Sep23
PETA to Turn Church Into Christian Vegetarian Center?
Posted at 09:08 AM | Permalink
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Comments (17)
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His plan? Donate half the profits to build a pool for local kids.
The heartbreaking part? Nobody bid on the church.
Well, PETA knows a little something about compassion—so we've written to King and offered to rent the church until it sells. If he agrees, we'll rename the church the "Praise Seitan Center" (because delicious wheat "meat" is truly heavenly) and use it to educate Cairo residents about how the Bible imparts a reverence for life—and a loving God could not help but be appalled by the way that animals are mistreated today. People can put Christian principles into practice three times a day, seven days a week, by eating healthy and humane vegetarian foods.
Our offer will help King save up funds for the Cairo pool and create a more kind community. I really hope he doesn't let this opportunity pass by.
Posted by Liz Graffeo
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How do you pronounce "Seitan"?
It Seems a little too close to "Satan" to be renaming a church.
Posted by: Kurt K | September 23, 2009 11:07 AM
No offence, but I would rather see PETA donate money to a more animal centered cause.
Posted by: Aneliese | September 23, 2009 12:07 PM
Um, Kurt, I think it's supposed to be a pun.
Posted by: Lacey Matthews | September 23, 2009 12:23 PM
The idea is good, but that name is a terrible idea...they will wind up alienating a lot of potential supporters. Many conservative/christian and other religious folk are already somewhat put off by Peta's adds and demonstrations that are not exactly family friendly-I really do not understand why it seems like peta completely ignores the fact that having conservative folk, who make up a significant part of any population supporting peta would be a good thing. I myself am a fairly conservative christian, but I support peta because I believe in the cause. However, I personally don't like the way that many of peta's campaigns are done. A church that has been named "Praise Seitan" will only attract people who don't have much respect for religious beliefs, and it will just make religious people in the area think that peta is an anti-religious organization.
Posted by: Rebecca Johnson | September 23, 2009 12:51 PM
Do you need a minister?
Posted by: Rev. Meg Schramm | September 23, 2009 01:14 PM
I agree with aneliese, i think the money would be better spent trying to tackle the fur or vivisection industry or to help benefit animals in need, i think if people are going to take the pledge to be meat free then its something they have to do themselves i carnt really see a church doing much good to change meat eaters minds, Animals out there need this money and time a lot more.
Posted by: emma | September 23, 2009 01:40 PM
I think it's a great idea. It would be an awesome place for people to go and learn about compassion towards animals.
Posted by: Carly | September 23, 2009 02:22 PM
Praise Seitan - yes, very ironic.
But I think it will only anger and alienate Christians who might be inclined to become vegetarians, etc.
Sorry, but "praise seitan" is kind of like when idiots trot out the old "PETA = people eating tasty animals".
i.e. NOT very original. And NOT likely to further the cause.
Why not just rent it out w/a more appropriate name? Like "All Gods Creatures" or something like that?
Posted by: Barbara | September 23, 2009 02:46 PM
I think it's a great idea! If Christians like myself would understand the impact that factory farming and animal suffering has had, it would change the world.
I love the pun with the name, but would worry that people wouldn't get it and it would detract from the message.
Posted by: Frances | September 23, 2009 02:52 PM
i love this! i really feel that this will help Christians in that area to see that eating and wearing animals that have been treated in various ways is not right and isnt in God's will.. Keep on keeping on PETA!
Posted by: Bobby | September 23, 2009 03:46 PM
I agree with others that the name will not go over very well with a lot of christians. If these are the people that you wish to target and with to influence you should pick a name that will not offend them right off the bat. You'll just get them more pissed off at you.
Posted by: Jim Maurer | September 23, 2009 08:02 PM
Religion is just as idiotic and senseless as factory farming and meat eating. We should have evolved out of both of these things.
Posted by: Wade | September 23, 2009 08:57 PM
Vegetarian Christians.
John Wesley-Methodist Leader
William Booth-Salvation Army
Ellen G. White-Seventh Day Adventist.
Albert Schweitzer-Lutheran
Leo Tolstoy-No Affiliation.
Cesar Chavez- Hispanic Catholic.
Andrew Linzey-British Anglican
Posted by: Brien Comerford | September 23, 2009 09:26 PM
I live in Cairo. In fact, I live a couple of houses down from the church under discussion. It's a beautiful old church with lots of stained glass and well-kept brick and woodwork, and it's a shame to see it go to waste.
But Cairo is a town that's so depressed that people consider themselves lucky when they can afford meat. It's not a place that's going to be receptive to learning to be sensitive to the humane treatment of animals until our city's children can grow up safely, find decent jobs, and live secure lives.
After People for the Ethical Treatment of Cairo arrives, Cairoites might be more amenable to the needs of livestock.
Posted by: Ev | September 25, 2009 09:11 PM
Since the good folks in Cairo pronounce the name of their town Karo (like the syrup, seriously) maybe they'll think the correct pronunciation of seitan is cytan. Problem solved!
Posted by: Elphaba | September 26, 2009 05:58 PM
It sounds like a lovely place Ev. I would love to visit if PETA buys the place and would be more then happy to give talks. However, I am in agreement with others who find the pun particuliarly offensive. If you want to get through to someone, you have to speak to them in their own language.
I remember when I first spotted the advertisment on a tele booth in NYC, I was beside myself, rather stunned because of the simmiliarlity to the sound satan. If I had that reaction, my guess is the meateating majority of confused Christians will be less kind. It took me about twenty walks around the block before I could laugh at it.
Seitan is the most delicious, wheat based product on the market. Very meaty. I haven't tried preparing it at home yet. But now that I have departed NYC for the winter and no longer have access to the greatest vegan chefs in the world, (I miss you Blossom, I miss you Candle 79) I will.
Trying to appeal to a Christian audience with the name Heil Seitan, is like trying to appeal to a PETA staffer by sending them a dead rabbit..........Really bad idea.
Posted by: Saucy | September 28, 2009 11:25 AM
For once I am in complete agreement with Saucy. Except for the confused meating eating Christian part.
If it was a random building, it probably wouldn't cause any controversy. But an old church? That is just asking for trouble.
Posted by: Kurt K | September 28, 2009 04:21 PM