Lent is a time to pray, reflect, and demonstrate the same life-giving compassion that Jesus showed us. Like humans, all animals are part of God’s perfect creation—He gave them thought, reason, emotional capacity, and the ability to feel pain. Surely, then, His intention was that all creatures, regardless of species, be allowed to live in peace and not be exploited.
Join PETA LAMBS in fighting speciesism by valuing all animals for who they are as individuals, by choosing merciful vegan meals, and by making other lifesaving choices during Lent and beyond.
Answer animals’ prayers this Lenten season by forgoing these 10 things:
1. Meat
God’s design for the world is one in which animals and humans coexist peacefully, with humans as caretakers—not killers. So it only makes sense that during this 40-day period of reflection and forever after, we keep animals’ flesh off our plates. Learn how to do that by clicking below!
2. Fish
On Fridays during Lent, many Catholics and other Christians abstain from eating meat—but because many of them don’t consider fish flesh to be meat, they may consume fish on these days. However, fish feel pain and fear and value their lives, just as humans do, so it’s a blessing to save them on Lenten Fridays and all other days of the year. Click below to discover how easy it is to demonstrate mercy for all of God’s creation simply by choosing delicious vegan fare.
3. Dairy
Christians are called to be merciful stewards of God’s creation. In answering that call, we can’t ignore the suffering that cows used for dairy endure, including when babies are torn away from their mothers. We must stand against such abuse. Ditching dairy and choosing vegan alternatives is the best way to do that.
4. Products Tested on Animals
When we choose to buy and use only cosmetics and personal-care products that weren’t tested on animals, we’re being kind to ourselves and to others—to all of God’s creatures. Join PETA LAMBS in helping to bring His vision of peace and compassion into our turbulent world through conscientious consumerism.
5. Leather
Just as we must break ties with some of the most violent and ungodly places on Earth (farms and slaughterhouses) while we break bread, we must reject the cruel leather industry. Leather is an important coproduct of the meat industry, so giving up meat and leather for Lent would be giving up support for the abuse and slaughter of cows, goats, and other animals, all of whom want to live. The countless vegan leather options available today make Lenten compassion blessedly easy.
6. Wool
Like all other animals, lambs and sheep used for wool feel pain and fear, value their lives, and don’t want to suffer or die for someone’s sweater. During Lent and every time you’re shopping for yourself or a loved one, consider your role as a steward of God’s creation. Click below to discover how you can do right by the Lamb of God.
7. Down
As we pass through the Lenten season of reconciliation in preparation for the restoration offered by Easter, consider how we can better answer Jesus’ call for service to the most vulnerable, including birds used for down. God created geese, and they are perfect. Geese are devoted parents, loyal individuals, and natural mediators. As Christians, we must stand against all abuse, including that inflicted on birds used in the down-feather industry.
8. Buying Animals
Everything about using animals for human profit flies in the face of what it means to be good stewards of God’s creation—and that includes breeding dogs or other companion animals and selling them. When we treat animals like commodities, we undercut God’s original design. So this Lent and always, if you’re considering adding an animal companion to your family, please, visit a shelter to adopt.
9. Gelatin
Easter is a time for Christians to remember Christ’s crucifixion as his final sacrifice and to celebrate His victory over death in the resurrection. But Easter is no celebration for the cows, pigs, and other animals whose skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones are boiled in water to create gelatin—an ingredient that can be found in jelly beans and other common Easter candies. So as you celebrate Holy Week and begin to assemble baskets of sweets in preparation for Easter Sunday, resolve to emulate Christ’s compassion in your own life by showing mercy to animals and buying only vegan treats.
10. Speciesist Language
There’s a belief that’s older than Genesis that despite their extraordinary talents, abilities, and intelligence, all other animal species are inferior to our own—it’s called speciesism, and PETA is working to end it. Since the Bible instructs us repeatedly to care for God’s Earth and all its inhabitants, we hope all Christians will join us in helping to end speciesism. One of the best ways to send the message that there is no “us” and “them”—that from hens to humans, we’re all part of God’s creation and we all deserve equal consideration—is to change how we speak about animals, thus helping to change how other humans view them. Click below to learn how you can do your part to create a more inclusive world for all.
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No matter where you live or worship, you can help reduce suffering and create a kinder world for humans and all other animals. PETA LAMBS is here to support your compassion during Lent and beyond! Click below for tips on getting active for animals at home, at church, and around town.
