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Engaging Religion - Sun. 11am
Christian, Jewish, Moslem, and minor religious denominations

Presenters: Dalal, Grisham, Haley, Schwartz

Sue Grisham
Episcopal Network for Animal Welfare, www.enaw.org

Inspired years ago by the late, great Rev. J.R. Hyland's "Humane Religion" web pages, I long for the day when Christianity-as-practiced can be regarded as a humane religion, or at least, not as a inhumane religion.  As an Episcopalian, where I am an "activist-of-faith in the One who desires mercy and not sacrifice", I long for the day when people of my denomination will take to heart the publicly-made promise we hear made at every baptism, to "renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God" (Book of Common Prayer, page 302), and allow public discussion of this topic in our congregations.

In my talk, I plan to touch on:

- ASWA, ENAW, resolutions, conventions;
- challenges and successes; what works for me and what I try to avoid;
- the importance of self-identifying as an "animal-person-of-faith", connecting and organizing with others;
- qualities the Animal Rights Movement and Organized Religion might have to offer each other;
- speaking out against overtly exploitive or abusive local customs, language, dismissive attitudes; filling in the gaps;
- building on what's available, and what others have done;
- seeking mutually-acceptable alternatives/solutions to suggestions by opposing interests (for example, other church-related special interest groups).




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Richard Schwartz
Jewish Vegetarians of North America, www.JewishVeg.com

With the world rapidly heading toward an unprecedented catastrophe, it is essential that religious organizations be actively involved in educating people on the importance of a major change to vegetarianism, in order to help shift the world to a sustainable path.

I plan to outline why Jews should be vegetarians, as a model for others to apply to their religions.

The basic case:

1. guarding human health

arguably the most important mitzvah or commandment, as it overrides other mitzvahs

2. treating animals with compassion

“the righteous person considers the lives of his or her animals”

3. preserving the environment

We are to be co-workers with God in working toward a sustainable world

4. conserving natural resources

We are not to waste or unnecessarily destroy anything of value (based on Deuteronomy 20: 19.20

5. helping hungry people

Farmers must leave the corners of the fields and the gleanings of the harvests for the needy

6. seeking and pursuing peace

“All we are saying is give PEAS a chance.”

Realities of producing and consuming meat and other animal products is contrary to these basic religious values. Hence, we should respectfully challenge religious practitioners to apply their highest values to their diets.