In the Christian tradition, abstaining from meat is never considered an end in itself; rather, it is just one element on the path to inner harmony and spiritual growth.

A Spiritual Journey Beyond Dietary Limits

In the Christian tradition, abstaining from meat is never considered an end in itself; rather, it is just one element on the path to inner harmony and spiritual growth. The essence of the teaching is that true transformation begins not with dietary restrictions but with the awareness of one’s responsibilities toward God and an active pursuit of fulfilling His commandments. The focus is on gratitude for the gifts we receive every day, not on choosing between meat and vegetables.

Christian thought asserts that food is merely one aspect of the material world, which gains special value only when consumed with a sincere, grateful heart. Abstaining from meat may be part of a ritual fast or a particular spiritual movement; however, it is by no means a guarantee of salvation. The primary concern here is the continuous search for righteousness, peace, and inner joy, which fill the lives of believers and guide them on the path to divine truth.

In conclusion, one can say that the key to spiritual perfection lies not in superficial abstention from certain foods, but in the constant adherence to God’s commandments, personal purification, and the meaningful acceptance of every gift from God. It is this inner work that forms the basis of the true Christian fast, providing strength and inspiration to combat evil and renew the soul on a daily basis.

What Are Christianity’s Views on Vegetarianism and What Arguments Underpin These Positions?

Christian tradition treats the issue of abstaining from meat not as a rule in itself but as one aspect of a broader process of spiritual refinement. This approach is based on the belief that salvation is not achieved through dietary restriction, but through the fulfillment of God’s commandments, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. For example, one source states:

"However, the holy Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans (ch. 14, verse 2), where there were also disputes at one time about whether one should eat meat or only vegetables, calls weak the one who considers it permissible for a Christian to eat only vegetables—and who regards the consumption of meat as something immoral and criminal (...) he forgets that everything is pure (Rom. 14:20), and that every creature of God is good and nothing is objectionable if received with gratitude" (source: link txt).

This emphasizes that food, whether meat or vegetables, does not become a measure of spirituality if it is consumed with a sense of gratitude. Another source goes on to explain that the true fast, upon which Christian practice is founded, is not simply a matter of abstention from meat but is expressed in the overall struggle against evil:

"Vegetarianism represents a teaching and movement that sees the main path to resolving moral and social problems in abstaining from animal food (...) The Lord calls people to salvation. There is only one path to it—fulfilling God’s commandments. According to the words of the holy Apostle Paul: 'For the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit...'" (source: link txt).

Thus, the Christian position argues that:
1. Food in itself cannot bring a person closer to God—the gratitude for God’s gifts is what matters, not the act of self-restriction.
2. Abstaining from meat is not a guarantee of salvation if it is not accompanied by profound spiritual work and diligent observance of the commandments.
3. Excluding meat is sometimes seen as an extreme measure associated with certain movements in Christian history (for example, the Anabaptist Traion); however, even these examples are viewed critically, as the true fast should be directed against evil, rather than merely against the consumption of a particular food (source: link txt).

In summary, the Christian arguments conclude that salvation and spiritual growth are not related to the choice between meat and plant-based foods. Instead, they depend on a person’s inner life, their relationship to the commandments, and their pursuit of righteousness, as evident from the words of the Apostle Paul: “Since I eat with gratitude, why should I be condemned for accepting with gratitude?” (source: link txt).

Supporting citation(s):
"However, the holy Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans (ch. 14, verse 2), where there were once disputes about whether one should eat meat or only vegetables, calls weak the one who considers it permissible for a Christian to eat only vegetables—and who views the eating of meat as something immoral and criminal (just as our vegetarians do). Indeed, such a person is a weak Christian, ready, in the Apostle’s words, to revert to feeble and impoverished material beginnings and again enslave themselves to them (Gal. 4:9). This person thinks that food, in itself, can bring us closer to God (1 Cor. 8:8) as if the Kingdom of God were food and drink, rather than righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17); he forgets that everything is pure (Rom. 14:20), and that every creature of God is good and nothing is objectionable if received with gratitude (1 Tim. 4:4)" (source: link txt)

"Vegetarianism represents a teaching and movement that sees the main path to solving moral and social problems in abstaining from animal food (from the Latin vegetalis—plant-based). This approach is false. It sows illusions. The Lord calls people to salvation. There is only one path to it—fulfilling God’s commandments. According to the word of the holy Apostle Paul: 'For the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and worthy of praise from people'" (source: link txt)

These sources clearly show that the Christian perspective prioritizes spiritual purification and adherence to God’s commandments over superficial abstention from animal products.