Vegan Reflections on Mother’s Day (2026). By Dr. Chapman Chen

Executive Summary: Mothering Day in the UK, celebrated on the 4th Sunday of Lent (15 March in 2026), differs from American Mother's Day in both origin and timing. Rooted in Christian tradition, it originally involved returning to one’s “mother church” and evolved into a day honouring mothers, now celebrated with cards, gifts, and family time. The Bible offers many verses affirming maternal love, such as Isaiah 49:15 and 66:13, where God compares divine compassion to maternal love, e.g., "Can a woman…show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you" (Isa. 49:15); "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” (Isa. 66:13). Jesus echoed this maternal imagery, expressing a desire to gather Jerusalem’s people like a hen shelters her chicks (Matt. 23:37). He also showed mercy to animals, taking both a donkey and her foal into Jerusalem to avoid separating mother and child (Matt. 21:1-7) —praised by C.H. Spurgeon (1885) as an act of tenderness. “Do to others what you would have them do to you,” commands Jesus (Matt. 7:12 NIV).

Contrastively, we humans usually treasure our children more than diamonds, whilst most of us treat animals’ children as if they were trash.

For instance, the modern dairy industry depends entirely on the reproductive exploitation of females. Like all mammals, cows must be pregnant in order to produce milk. To maintain constant milk production, dairy cows are typically subjected to annual forcible artificial insemination (AI). AI in cows primarily uses the recto-vaginal technique, where one hand is inserted into the rectum to stabilize the cervix while the other guides the insemination gun via the vagina. In plain terms, this practice constitutes the sexual violation of the female body.

Soon after giving birth—often within 24 hours—the calf is removed so that the milk meant for the newborn can be diverted for human consumption. Observers have frequently reported cows and calves crying out for one another for days as they are separated, revealing a powerful maternal bond. Male calves, having little economic value to the dairy industry, are often killed shortly after birth or sent away to be raised for veal. Similar tragedies occur in the egg industry on a daily basis; male chicks are macerated shortly after hatching.

The mother cows themselves endure repeated cycles of impregnation, birth, and separation. After roughly 4 to 6 years of constant exploitation—although cows can naturally live 15 to 20 years—their bodies are considered “spent.” When milk production declines, they are sent to the slaughterhouse.

Further, animals raised for meat are typically slaughtered while still young: pigs at 5–6 months, beef cattle at 12–24 months, and broiler chickens at just 5–7 weeks.

When you have no mercy for God’s creatures, God will have no mercy for you! (Zech. 11: 4-6). To honour all mothers—human and animal alike—we are called to choose mercy and embrace a vegan lifestyle.

Full Text: https://www.vegantheology.net/post/vegan-reflections-on-mother-s-day-2026-by-dr-chapman-chen