How can we be sure that the Bible permits us to eat meat?

Question

When reading the ten commandments, I wonder how we can be so sure that "thou shalt not kill" means "yeah, but that's just about people, feel free to kill all the sheep and chickens you like".
How does the religious community justify the killing of animals?

Answer 1

For me, it's Genesis and Isaiah. In the beginning, we were all vegetarians. We became meat eaters as a result of sin. And the consequenses of our eating meat is that animals now fear and hate us.

Then Isaiah says when Jesus returns we will once again be vegetarians. And the lion will rest with the lamb.

Why wait? Let's start now!

Answer 2

The commandments refer to lying in wait to kill another human being.

Deuteronomy 12:15
“However, you may slaughter and eat meat within all your gates, whatever your heart desires, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you; the unclean and the clean may eat of it, of the gazelle and the deer alike.

1 Corinthians 10:25
Eat whatever is sold in the meat market...

If the eating of meat was not healthy, God would not have instituted the big BBQ at the tabernacle, where all were to participate in the eating of the sacrificed meats. Even saying what meat to eat and not to eat in the Law.

So the big and small is, do you want to be a vegetarian? Go for it with God's blessings. Do you want to be a carnivore? Go for it as well. But don't Lord yourself over the other based on what you eat.

"Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. The fear and dread of you will fall upon all of the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands. Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, now I give you everything." - Genesis 9:1-3

Answer 3

After the flood, God told Noah they could eat meat, since the vegetation had died in the flood. I would think that means that before the flood, people were vegetarians or Noah would have already figured that out.

And actually, the commandment is "thou shalt not murder", its been mistranslated for a long time.

Answer 4

In the the old testament God gave us dominion over animals, so their for we can kill to eat. So many people have a conflict over food in the bible. What we should eat and what we shouldn't eat, but their is more important thing in the bible then worrying about what we put in are body's. What about what comes out of the heart, when people do bad things/ or sin.

Answer 5

Thou shalt not MURDER is a more accurate rendering.

Furthermore, God commanded Noah to kill and eat animals after leaving the ark, and Jesus said that all meats were clean since they were purged by the intestines and stomach.

Tom

Answer 6

I remember reading a Bible Passage where God says we can eat meat. I can't remember what it is, but if I do, I edit this. I think it's after the flood with Noah.ok, I found it. Genesis 9:2-3
"All the animals,birds, and fish will live in fear of you. They are all placed under your power. Now you can eat them, as well as green plants; I give them all to you for food."

Answer 7

We can't be sure.

The diet before the fall of man consisted of fruits and seeds. After the fall of man, vegetation was added.

Of course, after the flood, animals were added because there was no vegetation for quite some time. That's why there were 2 of every unclean animal on the ark, but 7 of every clean animal... they had to have something to eat!

When the Israelites were in the wilderness, God gave them manna (heavenly food, which couldn't have been meat, because there is no death in heaven...) They whined about it, because they wanted to eat meat like they had in Egypt. So God gave them quail... and you know what happened? They got deathly ill, puked their guts up, and some of them even died.

It's the same with the story of Daniel and his friends. The king tried to get Daniel and his buddies to eat the meats and wines that his "co-workers" ate... but he refused. He said, "Give me pulse and water, and I guarantee that in 10 days, I'll be stronger and wiser than the rest of your workers." And he was telling the truth. He was stronger and quicker thinking than the rest.

Plus, like I said before, there will be no death in heaven. Everyone will be vegetarian there. God never intended for animals to be eaten, because He never intended for there to be death.

Granted, if meat is all you have, don't starve yourself. Jesus gave the fishes and loaves to the 5,000 families following Him because that's what the boy had; however, the Bible never indicates that Jesus partook of it. Nor does it indicate that He ate of the passover lamb. Only bread and wine... which was unfermented.

Answer 8

It says you shall not murder. Exodus 20

Read Acts 10:11-17 God said it was then ok to eat previously unclean animals.

but if someone you care about is convicted to eat a certain way, this is how the bible says to treat them:
(read all of Romans 14)
Romans 14:15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.


If you are interested in studying the bible email me.

Answer 9

God told Noah after the flood that he could use every moving animal that is alive for food, as well as vegetation. Genesis 9:3,4
Eating of blood was strictly forbidden, as was the eating of fat. Lev. 7: 25-27
God gave all the animals for food...not pets....its only lately that people regard pets as more important than humans.

Answer 10

Genesis 9:3


:D