The Tea and Bread Lady

Fred - by no means have I indicated that everyone should become vegan. Even if I think it is the best way for ME, I know that most people enjoy meat too much to give it up entirely, but can't we try to eat less for the earth? Nor, have I said that there is anything in the Bible opposing the eating of meat.
I disagreed with PETA when they said that Christ was a vegetarian. There was nothing that I could find in the Bible to back this up. What I was saying is THAT THE EARTH CANNOT SUSTAIN ENCOURAGING THE EATING OF MEAT IN THE THIRD WORLD. These are not my thoughts but the conclusions of experts who study our world - from the impact of our overuse of plastic
which does NOT DISINTERGRATE for 1,000
years to raising too many cattle which produce methane gas - A GREENHOUSE GAS WHICH IS DETRIMENTAL to the atmosphere.
I am also very glad that I am
a vegan because enviromental rsearchers Eshel and Martin have reported that American MEAT EATERS are responsible for 1.5 more tons of carbon dioxide per person than vegetarians every year! Sadly, most people do not want to hear things like this which might make them squirm and
be uncomfortable. Never have I said that people should not eat meat. But I do believe that for our earth, we can learn to eat less. True, my onus is on animal suffering too, but if you read my words CAREFULLY I NEVER CONDEMN PEOPLE FOR EATING MEAT.
As for guns, Philadelphia was featured on 60 Minutes as being a very
gun-riddled city with many deaths occuring as a result. They may have to sue their own city to make laws which would curb the use of guns. Here in Cleveland, we have had a bloody week -with 3 or 4 incidences -some ending in death. And then teaching children to use guns and hunt can't be healthy for our society. This doesn't sound anything like the peaceable kingdom we all hope to aspire to one day. Shouldn't it begin here and now as well?
If I have hurt anyone with my remarks, you have my apology. I like to feel that I am a caring person who
loves all of God's creation including Our Echo readers.
And I believe Our Echo is very fair and since Fred has seriously called into question my sincere views which can be backed up, I hope my response will find a place on the front page as well.

I am an animal lover and rescuer. I abhor neglect and or abusive of any kind to animals and object greatly to inhumane practices with animals, birds or even reptiles. I can not however, totaly condemn the consumption of meat, nor the use of animal byproducts for clothing. The bible tells us of the requirement of God that animals of various kinds be slaughtered and burned as sacrifices. We no longer practice such things and Christ abolished the need for it, but as far as I know, never condemned the eating of meat. I have difficulty in my mind, reconciling the vegan point of view with the Biblical.

As for guns, I believe there was a purpose for the second ammendment and I believe the purpose is as valid today as it was then. I believe part of the strength of this nation is that people do have guns and can help defend the country in the event of an invasion. I further believe in the right of everyone to defend themselves. Guns are also used for recreational purposes. At one time I was involved in competitive target shooting and it is an olympic sport. I too have a number of guns. It does not make me a criminal or a lunatic. It is true that a few people go berserk and do bad things with them, but that does not justify abolishing them. People commit crimes with cars, hammers, knives, scissors, ice picks, axes and hatchets, etc. No one condones abolishing those things. Why then abolish guns? It is not the gun that kills. It is the person whu uses the gun to kill with. People can and do, kill just as frequently with other things besides guns.
Fred

I certainly agree with Suzana's description of Old Mcdonald's farm. My neighbor across the street seemed like a sweet farm woman but told of drowning kittens, wringing chicken's necks, etc. Old McDonald's farm was not all that peaceful.