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21 July 2011
1. Essay: Can We Trust Producers of “Humane Meat”?
2. Comment Regarding Last Week’s Essay
3. Book in Progress – CVA Member Contributions Encouraged
4. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman
5. Upcoming Activist Opportunities
6. CVA Members Seeking Like-Minded People in Their Regions
1. Essay: Can We Trust Producers of “Humane Meat”?
As Erik Marcus discusses in The Ultimate Vegan Guide, animal products are commodities. Milk from one farm, for example, is essentially the same as milk from any other farm. The same goes for eggs and the various kinds of flesh. Therefore, buyers tend to focus on price, which often results in small profit margins and strong incentives to do whatever competitors might be doing to reduce costs. Individual farmers need not be cruel or even callous; market forces drive many agricultural practices. Those who try to implement less abusive but more costly husbandry standards will tend to lose in the competitive marketplace.
Some producers, trying to appeal to consumers who object to cruel animal husbandry practices, claim that their facilities are “humane.” There are several different certifying bodies, some more legitimate than others, whose “humane” label can result in premium prices and significant profits for producers. However, there are reasons to distrust those who claim to use “humane” methods.
Often, “humane” labels are given to producers who self-report that they employ less abusive systems, and there is little or no oversight. “Humane” standards themselves tend to be modest improvements over the status quo that do not significantly reduce the degree of animal abuse. For example, “free range” chicken sheds typically include a small opening at one end of a large shed, which leads to a small, enclosed, outside space. Relatively few chickens find, let alone use, the open space that distinguishes “free range” from standard enclosures.
Also, we should not expect respectful or compassionate attitudes towards farmed animals among those producers who regard animals as property whose purpose is to generate income. Just as slave owners were typically callous and cruel, those who see farmed animals as means to financial ends are disinclined to care much for the welfare of individual animals. There are many pig farmers who claim to “love” their pigs, but if asked why they don’t use a local anesthetic before performing excruciating castrations, they will typically respond that it is too costly. The actual cost is nominal, a cost which anyone who cared about the pigs’ welfare in the least would gladly bear.
It is practically impossible to obtain animal products which have not involved exploitation and some degree of abuse. Even if egg-laying hens were treated well, there is no use for the male chicks, who are nearly universally killed. The only way to get a cow to lactate is to impregnate her, and there is similarly no use for the male offspring. It is very costly to raise animals for flesh but refrain from eating them until they have lived a full life and die (or are euthanized) in their old age. Wild-caught fish aren’t brutalized during their lifetimes, but surely they suffer when suffocating out of water.
For those who insist on consuming animal products, the only way to be sure that the animals are treated as advertised is to visit the farms and inspect the facilities first-hand. However, this approach doesn’t work when eating out. Next week, I’ll discuss the social challenges of trying to be a “happy meat” consumer.
For an excellent commentary that addresses these issues, I recommend “How ‘Conscientious Carnivores’ Ignore Meat’s True Origins”
http://www.theatlantic.com/life/archive/2011/07/how-conscientious-carnivores-ignore-meats-true-origins/241828/.
Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.
2. Comment Regarding Last Week’s Essay
Another consideration about whether humane slaughter is possible is psychological: animals become attached to one another--very similar behavior in humans we would call love. Mothers want to keep their young beside them, and vice versa; animals of some species mate for life; friends and littermates like to hang around together; some, like pigs, love to snuggle into adulthood. We only need ask ourselves if we would think it possible to humanely kill our spouse, son, daughter, parent, or best friend.
Gracia Fay Ellwood
3. Book in Progress – CVA Member Contributions Encouraged
My name is Shebani, I’m a rising senior at Yale University and founder of the Yale Animal Welfare Alliance. I found out about the Christian Vegetarian Association from a friend at Yale, and I think the work that you do is really fantastic. I was wondering if your group would be interested in helping me with a project that I am starting. Here’s a brief description:
I love advocating for animals and writing, and this summer I decided to start writing a book that aims to encourage people to eat fewer animal products. The book is going to be a collection of stories and quotes, interspersed with my own writing and analysis, from vegans, vegetarians, meat-eaters, and everyone in between about the food choices they make and their views on plant-based eating. I’m aiming for an accessible, non-judgmental tone that will appeal to people who might usually shy away from books on the subject. I plan to include stories from people with a variety of backgrounds and viewpoints with the hope that their contributions will help dispel some of the common misconceptions and stereotypes about vegetarians and vegans and also make the concept of a plant-based diet seem less alien and more doable.
