Anyone know what it says in the Bible about eating meat etc

I do understand your point of view with relation to this, as I used to be heavily religious when I was younger, up to the age of 16 (I’ve also read the Bible numerous times and I’ve studied it in courses, etc). But with all due respect, I believe the Bible is as bad as we think. I'm an atheist now, but the fact that I've studied it so extensively is the reason why I stopped being religious initially - because I couldn't ignore all the atrocities and the contradictions. To quote the brilliant Richard Dawkins:

"The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully."

I know you say he does not like what causes us harm, but yet in full knowledge of what was going to happen, he created a universe that he knew was going to disobey him. Yet, despite this, he created us anyway and gave us a choice to be religious or not... And in turn has killed thousands, perhaps even millions, of good people (the great flood is one prime example) simply for not believing in him. He's sent millions of good people to a fiery pit of eternal torture also simply for not believing in him. He knew all this was going to happen when he created the earth and that he'd have to murder decent people. Why would he do it, then? Sadist! My idea of a perfect God would not be jealous and wouldn't punish good people. The God of the Bible is anything but.

I wouldn't worry about what the bible says. It's just an old fairytale book written by some disturbed men, IMO.

I was raised a catholic, but a few years ago I decided I didn't want to believe in a big imaginary friend living in the sky.

is there any proof that god and jesus actually lived?

There's not much proof of anything from back in those days.. Know what i mean? there's no way to tell anything. How the earth was formed, who put us here- did we just get plonked here? There's just theorys. And i think, if believing God put us on the earth is what someone thinks, then whos that hurting? I think people that dont believe in god, is much like how people view vegans. That they try push their views on people so much. I think when someone is ANTI something, and not FOR something- theyre alot more pushy.. And i think that everyone should just respect what people believe. People believe the big bang theory? then okay, thats cool.. but none of these theorys theres any proof for, so it's just what you think, or want to believe happened. To me, i say.. Who cares how we got here.. Just be happy  that we are?

Some people find comfort in something you disagree with though..? I dont think there's a right or wrong when believing in God.. Aslong as you can respect how other people view it.. 2 of my best friends are Athiests, and i believe in God.. But we have an understanding of why eachother feel the way we do, without it becoming an arguementative issue. We discuss it, but we don't put down eachothers beliefs and be rude about it. You believe its an old fairy tale book? Fair enough, alot of people do.. But it's just silly to think that because its what you believe, its either right.. or that everyone else should..

I respect peoples opinions very highly that have been confronted with both sides. Like you said, you studied it and was into it until a certain age.. Atleast your decision wasn't un educated. I respect, and actually applaud people who make educated decisions on religious subjects, because i believe to many people make up their mind on it.. "just cos"

Totally - people can believe what they want, but I implore them all to research both sides and not just stick to what they're told just 'because.' It is frustrating when religious people are presented with facts (like, for example, how the world isn't just 5000 years old and wasn't created in 6 literal days), but refuse to believe them because they don't line up with the Bible. A humorous religious based photo I posted on my Facebook profile got something like 200 comments (was a very entertaining debate!) and I was pretty shocked by the comments of some of the Christian people who responded:

Dinosaur fossils? "They were put there to trick us."
Evolution facts? Nah, they must be wrong.
When being questioned about the truth of ridiculous Biblical stories such as Jonah and the whale? I kid you not - "It's happened since then - ppl have lived in fish b4."

*facepalm*

Oh i totally agree. When my dad passed away, i researched alot of religions, and alot of different avenues cos i partially lost faith. I thought "god took my dad, he was a good person" .. so goes the saying to good die first.. and i just couldnt fathom that happening.. so i went against everything i truly do believe in.. and 6 yrs later, my faith is even stronger.. but I totally respect people that don't believe, because ive been there- and sure, it makes sense..

My apologies for sounding rude. Just giving my opinion.
I can't help but feel little respect for certain religious groups when they are constantly pushing their beliefs on me. I had this problem often at my previous workplace. It was frustrating. Not to mention the street groups spreading the "word of god", the leaflets in my mailbox and the persistent door knockers.
For some, their religion consumes their lives. "Living and working for god... Having as many babies as god tells me to have... praying for forgiveness because I lied to somebody..." To me, that's sad.
I get together with a group of friends for coffee every month or so. A pair of these friends believe in god and every get together without fail, they will talk about their god, making the other 3 of us uncomfortable. I love these 2 ladies, but damn I wish they would stop their preaching. I have never once discussed my beliefs (pagan atheist) to the group. I don't see it necessary.

Sorry for the rant. I don't think it's wrong to believe in god, I think it's wrong to take it too far.
Peace  

I totally agree. But the leaflets, the door knocking and everything- is annoying i agree. I get the usual Jehovah Witnesses and what not. But, at the same time, maybe the animal rights people are just as annoying to some? With the leaflets and all the rants? The way some feel about religion, others feel about animal rights.. So there should be some level of respect of what theyre doing. Theyre raising awareness about their religion, we're raising awareness for the animals..
I dont like the door knockers, but i be polite and take their leaflet and say have a nice day. Because that's what they believe, and I like when people are polite about my beliefs.
I used to work somewhere where 1 girl made me cry because she was shoving her Athiest beliefs on myself. She was going mental and calling me names and everything- thats un necessary. And it made me furious, and it destroyed me mentally because it was so draining. People that get that worked up just make me so drained. I just dont understand how people can be so cruel and rude towards others. There's people on both sides that push. In your case, they pushed religion, in my case, they pushed not believing.. It does go both ways, and that's what people need to realise.. It's not just one sort of person.. And i think in saying that, and how frustrating it is, people need to think about some of the animal rights things they say and do, and how they approach people with it. Cos we know its right, but others dont..