Stop eating animals
Stop eating animals
This Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period before Easter, when many Christians abstain from animal foods in remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert before launching his ministry.
But meat-free Lent is much more than a symbol of religious devotion to Christ. It helps reduce the risk of chronic disease, environmental degradation and animal abuse.
Dozens of medical reports have linked consumption of animal products with elevated risk of heart failure, stroke, cancer and other killer diseases.
A 2007 United Nations report named meat production as the largest source of greenhouse gases and water pollution. Undercover investigations documented farm animals being beaten, caged, crowded, deprived, mutilated and shocked.
Lent offers a superb opportunity to honor Christ’s powerful message of compassion and love by adopting a meat-free diet for Lent and beyond.
After all, it’s the diet mandated in Genesis 1:29 and observed in the Garden of Eden.
Our supermarkets offer a rich array of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, as well as the more traditional vegetables, fruits and grains. Entering “vegan recipes” in our favorite search engine offers more products, recipes and transition tips than we can use.
Washi Hamada
Kailua-Kona
Derelict features
Leaving the warm and crowded reception for the new exhibitions at the Wailoa Center last Friday evening, I noticed in the gathering dusk some derelict features of this popular park.
The stop sign at the exit from the parking lot is so corroded as to be unreflective and unreadable, and the once handsome bridge over which one drives to reach Pauahi Street is even more blackened with mold than it was some years ago when I first noticed its neglected condition.
I don’t know who is responsible for the upkeep of the grounds of this central cultural gathering place in Hilo, but could someone in Parks and Recreation or Highway Maintenance please check into the park’s appearance?
Perhaps some volunteer organization would undertake cleaning and painting the bridge? I have seen this type of project done elsewhere by a volunteer group. The stop sign might need some official authority for replacement with a bright new sign.
Nan Sumner-Mack
Hilo