Weekly Newsletter from Christian Vegetarian Association CVA - March 10, 2026
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

  1. Fair Play, continued
  2. All-Creatures.Org Ministry
  3. 2026 Winter Jam Events

1. Fair Play, continued

Having considered the concept of "play," I would like to reflect further on "fair play." Our sense of what is fair is often shaped by self-interest. As the saying goes, "Where you stand depends on where you sit." How can we honor fair play when it is so difficult to separate genuine fairness from personal advantage?

I offer a few suggestions.

First, put yourself in the other person's shoes. From that vantage point, would you still judge the choice to be fair?

Second, ask those whose interests conflict with your own whether they agree that it is fair—and if not, why.

Third, consult disinterested parties, taking care not to signal your own position and thus invite confirmation rather than candor.

You might also apply Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative: what would happen if everyone made the same choice you are contemplating?

Or imagine John Rawls's "original position," in which people design society's ethics and policies without knowing who they will be within it. Behind this "veil of ignorance," few would endorse a system in which one person is fabulously wealthy while most are impoverished, since they would be far more likely to end up among the many than the one.

Rawls limited "strict justice" to "moral persons"—those capable of forming and pursuing a conception of the good and possessing a sense of justice. In this way, he excluded nonhumans. However, this raises a question: what of humans with profound cognitive disabilities who do not meet these criteria? Rawls maintained that they should still be treated well, even if not owed "strict justice." Many nonhuman animals, however, display empathy, cooperation, and other morally relevant capacities—sometimes to a greater degree than some humans. Rawls' framework is powerful, and I maintain that it supports extending moral consideration to nonhumans.

The Bible offers similar guidance. The injunction to "love thy neighbor" and to show mercy toward nonhumans counsels against self-serving definitions of fairness.

Next, I will explore the challenge of cultivating compassion for those beyond one's family or tribe.

Stephen R. Kaufman, MD

2. All-Creatures.Org Ministry

This week's edition includes: Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) [new painting and essay from Barry Kent MacKay] - Operation Krill Wars commences with launch of the Bandero - new study finds dog racing has no net fiscal benefit in West Virginia - 44 wild horses at risk of slaughter rescued - why advocating for cultivated meat doesn't mean sacrificing ethical arguments - insights into canine perception - change in NIH funding priorities may benefit animals - our ethical obligations towards companion animals - and more...

All-Creatures.org Newsletter March 4, 2026 https://all-creatures.org/newsletter/news-20260304.html

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In the Love of the Lord,
Frank L. Hoffman
and
Kindness,
Tams Nicholson

3. 2026 Winter Jam Events

For more details, contact Lorena at lorenavalenziveg@gmail.com. The CVA will donate $20 per hour to the animal protection charity of volunteers' choice.

3/12 LA Baton Rouge
3/13 MS Southaven
3/14 OK Oklahoma City
3/15 IA Des Moines
3/20 MO Springfield
3/21 LA Bossier City
3/22 AL Mobile
3/26 IN Fort Wayne
3/27 OH Cleveland
3/28 PA State College
3/28 MI Ypsilanti

Please support the CVA! At www.christianveg.org/materials.htm, you can find literature, T-shirts, bumper stickers and more, and donations are always welcomed!

2026 Newsletters Archive