Resources on Religion and Veganism

As veganism continues to grow and become a mainstream lifestyle choice, vegan populations will undoubtedly include more people who also happen to have a religious or spiritual identity. We’ve put together this list of websites and articles that relate to religion and veganism. Whether you identify as religious, interfaith, spiritual, atheist, or agnostic, you will find something of interest to read here.

Faith-Based Vegan Websites

All Creatures: This organization is dedicated to cruelty-free living through a vegan lifestyle according to Judeo-Christian ethics. They see unconditional love and compassion as the foundation to accomplishing this goal for all creatures through peaceful means. All Creatures also has a list of vegan churches and pastors.

A Prayer for Compassion: This film is a feature-length documentary that strives to inspire and encourage those already on a religious or spiritual path to extend compassion to all beings, regardless of species. Thomas Wade Jackson takes us on his quest across America, to Morocco for the UN Climate Conference, and throughout the Indian subcontinent to ask whether people who identify as religious or spiritual can respect all human and nonhuman beings. The film explores values from Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Native American traditions, Unitarian Universalism, Zoroastrianism, and the “spiritual but not religious” point of view.

Interfaith Vegan Coalition (In Defense of Animals): In Defense of Animals created the Interfaith Vegan Coalition to provide resources, materials, and support to animal rights activists. The coalition is comprised of groups and individuals helping spiritual and religious communities bring their values of love and compassion into their daily actions.

Jewish Veg: Since 1975, Jewish Veg has inspired and assisted Jews to embrace plant-based diets as an expression of Jewish values.

Shamayim: Jewish Animal Advocacy: This nonprofit organization teaches the Jewish community about animal advocacy and veganism through its many programs. They include the Synagogue Vegan Challenge, the Shamayim College Fellowship, Try Vegan for 22 Days Program, the Annual Jewish Vegan Retreat, and the Veg Rabbi Reflection Circle. They provide weekly writings connecting the Torah with animal welfare, and they have a podcast that interviews notable Jewish vegans and vegetarians.

Vegan Buddhism: Vegan Buddhism is a simple site and interfaith Facebook Group focused on “an evolution towards a more altruistic and compassionate lifestyle that follows the first precept of Buddhism of non-harming (Pali, Sanskrit: ahimsa).”

The Vegan Muslim Initiative: This initiative was founded by two people who decided that to be positive contributors to our planet’s future, they must seek to educate their fellow Muslims and encourage them to take the compassionate road — towards a better future for all. Their site provides information, recipes, and other resources on veganism.

The Vegetarian Resource Group: In addition to vegan guides to nutrition, recipes, restaurants, travel, and more, this resource group has a guide to religious sites from Buddhism to Unitarianism.

Articles on Faith and Veganism

5 Reasons Hindu Vegetarians Should Go Vegan (VegNews)

Atheism and Veganism (Faunalytics)

The Complete Guide to Vegans and Religion (LiveKindly)

Exploring the Relationship Between Veganism and Religion (Happy Herbivore)

If You’ve Experienced All These, You’re Truly a Jewish Vegan (PETA)

Religious Groups Are Giving Plant-Based Eating a Boost (Forbes)

Should Christians Be Vegan? (The Vegan Society)

Vegan Theology for Christians (PETA Prime)

What Does Religion Teach Us About Veganism? (LiveKindly)

The Vegan Basis for Veganism (Free from Harm)

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Photo by Hanny Naibaho on Unsplash