Can Vegans participate in communion?

Question

It's the blood and body of Christ, right?

Answer 1

lol-to cool-hope no one takes this serious-keep the peace old hippie here

Answer 2

Begin at the beginning.

i) Is the wine vegan?
The odds are that the wine is not vegan, and hence would not be acceptable for a vegan to consume.

ii) Are the wafers vegan?
This depends upon the recipe used.
* Traditionally, wafer recipes included only wheat flour, salt, and water. Those would be acceptable to vegans.
* Contemporary recipes tend to include one or more of the following: sugar, honey, glucose, milk. None of those are acceptable to vegans.

That probably eliminates most vegans from participation in communion, on the basis that the communion contains animal products.

The next part of your question: "The Body and Blood of Christ"

The major theories are:
i) Transubstantiation. The wine and wafers, after consecration, contains the soul and divinity of Jesus. [This is the position of the Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church]
ii) Consubstantiation: The wine and wafers , after consecration, mysteriously and supernaturally unites with the body and blood of Jesus Christ. [This is the position of the Lutheran Church.]
iii) Spiritual Presence View: The wine and wafers, after consecration, is a cause of mystical participation with Jesus Christ.
iv) The Symbolic View: The communion is a commemoration of Jesus Christ that confers a blessing upon the celebrant;

Under both the transubstantiation and consubstantiation theory, the vegan might not participate, because of the overtones of cannibalism.

Under both the Spiritual Presence View, and Symbolic View, the vegan can participate, with no qualms.

In summary, the participation of the vegan depends both upon the physical contents on the elements of Communion, and the theological interpretation of Communion.

Answer 3

It's fruit and bread and symbolic. and if you have to ask this question then I think you missed the point badly. time to reevaluate you life. Is being a vegan your most important thing in life? Compared to God and your eternal state after this life ah a no brain-er. Its not actually his blood and body that is so wrong. It's symbolic
of what Jesus Did on the cross for all of us His shed blood and the bread His body that was broken for us. Communion will not save you that would be a work right yea ok. Not saved by works. Eph. 2:8-10. If you are a true believer you can take communion. Its called open communion don't have be a member of a church or denomination at least that is the way it was at the first one Just have to be a true believer.

Answer 4

It is a, perhaps more challenging "real world" problem if you do not drink or are a recovering alcoholic. . .although some Christian traditions believe you only need to partake of one element. . .while others say you need both. . .and still others say neither! (I don't drink and always feel awkward going to the altar. . .not knowing if my principles should be relaxed for this.)

Yes, "baptized" Vegans can freely and unconditionally participate because, for the 21st Century, this is NOT Christian cannabilism or pagan magic at work. . .you are partaking of real and meaningful "symbols" that represent the life (body) and inspiration (blood) of the ideal man, Christ. . .and, as a Roman style sacrament (ritualistic pledge - like becoming a sorority sister). . .you are pledging to "continue" following this ideal man and the Christ Principles. . .which fully embrace and respect vegan practices.

Btw. . .if this is helpful to you. . .from a scholarly perspective. . .when you read or hear the words. . ."this IS My Body" and "this IS My Blood". . .think, instead, "this REPRESENTS My Body" and "this REPRESENTS My Blood". . .the priest or minister will be challenged to disagree with this (as there is good ground that the Greek/Aramaic original words translated into English would support such a translation!). . .and, to my sense, provide a more contemporary meaning to the Eucharist/Lord's Supper. . .if we are to continue the practice of a nearly 2,000 year old ritual!

(Also. . .in the spirit of your question. . .you may be aware that there is debate going on in the Jewish tradition. . .can Vegans be Kosher since, by default, their plates/utensils would never violate such laws. Some have argued. . .no, you must have "temptation" in your home in order to prove that you are kosher!)

Shalom to you!

Answer 5

As a Catholic we do believe that we are receiving the body and blood of Christ himself--it is not just a symbol. Through the words of Jesus at the Last Supper the Holy Spirit works through the priest to transform the bread and wine offered into the body and blood of Christ. This does not however change the physical traits of the bread and wine. It is an amazing gift to be able to participate in the sacrifice that Jesus made for us to be saved! The sacrifice of the Mass takes us back to the foot of the cross.

Answer 6

As long as there are no animal products in the wine or wafer themselves, I don't think it would be a problem for a vegan to take communion. The blood/body of Christ thing is just symbolic.

Good question!

Answer 7

Protestant communion is only symbolic, so that's no problem. But the Holy Eucharist in Catholic Mass is really the body of Christ.

usually vegans choose not to eat any animal products-- the hosts which are turned into the real body of Christ are made from wheat. So even though it really is flesh, it has no "animal products," which is what vegans are usually worried about.

Weird thought, haha

Answer 8

Unless you are a baptized and confirmed Catholic, then no you cannot.

Holy Communionn is the sacred body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is not blessed bread or anything to do with bread. Once consecration has taken place, the Holy Spirit has transformed the bread into the sacred flesh of Jesus. It can no longer be called bread after that.

If a person receives Communion and is not properly baptized and confirmed and does not acknowledge the Real Presence of Jesus, they do a serious harm to themselves.

Answer 9

Yes, they can for the items used in Communion and Passover are symbolisms of His blood and body. Besides, like the Scripture says, if you eat or drink unworthily or don't eat and drink at all at Communion or Passover you have no part with Him. Therefore, once you understand the symbolism and partake in righteousness, you can partake in Communion and passover without guilt if you've chosen a vegan lifestyle.....

Answer 10

Yes, there are no animal products in the host or in the wine.

There has been an issue, though, for sufferers of celiac, an autoimmune disease. Sufferers of celiac cannot tolerate gluten, a substance found in wheat and present in communion wafers. (Gluten causes their bowels to go into an uproar, so to speak.) The Catholic Church has declared that gluten-free wafers are not permissible.

Answer 11

It is a symbol, it isn't the real thing...so yes, vegans can participate in communion.