I think that the members and leaders of the Christian Vegetarian Association would have some really interesting and wonderful stories to share for my book. I am looking for short contributions, around 650 words, from anyone who has anything to say about eating less meat – vegetarians, flexitarians, pescatarians, vegans, meatless Monday followers, and meat-eaters are all welcome. Here is a general idea of what I am looking for to get people started:
If the writer has taken any sort of steps towards adopting a plant-based diet, I would like to know: a) what compelled them to make that change b) a little bit about them c) how they feel after making that change and d) what difficulties they have encountered. If the writer hasn’t taken any steps towards a plant-based diet, I would like to know if they have ever considered making a change, and what they think about vegetarianism/veganism/programs like Meatless Mondays.
If you are interested in contributing to the book or helping me find stories, please let me know! I'd ideally like the stories by August 15th, but if anyone needs more time that's completely fine, just ask them to get in touch with me at shebani.rao@gmail.com. Thank you!
4. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman
Building a Church on the Proper Foundation
http://www.all-creatures.org/sermons97/s26jun88.html
5. Upcoming Activist Opportunities
7/23-25 GA Atlanta Women 'N Power Conference
7/24-28 OH Cedarville Camp Electric Christian Music Learning Camp!
7/26 MD Columbia Relient K Christian Rock Concert
7/27 VA Virginia Beach Relient K Christian Rock Concert
7/27-30 TN Nashville Immerse 2011
7/28 NC Charlotte Relient K Christian Rock Concert
7/29-31 IL Zion Ignite Festival Christian Music Fest
7/30 CO Loveland HeavenFest Christian Music Fest
7/28-31 WI Milwaukee GermanFest
8/3-6 NH Gilford SoulFest Christian Music Festival
8/4-6 TX Midland Rock the Desert Christian Music Fest
8/4-6 PA Hershey Joyce Meyers Minitries Conference
8/4-14 WI West Allis Wisconsin State Fair
8/6 IL Chicago Joel Olsteen: A Night of Hope Conference
8/6 OH Wapakoneta The Hoppers Gospel Tour
8/6 MO St Louis Casting Crowns Christian Family Day
8/7 NC Asheville TABLE VegFest
8/10 IN Indianapolis Third Day @ Indiana State Fair
8/10 IN South Bend World Pulse Festival Christian Music Fest
8/11-13 MI Muskegon UNITY FESTIVAL
8/12-13 NE Omaha Women Of Faith Conference
8/12-13 GA Atlanta Women Of Faith Conference
8/12-14 CA Anaheim Harvest Crusade
8/12 AL Huntsville The Hoppers Gospel Tour
8/12 AR ALMA Casting Crowns Christian Concert
8/13 TN Chattanooga The Hoppers Gospel Tour
8/13 KS Kansas City Farm Aid 2011
8/14 MI Clarkston Third Day Christian Rock Concert
8/19-20 IN Indianapolis Women Of Faith Conference
8/20 NE Kearney Casting Crowns Christian Concert
8/20 OR Gresham FishFest Christian Music Fest
8/21 CO Denver Casting Crowns Christian Concert
8/25-9/5 MO Branson Southern Gospel Picnic
8/26-27 TX Dallas Women Of Faith Conference
8/26-27 DC Washington Women Of Faith Conference
9/1-2 PA Pittsburgh Benny Hinn Miracle Services
9/2-4 SD Sioux Falls Lifelight Christian Music Festival
9/9-10 CA Anaheim Women Of Faith Conference
9/9-10 PA Philadelphia Women of Faith Conference
9/10 PA Philadelphia GreenFest Philly
9/10 CA Los Angeles Harvest Crusade
9/15-17 MO St. Louis Love Life Women's Conference- Joyce Meyers-
9/16-17 WA Spokane Women Of Faith Conference
9/16-19 MO Kirkwood Greentree Festival
9/17 OH Mt Vernon SonFest 2011 Christina Rock Festival
9/17-18 MO Kirkwood TABLE 2011 Kirkwood Greentree Festival
9/23-24 VA Middleburg Awakening Festival Christian Music Festival
9/23-24 AZ Phoenix Women Of Faith Conference
