As a Christian, how did you become involved in animal protection?
I have always loved animals. Somehow, I had never associated the meat that I was eating with the living, breathing creatures I claimed to love. Also, tradition leads us to think less of animals raised for food than the animals we love as companions. As an adult, I began to think more about the health implications of eating the flesh of God’s creatures, and that led me to have a greater respect for their lives as well. To kill animals so that I can eat them, when God created an abundance of plant foods for me in Eden, makes no sense. And the cruelty with which they are treated—so that I can eat cheese and ice cream—is inexcusable. I also came to realize that when God first gave humans dominion over his creatures, it was not His intention for us to harm them or take their lives whenever we pleased.
How has this affected your relationship with God?
I believe that my relationship with God is stronger because of my vegan lifestyle. I feel that my mind and body are healthier, which leads to a healthier spiritual life. Once my diet was cleaner, I really experienced a clearer understanding of the Word and certain principles—things I did not fully value until I removed animal products from my diet.
There are a lot of Bible passages that demonstrate God’s love for animals. What’s your favorite?
One of my favorite verses on this topic is from Proverbs 12:10, which states that a “righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” Another is from Matthew 6:26, which says, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.”
What’s your favorite food?
I love to cook and have many vegan favorites: roasted potatoes, lentil soup, vegan mac and cheese, and a ton of desserts.
What would you tell a fellow Christian who’s thinking of going vegan?
I would want a fellow Christian to know that science shows that a vegan diet is the healthiest way of eating and that God truly cares about our physical health as much as He does our spiritual health: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 1:2).
I would also want them to know that God didn’t intend for us to kill His creatures when He created this world and that His purpose in coming to this world to die was to restore our relationship with Him to what it was in the beginning. A plant-based diet is what our first parents were prescribed by God. Our creator gave us this diet when He created us, yet we now think we know better than His ideal. We can begin to live like we did back in Eden by adopting a cruelty-free lifestyle and respecting all life.
