A Christian Vegetarian Interpretation?


📹 Does Genesis 1:29 Mean That We Should Be Vegetarian?


What does God say about being vegetarian?

In Genesis 2:16-17, God provides every herb-bearing seed and tree for food, reaffirming vegetarianism as a spiritually proper diet. However, a hypocrite, who is an animal lover but eats meat, questions whether killing and eating animals is a sin in the eyes of God or Jesus. They also question what Jesus would have said about this issue. Despite contributing to animal groups, such as helping farm animals and banning dog racing, the guilt remains. The text suggests that God has given every herb-bearing seed and tree for food.

What is the rationale of vegetarian diet?

The popularity of vegetarian diets is increasing due to the health benefits they offer, including the reduction of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. However, some diets may be deficient in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nutrient-rich foods, and may be overly reliant on processed foods. A vegetarian diet can meet the nutritional requirements of individuals of all ages, including pregnant and breastfeeding women. However, it is essential to be aware of the specific nutritional needs of these groups.

Why can't Christians eat meat?
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Why can’t Christians eat meat?

The New Testament dietary restrictions for Christians include abstaining from food sacrificed to idols, blood, and strangled animal meat. Early Church Fathers like Clement of Alexandria and Origen preached these teachings, while Paul the Apostle advised Christians in Corinth not to worry about eating food sacrificed to idols. The Council of Jerusalem instructed gentile Christians not to consume blood, food offered to idols, or strangled animal meat, as the Law of Moses has been preached in every city since the earliest times.

In Judaism, Jews are forbidden from consuming any mammals except those with cloven hooves, shellfish, unscaled or finless fish, blood, food offered to idols, or meat from animals not killed humanely. In Nicene Christianity, including Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Moravianism, Anglicanism, and Reformed Christianity, there are no dietary restrictions regarding specific animals that cannot be eaten, stemming from Peter the Apostle’s vision of a sheet with animals in Acts of the Apostles.

What is the main goal of vegetarianism?

Vegetarian diets are influenced by personal preference, health, ethical, environmental, and religious beliefs. Some vegetarians avoid meat due to animal welfare concerns and environmental issues like pollution from factory farms. Religious beliefs, such as ahimsa, also play a role in vegetarianism. Religions like Jainism, Hinduism, Seventh-day Adventists, and Buddhists practice vegetarianism, with some consuming fish or meat. Overall, vegetarianism is a diverse and complex approach to dietary choices.

Does God say we can’t eat meat?

After Noah’s flood, God granted humans the right to eat flesh, including meat and fish, to both godly and ungodly individuals. This allowed Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Twelve Patriarchs to enjoy eating cattle, sheep, goats, and pork. However, during Moses’ life, God granted permission to the Jews to eat certain animals, leading to the establishment of Jewish ceremonial laws of clean and unclean foods. In Leviticus 11:7, pork is declared unclean to God’s people, and all seafood without fins or scales is declared unclean. These laws were to govern Jews’ lives until God’s decision.

How do you justify being vegetarian?

Vegetarian food is a sustainable and environmentally friendly choice, as it is lower in carbon dioxide emissions and contains fewer harmful substances. As the population is expected to reach 9. 7 billion by 2050, our consumption of natural resources is faster than Earth can replenish them. Adopting a vegetarian diet is a sustainable and environmentally friendly choice, as we will need the equivalent of three planets’ resources to meet our current needs by 2050.

What is the Christian argument for vegetarianism?
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What is the Christian argument for vegetarianism?

Christian vegetarianism is a lifestyle practiced for spiritual, nutritional, and ethical reasons, often derived from the Christian faith. It is a form of veganism that does not use animal products. Pescatarianism, a practice prevalent in early Christian churches, has been recommended by Church leaders like John Wesley, William Cowherd, and Ellen G. White. The Christian Vegetarian Association promotes the concept.

Christians may also practice vegetarianism or veganism as their Lenten sacrifice during Lent, which is traditionally observed through the Black Fast for forty days. The practice is not only a religious practice but also a way for Christians to honor their faith and promote a healthier lifestyle.

