An article in the Independent about Christian discoveries in Turkey, (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/turkey- archaeological-christianity-jesus-image-iznik-b2983066.html) makes an interesting comment.
"Christian growth was also partly driven by potentially lower illness- related early death rates than those endured by pagan communities."
Unfortunately the article does not cite the evidence for that claim
though it does mention in the next paragraph that female infanticide in pagan communities - albeit at a low level - would also have favoured Christianity, as Christians did not practice infanticide in any form.
Either this lower death rate was the result of direct divine
intervention, or there was something about the Christian life-style
which caused it. The most likely reason - in my opinion - would be the Christian refusal to eat meat sacrificed to idols, which in some circumstances might have meant that Christians were involuntarily semi- vegetarian, getting their "five a day" and reducing the amount of red
meat they ate.
How does not eating meat offered to idols mean that Christians became semi-vegetarian?-a They could still eat meat not offered to idols.
And > of course you do realise that people eat meat and still live toa rather
old age don't you. My wife's dad and grandad both lived to the age ofI do not doubt what you say, but I would point out that I have heard
89, as did my friend's dad. My mum and her mum both died when they were
79 years old (not connected I hasten to add) The common denominator is
they were all meat eaters, and red meat at that.
On 26/05/2026 20:25, John wrote:
How does not eating meat offered to idols mean that Christians became
semi-vegetarian?-a They could still eat meat not offered to idols.
They could - if any was available. If butchers made a selling point out
of "Our meat is all offered to Apollo" or one of the other gods or goddesses, then un-sacrificed meat may have been extremely rare.
And > of course you do realise that people eat meat and still live toa rather
old age don't you. My wife's dad and grandad both lived to the age ofI do not doubt what you say, but I would point out that I have heard
89, as did my friend's dad. My mum and her mum both died when they
were 79 years old (not connected I hasten to add) The common
denominator is they were all meat eaters, and red meat at that.
similar arguments advanced by those who wished to defend smoking.
Government advice is in favour of a largely vegetarian diet.
Paul said don't worry about it, as long as you avoided it if it gave
offence to a weeaker brother or sister who ate only vegetables, it
wasn't an issue.
That's quite a stretch, as it includes meat, and fish twice a week,
although I will concede it says eat less red and processed meat.
Tell me Ken, do you follow the Government guidelines and eat fish twice
a week?-a If not, why not?
On 27/05/2026 12:06, John wrote:
Paul said don't worry about it, as long as you avoided it if it gave
offence to a weeaker brother or sister who ate only vegetables, it
wasn't an issue.
Indeed, yet the mention of the "weaker brethren" indicates that not all Christians were comfortable with his viewpoint.
Some years ago Shirley and I were in China where the itinerary included
a "banquet". After pointing out that we were vegetarians, the organiser arranged for the "banquet" to be in a buddhist temple. We wondered
whether any of the food had been "offered to idols", but consciously
adopted St Paul's advice to "ask no questions for conscience' sake" and enjoyed the most delicious gluten dishes we have ever eaten.
That's quite a stretch, as it includes meat, and fish twice a week,
although I will concede it says eat less red and processed meat.
I am glad you concede that I am right.
Tell me Ken, do you follow the Government guidelines and eat fish
twice a week?-a If not, why not?
No, I go beyond them and eat no meat (or fish) at all. It is the diet
God gave in Eden and is the diet we will follow in heaven and the New
Earth where "they shall not kill nor destroy in all My holy mountain"
and even the lions will "eat straw like the ox".
It may be silly of me, but I believe that the One Who designed and
created us probably knows the best diet for us.
Indeed not, but Paul's recommedation was that it was ok. Are you
suggesting this man of God was wrong to call the vegetarians "weaker brethren" (presumably because they were avoiding meat on religious grounds.
So much so that He fed 12000 people fish and ate fish and red meat Himself.-a And if He knows the best diet for us why did He say it was okYou are getting muddled. The diet God gave in Eden was vegetarian -
to eat meat?
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