Weekly Newsletter from Christian Vegetarian Association CVA - April 8, 2026
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

  1. CVA leafleter Rick Hershey writes:
  2. Toward a Universal Ethic
  3. All-Creatures.Org Ministry

1. CVA leafleter Rick Hershey writes:

Rick Hershey writes: Michael and I handed out 2900 CVA booklets at Southern Bank Arena on the campus of Missouri State U for Winter Jam in 90 degree first day of spring weather to a receptive crowd consisting of about 40% adults and 60% kids. I think it was Michael's first time to leaflet for the CVA, and he did a great job!

2. Toward a Universal Ethic

How do humans, for whom natural selection favors focusing on the interests of themselves and their immediate families, embrace a universal ethic that protects the vital interests of others? Can society align self-interest with the needs of society-at-large? Let us consider some possibilities.

One common approach is to imbue a sense of guilt for taking actions that are harmful to others. The sources of this sense of guilt likely include teaching children that parental approval is partially conditional on behaving in kind and compassionate ways and from humans' natural ability to empathize with the feelings of others. There are incentives that militate against being kind and compassionate. Children are also taught to be competitive, and parents express approval when they do better than peers in school, sports, and other endeavors.

Another factor that encourages kindness and compassion is to have these attributes socially rewarded. Those who help others might be rewarded with social prestige, success in finding mates, and in other ways. This encourages sharing, but the incentive to share is grounded in self-serving goals. Consequently, one might be inclined to be selfish or deceitful if one believed that the personal benefits outweighed the potential social costs.

One might ascribe to a secular ethical system, such a the Golden Rule to do to others as you would like others to do to you, the Kantian categorical imperative to consider what would happen if everyone made the same choice as yourself, the utilitarian approach to seek to maximize pleasure and minimize suffering, or the deontological (rights) approach to respect certain fundamental rights. Each of these approaches has advantages and drawbacks, but a principal difficulty is that they rely on human choice. Humans tend to be motivated by feelings and desires, not abstract ethical principles, and those feelings and desires tend to be focused on themselves and their immediate families.

While feelings and desires heavily influence our choices, we use stories to inform our values. These values, while influenced by egocentric desires, can nevertheless encourage socially responsible behavior. We need stories that can align people from a broad range of backgrounds, traditions, and religious faiths toward a universal ethic of compassion, kindness, and peace. One story that resonates with Christians and that has parallels with other faiths is relates to the "faith of Christ." This faith, described in the life and teachings of Jesus, is also articulated in the written and oral traditions of countless other faiths. It holds that God (however understood) desires peace and well-being for everyone. Christians can endorse this faith based on their own religious commitments, and non-Christians can both acknowledge Jesus as a model of faithful living while continuing to hold other figures as divine.

This faith has several attributes. It helps prevent victimization of vulnerable individuals; it helps prevent violence in a world in which biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons increasingly threaten humanity; and it can provide a sense of meaning and direction in life that humans universally need to feel fulfilled. This faith is undermined by any ideology or practice that victimizes innocent individuals. Therefore, I will argue next that this faith necessarily includes nonhumans.

Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.

3. All-Creatures.Org Ministry

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All-Creatures.org Newsletter - April 1, 2026

Wishing all who celebrate a meaningful Passover and a joyous Easter!

Founded in 1998, All-Creatures.org was the pioneer in faith-based animal rights and vegan activism and continues leading by inspiring others to always choose empathy and compassion for all living beings.

For over 25 years, Pastor Frank and a handful of small donors have carried All-Creatures.org. Now it's time for us to carry it forward—together. Be part of the Compassionate Heart Circle.

Or contribute with a Planned Giving Option

Good News for Animals

Action Alerts

Thought-provoking Articles

Religion / Spirituality and Animals

Recipes - Let No Animal Die That We May Live!

Please support the CVA! At www.christianveg.org/materials.htm, you can find literature, T-shirts, bumper stickers and more, and donations are always welcomed!

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