Christian Vegetarian Association UK

Theology and Religious Studies

Leeds University

Christian Vegetartian Association UK

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Matthew Barton

Leeds University

Don Gwillim

CVAUK

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Rachel Muers

Deborah Jones

Listen to some of the

Talks

Mikel Burley

John Davis

John Ryder

Don Gwillim

David Grumett

Links to Friends

Pictures

Speakers

Matthew Barton

Doctoral student at Leeds University, looking at the place of Christian vegetarians in their local church communities, as well as motivations for and against vegetarian/vegan diets within these churches.

Please visit: www.dietarypacifism.com

Mikel Burley -  Subject: Sacrifice, non-violence and abstention from meat in epic Hinduism.

Please visit:  www.leeds.ac.uk/trs/staff/mikel_burley.htm

Latest publication: Classical Samkhya and Yoga: An Indian Metaphysics of Experience (London: Routledge, 2007).

David Grumett

Please visit:  www.davidgrumett.com

Latest Publication: Theology on the Menu - Asceticism, Meat and Christian diet. (Joint author Rachel Muers)

John Davis

Manager -  International Vegetarian Union UK

Please visit: www.ivu.org/members/council/john-davis.html

Don Gwillim

Co-founder & Administrator - Christian Vegetarian Association UK

Please visit: www.christianvegetarian.co.uk

Deborah Jones MA, PhD

General Secretary, Catholic Concern for Animals

Patron - Christian Vegetarian Association UK

Please visit: www.catholic-animals.org

Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics (Director: Revd Professor Andrew Linzey)

Latest publication: The School of Compassion - a Roman Catholic theology of animals. Leominster: Gracewing, August 2009.

Rachel Muers  go to:

Please visit: www.leeds.ac.uk/trs/staff/rachel_muers.htm

Latest Publication: Theology on the Menu - Asceticism, Meat and Christian diet. (Joint author David Grumett)

John Ryder  Theology Hons

Co-Founder & Spokesperson - Christian Vegetarian Association UK

Incumbent of All Saints Church, Godshill, Isle of Wight.

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Press Release

Christianity has a long and chequered relationship with violence, from crusading warfare to pacifism and martyrdom. Its relationship with vegetarianism has never been as complicated, largely because vegetarianism as a lifestyle choice for Christians has often received short shrift. We want to ask why this has been so and consider why it should be the case no longer. Humans are one animal in creation, after all; and whether we consider ourselves to be imago dei or not, we can certainly never lay claim to being Deus.

The aim of this conference was to bring together individuals thinking, writing, working, and living in the area of Christianity and vegetarianism, both academic and non-academic. Vegetarian theology, environmental concerns, the connection between vegetarianism and pacifism, humanity’s relationship with and status in

creation, the centrality of God’s peaceable kingdom, and potentially the relationship between Christianity, vegetarianism and feminism are some potential topic areas which were explored. This exploration was facilitated both by ample discussion time after talks and during breaks, with the added opportunity to engage in discussion groups to enable those not speaking to get ‘hands-on’ with what is often (regrettably) a controversial issue within the churches.

Enjoying a well earned vegetarian meal on Saturday evening

Doreen & James Thompson

John Ryder