What? You give thanks to God by murdering and devouring His beloved creatures? What’s wrong with you? That’s exactly what happens on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving in the United States is traditionally associated with the consumption of turkey as the main dish. It originated in the 1621 harvest feast shared by the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag people to thank God for the Pilgrims' first successful corn harvest (note 1). Each year, approximately 45 to 46 million turkeys are murdered for Thanksgiving feasts. In the United Kingdom, while Thanksgiving is not a traditional holiday, turkey is commonly consumed during Christmas celebrations, as a matter of tradition rather than religious instruction (note 2). Approximately 10 million turkeys are devoured in the UK each Christmas.
Though Thanksgiving does not have direct origins in the Bible, it has spiritual themes that resonate with biblical teachings, e.g., "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name" (Psalm 100:4); "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever" (Psalm 107:1).
But how should we give thanks to God? Certainly not by voraciously chewing the flesh of His beloved creatures! “Now beware in yourselves that your hearts do not become heavy with the eating of flesh…that day will come up upon you suddenly; for as a snare it will come upon all of them that sit on the surface of the earth”, Jesus warns us (Luke 21:34, Evangelion Da-Mepharreshe — Old Syriac-Aramaic Manuscript of the New Testament Gospels).
The proper way to give thanks to God is to do what He requires of you – “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:6-8 NIV). As God loves the world (John 3:16), including ALL His creation (Psalm 145:9); and as Christ is compassion (Matthew 9:13; 12:7), “mercy” here for sure covers non-human animals. Therefore, do not consume turkey or any other innocent creature of God this Thanksgiving, this Christmas, or on any other day.
In fact, many people celebrating Thanksgiving and/or Christmas choose to prepare plant-based dishes that mimic traditional Thanksgiving foods, such as stuffed squash, vegan roasts, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. This approach aligns with ethical considerations for animals and is increasingly embraced by those who wish to celebrate gratitude without contributing to the suffering of innocent beings.
Full Text: https://www.vegantheology.net/post/celebrate-thanksgiving-by-loving-turkeys-by-dr-chapman-chen
Notes:
1. The tradition of consuming turkey for Thanksgiving in the United States stems from historical, practical, and cultural factors tied to the origins of the holiday itself. Thanksgiving in the USA originated as a festival commonly associated with a feast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag in Plymouth, Massachusetts, to celebrate the Pilgrims' first successful harvest in the New World and to give thanks to God for the bounty. Early Thanksgiving feasts included wild fowl, likely turkeys, which were abundant in North America.
Turkeys were large and seasonal, making them ideal for feeding families during autumn harvest celebrations. As Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863 (declared by Abraham Lincoln), turkey was popularized by writers like Sarah Josepha Hale and reinforced through cookbooks, literature, and art. Over time, turkey became a symbol of harvest, gratitude, and togetherness, cementing its place as the centerpiece of Thanksgiving feasts. Its native status to America symbolized abundance and a connection to the land.
2. In the United Kingdom, while Thanksgiving is not a traditional holiday, turkey is commonly consumed during Christmas celebrations. Approximately 10 million turkeys are consumed in the UK each Christmas due to historical, practical, and cultural reasons. Introduced in the 16th century, turkey replaced other meats like geese and boars as a popular festive choice, particularly during the Victorian era when its association with wealth and festivity was solidified by media like Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Its large size makes it ideal for feeding families, and improvements in farming made it an economical choice. Over time, marketing and cultural traditions reinforced its status as a Christmas staple, with its lean meat and versatility appealing to modern preferences. The tradition of eating turkey during Christmas is a matter of tradition that has no roots in the Bible.
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