Christian Vegetarian Association

The Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA) is an international, non-denominational Christian ministry that promotes responsible stewardship of God's creation through plant-based eating. The CVA advocates vegetarianism from a biblically based, Christian perspective and sees dietary choice as a valid way to bear witness to Christ's ministry of love, peace, mercy, and compassion.

Overview

The CVA encourages Christians to reduce or eliminate animal products as part of their Christian calling to be good stewards of God's Creation. The CVA provides information and resources about vegetarianism through publications, campaigns, and the Internet. Highlighting the connections between animal-based diets and world hunger, ecological damage, animal mistreatment, and human disease, the CVA educates people about the social, ecological, ethical, and health benefits of plant-based diets. Ultimately, the CVA hopes that when Christians think about making informed, responsible, faithful decisions about dietary choices, the vast majority of them will choose to substantially reduce or eliminate animal products from their diets. At present, the CVA has more than 2,000 members.

According to the CVA website and literature, the CVA is "an international, non-denominational ministry of believers dedicated to respectfully promoting healthy, Christ-centered and God-honoring living among Christians."

The CVA advocate nutritious plant-based diets in the global Christian community. Through publications, websites, and related public information campaigns, the CVA educates people about what they feel are the distinct health, environmental, and animal-related advantages of plant-based eating, including "respectfully address[ing] humans' relationship with animals from a comprehensive biblical perspective." The CVA also "attempt[s] therefore to actively participate in the "reconciliation of Creation" that promises to result in the "Peaceable Kingdom" foreshadowed by the Bible.

History

The Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA) was founded in 1999 by Nathan Braun and Stephen H. Webb, Professor of Religion at Wabash College.

Braun organized a board of respected professors, theologians, and activists representing a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. Evidently resonating with many Christians who see their vegetarian diets as reflections of their faith, the organization quickly grew.

In 2000, the CVA produced its first edition of What Would Jesus Eat . . . Today? This well-received booklet has an annual distribution rate of approximately 250,000 and has undergone several revisions and translations. The 2003 color edition is one of the most widely translated vegetarian materials and is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Bulgarian, and many other languages. It includes recipes, nutritional information, and a list of resources.

In 2002, CVA founder Nathan Braun and co-chairman Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D., published the first edition of Good News for All Creation: Vegetarianism as Christian Stewardship (2002: Vegetarian Advocates Press; 2004: Lantern Books). By 2003, the CVA planned to expand its ministry through several means, including wider distribution of "What Would Jesus Eat . . . Today?" at churches and Christian events on an international level, increased visibility of dietary issues through church education programs ("Is Your Church Veg-Friendly?"), and develop a wider recognition of Christian vegetarians through bumper stickers, tee shirts, caps and other display items. The "What Would Jesus Eat...?" campaign is also known as "Honoring God's Creation," and is widely available online and in print.

Mission statement

1. To support and encourage Christian vegetarians around the world
2. To share with non-vegetarian Christians how a vegetarian diet can add meaning to one's faith, aid in one's spirituality, and enhance one's moral life
3. To show the world that plant-based diets represent good, responsible Christian stewardship for all God’s Creation.

Notes

Aren Roukema. Toward a vegetarian Christendom, CanadianChristianity.com

See also

• Animal rights
• Christian anarchism
• Christian vegetarianism
• Environmentalism, Ethical consumerism
• Bruce Friedrich, PETA
• Andrew Linzey, Tom Regan, Peter Singer

External links

• CVA: Official Site
• Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (sister organization)
• Christian Religion and Vegetarian Resources