What is the most logical reason for becoming a vegetarian?
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What is the most logical reason for becoming a vegetarian?

Vegetarians are often motivated by health, religious beliefs, animal welfare concerns, and environmental concerns. The popularity of vegetarianism has grown due to the availability of fresh produce, vegetarian dining options, and the growing influence of plant-based diets. Traditionally, vegetarianism was primarily focused on potential nutritional deficiencies, but recent studies have confirmed the health benefits of meat-free eating. Plant-based eating is now recognized as nutritionally sufficient and a way to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses.

The American Dietetic Association states that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. However, becoming a vegetarian requires following guidelines on nutrition, fat consumption, and weight control. A wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is essential for health, and saturated and trans fats should be replaced with good fats like those found in nuts, olive oil, and canola oil.

Overeating calories, even from nutritious, low-fat, plant-based foods, can lead to weight gain. Therefore, portion control, reading food labels, and regular physical activity are essential for maintaining a healthy vegetarian lifestyle.

Did God create us to be vegetarians?

In the creation story, God instructs humans to eat plants, only allowing them to eat animals after the flood, which suggests that vegetarianism was God’s original plan for humanity. Gersonides regarded this assertion as scandalous; however, it is inconsistent with the Christian doctrine that, subsequent to creation, God provided humans with vegetables and fruit, while forbidding the consumption of meat, fowl, and fish.

What is the religious reason for not eating meat?
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What is the religious reason for not eating meat?

Vegetarianism, a practice strongly linked with various religious traditions, is prevalent in India, with nearly 85 percent of its population practicing these religions. Vegetarianism is considered mandatory for everyone in Jainism, while in Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism, it is promoted by scriptures and religious authorities but not mandatory. In the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), the Bahá’í Faith, vegetarianism is less commonly viewed as a religious obligation.

However, there are groups actively promoting vegetarianism on religious and humanitarian grounds in all these faiths. Vegetarianism is also a part of many other faiths, including those originating in the Indian subcontinent. Vegetarianism is a significant aspect of Indian religious traditions, with a significant number of people practicing it worldwide.


📹 Was Jesus a Vegetarian? | Understanding Jesus

Https://video.wvbs.org Is it true that Jesus was a vegetarian? You may have heard a statement like this before, but what does the …


A Christian Vegetarian Interpretation
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Rae Fairbanks Mosher

I’m a mother, teacher, and writer who has found immense joy in the journey of motherhood. Through my blog, I share my experiences, lessons, and reflections on balancing life as a parent and a professional. My passion for teaching extends beyond the classroom as I write about the challenges and blessings of raising children. Join me as I explore the beautiful chaos of motherhood and share insights that inspire and uplift.

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20 comments

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  • So you’re telling me God would prefer for people who can live healthy lives on a plant based diet, to eat meat in the absense of necessity? If God wants me to think slaughterhouses are a necessity for humanity, i wonder if the devil wants me to be vegan, not contributing to animal suffering when possible.

  • Sounds like you just convince yourselves its okay to suit your own means, interpret any text and twist it so you remove your own guilt by ignoring the truth. To justify taking another innocent life over eating plants & seed is mind blowing. Meat Farming today globally is far from anything God would have wanted. “Righteousness” Sounds alot more like greed and putting Humans above anything else. Is a sad thought, Far from Spiritual in any way…

  • Really? Not eat meat is a sin? And then you encourage everyone to eat a cheeseburger? Sad to see how you will justified your demand for TASTE (cause that’s all it is) and even call it a sin, just so you can go on continuing ¨enjoing¨ a cheeseburger, Now the consequences of that cheeseburger in our health, on the animals and on the planets,its what we should be considered a sin.

