I agree, Trappists are famous for beer and wine production. Besides, beer is better for you than peanuts.

Posted by: Christopher Cochran MD | December 20, 2007 01:35 PM

That is awesome!!!

Posted by: Canaduck | December 20, 2007 01:46 PM

As the Holy Father might say...

'Praise the Lord'!!

:)

Posted by: Tamara | December 20, 2007 02:05 PM

I highly doubt they will close the egg farm. Why would they be afraid of some tofu-licking, Ghandi wanna-bes?

Posted by: Philip | December 20, 2007 02:10 PM

WELL DONE PETA!

You tell those monks that my boyfriend and I love visiting SC in the spring and we will be happy to buy some peanuts or beer or whatever else they do as long as it's animal friendly!!

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | December 20, 2007 02:17 PM

Now what do ya think is gonna happen to all those chickens????? Wow you guys really done it this time now instead of those poor living conditions for the chickens their going to be dog food for my pet. Way to go, you really showed them PETA! By the way what is the proper way to kill a chicken?

Posted by: Michelle | December 20, 2007 03:33 PM

To anyone out there who says Who cares, they are just animals. Who cares, no one will listen.

WE CARE! This is great news!

Posted by: Jaclyn | December 20, 2007 03:43 PM

WOW!!!! This is why I support you guys and will continue, God willing, for along, long time!! This is all it took, a little paper work and the wonderful and much needed Demo's and those people over at Mepkin that once had their brains turned inside out are now restored back to normal function!! Thank-you for all you do!!

Posted by: Carla | December 20, 2007 04:00 PM

Sometimes prayers are really helping....!!!

Posted by: Little Drummer Boy | December 20, 2007 04:25 PM

I hope you people are happy. It's my plan to continue to enjoy the delicious eggs that these gentle men of God can produce. I treat animals kindly but find the viciousness which with you've attacked the Abbey. You falsely attributed film of chickens that were not at the Abbey. You should remove the word ethical from your organization's name.

Posted by: Happy to eat Mepkin Abbey eggs | December 20, 2007 04:50 PM

Jaclyn: excellent statement!

Posted by: bluebird | December 20, 2007 04:53 PM

So peanut butter packing is your solution for these monks survival...nice..buy them the machines and equipment that they need and I am sure they will do it. I am saddened that they will have to endure financial disaster because of your protests. I purchased those 100 percent natural eggs that didn't have steroids and additives in them and now I cant. Please do not come to South Carolina.. I would prefer that we not get any dollars from any of the members of Peta ( tourism or not) Have a pleasant day.

Posted by: Mepkin Supporter | December 20, 2007 04:54 PM

I am so happy that they saw the light (or did someone higher up help them?)

It just doesn't make sense for a religious order to be involved in cruelty. People have lost their faith in organized religion, and stuff like this is one of the reasons.

Not to mention, God says eggs clog our arteries and kill us!

Posted by: kelly | December 20, 2007 05:08 PM

Congratulations to all of you at PETA...You have probably destroyed any possiblility of this monastery remaining solvent. I hope you are all proud of yourselves...Great idea to pick on a small God-Fearing community who do not have the money to fight your facist onslaught and absolutely insane ideas. Man has eaten, slaughtered, and raised for consumption, animals since the beginning of time but you people now consider yourselves the arbiters of what and how we should eat. You people are the ultimate cowards...go after a very small, high quality egg operation when you could go after much larger production corporations. SHAME ON YOU ALL!!! I would wish you a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and I have no doubt that these holiest of men will surely forgive you, but....I for one will never forgive your actions.

Posted by: John Cunningham | December 20, 2007 05:34 PM

Philip--same reason that you're afraid of us. They know we're right.

Posted by: Canaduck | December 20, 2007 05:41 PM

Michelle, they would have been slaughtered in the end anyways when they no longer could lay eggs. At least their suffering ends and maybe, just maybe the monks might send them to a sanctuary to live out the rest of their lives. God only knows they deserve it.

Posted by: Michelle (not the same as above) | December 20, 2007 05:49 PM

Michelle,
Ask yourself if the what kind of lives these chickens actually have.....Are the conditions that any one or being would want to live their lives in? Seriously you have to think more of the bigger picture of these things sometimes...and that is that the future chickens of this farm will be spared. I think this is great news, and just wish all battles were this easy! For the sake of money cruelty comes at a very high prices for the victims.

Posted by: Dana | December 20, 2007 09:23 PM

I think you need to focus your attention on some other group. I follow your site regularly and have to completely disagree with your actions! Why dont we stick to fighting the good fight and leave these monks alone. I will be drafting a letter to the Piggly Wiggly corp. to plead with them to continue to stock mepkin eggs and will also be making several trips to the abbey to show my support to the monks. Continuous actions like these are what give PETA a bad name. traveling down a path that does nothing but muscle and harass a group of religious men will skew what PETA is all about. Lets stick to finding and bringing to justice the "Michael Vicks" that we haven't found yet and not go about treating these monks like some of Vick's dogs!!! let them be in peace.How about we get real!!!!!

Posted by: robert | December 20, 2007 11:55 PM

@Michelle

Why come to the PETA website just to post somthing negative an bring everybody down. And they would be slaughtered anyway once they stopped laying eggs. And they won't have to suffer in such bad conditions

Posted by: ben | December 21, 2007 02:52 AM

I no longer want to be associated with your organization nor receive any announcements. What you have done to the peaceful Mepkin Monks here in South Carolina is shameful.

There are truly more heinous crimes out there against animals, and this was not one of them.

You no longer have my support.

Posted by: Susan | December 21, 2007 06:33 AM

I think you people should leave the monks alone. After all they are compliant with the state codes for egg farming. If you desire to change something is so strong. Why don't you go after the child molesters, or help the homeless, or feed the hungry. I think your desire to make a change is admirable, but i also think there are more relevant causes than some monks farming eggs (for the last 59 years) at a little monestary.

