Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
Quote of the Day: Vegetarian Philosophy
“But here’s my question. Why do the companies that sell ‘not meat’ — Frankenfoods made from plant cells and/or vegetable cocktails — spend millions of dollars to make it look exactly like meat? Wouldn’t that be a contradiction in vegetarian philosophy? ‘I’ve decided to chew leaves the rest of my life, but I want all the leaves to look like hot dogs.'” – Joe Bob Briggs
I am a vegan this week – and next. Voluntarily, although I hate it. Why? Because I believe God expects it from me. I am an Orthodox Christian. As @skipsul can explain, Orthodox are in the middle of the two-week Dormition Fast, observing the death of Mary, mother of Jesus. It is one of four fast periods for the devout Orthodox observer, where we forgo meat and dairy (and usually fish).
It is not fun, especially for me. It is not intended to be fun. Fasts are intend to make those participating focus on God. To remind us of Him and to remind those fasting that ultimately we return to Him. It is kind of a day-long poking at you.
What makes it worse (at least for me) is that it is voluntary. I could have that cheeseburger if I want to. And yet, despite desperately wanting to, I abstain. Why? Because I was asked to. According to the teachings of my church, because God has asked me to. I guess I cannot turn down a polite request like that.
Yet, I generally avoid the Frankenfoods Joe Bob Briggs calls out. Sure, I will order a veggieburger when I travel and cannot find another substitute. At home, I generally have food that is vegetarian – beans, tofu, soup, pasta with tomato sauce and textured-vegetable protein. Except near the end of a fast I try to avoid meat-tasting stuff. It never tastes very good. (It makes me appreciate meat more when I go back to it.)
I suspect the intermittent veganism is good for me. I definitely lose weight during fasts (mainly because I like the food I eat a whole lot less than during non-fast periods). It keeps me away from too much meat and dairy. But I see no particular virtue in avoiding meat and dairy for the sake of avoiding meat and dairy. (Or forcing others to. If I have guests over for meals during fast periods I generally have meat and dairy on hand for them.)
In fact, most fasts are preceded and followed by a fast-free week where meat and dairy can be eaten every day. According to Orthodox tradition, these weeks serve as a foretaste of heaven. If meat is good enough for the table in heaven, it has to be here as well.
And yet Briggs is right. Many secular vegetarians crave meat-tasting stuff. I wonder why that is?
Published in General
When I have pancakes there’s usually a generous portion of butter involved.
That is an underrated outcome.
Do you come into contact with hot dogs or brats? I ask because I am on an Atkins-esque regimen and the most quotidian carbohydrates smell amazing to me; the stomach wants what the stomach wants.
“Oh you poor thing, that kind of eating disorder can really mess with your health!”
For the record, this is not my comment that was quoted. I think it’s Amy’s. Sometimes, the site word processing mechanics don’t show the real source.
What happens is that one person’s comment is highlighted, but they click the Reply button for another comment.
I’ve had that happen before.
My daughter was looking up recipes for Chik-Fil-A’s chicken nuggets. One of the recipes was from a vegan lady who had never actually eaten at the restaurant! Mostly because she doesn’t agree with their politics. Talk about a self-righteous vegan! It made me laugh.
True! Of course, if fasting were easy, we would do it without complaint. I think adjusting to a different diet makes people cranky because their bodies are not used to it. Fasting without a purpose can also make one cranky.
I appreciate the education I get here on Ricochet about different faiths. It actually strengthens mine. We actually have more commonality than differences. Thank you for sharing your faith.
That sounds delicious! I do enjoy vegetarian dishes. We try to go once or twice a week without meat. It’s easy during the summer. I go to a farm stand that is down the street and buy cheap, fresh fruits and vegetables. I can get a good sized box for $20.00 or less. It’s picked fresh every morning.
I’m amazed at how many people who are Eastern Orthodox are on Ricochet. Nationwide it can’t be more than 1%. So how did so many show up here?
Political tendencies?
I’ve found the politics of the Orthodox to be rather eclectic and not really easy to pin down.
But it is funny here on Rico – of the eds and mods, 2 of us mods are converts (myself and James), and 2 are very Orthodox-familiar and friendly, and now our Editor Jon is on the path to conversion too.
I’m less interested in converting Ricos to Orthodox than I am in recruiting Orthos for Ricochet.
Would it be weird for Ricochet to take out ads in church bulletins, Elks Lodge monthlies and the like? School newspapers? I know we already write out website on bricks and toss them through windows, but I can’t help but think we could do more.
I don’t know much about the Orthodox tradition but last year I went to Georgia (not your Georgia) and I think every restaurant I visited had a fasting menu which was delicious.