
Muslim vegetarians are very rare as the consumption of meat is intertwined with the religious sacrifice of animals.
HALAL meat is slaughtered by islamic standards. If no halal meat is available Muslims will only eat fish or vegetables.
However, sufism, the inner mystical dimension of Islam recommend a vegetarian or vegan diet and lifestyle. The follower is known as a sufi or a dervish.
Christianity
Vegetarianism is not common in christianity, although the christian leader Rev. Andrew Linzey supports the view that Jesus was a vegetarian.
Jainism
There are seven million Jains in India. They believe that the taking of a life must be prohibited.
The monks, when out walking, will sweep the path first in order to avoid killing any insects and they will wear masks to avoid inhaling any flies.
They believe that only "innocent" food should be eaten. Roots and tubers of plants are forbidden as these create new life, only fruit which has fallen from a plant or tree is allowed to be eaten.
Zoroastrianism
One of the main precepts in zoroastrianism is respect and kindness towards all living things, condemnation against cruelty to animals and the sacrifice of animals. A vegetarian diet is recommended. This religion is one of the worlds oldest. It was founded by the prophet Zoroaster in ancient Iran approxiamately 3500 years ago. It was a powerful religion but now is one of the smallest of the world religions. In 2006 there were less than 190,000 followers worldwide.
Minor Religious Denominations, who are vegetarians
The Seventh Day Adventists - The original founder, William Miller (1782-1849) forecast the coming of the Lord our saviour on a particular day, when this did not happen many followers turned away at that time. The second coming or advent of Jesus was imminent with a visionary and prophet called Ellen.G.White (1827-1915) who forecast the coming of Jesus. Seventh Day Adventists celebrate the sabbath on saturday, which made them unpopular with many other religious peoples. This religion recommends a vegetarian diet although according to the bible certain "clean" meats maybe consumed at times. They frown on the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and sex outside marriage. One well known adventist, John Harvey Kellogg invented corn flakes as a replacement for bacon and eggs as breakfast to start the day.
This is a quote from Ellen.G.White, "Both mental and spiritual vigour are in great degree dependant upon physical strength and activity; whatever promotes physical health, promotes the development of a strong mind and a well balanced character."
The Rastarfari Movement
The Hare Krishnas
The Quakers
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Vegetarian In Religions