  • God healed a lot of sickness in me thew the original healing diet in genesis 1.29 Daniel was a strong wise profet on vegetables and water and Jesus sas he Desires mercy not sacrifice. So no its not a law its a healing gift and we will be vegan too in the new World in Isaiah. Even the animals will be. And we have some great vegans iceceams and burgers if thats what you want 🙂 renember there might have been lam to the pasover but Jesus broke the bread with his desiples not the meat. So im a christian vegan 🙂 animals do have the breath of live in them to .. so i cant eat any meat anymore but I will not judge others who dont have this revelation. but insimination and the sperm taking of animals that is standard practise today is evil and wrong so that part we really should try to aviod but i dont know if its possible eating meat and milk products. and is it possibile to not kill but eat animals? I dont know I rather eat peace on my plate than ask God to bless meat on it. i wish you took this topic a bit more seriouc and studdied it a bit more.. theres plenty pro plant verses to study too. thats all .. God bless

  • Genesis 1:29 makes it clear that God’s original intention was for us humans to be vegan. You should watch articles that show factory farming. Do you really think that God and Jesus are ok with how animals are treated in the commercial meat industry? What do you think Daniel would think of it? Also, Jesus had the passover meal a day before passover and the tradition of those Jews was no meat. You should know your source scripture better before you spread falsehoods.

  • God’s ORIGINAL plan was that we ALL were vegans(including the animals). The absurd idea of consuming cows milk (which is for the baby cows, not us) didn’t come until later. Yes, we were given permission to eat animals later, but do you think God is ok with the way we treat them today? In factory farms and slaughterhouses, innocent animals have body parts cut off with no anesthesia, they are crammed into crowded cages or sheds covered in their own urine and feces for their entire lives, they are in trucks for days being transported to the slaughterhouses with no food or water(even in the extreme summer heat and winter cold) The male chicks are ground up ALIVE the day they are born in the egg industry. In the dairy industry, female cows are raped to impregnate them, then their babies are taken away from them within 48 hours of the birth. The mom cows cry out for days. This is repeated over and over for years until the mom cow is too weak or sick to go on, then she too is sent off to be brutally killed. All this so we humans can have a cheeseburger-really? Animals feel anxiety, fear, and pain, just like you do. They want to live, just like you do. Animals are God’s creation, just like you are. Imagine Jesus in a factory farm or slaughterhouse-think he would be perfectly fine with all the abuse and torture? As Christians, we should all be promoting love, peace, and compassion for ALL beings rather than coming up with justifications on why it’s ok to abuse animals (and even joking about it).

  • I’m vegetarian and dairy intolerant also raise my two kids the same I personally just don’t want to kill animals for mine and my family’s food. 100%believe in gensis one before sin and the flood ect every creature was vegetarian gods ideal paradise where we all lived at peace with each other. However latter after the flood it is quite obvious that the choice was given to humans to eat meat if they needed to or wanted to. I think like Todd said it’s wise to live the way God intended us in the beginning but not a command to do so and of course as my children get to school age they will have there own choice around whst they eat 🙂

  • I do not live to rules in an old antiquated book. Jesus Did Not Die with the bible. God is a Living God. He is with us Here Today. And it is each of us responsibility to go to Him for the Way He wants us to Live. He wants me to be a vegan..because I asked Him. And I think He would also want us to Look Up and see what is happening all around us..instead of burying our heads in a bible. that bacon wrapped meat you spoke of is way overeaten and causing destruction of people’s health as well as our earth..which is the very place god created for us to live and may be little left the rate things are going. I personally do not want to be a part of that..So go get your hamburger. Evil is its own reward.