Posted by: Joel | December 21, 2007 08:36 AM

It is good to see what a group of misleading idiots can do. I am an animal lover but your distortion of the truth has seperated me from your organization forever. Loved your pronounced appearance at the recent dog trials. Oh yes! That would not be politically correct. Post this!!!!!!!

Posted by: Jerry Moore | December 21, 2007 08:45 AM

I think PETA is picking on the small guy and not going for the big companies. These monks (Men of God) are following all the US regulations and have not broke any laws. You went after them bc/ they are an easy target. Shame on you. I support the abby and NOT PETA. I love animals, but this was not right. Next time take another look before you jump. I will continue to puchase eggs from Mepkin as long as they are selling them.

Posted by: Deirdre | December 21, 2007 09:22 AM

You people ought to be ashamed of yourselves. Mepkin Abbey is an outstanding facility that HARMED NO ONE and has ABSOLUTE RESPECT for all living things. GET A LIFE PETA! Do some good in your own communities!!! How about help your local animal shelter or abolish your LOCAL puppy mills. As far as I can see, your organizations hasn't made a difference at all. I give all my support to Greenpeace and other wildlife organizations b/c they actually DO SOMETHING. BTW_ I am quite sure this message won't make it in your blog.

Posted by: carolina_girl | December 21, 2007 09:33 AM

Great job, picking on some monks who have more important things to do than argue some crazy PETA people. I mean this isn't much of a victory for you is it? They gave in just because you guys were being such a pain. If you ever visit this place, they really try to avoid any disturbance and that's probably the only reason why they gave in so easily. Congrats on picking on the little guy. Don't you have better things to do?

Posted by: Disappointed | December 21, 2007 09:51 AM

First of all, I would like to thank the monks at Mepkin Abbey for deciding to get into something else to generate revenue; too bad it had to take an investigation to make change. Second as we have all seen here before; we still have red-neck cousin fuckers like Phillip here who STILL think it's OK to abuse other living beings for your own purpose. And thirdly, it should be no surprise that I'll always use colorful language to describe my disgust of 'some' people that I'm ashamed to be sharing genetic code with.

Posted by: Craig | December 21, 2007 10:17 AM

This is a shame these monks support them self with the funds from the sales of these eggs.Do you think that the other egg farmers are doing any different?They followed the rules and you people singled them out. You are a disgrace.

Posted by: eileeen | December 21, 2007 10:21 AM

I can appreciate anyone being emotional anddedicated to their cause, but I think PETA has done themselves more harm than good this time. If they wanted exposure, I think they got it. Shame on PETA for picking on monks and killing half of their revenue stream (assuming they really go through with it). I see a lot of references to God and prayer. Read a few books of the bible and see what animals were used for and how they were treated before.

Posted by: Jimmy | December 21, 2007 10:39 AM

And how much is PETA doing to support the Monks after ending a way to support their monastery? Surely you're going to be paying the difference from what they would have been making.

Posted by: Doug | December 21, 2007 10:48 AM

I agree with Dr. Cochran. My vote is for a winery and a good website for marketing it.

Posted by: Kelley | December 21, 2007 11:33 AM

Thank you PETA for helping to expose people to the cruel way the monks treated the chickens in their 'care'.

Everyone regardless of who or what they are should have the most common decency to respect all forms of life including sensitive chickens, it shocked me that the monks at Mepkin abbey seeing nothing wrong in the way they treated these chickens.

Thankfully the cruelty is now going to leave Mepkin Abbey.

Posted by: John Carmody | December 21, 2007 11:34 AM

It is somewhat amusing to read South Carolina people worrying about taking away "means of support" from the monastery?

Perhaps the poor people in this poor state have no idea that these religious "businesses" rake in huge amounts of money and DON'T PAY TAXES.

Yes, they don't help their fellow man.

This "gentle and sweet" image is part of the business image, just like the Amish who posture that image for the tourists and locals while they torture dogs.

Are people that naive in SC?

Posted by: kelly | December 21, 2007 11:38 AM

All should come to a good end like this one. We're trying to end the mass cruelty with the big Corporations One, by one untill there are none!! And I will say it again, Way too go Peta!!

Posted by: Carla | December 21, 2007 11:52 AM

Did any of you people watch that video at all? Or are you just here, because you thought you were doing something great by buying these eggs from something other than a factory farm? Why do you think that Peta should only pick on the issues that concern yourselves...that you all consider wrong like Vick? If you watch the video at all you will see that in one statement it says that the monks do not eat the Chickens themselves for they know them to well, and it would be like eating your aunt Sally...please tell me how you know 38,000 Hens well at all? Do you keep your aunt Sally in a crowded cage with others? Do you make it to where your aunt Sally is not allowed to do just simple basic things that come natural? Would you then send your aunt Sally off to the slaughter house for the most inhumane slaughter of all?

Wrong is wrong no matter who you are or how peaceful your groups image is...there are monks that believe in peace with no violence at all...there are also monks that set themselves on fire in the name of their religion....so life is not always so peaceful! I am from South Carolina so all you one claiming to be from South Carolina so your negative comments have more clout sorry they don’t. Wrong is wrong no matter who you are. All these promises of we will go buy there eggs, we will request that the local Piggly Wiggly continue to carry these eggs....where the H*ll were all of you at when peta was protesting did you actually show up in support of the Monks.. Or do you go about your life the way most do bitching about the problems only after the fact while sitting on your butts doing nothing!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Dana | December 21, 2007 12:17 PM

What I'm gathering from a lot of the comments is this: They are monks, they may do what they please, leave them alone. Who cares if they torture chickens, animals. They are peaceful monks, let them be.

