Friday 28 May 2010

'Christianity and Vegetarianism' by Dorothy Gill




From The Vegetarian News (Summer 1953 edition). Reprinted as a tract by the London Vegetarian Society in the same year.

2 comments:

  1. Strange you should mention Dorothy Gill of Bradford, John. I met the principal of the United Independent college when I was, for a short time (before eloping!) a Baptist minister in the vicinity. Then, in the late 1950s I met Dorothy Gill who came to preach at a Congregational church of which I was the Student Pastor. Some folk were quite offended as they had invited her back for Sunday dinner -a common custom! But then they placed a big steak on the table specially. She said: "Don't worry, I've brought my own sandwiches along with me. You see, I'm a vegetarian!" Well, when I got back to Paton College, Nottingham, and told this to the rest of the student body, they thought it was hilarious. For myself and my previous wife, we thought the lady was odd and peculiar in not eating meat. So sad that during those early 1960s, vegetarianism was looked upon with so much amusement as though it was completely irrelevant for Christians.

    Indeed, it appeared as way out and as strange as was Pacifism; C.J. Cadoux of Mansfield College, Oxford, was both. The man was highly respected as a top academic of the Congregational Denomination, yet staff - and fellow students with me - at Nottingham's Paton College affiliated to the University, hardly mentioned him during that four year slog. But then I sense that one hardly commends what one does not practice.

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  2. It's a real privilege to obtain first-hand insights into the context of such articles and the extent of their message in an increasingly remote era.*

    Thanks for sharing your recollections, James.

    Anyone who wishes to learn more of the Animal Padre's intriguing path towards high-profile animal rights activism should obtain a copy of 'Young Spiritual Tramp' among other remarkable works from his website.

    *(C.J. Cadoux's treatise on vegetarianism was posted under 'Lectures' in January)

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