Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
booth at the fast food restaurant may be the setting for an entertaining time, but it is
doubtful that the meal or the occasion will be nourishing or memorable. Religious
and other spiritual folk consider their kitchens more than mere “filling stations” (to
use Wendell Berry's term) and see their tables as places where the earth's bounty
may be celebrated, where hospitality is as broad as creation is rich, and where divine
justice universally demands that no one receives more than their share at the expense
of another.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat (1996) have said it well:
As we eat, we are linked with those who have prepared the food; we are grateful to all
the plants and animals who have lived and died for this moment; we remember with
love and compassion others throughout the world who hunger and thirst as we do; and
we are graced with the presence of the Lord of the Universe at the table with us.
s
t u D y
t
o P i C s
1. As in a journal entry, write about a particularly memorable meal you have
enjoyed in the company of others. What components especially contributed
to your enjoyment of the occasion? Was there in that meal some aspect of
the “holy” or “sacred,” however you define those terms?
2. Are ancient religious dietary laws helpful in today's postmodern culture?
Name continuing benefits of such restrictions. Identify reasons people
might not take those laws seriously today.
3. Do an online search for faith-based organizations that are involved in fight-
ing world hunger. You might begin with Heifer International, Bread for the
World, CROP, World Vision, or Web of Creation.
4. If you are part of a faith group, church, synagogue, mosque, or other reli-
gious organization, research the social justice statements of your faith com-
munity. Try to locate your group's statements or actions that deal with (a)
sustainable agriculture, (b) genetically modified food, (c) fair trade and
food, or (d) global food crisis.
5. For an activity, each fall many communities participate in an interfaith
CROP Walk to raise consciousness and funds to “stop hunger.” Look for
notice of such a walk in your community and join in. While you walk, talk
with fellow walkers about their motivation in walking, why they think the
few steps they take that day will make a difference, and what local organi-
zation is benefiting from the walk.
RefeRences
Ali, M.M.
The Religion of Islam
. Lahore, Pakistan: Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha'at Islam, 1971.
Bass, M.W., L.M. Wakefield, and K.M. Kolasa.
Community, Nutrition, and Individual Food
Behavior.
Minneapolis, MN: Burgess, 1979.
Berry, W.
Another Turn of the Crank
. New York: Counterpoint, 1995.
Brueggemann, W., edited by C.L. Campbell.
The Threat of Life: Sermons on Pain, Power, and
Weakness
. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1996.