What's next for these monks?

I am ashamed to call them monks. Real monks don't run chicken farm factory like these have done. They have betrayed what they stand for.

How can people say, leave them alone, they are just monks?

So now, based on your title or your status in society, you may do what you please?

Hey, leave the priests that have been accused of molesting children alone. They are priests, right? Pick a different fight right? You see what I mean... If we let monks not be accountable for their actions...

Posted by: Jaclyn | December 21, 2007 12:45 PM

I agree, picking on small organizations such as Monks seems petty. Shouldn't PETA look at the larger picture? I agree, fight the Michael Vicks in the world, not the Monks that have done no harm.

Posted by: Kristina | December 21, 2007 01:12 PM

But Bruce Friedrich, how are the monks going to make peanut butter?

Wouldn't this require the peanuts to be crushed and possibly infringe on the peanuts' rights?

You people are a bunch of radical peanuts.

Good job! You saved a bunch of stupid chickens. Now, maybe you idiots can go back to working your day job at Burger King (oops)...I mean Tofu King.

Posted by: John | December 21, 2007 01:18 PM

After going through all these mikro-brains up here i think it's time to make a mega-post!
First of all: so-called men of God making money with God's own creatures is not just criminal and disgusting but a completely perverted form of life! There is not just the bible in this world talking from God but many many other great scriptures which are not permitting doing any harm to living beings! There is no scientific proof of all the bible stories - but they should be a good guide for the daily life in a symbolic respectful understanding! These monks are no holy men but killing greedy freaks! Living beings are not ours to be abused! Every normally developed human brain should have at least the feeling of responsibility towards every form of life - because of this we are humans and not predators!
What these monks did is worse from being a predator - it's the dirtiest form of money making but fortunately the holy gost stepped in - late enough but he did - and it's better late than never - so at least this shameful thing has come to an end - thanks GOD!

Posted by: Zanoni | December 21, 2007 01:57 PM

Eggs and chickens are a FOOD not pets. As long as it's on the up and up (NOT BREAKING THE LAW) leave it alone. Go after M. Vick and others that fight dogs and cocks. Maybe you should take on the AKC and stop the "breeding of show dogs". Or zoos, that "cage" endanger animals so future generation might see them before they die off. Get your heads out of you a$$ and really protect the animals being abused. We LOVE the Abbey and it's Monks in Moncks Corner, S.C.

Posted by: Duane | December 21, 2007 02:10 PM

I would like to have seen more about the discussions and correspondence between the Abbey and PETA. I think the monks have done the right thing, but PETA perhaps missed an opportunity to work collaborative and peacefully to help them transform their operation. Along with others, I think PETA took advantage of an easy target.

Posted by: Dee | December 21, 2007 02:14 PM

Thank you so much!!! Thanks to you -- those poor little chickens will now die and be eaten!!!! I appreciate some of the things you do for the animals, but this was really stupid! The Friars are now going to have to kill the chickens and eat them! Are you proud and happy now!!!!

Posted by: Brother Agnes | December 21, 2007 02:28 PM

One would think that a national organization that had "ethical" in its name would act ethically. Such is not the case with PETA. PETA's targeting of Mepkin Abbey, a small monastic community in South Carolina, as a means of attaking the national egg industry, demonstrates that ethics is not part of PETA's operating values. For forty years the brothers of Mepkin Abbey have operated a small egg business as a means of earning their livelihood. In fulfilling their monastic obligation to earn their own living through work, the Mepkin brothers met and exceeded the highest standards of the egg industry. PETA, whoes standard would require everyone to give up eating eggs, clandestinely videoed taped the Mepkin hen house under the pretext of attending a spritual retreat. Such retreats are offered at Mepkin with out cost, as they have been at monasteries for more than sixteen centuries. The brothers' tradition of hospitality made them defenseless agains a bully like PETA, apparently affraid to take on an organization their own size and their real target, the national egg industry. The real victims of this sad saga are not the hens. The real victims are the brothers of Mepkin and the people of the region who will be deprived of enjoying a unique regional delicacy, Mepkin eggs.

Posted by: Robert | December 21, 2007 03:10 PM

GO PETA!!!
If the monks practiced what they preached they wouldnt have ended up in such a position! Lets see what mercy god has on them now :)

Posted by: Jessica | December 21, 2007 03:28 PM

I read the article in today's paper about the best fresh eggs available; especially from humble God loving individuals who are just trying to do good.

Instead of messing with a source of very good nutrition at a fair price that helps out a wonderful group of individuals who also allow visits to their beautiful surroundings; why not look into the "raddish" growers and see the raddishes feel any pain about being "plucked" from their "homes" and crowded environments which exist as so many are not expected to germinate.

GET at life Peta.

Posted by: theresia sanders | December 21, 2007 04:13 PM

It's too bad that the monks blame the attention from PETA, which "has made it difficult for the monks to live a quiet life of prayer". If they were truthful about it, they would admit to the cruelty and torture that mankind does to animals in these kinds of factory farms, and call on all people to stop this kind of behavior. The monks should not blame the messenger for telling the bad news. The monks should admit to doing wrong, and try to be a force for improving conditions for all living beings on the planet, which includes chickens.

Posted by: PeaceSurge | December 21, 2007 04:30 PM

It's too bad that the monks blame the attention from PETA, which "has made it difficult for the monks to live a quiet life of prayer". If they were truthful about it, they would admit to the cruelty and torture that mankind does to animals in these kinds of factory farms, and call on all people to stop this kind of behavior. The monks should not blame the messenger for telling the bad news. The monks should admit to doing wrong, and try to be a force for improving conditions for all living beings on the planet, which includes chickens.

