The Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)
Weekly Newsletter from Christian Vegetarian Association CVA - May 14, 2024
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)
1. Movie Review: Christspiracy
The documentary Christspiracy begins when filmmaker Kip Anderson is
asked, “Is there a spiritual way to kill an animal?” This sets him on an
international quest to see whether any religions have identified an
affirmative answer to the question. He talked to leaders of several faiths,
including Buddhism and Hinduism, and their answers seem shallow,
self-serving, and unconvincing. For example, a Buddhist monk declares that
it is permissible for him to eat meat because, if he did not actually
slaughter the animal himself, there will be no ill consequences for him in
the next life.
Much of the film looks at Christianity, with particular attention to Jesus'
disruption of the Temple sacrifices. Most Christians today hold that Jesus
was trying to disrupt the social and economic system of the day. At that
time, the Temple priests, who were beholden to the Roman overlords, enjoyed
wealth at the expense of the impoverished masses. Therefore, Matthew 21:13
reads: “He [Jesus] said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a
house of prayer’; but you make it a den of robbers.” (See also Mark 11:17
and Luke 19:46.) In the film biblical scholars argue that “violent ones” is
a better translation than “robbers,” and this would seem to make sense. If
Jesus were really concerned about social inequities, why would he drive the
animals out of the Temple (John 2:15)? Liberating the animals from their
fate would seem to have little relevance to the economic grievances.
Similarly, why would Jesus have justified turning over the money-changer
tables by referring to the spiritual purpose of the Temple rather than the
role of the Temple hierarchy in maintaining economic injustice? Disrupting
the sacrifices, on the other hand, would have related to the spiritual role
of the Temple, which was designed to bring people closer to God. Recall that
Jesus twice said, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” (Matthew 9:13, 12:7),
echoing the sentiments of Hosea (6:6) and other later prophets who objected
to the sacrificial cult.
Like Anderson’s other films Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret, What the
Health, and Seaspiracy, Christspiracy is provocative and engaging. For those
interested in a deeper dive into whether Jesus was focused on ending animal
sacrifices, I recommend the book Disciples by Keith Akers and the Mark
Vernon – Talks and Thoughts podcast on 3/12, which is a discussion with
Christspiracy co-producer Kameron Waters.
2. More Leafleting Reports from Rick Hershey
I handed out 2750 CVA booklets in pleasant weather at Great Southern Bank
Arena on the campus of Missouri State U, mostly to kids in a sold out crowd
for Winter Jam.
Carol S. and I handed out 3000 CVA booklets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma
City for Winter Jam.
Most of the booklets that I gave out went to kids, and most of the time that I leafleted it was raining.
3. From All-Creatures.Org Ministry
All-Creatures.org Newsletter, May 1, 2024
Humane Hoax Chicken Webinar/Respect for Chickens month —for Justice for All, Be the Change — World Week for Lab Animals — another tribute to Karen Davis/UPC — raising compassion through ‘spirited arts’ — a rescinded dinner invitation — Life of Pei [book] — Bird flu in cows? — another rescued Tiger cub — Canadian perspective on Wolves — creeping death rates at California’ horseracing tracks — Food is Climate [book] — and more…
All-Creatures.org Newsletter, May 8, 2024
Acting on our aspirations! — Miami Seaquarium’s sea lion Bud died — 200 wild Horses will NOT be ‘removed’ — Vegan Muslim initiative launched — Building Multispecies Resistance against Exploitation [book] — Felony charge dropped against Animal rescuer — rescued Lion couple now in sanctuary — the many ‘accepted’ ways to kill Wolves — bee-killing insecticide ‘approved’ again! — and more…
Do you have things that you would like to see included in future newsletters? Then send it to us at veda@all-creatures.org.
In the Love of the Lord,
Frank L Hoffman
All-Creatures.org
and
Kindness,
Tams Nicholson
Executive Directress
All-Creatures.org
- Home Page
- Mission
- Free Membership
- CVA Booklet (FAQ)
- CVA Video/Audio
- Books, T-shirts, etc.
- How to Help
- Vegetarianism's Benefits
- Essays and Coloring Book
- Community
- CVA Advisory Board
- Bibliography
- Blog
- Discussions
- Nutrition
- Resources
- Simple Meals
- Weekly Newsletters
- Links
- Psalm 24 Project
- Guided By the Faith of Christ PDF
- Contact Us
Copyright © 1998-2025 The Christian Vegetarian Association. All rights reserved. May be copied only for personal use or by not-for-profit organizations to promote compassionate and responsible living. All copied and reprinted material must contain proper credits and web site link The Christian Vegetarian Association.
Fair Use Notice: This document, and others on our web site, may contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owners. We believe that this not-for-profit, educational use on the Web constitutes a fair use of the copyrighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law). If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
The CVA web site is sponsored by The Mary T. and Frank L. Hoffman Family Foundation and all-creatures.org
Thank you for visiting The Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA).
