Does vegetarianism equate human and animal life?
Vegetarianism simply reflects respect for Creation—the diet benefits humans, animals, and the environment. What about animal sacrifices? The Bible relates that God accepted animal sacrifices. However, several later prophets objected to sacrifice, emphasizing that God prefers righteousness. Animal sacrifices are not required or even desired now, for at least two reasons. First, Paul encouraged self-sacrifice, writing, “[P]resent your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). Second, traditional interpretations of Jesus’ death affirm that, because of him, animal sacrifice is no longer necessary. Christians, being new creations in Christ, may model Christ by choosing a loving relationship with all Creation. Indeed, Jesus twice quoted Hosea (6:6), saying, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” (Matthew 9:13, 12:7). Didn’t Jesus eat meat? Luke 24:43 describes Jesus eating fish after the Resurrection. However, Jesus’ diet 2,000 year
