Does the Bible tell us to eat meat or not eat meat?

Question

I have seen vegetarians argue that it says not to eat meat and vice versa from the meat-eaters.

Is there a definitive answer or is the Bible just too ambiguous on this point?

Answer 1

Genesis 1:29 says, "Behold, I have given you every herb-yielding seed which is upon the face of the earth, every tree that has seed-yielding fruit--to you it shall be for food." Many Torah commentators and Talmudic scholars say that this was an admonition to Adam not to eat animals.

Genesis 9:3 appears to contradict the previous statement. "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; as the green herb have I given you all." However, this change occurred at the time of Noah's flood, when accordingly there was no vegetation to eat. Jewish scholars insist meat eating was God's concession to human weakness and to show that humans were on a higher level than animals. But even then there were many restrictions on meat eating as evidenced in schechitah (ritual slaughter) and kashrut (dietary laws).

According to the bible, before the flood some people such as Adam, Seth, and Methuselah lived over 900 years. After the flood no one is recorded to have lived more than Abraham's 175 years.

Sixteen laws, some from the Talmud and some from the Torah, clearly emphasize compassion for animals, e.g.:

* It is forbidden to cause pain to animals.
* A person should not eat first before feeding his or her animals.
* Animals must be allowed to rest on the Sabbath.
* One must not hunt animals for pleasure.
* If animals are to slaughtered, they must be slaughtered humanely.

Jewish thought certainly leaves the door open wide for the idea that the natural diet intended by God for man is vegetarian.

P.S. Jesus was an Essene rabbi; Essenes were vegetarians.

Answer 2

The scripture the other guy wrote is pretty good. Basically, your not going to get disowned by God for eating or not eating meat. God is soooo much bigger than that.

The reason it is mentioned in the bible is because there was a time when people sacrificed meat to their Gods. Some christians didn't want to eat meat that had been a part of these sacrifices, and some ate it anyway.

Basically in Romans, it says to do whatever you are comfortable with. If you don't want to eat meat you don't have to and vice versa. It just warns you not to make others feel bad, just because they don't do what you do, which is exactly the kind of people your question involves.

People should not be using the bible for anything other than telling people the truth about God and Jesus.

Answer 3

There were certainly dietary laws for the Jewish people in the Old Testament which I believe are still followed today, also I think that followers of Islam are not far away from the same dietary laws. Certainly the flesh of a pig is no no no and I think shell fish are all out as well.
With no disrespect whatsoever to our brothers and sisters of these faiths, Christians have the words of Christ who said that it is not was is eaten that makes a person unclean, i.e. not what goes into a person, but rather the opposite, what comes out of a persons mouth, heart, soul that makes them unclean to God.
Everyone, of all faiths and those of none, should eat a sensible, well balanced diet which can include meat or no meat. Common sense is the watch word.

Answer 4

Before the Fall, (i.e., before Adam and Eve disobeyed God and brought sin into the world) there was no death. Therefore some scholars take this to mean that originally God's creation was sinless, deathless and vegetarian. The law wasn't given to humans till much later after the fall, where a strict code for many things was given, including which animals were to be eaten and which were not. Some scholars take this to mean God allowed meat eating, although it was only specifically mentioned after sin and death were already in the world.
After Jesus's death and atonement for mankind's sin, the new testament mentions how a dream was given to Peter, showing God has done away with food restrictions, i.e., there is now no division between God's chosen people, the Jews, with their food restrictions, and gentiles, with no food restrictions, as all could now come to God. There are passages in the Bible where these are mentioned, but I couldnt be bothered going upstairs to find my Bible. And incidentally, I'm not Christian, or vegetarian.

