1. Activist Feedback
Rick Hershey, who leafleted with David, Judy, and Chip at Winter Jam in
North Little Rock last week, writes:
We handed out 3,900 CVA booklets at Winter Jam. A few attendees made their
livelihood from animal agriculture, and they weren’t too happy with us
handing out the booklets, but most of the attendees were receptive. One
attendee asked if we were on the Genesis diet. When I asked him what that
was, he replied it was the plant-based diet that people ate before the flood
in Noah’s time. I said yes! As always, the vast majority of booklets went to
kids, and lot of people said to us, “God bless you!”
Big thanks to David, Judy, and Chip!
Upcoming Activist Opportunities
04/11/2015 NC, Fayetteville
Casting Crowns
04/16/2015 MO, Kansas City
Third Day
04/17/2015 IL, Chicago
Third Day
04/18/2015 PA, Pittsburgh
Third Day
04/19/2015 OH, Toledo
Third Day
04/23/2015 AL, Huntsville
Casting Crowns
04/24/2015 IL, Peoria
Casting Crowns
04/25/2015 IN, Anderson
Casting Crowns
04/25/2015 NY, Albany
Third Day
06/14/2015 CO, Morrison
Third Day
06/27/2015 FL, Miami
Xtreme Christian Music Conference
08/4//2015 TN, Nashville
Casting Crowns
10/22-24/15 New Jersey
Hillsong Conference
Tabling
04/19/2015 MI, Novi
VegFest
05/9-10/15 LA, New Orleans
NOLA Veggie Fest
06/20-21/15 CO, Golden
Vegfest Colorado
06/27/2015 WI, Madison
Mad City Vegan Fest
Contact Lorena at
lorenavalenziveg@gmail.com if you can help.
2. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman
3. Article of Interest on Diet and Climate Change
An interesting blog at
www.chompingclimatechange.org argues that environmental and animal
activists err strategically. They frequently cite the Food and Animal
Organization of the United Nations report that attributed 18% of greenhouse
gasses to “livestock.” The FAO report actually did not recommend reducing
consumption of flesh and other animal products, but rather it encouraged
greater intensification, i.e., factory farming. Further, the FAO has
subsequently reduced its estimate of livestock’s contribution to 14.5%, and
blog notes that FAO ties to industrialized agriculture concerns as likely
compromising its analysis.
In addition to advising environmentalists to cite his unbiased analysis,
which takes into account important factors overlooked by the FAO, the blog
offers some good advocacy advice. Recent USDA recommendations to “reduce
meat consumption” to help the environment essentially asks people to make
“sacrifices” for animals, and such a mindset is unlikely to be effective.
When people feel they are making a sacrifice, they tend to fixate on that
object of desire, and cravings for that object of desire increase. Activists
should accentuate the positive. We should talk about how “better
alternatives” such as plant-based meat analogues taste great and are so much
better for animals, our bodies, and the environment. Further, there are
scores of delicious whole grains, legumes, and fruits from which to choose.
- Stephen R. Kaufman, MD