Posted by: PeaceSurge | December 21, 2007 04:30 PM

PITA GOES PITIFUL....What you have done to Mepkin Abbey is beyoud comprehension. I am truly discusted at the outcome from your PITIFUL actions. It is truly difficult to understand how a group of theoretically intelligent people can believe that it is not normal or morally correct to eat meat or for that matter eggs.
God help you.

Posted by: George | December 21, 2007 04:42 PM

Some of these commenters are mentally deficient and shouldn't be allowed outside their mothers' basements. Here's what I've gathered is their general viewpoint:

1)If you are doing something to make money, it cannot be wrong.

2)If you are religious, you cannot be wrong.

You are all pathetic.

Posted by: Canaduck | December 21, 2007 05:18 PM

PeaceSurge -

If PETA was truthful as well, they would own up to killing many animals as well. PETA ends up looking no better than everyone else.

Posted by: Kristina | December 21, 2007 05:51 PM

Wow. alot of these people have no idea what PETA is all about. of coarse PETA is not just going after the "michael vick's" of the world. WE MUST HELP ALL ANIMALS. no one species deserves more advocacy than any other. and all of those saying these monks are good men...you can't be a good person when you assist in murder.

Posted by: V for Vegan | December 21, 2007 05:59 PM

V for Vegan -

You state "you can't be a good person when you assist in murder"

I seem to recall, as I stated earlier, that PETA was involved in the killing of animals they said they would help find homes for.

So by your statement (and seemingly, logic) PETA isn't a good organization because they assisted in the 'murder' of countless animals.

Please, someone correct if I am wrong or misguided.

Posted by: Kristina | December 21, 2007 07:47 PM

What do animal rights activist have that apparently non animal rights activist don’t? BRAINS! All of you that have come out in great support of these monk’s it would do you good to research this website a little more than just the comment section, before making comments like why don’t you go after the AKC, why don’t you go after the big egg companies.....did you notice on the home page that Peta is not scared to go after big companies...KFC, McDonalds Homeland Security...any of these ring a bell? What exactly do you all think Peta is a group of people that only go after dogfighting right? It does not matter how small or large your company or monastery which ever it might be is when looking into abuse...........READ people before making such insane comments...Your points never come across very well when it seems that you do not have a clue what you are talking about.

Ok now this beats all most of you are saying Thanks Peta now all these hens will go to slaughter..where do you think they were headed in the first place a sanctuary out back that monks keep for spent hens? They were going to slaughter ANYWAY!!!!!! This just makes sure that no new hens will take their place to continue the cycle which ends up at the Slaughterhouse...why are you all so concerned about where these hens are going now? Why not before the Monks gave in, and will no longer continue this inhumane treatment? What about all the Hens that have already been sent to slaughter by the monks is that justified only because the monks sent them, and you can not blame Peta.............GET REAL PEOPLE.......

Posted by: Dana | December 21, 2007 07:56 PM

In reading through the pro-Mepkin posts here, I was just amazed at some of the really ridiculous comments!

Are you so lame that all you can come up with is asking us about the rights of peanuts and radishes??? It's almost not even worth responding to that crap. These do NOT have a CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM! They cannot possibly feel any pain! They are NOT sentient beings!

And those of you commenting about what is going to happen to the chickens that are left... that just makes NO F-ING SENSE!!!! By this logic, you seem to be saying that they might as well continue to confine the chickens year after year, otherwise they might actually have to come up with a solution about what to do with the ones that exist right now. DUH! Obviously the point is to stop the ongoing cruel treatment and STOP BREEDING MORE CHICKENS! Why is that SO hard to understand??????

By the way, bad and cruel behaviour is still bad and cruel even if it is being perpetrated by a monk, priest, teacher, police officer, secretary, CEO, or convenience store clerk!

To all of you complaining about PETA's actions: how involved are YOU in helping others on this planet (be it animals, the elderly, children, homeless people, war vets, etc, etc)?????? YOU are the ones who need to get a life and help your fellow earthlings.

Posted by: Michele | December 21, 2007 09:23 PM

Robert, how gullible are you?

"small egg business as a means of earning their livelihood" ????

This was a big money, factory farming business that pays NO taxes.

That was based in abuse to animals, despite claims of being religious and caring.

These religious groups love to scam the naive with their image of being poor and humble.

The Amish do the same with their puppy mills.

It's a crock!

But no wonder dog fighting and puppy milling are so big in South Carolina, though. Backwards doesn't even begin to describe it. Anything goes there.

Posted by: kelly | December 21, 2007 09:52 PM

Will there be other egg producing areas attacked, or is Mepkin Abbey alone in this? And, do these folks from PETA not eat eggs?? Stop and think about all of the ways eggs are used, in everything you buy for consumption!!

Posted by: Cassandra Halsey | December 22, 2007 06:03 AM

True! A lot of people don't know what PeTA is about to the deepest, fullest extent.
If PeTA were to draw the line concerning who and what -to go against their own beliefs- then we would have to question why are they being selective.

And to the good people who are concerned or irritated about the religious aspect:

St. Francis of Assisi has been proclaimed "the" greatest saint because of his lifestyle and beliefs, AND he is widely known and respected, and even imitated by Christians and non-Christians. One of his beliefs that he openly claimed while on earth, was that animals are our brothers and sisters. He even preached the Gospel to them. So of course he didn't kill and eat our brothers and sisters -the animals.
I have no doubt that the monks are aware of St. Francis, especially since St. Francis is the one who first establised a Friar group, which eventually branched out into different Orders. So perhaps the monks see this in a different light than some people are giving them credit for having.

Posted by: Ariel | December 22, 2007 08:46 AM

Kristina -

The issue is the cruelty and torturous conditions that animals must endure their entire lives in order to produce a meal of flesh on your plate - which is really disgustng for any human being to participate in. Watch the videos on PETA & PETATV. How can you justify that? I was a meat-eater until recently, and I admit to my own shortcomings. Time to make resolutions for the New Year - how about helping stop the cruelty to helpless animals?

