I am willing to believe that spirit can shift our genetics. However, I am not at all sure that raw veganism is the future. The whole concept seems to be deeply embedded in an essential belief that there is something "wrong" with human beings being animal, being part of the natural world and that "evolution" must mean becoming less and less "animal" and more "spirit". Personally, I don't buy into that.

People mistakenly think that evolution brings you to a higher place and that to evolve is to make the animal or person better. Evolution is just an adaptation to change and doesn't make anything better, evolution just makes it work given the current circumstances - the animal is neither better nor worse, just different.

Also, the most dangerous people on the planet are those that speak for their god. Pretty much all Jesus had to say is in the bible and if he is God, then he wouldn't need a book "Jesus Speaks by Glenda Greene" it would just be "Jesus Speaks."

I do not believe that veganism will be the next level that we shift to. I have nothing against Christian preaching per se, but you have to remember that many Christian's basic premise is to facilitate a shift away from base animal instinct and create a divorce between ourselves and the land we were born to be fine-tuned with. Ms Greene admits herself that:

In ancient times when man lived closer to the earth and perceived the one spirit more clearly, this was better understood and more fully honored.

So, why not get back to that state of being, understanding and honouring? If we want to more fully honor this one spirit, then why not do as ancient people did? I have spent time out living off the land and I tell you, there is nothing so humbling or spiritual than killing, preparing and eating an animal in its own environment when it is done with total awareness of the web of life and how much we actually depend on it for everything. The basic premise I have therefore is that out in the wild, living solely off God's Land, vegans would starve to death in no time at all.

I firmly believe that the spirit/mind can affect the body and change it. I'm living proof that it's possible. I have a genetic anomaly that kills over 99% of the people who have it by the time they're 30--and I've overcome cancer twice, and have pushed autoimmune CNS failure into remission even though I was told that it wasn't possible, and that I was 3 months from a wheelchair and 2 years left to live.

HOWEVER, I know that, for me, one of the things that helped that "miracle" along was the understanding that, for me, grains are toxic, and meat and fat are 'soul food' -- nourishing my physical presence so that I am able to consider all of the wonders of the Universe and participate in many of them.

I don't necessarily think there is anything particularly "sacred" about a plant-only diet. I believe that it is all in the way we -approach- whatever we sacrifice in the interests of our food. I believe that, for me, it is important to know that the meat that I eat has been raised in a place where the value of the animals that provide it is recognized, and they are treated well--given food that they were designed to eat (grass for cows, forage for pigs, seeds and bugs for birds, etc.), and that they are killed in the quickest, most merciful, least stressful way possible. For myself, when I know that a creature that I am going to consume is being prepared for slaughter, I try to take the time to offer a gratitude to the Universe that such energy is made available for me -- but I think that how that is done is completely an individual thing -- as long as we ARE grateful, and recognize the inherent value of the sacrifice of life (plant, piscean, or animal), I think that what we eat becomes more of a 'living experiment' in determining what nourishes our mind/spirit, and enables us to make choices that facilitate the healthy function of the body as a manifestation of that mind/spirit energy.

Spirituality and religion are 2 different things. Spirituality is something natural as everything is connected. Religion is a creation of the human mind and thus is subject to flaws and manipulations. One can certainly be spiritual without being part of a religion. I do not believe spiritual beliefs will override evolution, moral beliefs are a construct of humanity not a part of natural evolution. Basically people are free to believe whatever they want, but that does not change or alter what is real.

Well, I don't think evolution has anything to do with morally or ethically getting better. There is no mechanism that allows one to change genes through spiritualism or anything like that. I'm a lot more interested in the singularity and transhumanism, which might make the food chain obsolete through technological progress. When that happens I'll be eating virtual doughnuts all day loooong....

This reminded me of Dr Robert Cassar. link text

I don't know exactly what I think yet, but he seems pretty healthy and fit with many a muscle and so on. And as far as I'm aware he eats pretty much just plant super foods.

Who knows, maybe our genetics can shift to that way of eating. I know that I do better with tons of veggies and not so much meat. But then again, I've been eating dairy too.

It's something interesting to think about, anyway. Perhaps if we were to evolve to eat in that way, it'd be to help ease our consciences if nothing else. I know some people feel guilty eating meat. Though, I know that being vegan doesn't mean no animals are being killed for the production of your plant food, either.

Maybe what it all comes down to is our own personal guilt/conscience/mind. If we can clear our minds of guilt then we can be full of love and evolve higher spiritually, no matter what we eat. Or... some people think that as we evolve spiritually, we'll naturally stop eating meat, because we're evolved.

I'm not sure which way it is. I'm actually maybe leaning towards the former. I'll just keeping doing what I think is right, and try not to feel guilty, because I really love that quote:

In the presence of guilt, your love cannot direct and refine the process of nourishment. The food chain is a fact of life that has been agreed upon by all life forms for the duration of its necessity. Many life forms have chosen that for their loving service.

Also, if you were to go the Christian route:

Romans 14:1-23 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ...

1 Corinthians 8:13
Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

1 Corinthians 10:25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.

1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

So that makes me think it's more of a conscience thing. We allow ourselves to be enlightened spiritually by not letting our ego's get in the way. If you just open yourself up to love and be thankful for things and your conscience tells you you are doing right, then I think that's the best you can do, and you will be much healthier than someone who is ridden by guilt. I think we really do take in more nourishment when we are happy. A sick mind makes a sick body.