Weekly Newsletter from Christian Vegetarian Association CVA - June 8, 2022
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

  1. Polarization Is the Enemy of Truth
  2. All-Creatures.Org Ministry
  3. Activist Outreach Opportunities
  4. Grassroots Ambassadors Program

1. Polarization Is the Enemy of Truth

Animal advocates in general emphasize the importance of revealing truth, because they are convinced that public support for animal agribusiness would diminish if people recognized the many harmful consequences of raising animals for food. However, as discussed last week, polarization has undermined the pursuit of truth. How did this polarization occur? There are many factors, and it is hard to know the relative importance of each. I would like to highlight a few that seem important.

One rather obvious source is social media, which encourages people to reside in “information bubbles” where repetition gives falsehoods the appearance of credibility and where like-minded people reinforce bad ideas. Further, algorithms designed to keep people on social media platforms and empowered by artificial intelligence tend to stoke powerful human emotions. The typical end result is extremism and polarization.

A second source is information overload. It is impossible to have adequate expertise to make good choices across all the areas of inquiry that significantly affect our lives. We have no choice but to trust experts. However, if we believe that experts in general are not trustworthy, then we are inclined to trust the opinions of people who seem to share our values. These people might or might not have the greatest fund of knowledge, but they often seem more trustworthy than those who might have impressive credentials but seem to have different goals.

A third source is tribalism, which is as old as humanity. Tribalism tends to become more pronounced during times of unease. During troubled times, people are more attracted to those who share traditional values that seem to harken to better times in the past.

A fourth source relates to our political systems. In the United States, the electoral college system favors two-party politics. This leads to a winner-take-all situation in which “tyranny of the majority” is a concern. As people become increasingly polarized, they see undesired outcomes of elections not as sources of sadness or frustration but as existential threats.

Today, people seem to have less trust in “authorities” and institutions. Have institutions become less trustworthy? I will explore this next.

Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.

2. From All-Creatures.Org Ministry

We have a wonderful new "reading aloud" online book group starting this weekend. This is the perfect way to read vegan books - together online. Click to read the details in the newsletter and then register now while there are still spots!

You will find this week's edition of our newsletter packed full of information covering up-to-the-moment 2022 topics including GOOD news for animals, thought-provoking AR articles, religious and spiritual vegan information, art & stories, and so much more!

All-Creatures.org Newsletter for June 9, 2022

In the Love of the Lord,
Frank L Hoffman
All-Creatures.org

and

Kindness,
Tams Nicholson
Executive Directress
All-Creatures.org 

3. Activist Outreach Opportunities

Here is a list of upcoming VegFests, where a CVA table could have a real impact. Please contact lorenavalenziveg@gmail.com if you might be able to help. Remember, the CVA donates to the veg. or animal advocacy group of your choice if you volunteer.

VegFest Colorado - 8/6/22 - Denver, CO
https://www.vegfestco.com/

LA Vegandale Festival 2022 - 10/22/22 - Los Angeles CA
https://www.vegandalefest.com/losangeles/

Delaware VegFest 2022 - 9/17/22 - Newark DE
https://delawarevegfest.com/

Palm Beach VegFest WPB - 11/13/22 - West Palm Beach FL
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/palm-beach-vegfest-wpb-tickets-228550299097

Chicago Vegandale Festival 2022 - 6/11/22 - Chicago IL
https://www.vegandalefest.com/chicago/

Vegan SoulFest 2022 - 8/19-8/21 - Baltimore, MD
https://www.vegansoulfest.com/

Twin Cities VegFest 2022 - 9/18/22 - St. Paul, MN
https://www.exploreveg.org/events/twin-cities-veg-fest-2022/

St. Louis VegFest 2022 - 8/28/22 - St. Louis MO
https://www.stlouisvegfest.org/

Atlantic City Vegan Food Festival 2022 - 7/16-7/17- Atlantic City, NJ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-atlantic-city-vegan-food-festival-tickets-276131646187

Red & Green VegFest Albuquerque 2022 - 8/20/22 - Albuquerque, NM https://redandgreenvegfestabq.wordpress.com/about/

New York Vegandale Festival 2022 - 9/24/22 - New York, NY https://www.vegandalefest.com/newyork/

Triangle VegFest 2022 Festival Day - 9/11/22 - Durham, NC https://www.facebook.com/events/483301959262055

Charlotte VegFest 2022 - 9/17/22 - Charlotte, NC
https://www.facebook.com/CharlotteVegfest

Raleigh VegFest 2022 - 11/6/22 - Raleigh, NC
https://www.aplantbaseddiet.org/raleigh-veg-fest/

Cincy VegFest 2022 - 6/4/22 - Cincinnati, OH
http://www.cincyvegfest.com/

Tulsa VegFest 2022 - 6/4/22 - Tulsa, OK
https://www.tulsavegfest.org/

Lancaster VegFest 2022 - 6/4-5/22 - Lancaster, PA
https://pavegfest.com/

Phoenixville VegFest 2022 - 8/13/22 - Phoenixville, PA
https://www.phoenixvillevegfest.com/

Columbia VegFest 2022 - 6/26/22 - Columbia SC
https://columbiavegfest.com/

4. Grassroots Ambassadors Program

This is a reminder about the Grassroots Ambassadors Certification, Training and Summit on June 23.

The agenda is full of exciting activities including:

  • A full day of training by leading experts
  • An Ambassador Certification program
  • The rollout of the weDIDit.Health membership program

When you attend either the virtual, or in-person event, you receive the Grassroots Ambassador Certification, a full training package, three months of the weDIDit.Health membership program, and full access to the virtual resource center.

To learn more and reserve your spot, go to
https://aftontickets.com/event/buybroadcastticket/p79plvvxky?aff=christianvegassociation

This link is for the Virtual Event. If you’d like details on attending the event in-person, let me know and I will get those to you.

Feel free to share the link with your friends and family.

If having an impact on wellness, animal justice, and climate healing is something you love to inspire people about, put June 23rd on your calendar and join in.

In Christ,
Stephen R. Kaufman, MD
CVA chair

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