  • wow are you serious this guy is so wrong! try reading from the KJV and speaking the scriptures word for word next time. you’re wrong! why would God need to tell us that he’s provided as fruits and vegetables that’s obvious!! and if it wasnt we probably would have tried to eat them anyway, but we wouldnt animal flesh if it wasnt for the fall! he was telling us if you actually read the scripture correctly it says in Genesis 1:29 and God said, behold I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of the Earth, and every tree, in the which fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it should be for meat. FOR MEAT And Genesis:9:3-5 says… ” every moving thing that live liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb I have given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall not eat. 5 and surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every Beast will I require it, and at the hand of every man; at the hand of Every Man’s brother will I require the life of man. and then it goes on to say don’t kill each other ray tay tay. brother I think you’re reading what you want the scripture to say you’re taking it literally right out of context and taking the scripture literally when it’s not meant to be taken literally God if he wanted us to eat flesh he would have said you can eat all of the animals I provided you with but it clearly says that we are to have dominion over them and to watch over them not to eat them. interesting how you left out 50% of the actual scripture that implies not to eat meat you’re justifying your own wrongs because the Bible your lifestyle, stop confusing and falsely teaching my brothers and sisters this nonsense reread the Bible!

  • When the apostle Peter had that vision of God telling him to arise kill and eat the animals and Peter refused saying that he doesn’t eat unclean animals. The whole purpose of that vision was people not animals. God was telling Peter don’t call what he made clean unclean that’s referring to people. The dietary laws of the Old Testament is still in affect.

  • With all due respect, I have to point out that I believe the reference of Mark 7:18-19 is misunderstood. The context of what Jesus’ surroundings and circumstance that led him to say this was due to the Pharisees implementing traditions for eating. (e.g. the washing of hands before you could eat) The “(Thus He declared all foods clean)” is not scripture either. Modern translations put that as scripture when it is only a translators note not being placed in the correct spot. If anything, it should have been placed as a footnote yet it was not. Just a correction there and to point out translations can often be misunderstood all too often I did enjoy the article and thank you for all the material. I concur with the article mostly and I will be staying tuned in for more. Thank you for your ministry.

  • It is more likely that God lowered the moral standards for humans and animals after a sequence of sinning — namely, after the Great Flood — such that meat eating is not a sin only due to the fact that mankind was deemed by God to be unable to live up to the divine moral ideal of vegetarianism. Thus, the notion of the day when ‘the lion sleeps with the lamb’ is a message to us mortals that we become more moral the more closely we live in God’s image, which means being vegetarian. It is a process of moral awakening that brings us closer to God and farther from a life of corpse eating. As we become more awake we realize the sin in the act and change our way of life accordingly. Until then, the meat-eaters among us are still in the benighted state of being.

  • So…we should take example from the world of sin that came after early genesis that brought with it death and punishment rather then the wonderful world that God created for Adam and Eve…and it’s a “sin” to say that “we should not eat meat”… it’s funny that I actually had to rewind and rewatch that last bit because he sais “not” so quietly I thought he meant the opposite…like there was an undertone of shame there

  • the big problem that I see is not so much that we eat meat but gluttony. I myself have been guilty of this sin in the past. Gluttony is just as bad of a sin as drinking. Why is gluttony a big problem, well its a sin first of all, and a glutton can eat as much as 3 people or more. We ought to eat just enough to survive, not live to eat. Self discipline is the key!

  • Why is it that people take into consideration that many of the Bible verses aren’t applicable today because we live in a very different world than what Jesus lived in? However, other verses are taken literally? Let us not forget that there wasn’t factory farming or the massive amount of animal cruelty that we have today, when Jesus lived either. I’ll stick to my #vegan lifestyle.

