Should Christians be vegetarians?
Some Christians think they can achieve a deeper state of godliness by following a strict vegetarian diet. The most common arguments put forward by these folks are ones that claim it is animal cruelty to eat meat. The Bible disagrees with this teaching so strongly that it lists legalistic rules that require people to abstain from certain foods as one of the signs of the end times.
"And he saith unto them, are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?" (Mark 7:18-19).
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer" (1 Timothy 4:1-5).
