Are you planning to celebrate Easter with a ham dinner?

The following is an excerpt from a CVA email I received tonight:

Letter to Hendersonville (NC) Times-News
To the Editor: Thank you for the article about PETA’s billboard with a picture of a pig, and the caption “He died for our sins.” I was disappointed to read the letter articulating the hope that “in the future PETA will be able to express itself in a wholesome and Christian way.” What could be more Christian than advocating for the compassionate treatment of those less fortunate?

What I find disturbing is not PETA’s methods, but rather the unthinkable cruelties inflicted upon over 10 billion animals raised for food in America every year.

Anything goes, from intense confinement, bodily mutilations done without anesthesia, dismemberment while fully conscious, and being boiled alive. All of this takes place behind closed doors. The animals are lucky to have PETA pushing the envelope to call attention to their plight.

For more information about Christianity and vegetarianism, please visit the website of the Christian Vegetarian Association at www.Christianveg.com.

Stewart W. David
Asheville

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If PETA’s methods or theology don’t sit well with the Church’s methods or theology, then maybe it is time for the Church to finally pick up the cross and lead the procession.

I have no problem with PETA’s billboard, because it speaks the truth
– gospel or not. And since pigs are more likely than other animals to be the chosen sacrifices for our [unkosher] Easter dinners, [which goes against the "clear teaching of Scripture"], I think the timing was perfect.

You can decide what you think. Here’s an article about it:

PETA sign equates pig with Lamb, by MOLLY HENNESSY-FISKE, Staff Writer, www.newsobserver.com, Thursday, April 17, 2003

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Although I’m probably taking it out of context, this quote reflects my attitude about this controversy, and others like it:

“… the theology of animal rights is what the church gets when it keeps silent for too long about a major issue….”
– Stephen H. Webb

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And, I cannot help but add this quote — which was to make a point in the ongoing disputes over certain controversial verses of Leviticus, and which had nothing to do with non-human animals. But it is fitting….

“Posted with permission from Tobias S. Haller, BSG (on 12/3/2003)”

“Finally, it is important to note that the Noachide eating-of-blood prohibition (eating ‘from a living animal’ or the flesh ‘with its life’ i.e., its blood), is scriptural, was ratified by the council in Acts, and is commonly violated by anyone who eats a nice juicy steak. (see Leviticus 17:10ff for ‘God’s attitude’ on this matter; note it is binding both on Jews and ‘aliens’) Woe to those who barbecue!”

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