Genesis 9:3-4 "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you..."

"Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; and just as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood" (Genesis 9:3-4).

Question:

I am vegan and do not eat animals, birds or fish or their excretions because I consider them fellow creatures. This passage appears to contradict my belief and give license to those who would kill animals for food.

Comment:

This passage from the covenant between God and Noah is a part of the early creation stories. These stories are attempts to explain—perhaps to tribal children asking questions around a campfire—why things are as they are. Since people were, indeed, eating animal flesh, it would be assumed that God had approved that. And, indeed, Jesus comments at Matthew 15:11 that "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth that defiles a man."   So there is no condemnation for the eating of flesh. Neither, of course, is there any order that makes it mandatory. It's a matter of consciousness. You are honoring your unique Christ consciousness through the choices you make about what to eat and what not to eat. That is a part of your spiritual path and purpose. It doesn't give you the right to judge or condemn those who choices are different from yours. They may be following their own guidance. The important thing is that our choices be made from a consciousness of love.   Blessings!

Rev. Ed