3. Speak at church about the health benefits of a vegetarian diet

DONE

I did the worship at my church's youth group (Pathfinders) and spoke about the biblical basis for a animal-free diet. It wasn't about the health benefits, but I think it satisfies this goal.

This presentation was several minutes long and had a sweet PowerPoint, but let me give you the condensed version here:

1. Eden: it was full of vegetarians!

"Then God said, 'I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.'" Genesis 1:29 (NIV)

He gave them plants to eat, not animals. This is the healthiest way to live, the way that brings us closest to God.

2. What was the first thing God did after Adam and Eve broke the rules?

He killed an animal: "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." Genesis 3:21 (NIV)

This shows the connection between sin and cruelty toward animals

3. Animal Cruelty: God created all of these animals for us to rule, but not for us to ruthlessly slaughter for our whims. He values and cares for every life, even the birds. Go ahead and perform a google image search for "factory farm" and then tell me that God would want Christians to support that type of industry.

"Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." Genesis 1:26 (NIV)

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. " Matthew 6:26 (NIV)

4. The Environment: Unless you've had your head buried in the sand, you know that humanity is polluting the environment. You should also know that a major cause of pollution is the meat (and dairy) industry. If you don't know this, Google it. Why should we care, from a biblical perspective?

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

God created this wonderful world, and nature is a place we can feel God's presence. We need to preserve nature and not destroy it.

So there are some of the reasons that leading a cruelty-free life is a part of my Christian walk. There are more reasons (including health ones!) but this was a 5-10 minute event, not a 30 minute lecture.

To see my entire 50 Goals in 500 Days list, click here.