Putting suffering animals out of their misery by euthanasia is a separate issue. While euthanasia is painful for all involved, it is done to end the suffering - suffering that is usually the result of humans breeding animals that are not taken care of.

Posted by: PeaceSurge | December 22, 2007 11:14 AM

Kristina,

What you are talking about is the euthanasia of unwanted animals. This happens across the States in the estimated neighborhood of 3-4 million (yes, million) animals a year. There are no homes for these animals and shelters don't have the financial resources to care for them indefinitely.

PETA, as do other caring animal shelters and organizations, are sometimes forced to put down or kill these animals that no-one wants to adopt. This is why PETA stresses spaying and neutering and shelter adoption so strongly, to prevent this tragic necessity in the first place.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | December 22, 2007 12:22 PM

Well now here is the question do you give the same forgiveness to the Catholic Priest that molest small children? Are they as well because of their faith exempt from punishment? It seems to me a lot of your comments are based off of leaving people alone because of their religion. No religion has a 100% following of perfect people. There are wrong doers in every religion, and should not be allowed just because of their faith to pay no repercussions for their actions. No one is exempt from cruelty....There are also many peaceful people that claim no religion at all that happen to live their lives more ethically than those claiming to live their lives in the name God. If this were any other place other than one run by Monks none of you would make one comment in their defense...but now you think you have something big....Peta is picking on poor pitiful innocent Monks....but what about the poor innocent creatures being bullied by the Monks does that not matter in the least. All can not be excused or forgotten just because of their faiths or lifestyles. For all of you that say you will no longer continue to support Peta come on you never supported Peta in the first place for if you did you would not see one thing wrong with going after Monks running factory farms.

Ariel I loved your post about St Francis:)

Posted by: Dana | December 22, 2007 02:54 PM

Kelly -
Are you from the South? I have noticed for some time now that you really seem to hate the South and its people and have an absolute THING on proving how ignorant and backwoods they are. There are ignorant people everywhere, kind people everywhere, cruel people everywhere. I don't have the faintest notion why a group of Trappist monks would be raising chickens to begin with, considering that they're vegetarian, but why condemn the entire state of South Carolina for that enterprise? I'm just wondering why you're so down on rural areas and the South, in particular? It's just something I've noticed in your posts.

Posted by: Susannah S | December 23, 2007 10:15 AM

kelly, I wonder what wonderfully progressive part of this planet you live in. I am told that in the more "civilized" parts of the world (where you obviously live) people are not prejudiced and bigoted. I curious, how do you justify your prejudicial statements about entire regions of the country?

Posted by: Christopher Cochran MD | December 23, 2007 03:07 PM

It may not be known, but a lot of the eggs produced at Mepkin Abbey went to given away free to locals.

Who will now help to feed these people?

Posted by: Mark | December 23, 2007 06:16 PM

Even though I really don't feel like eating a chicken sandwich right now, I am going to. You people??? make me sick

Posted by: Anonymous | December 23, 2007 06:44 PM

Mike and PeaceSurge -

It was to end the suffering of 'unwanted animals' It's easy to justify that killing when you put that spin on it, isn't it? How do you know that they were 'suffering'? And singling out breeding? How force fed were you this 'info' that you accept it as true?

Million? I am more than willing to accept these figures if you give me the actual facts. Just spewing out data to defend your postition does not do you any good.

And, I hate to say it, this all just seems like you are trying to defend PETA's killing of these animals. I appreciate that you don't gloss over (like so many people on this blog) these topics, but still ... I will provide facts if you are willing to.

Posted by: Kristina | December 24, 2007 01:01 AM

YAY!!! I'm so happy! A while ago I sent them a letter. Oh, and about beer being better than peanuts. That's not true. Peanuts are much better for you than beer. But, beer is healthier for you than milk. It doesn't put cholesterol, unnatural proteins, or antibiotics into your body. Alcohol in controlled amounts is heart healthy!

Posted by: Aleasha | December 24, 2007 02:03 AM

Kristina: you seem to be anotherone of these caring consumer-lobby-dirtmouths! but here you have to get up earlier - people like you don't impress me at all! if you were against animal killing you would not belch on this blog - lunatic shell!

Posted by: nancy hogan | December 24, 2007 03:22 PM

nancy

STFU, just because someone is anti-PETA doesnt make them less of a person. Im sure she could be a very nice person. (btw, thats how I picture everyone here)

Posted by: Caboose | December 24, 2007 06:16 PM

Kristina, read "Slaughterhouse" by Gail Eisnitz to read about the suffering of all factory-farmed animals.

Also, watch the movie "Earthlings" for the visual impact. (so far, I think the only non-PETA person who I have dared to watch that who has actually commented back is rojo - everyone else mysteriously stops commenting when I make that challenge...)

The people on these blogs who are in support of PETA and/or animal rights have more than just PETA as their sources of information.

There are plenty of news stories about undercover investigations (not just PETA's) across North America. PETA did not make up stats about factory-farmed animals - it's on the USDA's own website. Go to www.curedisease.com for the problems with animal testing. PETA's own FAQs explain the unfortunate need to euthanize animals in certain situations. Go to www.farmsanctuary.org to read up on an organization that is not part of PETA.

Go look at the data yourself, and you will see that we are not "spewing" anything.

Posted by: Michele | December 26, 2007 04:44 PM

Where the hell are you from, John Carmody? Do you help your fellow man with your income? I've been to Mepkin Abbey more times than I can count (and most likely a hell of a lot more than these miopic "PETA-investigators"). The chickens were by no means "abused." They were in fact in a much better shape than any other chicken factory. Like someone else said on this board, some of the monks' eggs went to residents in poverty. The monetary income went to the abbey's renovation expenses, health care, funds for monks to go on missions in other countries, materials for product packeging, need I go on?

