Vegetarianism and Spiritualism
In replying to the question, “Does Vegetarianism Tend to Spiritualism?” the London Present Truth states some principles which need to be emphasized just now. We quote as follows:— A great many vegetarians reason that, by adopting a purer diet, they necessarily purify their blood, and accordingly free their minds from grossness. As a man eateth, they say, so is he. They expect a simple, natural diet to lead them into a simple, natural life. If they could only find out perfectly what is the right way of living, they would expect to become free from every evil. In other words, if they only knew enough, they could be their own saviors. All they lack is knowledge. This reasoning is logical enough. If a certain amount of right living can change a man for the better, a greater amount will make him so much better, and a sufficient amount will do the work entirely. This is the essence of spiritualism. It was told Eve, by the founder of spiritualism, that she could, by the knowledge of good and evil, to come through eating, make herself like God. Gen. 3: 5. Every one who thinks he can make himself better by eating or drinking, or by abstaining from eating or drinking, has fallen into the snare of the devil. If he follows up the error, he will come out a spiritualist. It is not increased knowledge or an improved manner of life that makes a man better. Sin originated in heaven itself, where the perfect life was to be found, and the diet was exactly right, and it originated with the created being who knew most. On this earth, sin began under the very conditions devised to favor righteousness, in the garden of Eden. Then, if full knowledge and healthful living could not keep out sin, they certainly will not deliver the sinner from his sin. There is only one way out of the sinful life. It can not be patched up or remolded or cultivated into righteousness. It must be given up. It is hopelessly diseased. A sinful nature can not eradicate its own sin. The sinner must die; the old man must be put off; a new life, the life of Christ, must quicken the mortal body; and the new man must be put on. This, the salvation of God, is the only way of living a better life, and escaping the power of sin. And yet the Present Truth advocates vegetarianism, but not as a substitute for the gospel. It says:— Does vegetarianism do people any good?—Yes, physically and mentally. It promotes physical health, vigor, and endurance, and assists mental clearness. The body becomes a better machine for work, and the mind a better machine for thinking. But there the effect of vegetarianism ends. The question remains whether the improved machine shall be used in God’s service or in the cause of sin. It will do better work for either as the result of vegetarian living. Some temptations may be lessened, but others will be increased. There is just as much need of the grace of Christ to save a vegetarian, and just as much need of God’s keeping power, as in the case of a meat eater.