December 14, 2010 #"Writer, chef, culinary traveler (and vocal critic of vegetarianism) Anthony Bourdain squared off on this topic on Q this morning with author and vegetarian Jonathan Safran Foer."
March 21, 2005 #Topics:
Collective Fasting. B.Franklin mentions this as something he proposed to the Governor of Pennsylvania when consulted about how the country should be prepared for defending itself. He mentions that a fast is proclaimed every year in New England. Curiously, the Quakers seem to have rejected it. Was this as part of their general abstention from all activities related to war?
Religion in Early America. What were the different sects? How were they formed? How did they differ from the established religions of the time? Was 18th century America as accepting of freedom of religion as is commonly claimed?
March 21, 2005 #At what point does one need to re-evaluate one's morals or ethics? Does it become harder once they are publicly stated or published? The Quakers of 18th century America were publically averse to war. Yet when it came time to defend the country -- first from Britain's enemies, and then from Britain herself -- there was a need to fund the defense. As a religous entity publicly against all forms of war, the Friends had to donate to the government, "flour, wheat and other grain " so that gun powder would not be purchased in their name. Their ethics got in the way of their purposes.
As modern peaceniks, where must we draw the line? How far can we resist violence and still let our freedoms be not diminished?