Sunday, May 10, 2009

Veganism/Fruitarianism and Religion

Those that are at all into religion, should already be aware that when you get down to the nitty gritty of it, the essence of pretty much every religion is about doing no harm, treating others with the respect that we ourselves expect, or fundamentally deserve, and generally loving and helping others when and where we are able.


Breakfast abomination


Buddhism, for example, has what it calls the 5 precepts, the first of which clearly states that one should undertake the precept to refrain from harming all living creatures (ie, both humans and other animals alike, and I'm supposing the ultimate harm is death!).

Albeit, I've yet to really meet a Buddhist that fully understands what that entails, and goes out of their way to put it into practice. (even the dalai lama regularly eats the flesh from other beings)..

Christianity, in addition to jesus's teachings of respect for others, has the very clear 6th commandment given in the old testament "thou shall not kill" (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17)..


A true carnivore would look at this creature, and think "food".


Specieistic scholars addicted to the scorched flesh of butchered animals, have tried to distort the true meaning of the commandment, and would have us believe that it refers purely to the murder of another human being, where I would seriously doubt that any such exception was ever intended.

Islam, supposedly the fastest-growing religion on the globe, quotes several times in it's Koran, that one should show respect for animals:

...but to hunt...is forbidden you, so long as ye are on the pilgrimage. Be mindful of your duty to Allah, unto Whom you will all be gathered.
(Koran, surah 5, verse 96)

It teaches that in Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, no creature can be slaughtered and that perfect harmony should exist between all living beings.. Which is odd, as I can't quite imagine that all the restaurants there are vegan..


Definitely not food.

Whoever is kind to the creatures of God is kind to himself. (the Prophet Mohammed)

There is not an animal on the earth, nor a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are all peoples like unto you. (Koran, surah 6, verse 38)

Ahimsa is an east Indian term that relates to the principal of non-violence toward all life. Ahimsa is an important tenant of both Hinduism and Jainism

- Animals are seen as sentient beings worthy of human love and protection. Killing animals for food or any other reason is supposedly completely unthinkable to an adherent of Ahimsa, although I suspect as with other religions many disciples will ignore or regularly turn a blind eye toward this tenant. - Violence toward animals is said to negatively affect a person's destiny and fate. The idea is that one reaps what one sows and the adherents of Ahimsa believes that the violence and misery experienced by a murdered animal will be metaphysically transferred to the flesh-eater during his own lifetime.


What gives us the right to eat animals?

The Bahai Faith teaches that respect for animals is just, and even supports it's followers to become vegetarian. Some even choose to cut out all animal products, and eat vegan. Admittedly, not all followers have the insight enough to equate respect for animals with diet at all, so I'm guessing that vegetarians in the faith are most likely to be in the minority..

Furthermore, Abdu’l-Bahá said, Fruits and grains [will be the foods
of the future]. The time will come when meat will no longer be eaten..


The next time those Mormons come knocking on the door, take a look at one of their small colourful brochures.. They often have one baring a picture of an idylic setting with colourful fruit baskets and lions lying peacefully next to lambs..

This they see as a future paradise, clearly portraying the Isaiah prophecies of a time when carnivorism will stop, even as behaviour between other species.. To me, it makes perfect sense that in order to bring about such a setting, we will all need to change our eating habits.. Apparently a fact that not one of those young mormons I've spoken with, has ever understood or appreciated.. Although, perhaps they were Jehovas Witnesses? I've always ignorantly confused the 2 groups.


Real food, for real people.

I'm quite certain that a few google searches would show similar thoughts expressed by other religions.. Quotes that are generally swept under the carpet by both leaders and followers of each religion.

The Pope, head of the catholic faith, similar to the dalai lama, is a regular flesh eater, devouring gluttonously all creatures great and small.

So clearly, it appears to me, and I repeat myself, the core of all religions is about Non-Violence..

The most nonviolent of all food, and thus the pinnacle of religious food, is unquestionably fruit. - No exploitation, killing or theft from animal or plant - No unjust imprisonment, branding, castration, torture or eartag punching of voiceless innocent animals.. - No acre upon acre of annual mono-agriculture, reliant on heavy industry tractors and harvesters, resulting in the loss of many small animals lives, and the loss of habitat of creatures of all sizes.. (The statistics in that industry of how many accidents, and deaths to humans alone, annually, is quite shocking - as well as millions of mammals and other creatures sliced by combines, harvesters).


Alive with colour

Fruit is the only food given freely and generously from the plant which bequeaths it all..

If you think of heaven as a place where you can sit and fish all day, then think again. I am convinced that heaven is heaven for all, including the fish.

