Vegetarian Matthew

[Bruce Michael]

Dear All,
According to Renan, the primitive Christians, the Ebionites numbered among their sect all the surviving relatives of Jesus. They followed the original Matthew.

History of Vegetarianism - Was Christ a Vegetarian?

Clement wrote, "It is far better to be happy than to have your bodies act as graveyards for animals. Accordingly, the apostle Matthew partook of seeds, nuts and vegetables, without flesh". One of the earliest Christian documents is the `Clementine Homiles', a second-century work purportedly based on the teachings of St. Peter. Homily XII states, "The unnatural eating of flesh meats is as polluting as the heathen worship of devils, with its sacrifices and its impure feasts, through participation in it a man becomes a fellow eater with devils". Many of the monasteries both in ancient times to the present practiced vegetarianism. For instance, Basilius the Great's order, Boniface's order, Trappists monks, etc.

I have known some vegetarians (so called) who still eat fish- though technically they are pesco-vegetarians. I also knew a woman who ate chicken and still called herself a vegetarian- obviously it means different things to different people. We all digest the living bacteria in our gut!

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness
Thereof, Oh, God, enlarge within us the
Sense of fellowship with all living
Things, our brothers the animals to
Whom Thou gavest the earth as
Their home in common with us.
We remember with shame that
In the past we have exercised the
High dominion of man with ruthless
Cruelty so that the voice of the earth,
Which should have gone up to Thee in
Song, has been a groan of travail.
May we realize that they live not
For us alone but for themselves and
For Thee and that they love the sweetness
Of life.

-St.Basil (Bishop of Caesarea) (330-379)

-Br.Bruce

[Caimanson]

Hi Bruce,

Originally Posted by Bruce Michael

One of the earliest Christian documents is the `Clementine Homiles', a second-century work purportedly based on the teachings of St. Peter. Homily XII states, "The unnatural eating of flesh meats is as polluting as the heathen worship of devils, with its sacrifices and its impure feasts, through participation in it a man becomes a fellow eater with devils". Many of the monasteries both in ancient times to the present practiced vegetarianism. For instance, Basilius the Great's order, Boniface's order, Trappists monks, etc

So one could say that this vegetarianism was motivated by religious and perhaps legalistic motives?

Just remembered when Paul challenged Peter about not eating wth the gentiles....

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by Bruce Michael

-Br.Bruce

Originally Posted by Caimanson

Hi Bruce,



So one could say that this vegetarianism was motivated by religious and perhaps legalistic motives?

Just remembered when Paul challenged Peter about not eating wth the gentiles....

I would also say that any benefit of a vegetarian diet is thrown out the window when this is the sort of stuff (highlighted in red above) that comes from their hearts and out of their mouths.

Matthew 15
[Jesus said]
10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”
15 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”
16 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

[Paladin]

After having been a veggy now for about five years I can honestly say that it hasn't made me any holier, peaceful,insightful, or spiritual, but I like the simple diet and I don't have to put up with all the stupid stuff that they do to the meat supply. I have friends who hunt and fish just as I did as a boy and really see nothing wrong with it. In fact they might be healthier because the meat they eat is wild.

[Bruce Michael]

Originally Posted by Caimanson

Hi Bruce,



So one could say that this vegetarianism was motivated by religious and perhaps legalistic motives?

Just remembered when Paul challenged Peter about not eating wth the gentiles....

Hello Caimanson,
These were Jewish Christians I believe- used to following the Law. It appears to be more of a religious vow.

The Pythagoreans were vegetarian as well. I think it does improve the ability to think- Einstein was one wasn't he?

Eating beans, particularly soy beans, is not good however, for the thinking processes. The Pythagoreans didn't eat beans. Pythagoras declared that the smell of a squashed bean was like that of a murdered man- he didn't like beans one bit!
The Egyptian priests didn't eat beans either- they were considered too earthly I think.

There is some sort of study showing how soybeans shrink the brain- I haven't Googled it.

Ironically of lot of vegetarians eat a lot of beans, tofu etc.

Christians now and in the past, might give up meat during Lent. I have read that that is why the French developed the best cuisine in the world- learning to cook all those non meat dishes.



Greetings,
Br.Bruce

[Bruce Michael]

Originally Posted by Paladin

After having been a veggy now for about five years I can honestly say that it hasn't made me any holier, peaceful,insightful, or spiritual, but I like the simple diet and I don't have to put up with all the stupid stuff that they do to the meat supply. I have friends who hunt and fish just as I did as a boy and really see nothing wrong with it. In fact they might be healthier because the meat they eat is wild.

Hi Paladin,
The vegetarian diet releases forces that must be used in spiritual practice of some sort- it doesn't make you holier but just gives you the potential for spiritual work. If those forces don't go toward spiritual work they bank up and the individual becomes more egotistical (Steiner).

Interestingly those of evil nature (sadists and the like) also prefer a vegetarian diet (reference Dion Fortune). The meat ingested reacts badly on them. Think of Hitler here as well- though he did like liver dumplings I'm told.
Yes it is better if the carnivore knows its meal before he eats it.

Greetings,

Br.Bruce

[Mathghamhain]

From "Myths of Vegetartain"
The Myths of Vegetarianism

MYTH #14: Eating meat or animal products is less "spiritual" than eating only plant foods.
It is often claimed that those who eat meat or animal products are somehow less "spiritually evolved" than those who do not. Though this is not a nutritional or academic issue, those who do include animal products in their diet are often made to feel inferior in some way. This issue, therefore, is worth addressing.
Several world religions place no restrictions on animal consumption; and nor did their founders. The Jews eat lamb at their most holy festival, the Passover. Muslims also celebrate Ramadan with lamb before entering into their fast. Jesus Christ, like other Jews, partook of meat at the Last Supper (according to the canonical Gospels). It is true that some forms of Buddhism do place strictures on meat consumption, but dairy products are always allowed. Similar tenets are found in Hinduism. As part of the Samhain celebration, Celtic pagans would slaughter the weaker animals of the herds and cure their meat for the oncoming winter. It is not true, therefore, that eating animal foods is always connected with "spiritual inferiority".
Nevertheless, it is often claimed that, since eating meat involves the taking of a life, it is somehow tantamount to murder. Leaving aside the religious philosophies that often permeate this issue, what appears to be at hand is a misunderstanding of the life force and how it works. Modern peoples (vegetarian and non-vegetarian) have lost touch with what it takes to survive in our world--something native peoples never lose sight of. We do not necessarily hunt or clean our meats: we purchase steaks and chops at the supermarket. We do not necessarily toil in rice paddies: we buy bags of brown rice; and so forth, and so on.
When Native Americans killed a game animal for food, they would routinely offer a prayer of thanks to the animal's spirit for giving its life so that they could live. In our world, life feeds off life. Destruction is always balanced with generation. This is a good thing: unchecked, the life force becomes cancerous. If animal food consumption is viewed in this manner, it is hardly murder, but sacrifice. Modern peoples would do well to remember this.



I have not looked up about Jesus & the Last Supper part but as for the Native Americans they are very spiritual & Traditionally ate the whole animal, even parts I would have trouble eating. Can check it out through the Weston Price Foundation, he studied the diets before World War 2 or before we had the refrigeration system & were able to have fresh food year round.
Guts and Grease: Diet of Native Americans

Mathghamhain