  • The PURE OBLATION The Salvation Of The World “But, Lo! One greater than Moses speaketh truths and is in thy midst. Behold, the unleavened bread and the juice of the fruit and also the oil and the herbs. But they ignorant of truth ask, where is the lamb that Moses commanded?” They who know not the True Father cannot know me, nor can they ever come to be near the Father, when they reject the Son, Whom the Father sent forth. Hypocrites! Offspring of vipers! Corrupters of the Holy Law given unto Moses! “They imagine that slaying of beasts and birds and the eating of their flesh shall wash them clean, but I tell ye, if the pure waters of the Jordon wash not them clean, neither shall all the streams and seas of the earth maketh pure their evil souls! Yea, how much less so, the blood of the innocent creatures of God! “See how they delight in the cries and agonies of the innocent, for they have rejected the Household of God for vain traditions of men and devils; their hearts are hard and lusts many. Mercy, they know not, the sword being their god and riches their king. “But I say unto ye, if any man knoweth the law of God and raises a sword against the least of these my brothers and sisters, the innocent creatures of God, he shall himself die by the sword and see not life. For know ye, I come into the world in the form of every life. And mercy was shewed not, thus they who work evil unto the least of these my creatures, work evil against the Son and the Father and the Great Household of God. “Did not Adam speak of me as the bread of life that cometh down from heaven to save the righteous seed? And did not Abel know the Pure Oblation and was put to death on account-for Satan entered into Cain and bloodshed was manifested in the earth, and man and beast crieth out to God and God heareth their cries. “But I did not recognize Cain’s blood offering nor did God the evil of Satan but grieved over the evil of mankind that spread over the land even as the waters cover the sea basin. “For truly, I say to you, for this end have I come into the world that may put away all blood offering and eating of flesh. But mankind are wicked and rejoice in their evils and change not, for strong is the power of the evil one and many follow. “Therefore, tell ye the meek of the earth, that they may know truth: In the beginning, God gave to all the fruits of the trees, and the seeds, and the herbs. For food; yea, to every man and beast. But those who loved themselves, or their fellows, more than the True God, did corrupt their ways, and introduced every disease into their bodies, and filled the earth with lust and violence. “And unto this day, men have changed not, and yea, the holy law did they indeed corrupt to suit their own evil ways. But I kept sending them prophets in their midst, to restore the law, but they added to their evil a hundred fold, by taking innocent blood upon themselves and their children, yet boasting in their false gods and idols, and sacrificing the innocents of the earth, both man and beast.” Yeshua Again Gives The Holy Humane Law “After six days, when the Feast of Tabernacles was nigh at hand, Yeshua did take the Holy Twelve and did bring them up into a high mountain away from the people, and as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was changed, and he was transfigured before them, and his face did shine as the sun, and his robe was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him and speaking of the Holy Law, and of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. And Moses spake, saying, “This is HE of whom I foretold, saying, A prophet from the midst of thy brethren, like unto me shall the Eternal Spirit send unto you, and that which the Eternal Spirit speaketh unto him, shall he speak unto you, and unto him shall ye hearken, and whoso will not obey shall bring upon themselves their own self-willed destruction.” Then Peter said unto Yeshua, “Dear Lord, it is good for us to be here; if thou wilt let us make there three tabernacles – one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. But while he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and twelve rays as of the sun issued from the cloud, and a voice came out of the cloud, which said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him and keep his law.” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly astonished. And Yeshua came and touched them and said, “Arise and be not afraid.” And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Yeshua only. And the six glories of the eternal spirit, the first of the holy Archangels, were seen upon him. And Yeshua said unto them, “Behold, anew I give unto you, The Law, which is not new but from old. Even as Moses gave the law to Israel after the flesh, so also I give unto you the law for the Kingdom of Israel after the Spirit. “For who are the Israel of God? Even they of every nation and tribe who work righteousness, love, mercy and keep my commandments, these are the true Israel of God.” And standing upon his feet, Yeshua spake, saying: “Hear O Israel, the Eternal All, Thy God is One; Many are My overseers, and My prophets. In Me all live and move, and have subsistence. “Ye shall love thy God with all your understanding of the Holy Law. “Ye shall love thy neighbor as yourself, even as the law instructs. “Ye shall not take away the life of any creature for your pleasure, nor for your profit, nor yet torment it. “Ye shall not steal the goods of any, nor gather lands and riches to yourselves, beyond your need or use. ‘– > “Ye shall not eat the flesh, nor drink the blood of any slaughtered creature, < -- nor yet anything which bringeth disorder to your health or senses. "Ye shall not make impure marriages, where love and health are not, nor yet corrupt yourselves, or any creature made pure by the Holy One. "Ye shall not bear false witness against any, nor willfully deceive any by a lie to hurt them. "Ye shall not do unto others, as ye would not that others should do unto you. "Ye shall worship One Eternal, the Father-Mother in Heaven, of Whom are all things, and reverence the Holy Name, keeping sacred Their daily holy communions. "Ye shall revere your fathers and your mothers on earth, whose care is for you, and all the teachers of righteousness. "Ye shall cherish and protect the weak, and those who are oppressed, and all creatures that suffer wrong. "Ye shall work with your hands the things that are good and seemly; so shalt ye eat the fruits of the earth, and live long in the land. "Ye shall purify yourselves daily and rest every Seventh Day from labour, keeping Holy the Sabbaths and the Festivals of your God and Creator. "Ye shall do unto others, as ye would that others should unto you." And when his disciples heard these holy words, they smote upon their breasts, saying: "Wherein we have offended, O God please forgive us; and may thy wisdom, love and truth within us, so incline our hearts to love, keep and cherish this Holy Law." And Yeshua said unto them, "My yoke is equal and my burden light, if ye will to bear it; to you it will be easy. Lay no other burden on those that enter into the kingdom, but only these necessary things. "This is the Law renewed unto the Israel of God, and the complete Law is within, for it is the law of love, and it is not new but old. Take heed that ye add nothing to this law, neither take anything from it. For verily I say unto you, they who believe and obey this law shall be saved, and they who know and obey it not, shall be lost. "But as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive. And the disobedient shall be given many tests, for they who persist in wickedness shall descend and shall perish eternally; but they who obey my Law will inherit everlasting life." And as they came down from the mountain, Yeshua charged them, saying, "Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the sleep of death." His disciples then asked him, saying, "Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?" And Yeshua answered and said unto them, "Elias truly shall first come and make ready all things. "But I say unto you, that Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they lusted. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them." Then the disciples under stood that Yeshua spake unto them of John the Baptist." .