Adopt a fruit diet, and help humanity evolve toward the light side!

Peace,
mango.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I copied following two phrases from Wikipedia regarding Gandhi.

(1)
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi listen (help·info) (Gujarati: મોહનદાસ કરમચંદ ગાંધી, IPA: [moɦən̪d̪äs kəɾəmtʂən̪d̪ ɡän̪d̪ʱi]) (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement.

(2)
Vegetarianism
As a young child, Gandhi experimented with meat-eating. This was due partially to his inherent curiosity as well as his rather persuasive peer and friend Sheikh Mehtab. The idea of vegetarianism is deeply ingrained in Hindu and Jain traditions in India, and, in his native land of Gujarat, most Hindus were vegetarian and so are almost all Jains.[33][34] The Gandhi family was no exception. Before leaving for his studies in London, Gandhi made a promise to his mother, Putlibai and his uncle, Becharji Swami that he would abstain from eating meat, taking alcohol, and engaging in promiscuity. He held fast to his promise and gained more than a diet: he gained a basis for his life-long philosophies. As Gandhi grew into adulthood, he became a strict vegetarian. He wrote the book The Moral Basis of Vegetarianism and several articles on the subject, some of which were published in the London Vegetarian Society's publication, The Vegetarian.[35] During this period, the young Gandhi became inspired by many great minds and was befriended by the chairman of the London Vegetarian Society, Dr. Josiah Oldfield.
Having also read and admired the work of Henry Stephens Salt, the young Mohandas met and often corresponded with the vegetarian campaigner. Gandhi spent much time advocating vegetarianism during and after his time in London. To Gandhi, a vegetarian diet would not only satisfy the requirements of the body, it would also serve an economic purpose as meat was, and still is, generally more expensive than grains, vegetables, and fruits. Also, many Indians of the time struggled with low income, thus vegetarianism was seen not only as a spiritual practice but also a practical one. He abstained from eating for long periods, using fasting as a form of political protest. He refused to eat until his death or his demands were met. It was noted in his autobiography that vegetarianism was the beginning of his deep commitment to Brahmacharya; without total control of the palate, his success in Bramacharya would likely falter.
Gandhi had been a fruitarian,[36] but started taking goat's milk on the advice of his doctor. He never took dairy products obtained from cows because of his view initially that milk is not the natural diet of man, disgust for cow blowing,[37] and, specifically, because of a vow to his late mother.

Mango, I guess other religion leaders are aware of this fact as well, but they don’t want to swim against the current.

Happy Fruitarian,
Orange

Anne said...

Great article Mango,
I enjoyed reading it.
Thanks ♥
Love and Peaches,
from Anne XX.

Fruitarian Mango said...

Hi Orange,
yep, it appears gandhi clearly understood that a fruit diet was in perfect harmony with his nonviolent path and it's a little sad that he was unable to entirely break addiction to all animal products..

If other religious leaders are aware, then it should be their duty to help change the direction of the current.. After all, they are supposed leaders..

Hi Anne,
glad you enjoyed the read! - Sold many copies of your book yet??

peace,
mango.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mango,

Hopefully more activists such as you and Anne gradually wake people up and the current itself changes his own direction, or we fruitarians move to another planet, like in LA BELLE VERTE (The Green Beautiful) movie!!!

Hi Anne,

I am taking advantage of this opportunity to thank you for your book. It was amazing. I usually do not read a book to the end. I read yours to the end, not escaping a single phrase in the first nine days from the time I received your beautiful package, and even then I read Part One for the second time. I never thought I could get all those questions answered in one source. This book shows that past seventeen years you have not been sitting around!!! Besides being a fruitarian mom, you’ve been a researcher. You have put all your time and life on this. You have thought about every tiny detail.

I liked when you said that most tree fruits are yellow, and guess what. The most noticeable color to human eyes is yellow as well. What a coincidence!!!

Your reasons for mono eating completely make sense. I also completely agree with you on eating farm fresh, ripe, and even more important quality fruits. Past few weeks or so I have been experiencing it and it totally changed my life. Even it totally removes your cravings.

The subject about vibration and the fact that humans and fruits have the same wavelength, which is different from other animals or even vegetables, and the fact that a device in lab can measure all these was new to me. It’s really something. I would like to educate myself more on this subject.

One fact I loved about your book was that you are looking at fruitarianism with the eyes of a fair judge. You are not prejudiced about it at all. You are using solid reasons for proving your points.

I cannot thank you enough. I wish you, Cappi, and Camlo the best. By the way now I’m using your tip in how to pick a pineapple and it’s working.