9/25-26 IL Belleville Our Lady of the Snows Youth Day Celebration
9/29-10/1 TX Dallas Benny Hinn Miracle Conference
9/29-10/1 GA Atlanta Joyce Meyers Ministries Conference
9/30-10/2 CA San Diego National Youth Workers Convention
10/1-2 CA San Francisco TABLE World Vegetarian Festival
10/7-8 VA Lynchburg Extraordinary Women's Conference
10/7-8 CO Colorado Springs Hearts @ Home- Mom Revolution Women's Conference
10/7-8 MA Amherst Acquire the Fire Christian Youth Conference
10/13-15 CA Long Beach Joyce Meyers Ministries Conference
10/14-15 IN Fort Wayne Extraordinary Women Conference
10/21-22 MS Tupelo Extraordinary Women Conference
10/29-30 MA Boston Boston Vegetarian Food Festival TABLE
11/3-5 OH Cleveland Joyce Meyers Ministries Conference
11/4-5 IL Rockford Extraordinary Women Conference
11/4-5 MN Rochester Hearts @ Home Mom Revolution Conference
11/18-20 GA Atlanta National Youth Workers Convention
6. CVA Members Seeking Like-Minded People in Their Regions
AL Decatur Ginger gcarter@my.athens.edu
AZ Flagstaff Debbie deb.riches@gmail.com
AZ Mesa Shaynie Shaynie_aero@yahoo.com
AZ Phoenix Jeff jboghosian@gmail.com
CA Agoura Hills Jill twest10485@aim.com
CA Bishop Sylvia sophiemoomooannie@yahoo.com
CA Chico/Oroville Claire sitters4critters1@yahoo.com
CA Downey Irene bolshoi225@aol.com
CA Foothill Ranch Cindy chin_cindy@hotmail.com
CA Huntington Beach Pamela Gwendolynspoems@aol.com
CA Lake Forest Valerie julians.moma@yahoo.com
CA Los Angeles Armaiti kind_dvm@yahoo.com
CA Los Angeles Russell russkirby@gmail.com
CA Los Angeles Chris csc333@gmail.com
CA Nevada City Ellen ellendv@ncws.com
CA Pasedena Jeannie and John jbrennan99@mac.com
CA Perris Debi chimommie6@aol.com
CA Pleasanton Laura ftwb32@comcast.net
CA Point Richard Norma Jean nwallace@questaec.com
CA Port Richmond Norma nwallace@questaec.com
CA San Jose Colleen colleen_gleason@yahoo.com
CA San Mateo Pamela hairlon@aol.com
CA Sonoma Eric & Deepty eric.lane@usa.net
CA Orange County Marina marinalw2107@hotmail.com
CA Vallejo Judy greenpasturesstillwaters37@yahoo.com
CO Longmont area Sara orangeport@yahoo.com
CT Clinton Elizabeth liz@perronegray.com
DC Washington Jennifer jennifer.dillard@gmail.com
DE Newark Maureen maurfagan@aol.com
FL Cocoa Charlie credd@bellsouth.net
FL Cooper City Gail gimccoy@yahoo.com
FL Ft. Myers Betty anmllvr17@yahoo.com (winter)
FL Ocala Erika erikacrider@gmail.com
FL Ocala Samantha winkerbunny@hotmail.com
FL Oviedo Antonio apieri108@yahoo.com
FL Pace Herman Big_Dog_Broom@hotmail.com
FL Sarasota Julie pugsrgood4u@yahoo.com
GA Lawrenceville Lorena lmucke@bellsouth.net
GA Stone Mountain Carl mccolman@anamchara.com
HI Honolulu Mahalo arise@pobox.com
IA Des Moines Andrew xacewildex@msn.com
IL Belleville Catherine cagillham@gmail.com
IL Bloomington Betty anmllvr17@yahoo.com
IL Chicago Deborah parcparis@earthlink.net
IL Chicago Corrie corriecallaghan@hotmail.com
IL Chicago Robert blackwalnutgallery@yahoo.com
IL Chicago Sandra sditore@yahoo.com
IL Chicago Hts. Chuck c.husband@att.net
IL Chicago NW suburbs - charlie boy uyi2gnr@hotmail.com
IL Chicago, S. suburbs - John spomar1@aol.com
IL Galesburg Lori lan82652@yahoo.com
IL Ottawa Lisa mycritters2@gmail.com
IL Schaumburg Dee vegdogmom@yahoo.com
IL Schiller Park Cezary uyi2gnr@hotmail.com
IL Staunton Brett brettluster88@yahoo.com
IN Westfield Angie angiemorganathome@msn.com
KS Lawrence Ashley pinkfrankenstein@sbcglobal.net
KS Lawrence Lisa blithewings@hotmail.com
KS Lecompton Judy judycarman@ymail.com
KY Bowling Green Maryanne maryanne4@insightbb.com
LA New Orleans Carolyn sweetnolabear@yahoo.com
MA Cape Cod (Hyannis) Linda lindaleedoll@comcast.net.