  • Very good article, I would add an interesting point about Genesis 1:29 in some of the older Hebrew versions The word grasses is used instead of plants. This makes a lot of sense since some seeds of plants are poisonous,,, however all grasses are edible wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, the list goes on hundreds of varieties of grasses with edible seed.

  • In Genesis. the devil reached out to confuse those who do not study the bible. There are several verses that contradict the plants and animals. Also about whom God created first among animals. plants and man. Then there are controversies about the creation of women. That is why the parable of the sower and the bad grass that grows with the good. when the believer learns the holy scriptures. He can know that God ordains that seeds and plants are also food for the animals of the earth. But not that animals are food for men. That is a sin

  • It’s not a sin “so go get a cheeseburger” – there are plenty of biblical reasons – we have no dietary laws, but we should try to live in God’s plan – Thats why the bible ends in Rev 22 with Eden restored. Fruit will be our food. The full verse of Gen 9 which you cut out says into our hands animals are deliver – with fear they will look upon us. How can we show love if animals fear us? God’s greatest commandment was love. Jesus never definitively ate lamb at the passover only bread and wine, read the 4 versions. he ate Fish in luke 24, but this was again compromise because the disciples didn’t believe he was risen in the flesh even after touching. Isaiah even says we, and animals, will all be vegan again. Jesus did a lot of things, sure he helped fisherman, but pretty much everytime the fishermen then left everything and went withhim. Even when he made fish appear to feed thousands, Jesus is god and can surely manifest animals without death / suffering, I would assume they were even cooked already. To say “go and get a cheeseburger” because it is possible, does not mean we should. All things are acceptable, but not all things are beneficial. Daniel tells us a a vegan diet is beneficial compared to a meat based one. We should pray for God’s will to be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.

  • Deuteronomy 14:8 New International Version The pig is also unclean; although it has a divided hoof, it does not chew the cud. You are not to eat their meat or touch their carcasses. King James Bible And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase. . . . apparently some animals were singled out. Go get your cheeseburger! “It might be wise . . . . “

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