A Christian is Not Necessarily a Follower of the Vegan Christ. By Dr. Chapman Chen
A reader of Vegan Theology, Ms. C, recently asked: “How does this group view Christians who are not vegan? Are they still considered fully Christian within your understanding of the faith?”
My reply: ·
Thank you, Ms. C, for your thoughtful question.
Ultimately, I prefer to call myself a follower of Jesus Christ rather than a Christian.
Christianity, as an institutionalised religion, does not necessarily reflect the original teachings and intentions of Jesus Christ. Being a member of a Christian church, professing Christian doctrines, or identifying oneself as a Christian does not automatically make one a genuine follower of Jesus.
From the perspective of Vegan Theology, Jesus is the Vegan Christ, whose unconditional love (Agape), mercy, and compassion extend to all sentient beings, not merely humans.
Therefore, while non-vegans may certainly identify themselves as Christians and be recognised as such by their churches, I would not regard anyone who knowingly participates in animal exploitation as a genuine follower of Jesus the Vegan Christ.
The essential question is not whether one bears the name of Christ, but whether one actually follows his teachings and example.
To follow the Vegan Christ is to put his universal love and compassion into practice.
Christian identity is not synonymous with discipleship to the Vegan Christ.
Comments