[federico]

Would you still eat it?

I went to church today and I was uneasy about the communion because the bread is a refined carb, but then I thought "is it vegan?".

I'm catholic and I hardly go to church. Do I have to eat the bread?

 

[ldpullen]

I would eat the communion bread as long as it was the same "unleavened bread" that Christ ordained.

To me, when Communion is taken as Christ told, the bread is truly the body of Christ and it supercedes, on this occasion, my veganism.

 

[Dreaded Candiru]

Would the body of Christ qualify as vegan?

 

[laurie15]

if it's 'real', then it's vegan. i doubt they would concoct it otherwise.

personally, i dont take communion because i have celiac disease, but if i didn't, i would still have it, regardless of what it is. if you have the wine, that could be non-vegan, too, technically.

 

[Mskedi]

My grandma had celiacs and had bread she brought for herself blessed so she could still participate in communion. It was a protestant church, though... I know there was some controversy not too long about this in a Catholic church.

Here's some info on this: http://www.livingwithout.com/feature...eeworship.html

Even if there were milk in the wafer (and I don't believe there is -- to my knowledge it's vegan), I wouldn't let that stop me from taking communion. But that's me. I wouldn't judge someone who chose otherwise.

 

[poppyseed]

Also you have to ask is the wine Vegan?.

 

[HandcuffedAngel]

If the Communion bread wasn't vegan then it wouldn't be flatbread.

 

[Jaali]

I agree with Idpullen.

I've had a similar situation at a Passover service where one year, for some reason the standard flour-water flatbread used was instead an egg matzos.

This is something that I take part in once a year, and as it is of great importance to me, my spirituality took priority.

Thanks, federico - this reminds me that I should ask whether this year we can go back to the egg-free variety.

 

[karenlovessnow]

I would/do take Communion every Sunday and it does not matter to me what it is made of.

 

[Life2k]

If it is traditional Catholic communion wafers, go to the local bible book store and in the communion section, the communion wafers will list what the contents are. Then you will know. Ususally it is olive oil and flours.

 

[southern_vegan]

omg Im SO glad you asked this question. I do communion at my church, as yes I will eat the bread. I simply pray and tell God "I dont know if this is vegan, but Im doing this for you, God." So I try not to fret too bad!

 

[Aussyj]

I am not religious myself, which is probably evident from the answer that I will give. I - personally - would not intake any animal products in any form simply to conform one of my beliefs to another. That being said - I hold nothing against those that do. We all hold our beliefs, and mine simply differ from others. I don't believe that I would hold someone who partakes in a religious tradition of theirs a lower Vegan for it, but I simply would not be able to do it.

(The egg matzo would be asking a bit too much of me, but I do not see it as any worse than asking me to consume animal products in any other form either.)

 

[Iria]

I never took Communion because the wine activated my gag reflex (I can't stand the taste of alcohol) and I figured spitting up the Eucharist on the sanctuary floor would be worse than not taking it at all.

But that was a very physical reason. Even if it wasn't vegan (and most of the responders seem to think it is), if you feel spiritually that you ought to take it, then do so.

 

[Savannah]

since Catholics believe (correct me if i am wrong) that the wine and the wafer become transformed into the blood and body of Jesus Christ during the Mass, perhaps it isn't technically vegan? ......okay so we are going off into the realm of the theoretical hehe

 

[honeyfugle]

when i used to be catholic and took communion i wasn't vegan, or even vegetarian, but if i were to take up my faith again i would still take communion.

 

[nookle]

So now, all of a sudden, since it's for a 'valid' ( one that you can excuse as a result of your belief system) reason it's ok?

Think about all the things you say about anyone else's excuses.

Have you ever listened to a full-fledged omni list his excuses\\justifications? Explain the difference. Why is yours ok?

 

[oexoskeletalx]

perhaps ask your church if you could bring your own to be blessed and eaten. or maybe offer to supply the church with them for one sunday or something like that. you may not even have to take it to begin with, so maybe opt against it and know you're not letting your God down.

 

[ReginaCeltarum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by federico

Would you still eat it?

I went to church today and I was uneasy about the communion because the bread is a refined carb, but then I thought "is it vegan?".

I'm catholic and I hardly go to church. Do I have to eat the bread?

It is most likely vegan. As a Catholic, you don't have to eat the "bread" as you call it, and technically should not in certain circumstances. If you don't believe in the Real Presence, it is better that you dont receive, especially since you are asking if you "have to" eat it in the first place. You are better off just to be respectful and not receive. It is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, and if you don't believe it is such, be respectful and don't "eat" what you see as just bread. If you do believe in the Catholic teaching of what it is, by all means, receive the Eucharist, don't just "eat the bread". Don't mean to be too blunt, but too many people see it as habit, what you do, tradition, conformity, etc. and whatever. If you do not believe what it is, and it is only bread to you, it is only respectful to pass on it.

 

[karenlovessnow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nookle

So now, all of a sudden, since it's for a 'valid' ( one that you can excuse as a result of your belief system) reason it's ok?

Think about all the things you say about anyone else's excuses.

Have you ever listened to a full-fledged omni list his excuses\\justifications? Explain the difference. Why is yours ok?

Speaking just for myself (and I didn't take your post to be directed specifically at me but rather to the general population answering 'yes'), my God and religion come before anything else, so veganism takes a backseat to that. Plus, I don't call myself vegan, I'm more of a very, very strict vegetarian, so now that I think of it, this thread doesn't even apply to me!

But if I were to become 100% vegan I would still take Communion so I guess that would still make me not vegan!

 

[froggythefrog]

Why are you worried about refined carbs in a communion wafer? Not only is it not of significant size to cause much of a rise in blood sugar, but what is the reason you're taking communion?

I can actually understand the vegan ingredients bit myself, though. I wouldn't want a religious practice I participate in to be causing suffering to those outside either.