As we celebrate livestock and rodeo season, I raise the question, “Should Christians eat meat?” Two groups of thought respond to this question. Where do you stand?

According to the Christian Vegetarian Association, “Animals were created by a loving God, who gave them a desire to live and a fear to die. Whether an animal suffers or not should not dictate if it’s all right to eat. We should show reverence and compassion to all of God’s Creation.”

[http://www.all-creatures.org/cva/th-20090708-a.htm] (downloaded 7-12-09)

The CVA website cites several mistreatments of animals that they deplore. “Annually, the U.S. food industry slaughters approximately 10 billion farmed animals — each one with desires, feelings and, we believe, a spark of life coming from God. Before they die, the vast majority live in misery — approximately 98 percent of them in severely cramped confinement on ‘factory farms.’”

Pursuing a healthier lifestyle is another reason why some people choose a vegetarian diet. The apostle Paul taught that we should care for our bodies, which are sacred gifts from God.

Some nutritional experts believe our bodies are ill-suited to manage the huge quantities of meat we consume. Also, numerous studies have shown that meat-based diets contribute to heart disease, cancer, obesity and osteoporosis.

Finally, many vegetarians believe their lifestyle helps overcome world hunger. Tens of millions, mostly children, die annually from starvation or disease related to malnutrition. Ironically, nearly 1.1 million people worldwide are considered overweight. The animals we raise for meat must be fed plants . . . food that could be distributed directly to starving people around the world. In 1998, 37 percent of all harvested grain was fed to animals being raised for slaughter; 66 percent in the United States. [http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/vegetarian.html] (downloaded 7-12-09)

On the other side of the debate sit the carnivores — although those who believe God gives us freedom to eat animals. Jesus told his people, “Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.’ (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.)” (Mark 7:18-19, NLT)

In response to the treatment of animals, meat-eaters propose we find humane ways of eating meat. You might notice the new term “grass fed” or “pasture raised” at your local grocery store. These catch phrases mean the animal grazed the old-fashioned way instead of being fed an unnatural and difficult-to-digest diet of mostly corn and other grain. Farmers who raise animals using this methodology usually run smaller farms and charge higher prices than their larger counterparts. Those who want to eat meat, yet believe in a higher quality of life for animals, are willing to pay the premium.

Grass-fed meats also provide health benefits to consumers. Grass-fed beef is lower in fat than conventionally raised beef. Also, this beef and milk contain higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease and strengthen people’s immune systems. [http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/why-vegetarians-are-eating-meat] (downloaded 7-12-09)

Although vegetarians claim they lead the healthier lifestyle because they sustain a lower risk of heart disease compared to their meat-eating counterparts, many people experience numerous health benefits from eating meat.

First, many vegetarians suffer from a lack of protein and iron, generally found in red meat. Also, meat contains all essential amino acids and a sufficient source of vitamin B12 that our bodies need. However, doctors do recommend we eat only 60-75 grams of meat per day and not more than three times per week. [http://www.iloveindia.com/nutrition/recipes/non-veg-dishes/goodness-of-meat.html] (downloaded 7-12-09)

Vegetarians sing the praises of a diet rich in soy, but soy-based fake meat products are incredibly processed and use chemicals to produce flavor. Nutritionists also admit that as we process soy, we lose a lot of its benefits.

Aside from the health benefits, meat-eaters also believe this lifestyle perpetuates the circle of life and solves the problem of animal overpopulation.

Although people make valid arguments for both sides of the debate, let’s consider Romans 14: “What’s important in all this is that if you keep a holy day, keep it for God’s sake; if you eat meat, eat it to the glory of God and thank God for prime rib; if you’re a vegetarian, eat vegetables to the glory of God and thank God for broccoli. None of us are permitted to insist on our own way in these matters. It’s God we are answerable to — all the way from life to death and everything in between — not each other. That’s why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so that he could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other.” (Rom 14:6-9, MSG)

No matter where you find yourself in the debate, according to the Bible we are free to eat or avoid meat according to our own conscience. However, all eating should be done while giving thanks to God.

Elizabeth Oates (B.A. Baylor University; M.A.C.E. Dallas Theological Seminary) is a wife, mother and freelance writer. She and her husband, Brandon, are passionate about family ministry and founded Project Restoration Ministry. For more information on her Bible study curriculum, Dealing with Divorce: Finding Directon When Your Parents Split Up, or to e-mail Elizabeth, please visit www.projectrestorationministry.org.