Millions worldwide suffer from malnutrition and the threat of starvation. One-third of the grain in the world is being used to feed to animals to fatten up for slaughter. The amount of grain fed to animals being raised for slaughter is higher in the United States than other parts of the world. We could feed straving humans this grain instead of fattening up a cow for a fast food restaurant to make a hamburger. A vegetarian diet reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer. It makes weight loss easier and lowers cholesterol. Animals are given hormones and antibiotics, both of which humans can do without in excessive amounts. An added benefit to being a vegetarian is that we do not have to worry about mad cow disease or salmonella poisoning. Rainforests are being destroyed at a rapid rate to make room for cattle to graze. There is a lot of cruelty and abuse present when animals are being raised for slaughter.

Vegetarianism shows a respect for all of life or creation. The following quotes are from the Bible. If you believe the Bible is God's word, then it appears that he did not have factory farming in mind:

A righteous man has a regard for the life of his beast.

Proverbs 12:10

The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all he has made.

Psalm 145:9

The reason I brought this up has nothing at all do with trying to convince others to become vegetarians. It appears to be another way only parts of the Bible are followed. More pick and choose religion. Christianity at its finest. Who wants to give up a good steak but cannot miss Sunday services? Hypocritical, again. It is inconvenient to not eat meat, it tastes good. Issacc Bashevis Singer said, "We are all God's creatures...we pray to God for mercy and justice while we continue to eat the flesh of animals that are slaughtered on our account is not consistent." Jesus spread a message of compassion, love and mercy. He said, "Blessed are the merciful."

I honestly do not care whether other people eat meat or not. However, it does bother me when I hear how moral and righteous some Christians feel they are, and then they take the the path of least resistance. It is easier to just go with the flow and eat meat than to not eat it. I personally just decided to not have an animal killed for the sole purpose of me eating it. That choice has nothing to do with the Bible. I cook meat every night for my husband and son; that is their choice to eat it, not mine. It does not bother me at all to cook meat or that they eat it. Although, touching the dead flesh does give me the creeps.

Jackie Wellman, author of Spiritual Clarity, http://www.hoppy.bravehost.com, http://spiritualclarity.blogspot.com