Happy Fruitarian,
Orange

Anonymous said...

You have Mormons and Jehova's Witnesses mixed up I think, simply because they both knock on doors.

Anonymous said...

Great article Mango.
Orange you are such of a kiss ass :)

Lisa.

Anne said...

Dear Mango ♥
thank you, the book is selling well.
XX

Dear Orange ♥,
thank you for all the positive feedback.I really appreciate it.
I am glad you enjoyed the book.
Enjoy your Pineapples ♥
Love and Peaches,
from Anne XX ♥

Fruitarian Mango said...

Hi all,
yes, my apologies to both mormons and jehovas witnesses.. I realise I did in fact confuse the 2, although I feel quite certain that a little research into mormonism would also reveal that respect for animals would be a natural conclusion to their teachings.

great to hear your book is a success anne! .. anyone wishing to order a copy can go here:

anne's fruitarian bookpeace,
mango.

Anonymous said...

Hi Lisa
I understand it’s too hard to believe how someone can get this excited. I’ve been there. I didn’t believe it two years ago myself. I cannot put it in words. Exploring this diet and overall life style has been my 24-7 thoughts. Whatever I said was purely from my heart. As far as I know if there is one thing missing in my genes, is being a kiss ass. I appreciate your comment. I guess now on, I’ll think about my comments twice before publishing it, keeping in mind your comment.
Happy Fruitarian,
Orange

Anonymous said...

Orange,
Now it's not a kiss ass that you are giving us but a big blow job

Lisa.

Fruitarian Mango said...

Orange,
I would love to see that movie, la belle verte.. I've known about it since the 90s, when I think it was released in france.. one of these days i'll find a copy to watch.. (for those of you who've never heard of the film, I believe it's about a woman alien that visits the earth, and her impressions of it.. I think she's fruitarian(?)..

thanks for your comments, and don't take lisa too personally, I suspect she may be somebodies alter ego..

peace,
mango

Teddy David Strider said...

Mango once again amazing article. First thing i read this morning after my intentions/all that im grateful for. I love you. And last night i was on your website learning urine therapy, u still practice? thanks. I got a couple pictures of you on my desktop along w others to surround myself w people i want to become. i also didnt know Dali Lama ate meat wow shocker. perpahs the craziest thing i have ever heard of.

Anonymous said...

Mango,
Now it’s available on YouTube in nine parts each about 10 minutes under names “The Green Beautiful – Part 1”, “The Green beautiful – Part 2”, thru “The Green Beautiful – Part 9”. It’s in French with English Caption. When I first got it, I watched it several times. It’s been very well designed. I just loved it. Enjoy it. You may put the link in your blog for others to watch as well.
Happy Fruitarian,
Orange

Teddy David Strider said...

Orange that movie the Green Beautiful was one the best movies i have ever watched. i was in trance the whole time once it began. powerful. thank you for telling us brother.

Anonymous said...

Teddy David Strider,
You are so very welcome. We are not a big group, and this life style is new although it’s been the only life style long ago. We need to stick to each other, share our experiences, and enjoy our beautiful life brother.
Happy fruitarian,
Orange

Fruitarian Mango said...

Orange, yes, thanks for the tip about the movie being available on youtube..I am downloading all the parts to watch (or internet connection is too slow to watch live streaming), but we'll be watching it as soon as we have all the pieces. Thanks!!

Teddy, it's always great to know that one can inspire others. If I can just change one person through my words, then it makes them worthwhile! .. For the record, no I no longer practice UT. I gave up on it completely after meeting Kveta.. Although I still believe it may offer some benefit to those on a standard sad diet, I see no real place for it on a fruitarian one..

Yeah.. odd that about the dalai lama..perhaps he thinks he's doing them a favour, on account that he may believe they may reincarnate into a better life.. (??) who knows..

peace,
mango

Anna said...

Mango,

What are those animals in the second and third pictures?

Fruitarian Mango said...

Anna,
the 1st is a baby aardvark,and the 2nd is a tapir..

neither of them, or any other animal, should ever be considered as food.

peace,
mango

Orange said...

Mango the movie la belle verte is on youtube, here's part one, you will find the other parts there as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5CmMm_SRpM&fmt=18

Fruitarian Mango said...

Hi Orange,
thanks yes..I discovered it a while ago, and posted about it here:

La Belle Verte

peace,
mango

Orange said...

Hi Mango,
I just wanted to clarify that obviously there is another person by the name “Orange”. The one posting a comment on September 17, 2009 is not me.
Happy fruitarian,
Orange

cyberryan26 said...
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