Ethical eating: Artisan hosts discussion on religion and food
by Kristy Tiesing, posted Nov. 21, 2008
Many gathered Saturday morning, Nov. 15, at the Cherry Street Artisan in downtown Columbia for an open discussion on the ethical issues behind what we eat. The discussion, entitled “Sects in the City: Coffee and conversation about the intersection of faith and life,” focused on the religious aspects of eating different meats and the agricultural processes used to obtain that meat.
The discussion was led by Barbara Ross, director of social concerns for the Diocese of Jefferson City. Ross has been involved in the morals of eating and agriculture for 20 years, according to the MU Center on Religion and the Professions, sponsor of the event.
Before the discussion began, Ross asked the group to share why they were there. One group of men said they were part of a men’s prayer group and were interested in the topics, and how it related to their Christian beliefs. Others replied with similar answers, all explaining the connection to their religions. The discussion soon began to focus more on religion than food.
“We are all interconnected beings,” Ross said.
She continued to explain how the decision of what to put in one’s body should be based on how we wish to relate to the animals with which she said we connect.
Emotions began to show as Ross talked about a pork farmer who she said, “treated the pigs to normal lives where they saw regular sunlight, allowed normal tendencies and never were given antibiotics or other chemical enhancements.”
As Ross continued to preach her definition of ethical eating — eating animals that are given proper and natural lives — a woman rose from her seat and left carrying a binder decorated with stickers including one that supports PETA. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is an organization composed of vegetarians and vegans.
The discussion frequently moved from food to religion and back again. Some in the group seemed to thoroughly enjoyed the discussion, while others left quickly with disappointed faces.