Posted by: Christina Janke | December 27, 2007 09:49 AM

Christina Janke: these pictures don't look like the chickens were spoiled - you are a liar!

Posted by: THE UNDERTAKER | December 27, 2007 01:22 PM

I am not sure why just because something is attched to a religious group, do people see it as nothing being done wrong. When a priest molests a child, he is considered a man of god, but he has done wrong. Just because this is a religious group it does not mean that they are correct in their treatment of animals. Has anyone thought that these are Gods creatures and would he treat them the same? I doubt it. It does not make all the Monks terrible people, they are acting in a way that society is used to, but should not be. We should be appalled, but instead many of you are seeing with blinders on for the sake of religion. Not every "man of God" is free from sin. And just because a religious group does something many times it is considered ok. People tend to look the other way when religious groups act a certain way. I think many people have depended more on the "man of God" then God himself. God frowns upon abuse to animals throughout the Bible, why would he ok a group of Monks in their poor treatment of these chickens?

Posted by: Compassion4theMasses | December 27, 2007 04:13 PM

You have ruined a tradition as well as a way of living for Mepkin Abbey!! There are TV shows that show people going into homes and saving abused animals. Why aren't you there to help? When one of the biggest dog fighting clans was busted, which included a NFL football player behind it all, where were you? Maybe you should research Purdue chicken farms which are worse than the Abbey!!! Choose your battles PETA!!!

Posted by: Elizabeth | December 31, 2007 11:40 AM

So the chickens are killed, the monks are disrupted and PETA is happy. Wacky crusades like this are counter productive to gaining support for eliminating genuinely cruel practices. I hope the encouragement from our local community can change the monks' decision to appease the lunatic fringe.

Posted by: Steve | December 31, 2007 12:19 PM

Elizabeth, your comments are just outright ridiculous - I actually have a hard time believing that you are SERIOUS! Where the f*** have you been for the past 6-8 months!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check back on some of the PETAfiles archives, you will see that the "NFL football player" involved in dogfighting (hmmm, could it be... Mike Vick???) resulted in MANY topics since then.

The archives from April 26, May 4, 23, 25 and June 8 all have Mike Vick coverage, and that was BEFORE he was indicted. Then check out July 17/07, which is when the shit really hit the fan! You will see from the photos that PETA made up anti-Vick t-shirts, and that there were protests all over (that is in response to your question to PETA about "where were you?"). PETA and its supporters succeeded in getting Nike to cancel their contract with Vick, and in getting the NFL to suspend Vick at least temporarily.

Oh, and it is spelled "PERDUE" you idiot ("Purdue" - with a "u" - is a university)! Go to "Search" on PETA's main page, type in "Perdue" and you will see by the MANY articles about concerns at Perdue plants that you have shot your mouth off for nothing and have made a complete fool of yourself.

Elizabeth, maybe YOU should be the one to do some basic research!

Posted by: Michele | December 31, 2007 11:29 PM

Although I agree that the monk's treatment of the chickens is deplorable and shameful, I don't agree with your supposition that they should stop raising chickens for their eggs. I would have respect for your organization if you had worked with the monks to humanely raise the chickens. Instead in the name of a good cause you have proven to be repressive regime.

Posted by: Lin | January 1, 2008 02:51 AM

I am sick of hearing people say "PETA was involved in the killing of animals they said they would help find homes for". Just because some idiots that worked for PETA killed animals doesn't mean PETA kills animals. Unfortunetly those sickos that did the killings got blindly contracted by PETA because they thought they really cared about animals but they didn't. They decided to do their own thing. That doesn't mean PETA is responsible. PETA had no consent of their doings. That's like saying since a priest molested a kid, God and all churches are corrupt. NO! The priest is the sicko, the churches and God have nothing to do with what the sick minded priest did.

Posted by: Stephanie | January 5, 2008 11:10 AM

Stephanie, thank you for making such a clear statement about those supposed PETA people killing animals. I'm sure there are people who will ignore it and will continue to believe what they want. Fortunately, I think you have done a good job in summing it up for those who are still open to learning.

Posted by: Michele | January 5, 2008 01:54 PM

Animals were here millions of years before we were, and are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on or use for entertainment, or keep in captivity for any purpose. This includes keeping them in cramped cages for egg-collecting. So what PETA did was right.
Yes, we all hate the big-time factory farms, and animal abuse everywhere, and PETA is fighting that too. But cruel factory farms are still legally protected and are MUCH harder to bring down. So PETA could only win the small victory of closing the Mepkin factory farm. Hey, you have to start somewhere. I say good job, PETA, and I hope you continue your good work and bring down bigger abusers in the future. P.S. Oh, and yes, animals will probably have to be slaughtered every time a "farm" is closed down...if it stops more cruelty, that's the price we must pay for ending it. It would hopefully be the final act of killing by people who make a living on greed and abuse.

Posted by: Dave (Utube: journeyman47) | January 8, 2008 04:32 PM

YAY! :D

Posted by: Shay | January 10, 2008 02:14 AM

Who says monks should be above permitting ethical treatment to animals just because their monks?? If they are so god-loved then they would treat living creatures compassionately and with respect. they don't have to stop production - change the environment to make it more humane. i'm sure all of you who support the monks would donate financial support towards a humane environment. and while PETA promotes vegetarianism as an alternative to meat, they realize people will continue to eat meat. It's the inhumane practices that need to stop, and this group sheds light for all of us to be more educated about our farming and meat industry in order to make an informed decision as consumers. stop taking pot shots that don't reflect the aims of the organization.

Posted by: tiarch | January 11, 2008 03:20 PM

Those are monks or Nazi groups?
I can't believe "spiritual" group are so insensitive of animal suffering.

