RE: Jesus Was A Vegetarian

[Guest guest]

 

Sheryl

 

>>> I've heard it said

that the reason fish was allowed on Fridays and was not

considered " meat " is because the Catholic church had a large

financial stake in the fishing industry and didn't want to cut the

hand that fed them. >>>

 

In Catholic tradition, fish is seen as " not-meat " and it is eaten on Fridays

as a sacrifice to God, and to remember Christ's crucifixion.

 

'... Friday has been signalized as an abstinence day, in order to do homage

to the memory of Christ suffering and dying on that day of the week. The

" Teaching of the Apostles " (viii), Clement of Alexandria (Strom., VI, 75),

and Tertullian (De jejun., xiv) make explicit mention of this practice. Pope

Nicholas I (858-867) declares that abstinence from flesh meat is enjoined on

Fridays.'

 

Fish is allowed because it is not seen as meat, not because of any

connection with fishing.

 

'Throughout the Latin Church the law of abstinence prohibits all responsible

subjects from indulging in meat diet on duly appointed days. Meat diet

comprises the flesh, blood, or marrow of such animals and birds as

constitute flesh meat according to the appreciation of intelligent and

law-abiding Christians. For this reason the use of fish, vegetables,

mollusks, crabs, turtles, frogs, and such-like cold-blooded creatures is not

at variance with the law of abstinence. Amphibians are relegated to the

category whereunto they bear most striking resemblance [which is how such

peculiar things occur in the middle ages as the classification as fish of

some birds which never or rarely come to land, beaver's tails (but not the

rest of the beaver, which is meat) and embryonic rabbits (but not their

mothers)] ... Furthermore, on many fasting days during the year [for

example, Lent - Lenten recipes are best for vegan people who want to eat

medievally] the law of abstinence bars the use of such viands as bear some

identity of origin with flesh meat. For this reason eggs, milk, butter,

cheese, and lard are interdicted.'

 

Interestingly, however, the point about the stake in fishing is true ... but

for secular authority. In England - 16th century if memory serves - not

only were there religious " fish days " there were also government ordained

" fish days " . Because England relied on her navy so much and because she

didn't keep a large standing navy it was important that lots of men were

good sailors so that they could be pressed into service should the need

arise. A fishing fleet is a very good way to ensure that there is a supply

of good sailors available so the government increased the amount of fish

people were required to eat.

 

Lee-Gwen

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/