Vegetarianism urged

Please allow me to explain why People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is asking Mormons to extend their mercy to animals and follow a vegetarian diet ("PETA billboard cites LDS scripture," March 9).

From the Ten Commandments to the teachings of Jesus to the words of Mohammed, today's most widely practiced religions preach kindness, charity and compassion. Yet there is nothing kind about confining millions of animals to cages or crates barely larger than their own bodies and killing them for their flesh.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." According to Mohammed, "A good deed done to an animal is as meritorious as a good deed done to a human being, while an act of cruelty to an animal is as bad as an act of cruelty to a human being." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Word of Wisdom states, "And (animals) hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger."

Paula Moore

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Norfolk, Va.