"One believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables," writes Paul in Romans 14:2-6. "Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him … He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks."
It's worth mentioning that some Christians recommend a vegetarian diet for reasons that have nothing to do with biblical teachings. In certain cases, they make this choice in response to reports of the way animals are raised and handled in the food industry. This is a point worth considering. God gave us dominion over all the earth (Genesis 1:28). But He also expects us to behave responsibly and to be accountable for the way we treat His creation. Cruelty to animals is inconsistent with a Christian world view. Proverbs 12:10 says, "A righteous man regards the life of his animal." To this extent, animal advocacy groups have a perfectly valid point. Unfortunately, many of them seem to have forgotten that animal life cannot be given priority over human life. It would be wicked and foolish to deny food and sustenance to starving people simply in order to protect the "rights" of birds and beasts.
It can also be a good idea to stop and weigh the medical pros and cons of vegetarianism and veganism. As you probably know, many people are attracted to a vegetarian diet, because of its health benefits. It tends to be high in many important nutrients, including vitamins, fiber, and phytonutrients (nutrients that come only from plant sources). It also tends to be lower in calories and fat. Most of the fats encountered in the vegetarian diet are of the "good" kind. To be specific, they are monounsaturated fats. In practical terms, this means that they lower LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) and may raise HDL ("good" cholesterol). The drawback is that strict vegetarians (particularly vegans) may fail to get enough protein, vitamins, and essential amino acids in their diets. The trick is to eat the right variety of foods. People considering embarking on a vegetarian or vegan diet should consult a registered dietitian or their doctor to make sure they are getting all the nutrients they need.
Here's the bottom line: If anyone feels that God is calling them to stop eating meat, all we can say is "more power to you." But we must be careful about passing judgment on others who think differently. As you can see, there's a strong case to be made on almost every side of this question. I think the key is to eat a balanced, healthy diet, whatever that means to you, so that it honors the temple of God, your own body. After all, it is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