Answer 5

From my readings, the Bible has never forbidden meat. Jewish religion says no pork, and that animals must be killed in a certain way. (Kosher) Similarly, there are Muslim ways of killing animals and their butchers are geared to this.
Many Indian people do not believe in eating meat. I knew a vegetarian who would say:
"My stomach is not a graveyard for animal's corpses..."
That is enough to put you off.
I also know vegetarians who say:
"I would never eat anything with a face or eyes...."
It's a matter of your own tastes and conscience.
The current 'healthy thinking' is that one should eat as little pork and beef as possible, lots of fish, and a little (organic) chicken or turkey. But in the end it's up to you.
Do you wear leather shoes? Do you carry a leather bag? Do we even know if animals are killed for their skins?
Don't be a hypocrite. Either shun all animal products or eat and use whatever you feel is correct. There is no one "correct" way.
Happy eating, and happy shoe-wearing!
Simon2

Answer 6

The Bible tells us we can eat meat; but there are certain meat we supposed to eat and certain others we supposed to stay away from. As for vegetarians such as SDA's; they say to stay away from meat for several reasons: one they claim is before the flood; they lived longer, number two is they're scared of the diseases like Mad Cow Disease, Deer Disease and etc. But the Bible states clearly you and SDA's can eat the clean animals in 1Tim.4:3 (Ellen G. White forbids marriage as substain from clean meats). I used to be a SDA til God (2Tim.1:9)called me into his church(Acts 20:28).
http://www.lcg.org/search/search.php?query=what+we+eat&%24results_per_page=10&search=1

** TEXTS THAT INVOLVE THE CLEAN AND UNCLEAN MEATS:
GEN.18:7-8; LEV.11; 20:25; DEUT.14; ISAIAH 66:17; EZEK.22:26; DAN.1:8; MATT.3:4; LUKE 24:41-43; ACTS 10:10-14; 1COR.3:16-17; 9:27; 2COR.6:17; AND REV.21:8.
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Some will argue that these health laws are done away with; but here are some texts that validate that they're not done away with!

IF THE CLEAN AND UNCLEAN MEATS WEREN'T VALID FOR TODAY; THEN WHY OH WHY WOULD THE LORD PLEAD WITH FLESH NOT TO EAT UNCLEAN MEAT--(ISAIAH 66:15-17). ALSO NOTICE DEUT.14:4 "SHALT NOT EAT ANY ABOMINABLE THING" AND REV.21:8 "...THE ABOMINABLE SHALL HAVE THEIR PART IN THE LAKE WHICH BURNETH WITH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE: WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH."

Answer 7

Humans were 'allowed' to eat meat upon exiting the ark, before that they were vegetarian. The only stipulation was that the blood was to be poured out (or returned to) the earth as sign of respect for the life.

The mosaic law (isrealites) laid down VERY specific commandments as to what could & could not be eaten. eg. NO cleft foot animals (eg. pig) no 'fish without scales' eg. shell fish etc. But lamb was permitted & actively use in the passover celebration.

New testament: Jesus miracle of loaves & FISHES, if the son of god can priveide fish for eating - must be OK!
Also, he celebrated the passover (LAMB) with his disciples.

Later Paul wrote that we should not eat "food sacrificed to idols" if it causes offence or 'stumbles' others. And laid commands to abstain (from fornication, idolitary) blood - symbolically "life".

So no, there are no commandments in any part of the Bible to support the NOT eating of meat. The 'fish on fridays' thing is purely a Catholic tradition and not scripturaly supported.

Answer 8

As you can see, there are quite a few different answers. I really think that when it come to eating habits, I would consult professionals rather than holy scripture.......

Just be aware that meat eaters live an average 3-5 years longer than vegetarians. (have less major and degenerative illnesses too...)

(And no, I didn't get it backwards. Contrary to the "political correctness" of todays social fascists, acording to actual medical studies, meat-eaters live longer, healthier lives than the "fruit and nut" crowd!)

Answer 9

It's ambiguous. I don't think the Bible makes any direct reference. The Catholic church says that we should not eat meat on Friday's or during lent out of respect for the crucifixion. Judaism preaches that we should not eat pork, bacon etc. but I'm not exactly sure why. But I'm almost certain there is no blanket ban on meat eating.

Answer 10

The Bible tells us not to eat certain kinds of meat. Before the fall of man, I believe that Adam and Eve were vegetarian.