what is a vegan?
I wonder what comes to your mind when you hear the word "vegan"? Chances are you've heard the term by now, from media personalities like Oprah or Ellen, or perhaps socially- or health-conscious food outlets, or other animal advocates. Maybe you even know some folks who are vegans, and have some idea what that means. Or maybe you're not as familiar with the term, and find yourself somewhat skeptical of it. "Veganism" can lend itself to legalistic or extreme connotations from the outside looking in. I certainly felt that way about vegetarianism not that long ago, let alone an even stricter diet.
The purpose of this post and a few to follow is to look beyond some of the default criticisms and stereotypes of veganism to some of the very meaningful and positive motivations which prompt the lifestyle choice, even among Christians. Please know we're not trying to push or guilt anyone into a new diet or way of life. But just as we've featured other faithful ways of consuming more compassionately, including purchasing more humanely raised animal products or going without meat to various degrees, I've wanted to share more about veganism as another faithful, if more advanced, way of caring for God's creatures.
Essentially, a vegan is someone who avoids the use of all animal products, whether for food, clothing or anything else. Some vegans focus primarily on not including animal products in their diet. So while vegetarians avoid eating meat, vegans also abstain from dairy products and eggs, as well as animal-based gelatins, lard and similar commodities, and sometimes even honey. Because of the natural association between vegetarianism and a plant-based diet, dietary veganism is sometimes referred to as "strict" or "complete vegetarianism."
With some of the more radical connotations which the label "vegan" can carry, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the term was created by a very humble and gentle Englishman who grew up around livestock on his uncle's farm, and loved vegetable gardening and hiking outdoors until his death at the age of 95. Donald Watson helped found The Vegan Society in 1944, having suggested 'vegan' as a term for the diet they were advocating, made up of the first and last letters of 'vegetarian,' and representing "the beginning and end of vegetarian". Watson's Wikipedia article also mentions, "He never sought any recognition for his early work in founding the Vegan Society, and indeed actively shunned the limelight, concerned only that his vision for a more compassionate way of life in harmony with the natural order should take root and grow."
In case you're wondering, I'm vegetarian myself but not vegan, though my family has cut back quite a bit on dairy and some other animal-based products. But I'm honored to share some eloquent personal reflections and other resources over the next few days from Christian friends of not one sparrow on why they've chosen to be vegan, and the commitment but also significant blessing that decision entails.
Before we get to them, I wanted to share a soft-spoken and compelling introduction to veganism as a positive choice for animals, the planet and our own health. This is "A Life Connected" from NonviolenceUnited.org:
(photo from Wake Up Weekend 2010 vegan potluck at Calvin College, courtesy Matt Halteman)
September 21, 2011
Reader Comments (8)
Hey Ben,
A little voice prompted me to check out your blog tonight; sorry I've been out of the NOS loop for the past few months. What a perfect time to return -- to a topic that really resonates with me.
I've enjoyed my journey as a Christian vegan. Not only is it a freeing feeling being unchained from our culture's unending oppression of animals, but my joy is enhanced every time I witness a friend become interested in the message of complete kindness to all creatures. In the past year or two several of these friends have either left carnism for veganism or have moved from being vegetarians to vegans.
What I appreciate about their decision in each case is that it has little to do with personal health and everything to do with being compassionate toward all life.
I truly cannot picture our tender-hearted Savior knowingly hurting a flea -- or a lamb or a calf or even a fish. But it stands to reason that because five of his disciples were fishermen, Jesus had to be in a "suffer it to be so now" mode when it came to fishing. Or fish hunting, as a blunt friend of mine likes to say.
Were Jesus here today, you can believe I'd serve him up some Silk dark chocolate almond milk, So Delicious coconut milk yogurt, Tofurky sausage, Celebration roast slices, and Morningstar Farms hickory BBQ riblets! Well, maybe not all at once! :-)
Looking forward to the upcoming essays by your vegan friends.
My husband and I are Believers and have been vegan for a few years now. It started out as a journey of seeking better health but, as passionate animal lovers, we came to understand that it is indeed the compassionate way to live. While we try not to be judgmental towards others who have not come to the same conclusion we have, we take every opportunity to educate people about the horrors of factory farming as well as the health benefits of a vegan diet.
Thanks for being a voice for "the least of these".
Thanks very much, CQ, it's good to hear from you! I'm grateful for your feedback on the post and series to come, and your personal perspective as well. I know Christ must have been as compassionate as possible in the context of His time and community, both of which He came to be part of but also eventually redeem, and I also suspect he'd be very grateful to be served a compassionate meal if He were physically with us today.
Renee, thank you as well for your note and for sharing some of your personal journey with veganism. I admire your approach, and certainly hear you on the compassionate nature and significant health benefits of the diet. Thank you for your wise and gentle advocacy, and for your affirmation to us as well - God bless, Ben
Thanks, Ben, for bringing your signature invitational and even-handed style to a potentially controversial topic. I couldn't be more pleased to see Not One Sparrow engaging the vegan commitment as a potentially meaningful, liberating, and obedient response to the call to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God! Blessings to you in your important work!
Hi Matthew -- I especially value your use of the word "obedient" here because yesterday I happened upon a definition that I love: "concurrent." To be happily concurrent with, willingly in accord with, the desire of God for all His creatures is -- to use another of your words -- such a "liberating" feeling!
I gather you saw your quotes in my online book, www.CreatureQuotes.com. Tthey're in Chapter 22, pp 9-12 (gotta love that photo of the baby llama on page 11). Nathan's quotes are right above yours, and Ben's are on pages 14-18. They're all close to one another because you were born in years relatively close to one another (the quotes are in chronological order, as you know).
Good to catch up with you, and trust you're doing very well.
Matt, thanks very much. This series has been long overdue, but I'm grateful for your affirmation of it, and the introduction I wrote. You are a veteran in this field, and a trailblazer in it. Thanks for all the support you've shown me and NOS over the past few years, including the invitations to share at the always memorable and stimulating Wake Up Weekend.
CQ, thanks again for the Creature Quotes collection which you put together (http://creaturequotes.com/), and for sharing my own story in it, which was an honor. I'm glad you featured Matt as well! - Ben
great blog!
Keep up the great work.
stop by and see me sometime :)
Visit the christian vegan
Thank you, Laura, and for sharing your website! best wishes, Ben