Plant the Seeds of Compassion. Dr. Chapman Chen
- Chapman Chen
- Jun 29
- 3 min read
Dr. Will Tuttle, Deanne Thomsen, and Dr. Simon Chau have wisely talked about how most effectively to persuade flesh-eaters to go vegan.
1. Be the Change You’d Like to See
In the 27 June 2025 session of Dr. Will Tuttle’s and Dr. Gabriel Cousens’ course, Joy and Freedom on the Vegan Path, Will asserts that a small group of people could change the consciousness of the world. “Do not try to change others. See the best in others. You cannot win an argument. Be the change you would like to see. We are here to embody this. Plant the seeds of compassion without being attached to the outcome.” He thinks that when we harm others for our selfish gains like our lust for animal flesh, we fall into a Satanic trap, which in turns leads to ignorance, tumults and war. We are products of our communities, communities formed by allopathic doctors, media tycoons, pastors, teachers, etc. But we can create alternative vegan communities.
2. Share Our Transformation Story
Deanne Thomsen (note 2), an experienced Outreach Manager with expertise in Public Communications, has said something similar:- “We can tell someone all the areas they fall short or what they are doing wrong, but until they feel heard and accepted, they aren’t inspired to become better. When someone hears our testimony of what our lives looked like before Christ, and before veganism, they don’t feel threatened or defensive.”
4. Human is Not a Rational Creature
Likewise, according to Dr. Simon Chau (n.d.), a Hong Kong vegan advocate and linguist, raising your voice until you're hoarse, face flushed with agitation, veins bulging, and arguing strenuously with logic is not the best way to persuade others—because human beings are not purely rational creatures. More often than not, they act on impulse and emotion: if they feel good and respected, anything goes; but if they’re feeling upset or agitated, nothing can be discussed.
5. Stand Firm on Matters of Fundamental Rights and Wrongs
That said, when it comes to matters of principle, I think we must stand firm—speak clearly and truthfully. While I absolutely agree with Deanne Thomsen that “sharing Genesis 1:29 [God’s prescription of a vegan diet] with fellow believers is helpful in knowing God’s original design for us”, I don’t agree with her view that we should not point out that “Christians shouldn’t eat animals.” We should not shun the issue out of fear of offending others, nor should we be vague or evasive. As followers of the Vegan Christ, we are not ashamed of proclaiming the core of our belief, that is that God is love (1 John 4:8), that God loves the world (John 3:16), including all His creation (Ps. 140, 145:9), that Jesus desires compassion rather than sacrifice (Matthew 9:13; 12:7), that He died for animal liberation for in freeing those innocent creatures from the Temple-turned-butcher-shop, He deeply offended the big bosses behind – those high priests (Mark 11:15-18; cf. Akers 2000, 113-134).
6. Learn from the Humble but Staunchly Vegan Christ
However, our attitude must be sincere and friendly. We shouldn’t only focus on others’ faults, but also recognise their strengths. In this connection, we can again learn from Jesus.
Jesus was not afraid to speak inconvenient truths—whether confronting religious hypocrisy (Matthew 23), economic exploitation (Mark 11:15–18), or spiritual complacency. Yet, He always anchored His message in love and compassion. "I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matt. 11:29)
Even when confronting wrongs, Jesus never mocked, ridiculed, or dehumanised the person. He directed criticism at systems (the Temple complex, legalism) and behaviours, not the core identity of people.
Jesus affirmed before He challenged. In John 4, Jesus gently engaged the Samaritan woman. He affirmed her dignity, listened to her story, then introduced truth. The result? She became an evangelist. Let compassion lead. Like Jesus, offer living water, not just a list of faults. When telling someone: “Eating animals contradicts God’s love,” you may begin with: “I used to eat animals too, but something changed in me when I realised how much God loves all His creatures.”
7. Conclusion
To sum up, Jesus planted seeds, not bombs. Some seeds take root immediately, others lie dormant for years. But He never stopped sowing (Matt. 13:3–9, 13:23, 13:31-32; Mark 4:26-29). As followers of the Vegan Christ, we are not called to force growth—but to embody truth, water it with love, and trust in the Spirit’s timing. #VeganChrist #VeganGod #VeganChurch #VeganTheology
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