Posted by: Fulvia Zambon | January 11, 2008 03:58 PM

PETA you rock.
Thank you guys for ALL you do.I hope everyone will make an animal conscience decision on who to vote for this 2008 presidential campaign.You can go to the Humane Society Legislative website to learn about the candidates roles in animal pro-action.I will definately pick up penuts and or beer to support the monks. Thanking them for their compassionate decision.

Posted by: leisa clark | January 11, 2008 04:13 PM

SO, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CHICKENS THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSEDY GETTING RID OF? ARE THEY GOING TO BE KILLED?
PETA NEEDS TO COMPLETE THE STORY!

Posted by: DIANE KASTEL | January 11, 2008 04:20 PM

I was most surprised that ANYONE wrote to fault PETA for their investigation of the Mepkin Abbey mini-factory-chicken-farm. PETA does and SHOULD decry animal abuse anywhere they find it.

In this case I found it particularly appaling that these Catholic monks could be doing such a thing when both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict have issued formal statements denouncing factory farms and affirming the need for all animals to live their lives as naturally as God intended.

I hope those of you who wrote in defense of Mepkin Abbey will reconsider your position(s.)

I congratulate PETA for yet another hard-fought victory in the name of compassion and non-violence.

Posted by: rondy | January 11, 2008 04:39 PM

Diane, the chickens that they're getting rid of will most likely be killed, just as the chickens they used for eggs every year before that were killed once they were no longer useful.

At least this way, they won't be breeding any more chickens to suffer and die.

Posted by: Jack | January 11, 2008 04:40 PM

Keep up all of the good work you do for all of Gods animals. Way to go PETA.

Posted by: Irma Nance | January 11, 2008 08:04 PM

I buy at least 50lbs of peanuts in the shell from Wild Birds every month for the squirrels, stellar jays & chipmunks.......love to be a customer of theirs....

Posted by: lars | January 11, 2008 08:15 PM

Thank you Peta for protecting all kinds of animals. I'm amazed that people are against cruelty to dogs but not birds. What's wrong with birds? Glad you didn't let any group intimidate you. A Good christian girl who loves animals, Holly

Posted by: holly hite | January 11, 2008 08:18 PM

Thank you PETA for protecting all kinds of animals. I'm amazed that people are against cruelty to dogs but not birds. What's wrong with birds? Glad you didn't let any group intimidate you. A Good christian girl who loves animals, Holly

Posted by: holly hite | January 11, 2008 08:19 PM

There is a group online called the CVA...Christian Vegetarian Association. They do leafleting campaigns to attempt to bring information about vegetarianism and veganism to Christians by Christians. So if anyone here is interested... They do the leafleting campaigns in the U.S.

I am glad to say that I am no longer a member of a religion that promotes such utter cruelty to both humans and other creatures. When I was old enough to make my own decisions I left the Christian church.I am now, if anything a Jain.

Since others have brought religion into the topic I thought I could put in my thoughts on the matter.

I think the topic brings to light the fact that "using" animals is violent and not becoming of a religion...and unfortunately most Christians don't see that as violence or un-Christlike. Those dissenters visiting the board have not seen this point.

My Father who was a Christian became vegetarian during the last 6 months of life. He had been an animal lover and gave freely and generously to animal supporting charities for years...but couldn't see that eating animals was wrong. At the age of 96 (and of sound mind )he finally got it!

I remember his only regret in life was that when he was a young man...the family's parrot was given away and the next owner left it on the lawn where it was killed by a cat. Anyone who's only regret in life involves an animal should not have been eating meat!

Ah well...I knew at the age of 3 that it was wrong and told my father and mother so, but meat was the meal and children then had no say in such things as diet...or anything else for that matter.

Some days and nights I'm almost sorry I was born with such an acute conscience...it hurts!

To the person who stated that we should be helping people...I am a nurse...I DO help people...I also help animals. The two are not mutually exclusive.

Siggghhh...Also please remember St. Francis of Assisi (one of the most famous Saints of the Roman Catholic Church) and how he LOVED the animals and felt they were the most exalted creatures on earth. He talked to them and fully believed they understood.

It takes a sensitivity to talk to animals so that they understand us and even more of a wisdom to understand what they are saying to us. Those who think that that's crazy really haven't gotten far enough spiritually.

If you decide to insult me...I'm letting you know...I don't come back to blogs once I post. People are often rude on blogs and I don't want to know if someone has been rude to me.

Good luck in your peanut eating, wine drinking, ale chugging endeavors all! I'm sorry that those chickens will die...but in truth. In gaining freedom for others...some soldiers always die.

Thanks for listening.

Posted by: withgoddess | January 11, 2008 09:01 PM

I would not be a vegan of 3 years if not for PeTA.The PeTA site showed me the true reality of the sufferring of factory farm animals.It left me devastated as an individual ,and ashamed as a meat eater.My transformation to a Vegan was overnight-LITERALLY.Anyone who has commented on the action against Mepkin Abbey,needs to view this videos at PeTA.org.Whether a religious man or not (heaven forbid a terrified "God fearing man"),none have the right to abuse innocent creatures.Dont you see the hypocricy in a "man of god" disrespecting and abusing,and torturing other living beings created by God.Yet you dare to accuse PeTA of innapropriate and selfish behaviour.As a member of the PeTA Writers network,I petitioned Mepkin by email ,fax and phone.I am proud today.PeTA has shown me how to sincerely do Gods work

Posted by: Fergus Elliott | January 11, 2008 09:10 PM

another great victory for animal rights. peta is to be commended for putting pressure on this facility and the cruelties associated with factory farming.
Chickens are sentient beings just as you and i are and are deserving of life instead of being crammed 8 to 10 at a time in a crude battery cage in a space no larger than a sheet of paper, having there beaks crudely seared off at the tip to reduce stress related pecking, no more forced molting, a starvation tactic the industry inflicts on the hens to trick there battered bodies into another egg laying cycle all in the name of profits. no more broken wings and painful foot sores, no more feces falling to there faces from the cages above them...atleast not at this facility any more. the struggle shall continue until people wake up and realize that everyday is a holocaust for factory farmed animals.

