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'MEAT' Stands for Mormons for Ethical Animal Treatment

Written by PETA

Posted 07-24-2008

33 Comments

News flash: Virtually all scriptures encourage kindness and compassion. In any holy teachings—from the Bible to the Book of Mormon—you'll find language that encourages kindness to animals. With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that there are ties between Mormonism and vegetarianism.

Considering that today is Pioneer Day (it's sorta like the Fourth of July, but only for Utah and … not on July 4), Chris Foster—founder of the group Mormons for Animals—is encouraging Mormons to practice kindness to animals in accordance with their faith.

"The Mormon doctrine is strongly pro-animal. And it's strongly opposed to any kind of cruelty to animals, including mistreatment and killing when it is not necessary," Foster told local media outlet KCPW. "Unfortunately, Mormon culture didn't quite live up to that." Might this be because some people still opt to eat animals, despite the endless array of non-animal alternatives that everyone in modern society has access to?

I could restate this all day, but here's the basic idea: be truly kind, not selectively kind.

Posted by Sean Conner

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Recent Comments

Per68 commented:

6-8-2010 7:36 PM

I'm a Mormon a vegan a private animal rescuer and a proud PETA supporter. After reading all of the comments I'm a little dissapointed that Mormons are lumped into a group of "bad people" because of the terrible actions or examples of one or a few. I love my faith and oppose cruelty and neglect in any form whether it be to a person animal our planet etc. as does the Mormon faith. Yes I was brought up in a meat eating househould but I was taught how to love and respect others including animals. I have carried that over into my adulthood and am teaching those same values to my son. As an adult I learned where my meat came from and made the decision to not eat anything that comes from an animal. That education has broadened my sense of duty and responsibility and I also in my spare time rescue dogs cats and other animals and place them into loving homes. I work to educate people on the horrors of factory farming puppy mills etc. Are there socalled bad apples within the LDSMormon faith? Yes but we find that everywhere in every city country religion etc. All I know is I can't judge anyone else only myself. And I try to live my life as a Mormon and a vegan being the best person I can be and getting the occassional kick in the butt when needed
Holly commented:

9-14-2009 11:10 PM

I have read alot about doctrine and eating the meat of animals. What I would like to know about is the LDS stance on those who use animal cruelly for monetary gain feeding live animals to another for "food" or sport and the abuse of animals in exhibit for monetary gain. Where does that fall?? I do not know LDS doctrine but I know I know I do not agree with it. i have been subjected to all of the above at work in the last two weeks but I have an LDS company owner who laughs and shows no concern. I would like to express my concerns but don't know how to proceed other than resigning...please assist me with some accurate information on ideas and information so I may plead my case.
saskia commented:

7-18-2009 11:05 AM

Hi Mormon raw vegan here yep active one even have a temple recommend got me a houseful of Mormon kids they are vegetarians as well even got my hubby to not eat meat at home. I even have a friend who is Mormon and her family is vegetarian but I will say this we Mormons have a word of Wisdom and if it was really studied there would be more vegetarians. The response my family gets from our choices at church from some people is too bad but all we can do is set a good example and hopefully inspire others.
Laira commented:

1-29-2009 9:07 AM

I am sorry that there is so much misunderstanding out there. What the people that belong to the church do and what the teachings are can be different for some. However don't judge one person for their beliefs on the actions of another. Mormons are generally good people but do misunderstand this not very often talked about doctrine. That does not make them bad. I am mormon and vegan and am very happy with my lifestyle. I do not judge others. I think a lot of it has to do with the culture you were brought up in. The American culture is typically an obese meat eating culture and many good people of all religions follow this trend. Many latterday saints that belong to vegetarian societies such as a number of tribes in many small islands are vegetarian and care deeply for animal welfare. Open your eyes and look around you before you start pointing the finger at one small group of people. I think it is great that Chris Foster is promoting a healthier lifestyle and people of all faiths will benefit from following his advice.
Rita commented:

1-23-2009 2:41 PM

My nephew's mom is a mormon and her entire family is the worst when it comes to animal treatment. They go and pick out a cow to slaughter every month then save the whole thing in a freezer. Their mom runs a what basically amounts to a puppymill for Cockerpoos in her backyard. They spend their lives in a small cage in the backyard. I've called the police on them before but the police did nothing. Every year or so my nephew's mom gives him a new puppy and then gives it back to her own mom when it gets too big and gives him another puppy. And my nephew's cousin was holding a puppy upside down and dropped it a couple of times and the parents did nothing. When I went over and took it from her she screamed and threw a tantrum and the parents just glared at me. What is WRONG with Mormons? They disgust me with their neglect.
Anna commented:

11-30-2008 1:31 AM

I am also Mormon Vegetarian and personally know many other Mormon vegetarians as well. And I love it that our doctrine actually talks about treating animals humanely. I agree that it would be nice if more members took that portion of our doctrine seriously. But it is still a step in the right direction to have it spelled out that meat should be eaten sparingly...
Julie Meyers commented:

11-10-2008 6:05 PM

I know several Mormons who are vegetarians. I could name off over 20 just off the top of my head. It really just depends on where you live. Jut because their aren't any around you doesn't mean there aren't any.
Elise commented:

9-22-2008 1:28 PM

I am a Mormon and a vegetarian. I get ridiculed ALL the time by mormons telling me I am not following the word of wisdom and I'm sick of it. So what is wrong with wanting to spare an animal a life of torture? And how can they judge me when I know they are eating meat for every meal against our teachings I do not believe it is wrong to eat meat and I do believe that Jesus ate meat. However I bet He wouldn't have eaten any meat that came from a factory farm where the animals are constantly tortured. I wish that the Mormon church would step up to the plate and so that people were more aware of the important doctrine that they are not obeying eat meat sparingly. There is good reason for it and most don't give it a second thought.
Axel commented:

8-28-2008 10:50 AM

Wait Mormons believe in a proanimal doctrine? What ever happened to man having dominion over all the animals? Aren't there a ton of Biblical references to eating animals? Jesus ate meat Fish especially He gave others meat to eat Jesus didn't have a thing against people eating animals. Any Mormon who has the audacity to say humans shouldn't eat meat is saying Jesus was wrong and if they do they just aren't Mormons are they?
Amber commented:

8-28-2008 3:14 AM

I am also a member of the LDS church and a vegan. I live in Utah and Idaho it's a college thing... so it would make sense that a large majority of the people I know are omni. But it seems to me that the veg lifestyle is catching on and growing in popularity for lack of a better word just like it is outside the Mormon bubble. I have a good number of friends and acquaintances who are at least vegetarian and much of their inspiration as is mine is spiritual. Around here people are big on tradition. It's annoying but it's often what influences their lifestyle choices the most.

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