MA Somerville Joyce legalkind@msn.com
MD Columbia Jerry gzavage@gmail.com
MD Rising Sun Connie vision1@zoominternet.net
MD Rockville Daniel sherrydsal@aol.com
MD Salisbury Kimberly boontune@yahoo.com
MI Haslett Krista krista8282@yahoo.com
MI Lansing Tricia tmdoglover@juno.com
MI Rockford Ginny ginnymikita@hotmail.com
MI Royal Oak Willard callthecav@yahoo.com
MN Duluth Karen karenmoore5@juno.com
MN Moorhead Kathleen kskeene@hotmail.com
MN Sauk Rapids Michael michael_willemsen@yahoo.com
MO Hazelwood Wendy wendydancer@hotmail.com
MO Kansas City Diana imanartsygal007@yahoo.com
NC Boone Becky rh62869@appstate.edu
NC Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill - Rondy rondy369@yahoo.com
NC Winston-Salem Mark mcraddoc@wfubmc.edu
ND Fargo Alice odinwan@cableone.net
NH Bartlett Laura lslitt@roadrunner.com
NH East Derry Rev. Alexander therapuppy@yahoo.com
NH Fremont Jodie Sydniejane@hotmail.com
NJ Jan godscre58@yahoo.com
NJ Neptune City James james.travers@pseg.com
NJ Nutley Sheila & Meghan brocia1@yahoo.com
NJ Piscataway Jaimie allthatvelma@yahoo.com
NY Hilton Carolyn sungal70@yahoo.com
NY Roslyn Christine chrissykdamico@gmail.com
NY Brooklyn Casey cde0901@gmail.com
NY Brooklyn/Manhattan - Tracy thedesmond@optonline.net
NY Kirkwood Gloria glob47@aol.com
NY NY City May joywliu@yahoo.com
NY Patchogue Mikki mikmar@optonline.net
NY Rochester Tom and Gail gailmanz@yahoo.com
OH Cincinnati Elizabeth ejf.ape@juno.com
OH Cleveland Betsy & Ken isaiahmom@aol.com
OH Cleveland Steve cva@christianveg.org
OH Fremont Debbie debisbooked@yahoo.com
OH Toledo Bob veganbob@buckeye-express.com
OH Willoughby Beth info@muralism.com
OR Springfield Pastor CN Turrell apostolictruthministries@yahoo.com
PA Bethlehem Hannah Hannah_Branning@glic.com
PA Erie Alka alkaonline4u@hotmail.com
PA Pottstown-Reading area - Georgia aceg1402@aol.com
PA Philadelphia Leila lfusfeld@gmail.com
PA Scranton Nick openlcr@yahoo.com
PA State College Karen karenrath@verizon.net
PA Wyomissing Lois lmtheisinger@yahoo.com
RI Providence Ed escardente@cox.net
SC Spartanburg Lucas lucaspatterson@charter.net
SC West Columbia Patricia pgrello@sc.rr.com
TN Knoxville Tristan tris_0553_2004@yahoo.com
TN Nashville Ric ricg7777@aol.com
TX Austin Diane oktexchic@yahoo.com
TX Dallas Ricky soccerwarrior75@yahoo.com
TX Dallas/Ft Worth Margaret dogs_good@yahoo.com
TX El Paso Sukie vsoep@aol.com
TX Houston Joy secretleash@hotmail.com
TX Houston Phyllis phyllismarks4527@yahoo.com
TX Irving Kitty texaskitty75@yahoo.com
TX Kerrville Mark mtittel@yahoo.com
TX Lakeway Trisha trisha@pottytalkbytoast.com
TX Mesquite Tanya tpj.ttu@gmail.com
TX Houston Ivan ie3456@yahoo.com
TX Uvalde Tonia tonialmo@yahoo.com
TX Waco Robin rfjeep@gmail.com
VA Northern VA Christine honor08@verizon.net
VA Richmond Camille milldunn@hotmail.com
VA Springfield Danny mirage50_@hotmail.com
VT Rutland Maureen ActualMaureen@yahoo.com
WA Seattle Carol godfamilywork9@yahoo.com
WA Seattle Joy joywliu@yahoo.com
WA Seattle Kelly kellygarland@hotmail.com
WA Seattle Valerie valeriejean31@yahoo.com
WA Spokane Julie juliestalley@gmail.com
WA Tacoma Alissa alissaslack@comcast.net
WI Appleton Dana dana.villamagna@gmail.com
WI Kenosha Ben ben@notonesparrow.com
WV Huntington Ann amby3@hotmail.com
New England Tracie tlr2180@yahoo.com
Alberta Edmonton Leanna lsilva@telus.net
Ontario Hamilton Kris & Erin krishiuser@hotmail.com
Ontario Ottawa Anne stittsville@rogers.com
Ontario Scarborough Sheila sheilaholmes1@gmail.com
Ontario Toronto Vicki vickicorris@hotmail.com
Sutherland, NSW, Australia Brenda brendad2@optusnet.com.au
Leicester, England Kathryn fat_kat@hotmail.com
Glasgow, Scotland Alistair h.board@tesco.net
Leiden, The Netherlands Simon woerekomslvan@yahoo.com
Your question and comments are welcome
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