Posted by: david olk | January 12, 2008 10:52 AM

This is why I support and will continue to support PETA.
Maybe one day all battery hens will be a thing of the past. Way to go PETA.

Posted by: Jimmy | January 13, 2008 09:27 AM

PETA
YOU ROCK!
Keep up the good work and God bless.

Posted by: cindy | January 13, 2008 11:05 PM

Peta has my full support!
When or if I pray I'll thank
the great spirit above for
these amazing people who have the courage and strengh to
stand up for the all the abuses man has inflicted on these innocent animals.
NOW GO AWAY YOU HATERS!!

Posted by: bridget | January 14, 2008 10:00 AM

PETA, I am a christian, catholic. IF this video actually took place at the Mepkin Abbie I am quite disappointed,of course I won't change my faith because I believe that the monks at the Abby are not are representation of all us catholics. I will research on it because I know a movie can be just a movie. IF you guys are truthful then good job! God did put animals on this earth to live in harmony with man but He also gave dominion to man and asked for animal sacrifices,this is all over the Old Testament. So, I don't believe you have to be a vegan to be a good Christian, however, I do believe the life you give an animal should be a dignified one, yes and then you wack it ( mercifully of course). You bloggers here have good feelings, may you bring that Christlike attitude to all aspects of your lives and others' lives, no matter how small they may be.

Posted by: Almost disappointed | January 14, 2008 09:58 PM

Thank you PETA!
Keep up the good work

Posted by: Karolina Lsewska | January 26, 2008 06:26 PM

leave the monks alone? now how are they going to support themselves? get a life P.E.T.A and stop picking on the little guys? Go check the raddish farms and see if they are being abused?...wow, it is sooo amazing that people are still as ignorant as a can of nails. these monks in charge of running the mepkin egg farm are making big $$$ off you idiots, and you think your getting these wonderful high, rich in nutrients & vitamins in the eggs you feed yourself & your kids because the '[m]punks'told you so...LMFAO, the female chickens laying these eggs are so malnutritioned and dehydrated they CAN'T lay healthy eggs. duh!..you might as well fry some dirt, which by the way, actually has minerals in it. P.E.T.A. will NEVER go after just the 'big' companies, then we would be just as hypocritical as these damn [m]punks. we always will fight for the underdogs!, big and small, & at whatever price to stop the violence and painful torture, so desensitized people can make $$$. don't you people understand the meaning of the word 'ethical'? P.E.T.A., thank you for being such a loud voice for ALL the silent tortured animals in this world.
I am amazed at the video, & shocked to know it is those [m]punks responsible! outragous and a mockery of not only the Catholic religion, but men of God! I guarantee that no chicken, bird, dog, elephant, cow, pig, fur bearing creature, turkey, monkey, or cat in heaven is eaten, slautered, skinned alive, beaten, or molested!! and know this you [m]punks! no animals are 4-5 to a tiny cage or forced into molting for more eggs!
A monk egg farm should be like this; wide open space,[there are ways of protecting them outside the perimeter] chicken coops, for laying eggs, a fresh daily ground corn meal for food, fresh water, and NEVER, NEVER, be forced to lay there with broken legs or bones of any kind, and NEVER have the tips of their beaks cut off. THAT IS ORGANIC, what your getting now is basically DISEASED. Oh yea, btw, these [m]punks gave in so easily because their was deeper, uglier things to find out!! P.E.T.A. only scratched the surface.

Posted by: lenai | February 9, 2008 11:26 AM

you bunch of uneducated tossers! how can anyone not support PETA? if they weren't monks would it be an issue? NO! how many of you are religious anyway?! kill 1000...maybe? or stop suffering of thousands? it's a tough one if you're a F**king redneck. why are you posting comments on PETA if you don't care about the animals?!

Posted by: kylie | February 13, 2008 02:11 AM

The lack of compassion by those monks is horrific.

Posted by: Nancy | February 16, 2008 02:08 AM

How dare you! Have you no shame at all? What kind of anti-Christian hate mongers are you? To go so far as to protest a group of holy monks. May God strike you for you demonic arragance.

Posted by: Jack of Wilson NC | February 20, 2008 06:50 PM

I wonder if PETA ever offered to assist the monks? No. Are they offering new support for the monks? No.
And judging from many (not all) comments, PETA and its members just prove that they are anti-Catholic and anti-Christian. It is sad for PETA however. Trappists are vegetarians, there was a chance for a positive partnership. And shame on PETA for disturbing a bunch of praying monks. Again, they could of offered to educate and assist the monks instead of nasty protests.

Posted by: Mathi | February 26, 2008 07:37 AM

Have been familiar with PETA's allegations against the monks at Mepkin; however, I just noticed on of the reports which says that the chickens at Mepkin never see the light of day nor do they get any fresh air. I have been to Mepkin and, specifically, to the hen-laying houses and, unless all of my sensory faculties shut down while there, there was sunlight aplenty and an abundance of fresh...albeit humid summer South Carolina fresh air. Not quite sure why someone from PETA would go to such lengths to misrepresent the conditions of the chickens while, at the same time, publically accusing the "leaders" of the abbey of lying about the care given the birds. When the truth is embellished by a lack of veracity, the truth itself and the one who posits the truth both lose credibility. PETA should have stuck with the truth about the condition of the cages as well as the injured animals and, maybe then, their credibility would remain less suspect.

Posted by: Glenn Charest | June 5, 2008 12:11 PM