PETA's Easter Spanking

Jesus not a vegetarian; loved fish

Paying any passing amount of attention to a PETA ad campaign is basically like watching an Old Navy commercial: everyone in vegetarianism.

Including, it seems, Jesus Christ. PETA seemingly delights in pushing the idea that Jesus is a vegetarian.

Comments by PETA Vice President Bruce Friedrich suggesting the same were recently taken to task by Todd R Post, a travelling missionary.

In a letter appearing in the Fargo-Mounthead InForum, Post confronts PETA's claims with some very basic citations from scripture.

"Twice Jesus helped Peter catch abundant amounts of fish (Luke 5:4-7 and John 21:5-11). Luke 24:41-43 clearly shows that Jesus ate fish with his Disciples in their presence," Post explains. "In the Parable of the Lost Son, Jesus talked about the father killing the fatted calf to celebrate his son’s return (Luke 15:23). When Jesus instructed his followers to take communion, he used the phrase “eat my flesh” (John 6:53) when referring to the bread representing his body."

Not that Post entirely rejects PETA's biblical take of animal rights. In fact, he agrees that the Bible instructs not to abuse animals.

"I do agree that the Bible commands man not to deliberately abuse animals," Post continues. "Proverbs 12:10 (NIV) says, 'A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal.' I also agree with Friedrich’s disapproval of some modern agriculture methods. Seeing the movie Food, Inc inspired me to minimize my fast-food consumption."

But this is not to say that animals have the same value as humans. Post insists that the Bible clearly indicates otherwise.

"But animals do not have equal status with humans. Jesus said in Matthew 10:31, 'Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.' The Lord also said in Matthew 12:12, 'Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep?'"

In fact, Post insists, Jesus would take issue with people such as those in PETA, who treat animals as if they have greater value than humans.

"In Jesus’ day, some people valued the lives of animals more than the welfare of humans," Post writes. "In Mark, Chapter 5, Jesus delivered a demon-possessed man and allowed the unclean spirits to enter into a herd of swine, which ended up drowning. The pig farmers didn’t rejoice when seeing the demoniac set free. They were more concerned about losing their 'deviled ham' and told Jesus to go away."

One should likely presume that the "demonic possession" in this case is metaphorical for something. Likely the entire tale is metaphorical. But it's fairly clear: PETA's claims that the Bible grants equal value to animals as to humans is clearly false.

These arguments offered by PETA are -- as they so often are -- sloppy, lazy, and opportunistic.

"Today’s animal-rights advocates misuse Scripture to condemn meat-eating but neglect more important matters like people’s eternal destinies," Post declares. "This is a prophetic fulfillment of 1 Timothy 4 Verses 4 and 5 from this chapter go on to say, 'For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.'"

According to Post, it's permissable to consume meat, although the Bible does instruct believers to be thankful and appreciative of animals.

But PETA doesn't want Christians to realize this. They're too busy trying to use people's religious beliefs to push their own extreme agenda.