The influence of christian vegetarian base

Added: 01/30/2006

The list of reasons causing constant growth of vegetarianism popularity includes numerous items: religious, nutrition, social, aesthetic, environmental, spiritual, etc. Christian vegetarian place play its significant role in development of vegetarian culture. Although there are no direct evidences in the Bible of the meat eating restriction, many Christians prefer vegetarian cuisine.

Originally vegetarian history can be traced to Buddhism philosophy and basic principle ?not consume? flesh (the theory about possible reincarnation prohibited to eat any alive creature that can ruin all moral bases, etc). The west roots history is placed sure in the Greek hills where the main reasons for stepping vegetarianism were proper nutrition system.

At the end of 20^th century there were detected the record number of vegetarian way follower?s. The reasons caused this boom are numerous: health improvement, aesthetic, environment, psychological, spiritual, social and certainly religious. Religious motivation in the matter of vegetarian culture is considered to be the basic and the strongest as well as the oldest one.

As for the west vegetarian culture one of the most significant and serious motivation is explained by Christian vegetarian base. From the first sight it seems that Christianity is not strongly vegetarian faith but at the same time it is clear that this religion support vegetarian cuisine. Many extracts from Bible prove Christian tending to ideal of vegetarianism that provides the possibility of non-violent life. Bible?s paragraphs refer to Jesus? teaching of human?s care after all creatures. Despite absence of direct evidence of vegetarianism in Christianity this religion presents Christian vegetarian base today.

The scientist engaged in thorough Gospels studying say that original issue does not contain the information about miracle of fish and loaves. The early variants of translation have the facts only about bread, water and fruit miracle.

Precondition of Christian vegetarian base is hidden also in the fact of angel?s direction to Saint Maria: ?You hall eat no flesh nor take strong drink?.

A great number of saints were presented by strict vegetarians: Nazarenes, Ebionities, Theraputes, Essens, Gnotics, John the Baptist and others. Historians say that meat eating in Christianity is explained by incorrect translation of Gospels and failed Bible interpretation.

The Judaica Encyclopedia informs that ancient Israel citizens were strict vegetarians. So it is obvious that Christian vegetarian base is very original and based on the principle of not meat eating.

Christian vegetarian movements took successful start in the beginning of 19^th century. The pioneer of modern Christian vegetarianism was William Cowherd who established new Bible Christian Church and declared renovated principle of flesh consumption prohibition. His three followers brought this idea to the USA in 1817 and gave an impulse to vegetarianism growth in American society.

One member?s wife of future Vegetarian society wrote the cookery book of vegetarian cuisine that was the first in this field (1812). But only 1847 year gave the birth to official Vegetarian Society. The first annual meeting in 1848 counted 478 members. It was decided to start up the vegetarian newspaper that was issued first time in 1849 and was titled ?Vegetarian Messenger?.

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