I have to admit that, as much as I love Austin, living here for over a year has made me a little cynical about a few things. One of them: Vegetarians.
There are really good reasons to be a vegetarian. Some people cite the cruel practices to animals. Others don’t like the taste. Others do it for health reasons. I know of at least one preacher makes a good argument that he chose vegetarianism because of his desire to live a life free of violence.
So, should Christians be a vegetarians? Well, the Bible neither encourages it or discourages it. So, do what your conscious tells you.
But WHY do you want to be a vegetarian? Maybe you read the latest Michael Pollan book and got freaked out. Maybe you have good reasons…or maybe you’re just a 20something semi-liberal who lives in Austin.
I’m so disappointed when I hear people get all worked up about food. Do they love their Bibles as much as they love Fluffy? Do they pour as much energy into helping the poor or the orphan as they do cows?
Christians are called to be a set apart people. Our lives should be visibly, markedly different from the world around us. But being a vegetarian in Austin doesn’t set you apart, it lumps you in with the “pervading counterculture” the city is known for. In other words, your strict diet may just be a way of blending in.
So please, do what your stomach and your conscious tells you about food.
But save your passion to be different for the alternative lifestyle of following Christ.
Related Posts:
– Sex, Politics, Predestination and Animal Rights
– A Jesus Way: Putting it All Together
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