September
2002
Outreach
to People of Faith
By Bruce Friedrich
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Most of us want to be as effective as we possibly can;
we even agonize over the perfect answers for every situation. Many
in the animal and
environmental movements nevertheless seem to have neglected religious
outreach, to the detriment of our effectiveness. Think about it: In
the United States, some 95 percent of the population believe in the
existence of a higher being. Approximately 90 percent of Americans
identify
themselves as members of a Western, monotheistic, faith—86 percent
are Christians, three percent are Muslims, and three percent are Jewish.
Many others identify with some Eastern or other non-monotheistic faith.
Consider that even a cursory review of history reveals that every social
justice movement has required religious support to succeed. Inspired
figures of civil rights, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Archbishop
Desmond Tutu, jump to mind, but there are a few more examples to reflect
on. The movement for the independence of India was led by Hindu and
Muslim clerics, as well as by Mohandas Gandhi, who argued the case
for
independence on the basis of Hindu, Muslim, and Christian moral theory—appealing
both to Indians to liberate themselves, and the British to adhere to
Christian dictates by allowing India to be free. In the 1980’s,
oppressive Latin American regimes were opposed almost exclusively by
people of faith. Faith-based activists like Archbishop Oscar Romero
and the priests at the University of Central America, with help from
religious groups in the U.S., led the modern underground railroad—the
“Sanctuary Movement”—that used churches and synagogues
to house political refugees fleeing oppression in El Salvador, Guatemala,
and other countries. More recently, East Timor was granted independence
because of the internal work of faith communities, and the external
work of both progressive and conservative elements of the Catholic
Church.
When it comes to animals, even the turn-of-the century reforms set
up to protect domesticated animals were spearheaded by church leaders,
who were morally opposed to animal abuse and who also founded the societies
for the prevention of cruelty to animals we know so well today. The
Humane Slaughter Act, whatever its liabilities, was granted organizational
support, touted by Senator Hubert H. Humphrey year after year as he
introduced the legislation throughout the mid-1950’s, from Catholic,
Methodist, Presbyterian, and other religious organizations and leaders.
Things haven’t changed that much. When asked in one of the presidential
debates which philosopher, current or past, has most influenced his
thinking and life, George W. Bush named Jesus Christ; Al and Tipper
Gore, the couple from Tennessee who hit radar screens in the 1980’s
by opposing anti-religious content in popular music, also relied heavily
on Christian themes and religious support. One would be hard-pressed
to find a political race or cause in the U.S., other than the animal
movement, that does not get significant support from religious groups,
especially from progressive Jewish and Christian organizations and
people.
Even our number one progressive in Congress, vegan Rep. Dennis Kucinich
(D-OH), is devoutly religious.
Religion constitutes a crucial (often the most crucial) aspect of many
people’s lives, and even a basic grasp of a few major points may
cause someone to pause and reconsider their diet (and thereby decrease
animal suffering). If more than 90 percent of Americans are motivated
by faith and our efforts as advocates for animal rights are purely secular
in nature, we’re not talking as effectively as we might to more
than nine-tenths of our audience. The arguments for faith-based vegetarianism
are overwhelming; to avoid addressing people of faith is to miss a
wonderful
and vital opportunity.
With all of this in mind, I would like to offer a few helpful hints
(and key pointers) for having discussions with people of faith. In all
cases, the arguments are similar to the secular arguments with which
we are all familiar, but here they are presented in a religious context.
Don’t argue over side issues. People of faith may want to convert
you to their way of thinking, or may be more comfortable discussing
abortion, the death penalty, or the nature of evil. All of these are
interesting issues, but you can and should lead the discussion: Keep
it focused on the animals.
Find Common Ground. Engage people by using statements and concepts
with which they already agree (e.g., “animal abuse is wrong,” “God
created animals,” and so on). Try not to rewrite the person’s
scriptures for them; it’s not necessary and will require far more
time and effort.
Avoid Bible Thumping. There is such a thing as too much information.
As with statistics, you can find Biblical justification for just about
anything (including slavery, polygamy, animal abuse, and so on). No
matter how well you know the texts, people can argue from other perspectives.
Anyone can engage people of faith on animal issues , including those
with almost no knowledge of the religious texts. General arguments
that
don’t resort to Biblical citation are often more effective and
less convoluted, as long as the animal advocate remembers that everyone
wants to be viewed as a “good person,” as compassionate and
thoughtful.
My two most tried and true suggestions. Two quick arguments that seem
to resonate with people of faith, because they begin with something
most already believe, are: 1) God created animals with certain needs,
inclinations, desires, and so on. The present method of producing animals
for food denies them everything for which they were designed; 2) We
all agree that dogs and cats should be protected, legally, from some
of the worst abuses. But animals who are raised for food have no protection
at all; anything goes. If a person is eating meat, they are supporting
animal abuse.
Please note that there will be many rationalizations that will follow
your discussion and none of them will answer these crucial points.
Keep
coming back to them; try to say, “well, that’s an interesting
point, but I still don’t see how you can justify…”
What you can do. The most important thing to do, I think, is to have
a basic conversational understanding of the faith-based arguments. This
will not take much time; it will just require a willingness to accept
that people of faith are basically like you, and to talk to them on
their level.
If you have a faith background, contact your local clergy about animal
issues. Give them literature. Write letters to faith-based periodicals.
Consider joining a group such as the Christian Vegetarian Association,
the Society of Religious and Ethical Vegetarians, or the Jewish Vegetarians
of North America (see Sidebar). These groups need our support.
Even if you don’t have a faith background, one simple action you
can take is placing vegan literature in the literature section of churches,
synagogues, and other places of worship. I have been placing PETA’s
“Christianity and Vegetarianism” pamphlet, by Fr. John Dear,
S.J., in the literature area of Catholic churches, and they are being
picked up and read (sometimes even during the homily!). PETA can send
you as many of this pamphlet as you can use this way. We’re in
the process of producing one for Judaism and vegetarianism, which will
be ready in a few months.
People of faith are looking for something beyond themselves. They are
looking for meaning in life, and they want to be good people; they want
to be kind. I have not yet heard a Catholic homily that focused on making
more money, watching more television, or eating more food. I have heard
more than my fair share of homilies about kindness, compassion, and
justice. I know that similar sermons are delivered in mosques, temples,
and Protestant churches as well.
The level of animal abuse in society is beyond anything we can imagine.
We must maintain a clear-headed focus on how we can change the world.
This must include engaging people of faith, and engaging them effectively.
Bruce Friedrich is director of vegan outreach for People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals.
