I don't see where the idea comes from that Homo Sapiens were ever natural born vegetarians, some animals have evolved to eat only plant matter, some have evolved to eat meat, and some (like us) are omnivores, it's the way we are and always have been.
It's only the raising of our consciousness and our (sometimes) increased empathy with living things that makes some of us decide to give up eating meat, and the variety of protein - rich food available these days makes this much more possible without getting sick or malnourished. Of course as a vegetarian I think vegetarianism is the way to go, but I'm not making a moral issue of it, and I'm not being 'holier than thou' because I'm not holy at all.
The transition of our species to a wholly vegetarian state would be tricky, but not impossible. I suppose it would be a bloodbath initially when we slaughtered all the domestic, meat - producing animals, but thereafter the pastureland could be returned to natural meadows or woodland, which would see an increase in wild species. A cow (for example) is a very inefficient and expensive way to produce protein, and we'd have to adapt the crops that we grew, but it could be done, and there would be benefits.
However, since this is probably never going to happen, it's all academic anyway.
@ghost-of-a-duke saidSo there are 3 periods
As a vegetarian, I feel no superiority over meat eaters. It is a matter of choice. (And I know many people far more virtuous than myself who eat meat). Biblically speaking however, man in his original state was vegetarian and it is a state he will eventually returned to if he/she is saved. It logically follows therefore that vegetarianism is God's preference for creation.
- Garden of Eden
- The fall of man up to the flood
- Post Flood.
Your point I think is that God told Noah and family to eat meat after the flood ie period 3. I think there is evidence in the bible that Noah was already eating meat in period 2.
Yes, at some point mankind will revert to the Garden of Eden state.
@indonesia-phil saidAnimals, including humans, have 'always' been meat-eaters. Survival of the fittest and all that.
I don't see where the idea comes from that Homo Sapiens were ever natural born vegetarians, some animals have evolved to eat only plant matter, some have evolved to eat meat, and some (like us) are omnivores, it's the way we are and always have been.
It's only the raising of our consciousness and our (sometimes) increased empathy with living things that makes some of ...[text shortened]... ould be benefits.
However, since this is probably never going to happen, it's all academic anyway.
In a biblical context, however (which I of course do not subscribe to) humans originated in a garden where no creature, including humans, ate meat. This is biblically supported. (If one takes the account literally, which I'm aware many Christians don't).
So to your question, "where the idea comes from that Homo Sapiens were ever natural born vegetarians,' the simple answer is, "the Bible."
@rajk999 saidYes, I agree with that. I would add though that in the 2nd-period man ate meat without God's consent which was only given in the 3rd-period. (After the flood).
So there are 3 periods
- Garden of Eden
- The fall of man up to the flood
- Post Flood.
Your point I think is that God told Noah and family to eat meat after the flood ie period 3. I think there is evidence in the bible that Noah was already eating meat in period 2.
Yes, at some point mankind will revert to the Garden of Eden state.
-Removed-In the Bible, God has always required death as the payment for sin. (Blood has to be shed to cover sin).
Hebrews 9:22: “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
In this instance, God provided the animals skins immediately after the sin of Adam and Eve.
Yes, well there are sweet little biblical stories and then there are science and anatomical facts, but I can see that I'm outnumbered by those who believe the former without question and ignore the latter because it doesn't fit the former, so my words fall on stoney ground. In this context one is tempted to say that the bible is a load of bullocks. (Sorry, I was unable to resist the temptation. )
Jesus ate meat, but apparently not after his resurrection, accept maybe some fish.
It's not a sin to eat meat. It's not a sin not to eat meat.
In either case there's no biblical evidence to the contrary.
I believe that man, in his glorified state, will not eat meat.
Reason - because by then there will no longer be any death.
@indonesia-phil saidDude, I agreed with you. 😀
Yes, well there are sweet little biblical stories and then there are science and anatomical facts, but I can see that I'm outnumbered by those who believe the former without question and ignore the latter because it doesn't fit the former, so my words fall on stoney ground. In this context one is tempted to say that the bible is a load of bullocks. (Sorry, I was unable to resist the temptation. )
@secondson saidDo you believe man in his 'original' glorified state also didn't eat meat? (Before the fall).
Jesus ate meat, but apparently not after his resurrection, accept maybe some fish.
It's not a sin to eat meat. It's not a sin not to eat meat.
In either case there's no biblical evidence to the contrary.
I believe that man, in his glorified state, will not eat meat.
Reason - because by then there will no longer be any death.
Edit:
This is what I don't get. If man in his/her original state of perfection didn't eat meat, and will not do so again in their glorified' final' state, why isn't it a desired virtue not to eat meat now?
