The mythologist Joseph Campbell, in his book The Power of Myth, observed that “one of the problems of mythology is reconciling the mind to this brutal precondition of all life, which lives by the killing and eating of lives...The essence of life is this eating of itself!...The reconciliation of the mind to the conditions of life is fundamental to all creation stories.”
Indeed, the recognition that life lives by eating other lives is one of the primary reasons humanity has formulated myths, belief systems, and religions. Vegetarianism, obviously not in itself a religion, might be able to pass as a pseudo religion of sorts -- a secular religion perhaps. Many vegetarians do not eat meat because of the same moral principles and sensibilities — the same ethical considerations — that have inspired the creation of various belief systems.
Coming to Terms with the Reality of Life Eating Life
Religions — Eastern, Western, and indigenous — provide evidence of humans’ grappling with the primordial fact of life that living beings must consume other living beings, whether animal or plant life, to survive. Out of this realization, people have devised prayers, rites, rituals, and ceremonies to reconcile their minds to this condition.
Eastern religions, such as Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, advocate a vegetarian diet. Western religions, including Judaism and Islam, have guidelines for ritual slaughter. The more contemporary religion Mormonism advocates moderation in meat consumption as part of its Word of Wisdom. Many indigenous cultures, including Native American tribes, bless and thank the souls of animals slaughtered for human consumption.
In their own ways, the majority of faiths and belief systems attempt to come to terms with the killing of life to sustain life.
Is Vegetarianism a Secular Religion?
I work for a politically active, nonviolent animal welfare organization that has a value system that mirrors that of some faith-based belief systems. The mission statement of the nonprofit is that kindness to animals creates a more humane world for all. To spread its message, it has various programs to support the end of companion animal homelessness and euthanasia. The organization is also involved in promoting animal welfare legislation.
The group values living beings of all kinds, from companion animals to wildlife. To be aligned with its core values, the onsite cafeteria at its animal shelter only serves vegetarian and vegan food options. I do find that there is some discord that we humans are eating a vegetarian diet and the animals we are caring for are being fed a meat-based diet, but I see this inconsistency as people’s attempt, however difficult to realize, to bring a sense of morality to life even while nature itself is amoral. This is the same wrangling with principles in which religions engage.
On the other end of the animal movement spectrum, there are militant vegetarian advocates and animal activism organizations that could be likened to religious fundamentalists or extremists. The groups participate in rallies and protests and sometimes illegal activities to promote their causes. The Animal Defense Militia’s website, for example, claims "A.D.M. members are resolute in the belief that grassroots and public activism, lobbying, civil disobedience and demonstrations of any kind are a monumental waste of time. The effort required for these touchy-feely diversions is much better expended on such useful activities as fire-bombing, poisoning and assassinating the filthy meat-eating and skin/fur-wearing hordes."
Vegetarianism and Religious Conviction
Like adherents of other belief systems, vegetarians have various reasons for their point of view. Many vegetarians do not eat meat because of their moral sense that it is wrong to do so. Various religions, particularly Eastern belief systems, express the same concern for the lives of animals, recommending that the faithful eat a vegetarian or vegan diet.
The motivation for vegetarianism often comes from a deep sense of ethics and integrity, which some individuals and groups have perverted into an animal fundamentalism of sorts that is distasteful and counter to their mission just as extremists of various religions twist and defile various religious traditions.
Sources
- AnimalDefense.org, Animal Defense Militia, About page (accessed June 7, 2011).
- Campbell, Joseph. (1991). The Power of Myth. NY, NY: Anchor Books.
- LDS scripture Doctrine and Covenants, Section 89.
- ReligiousTolerance.org, Native American Spirituality (accessed June 7, 2011).
Aimee Larsen Stoddard - Aimee is a professional writer/editor. She has a BA in English and is currently completing an MS in Theology.
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