With great power comes great responsibility.
"Then God said, Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the tame animals, over all the earth, and over all the small crawling animals on the earth." So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female. God blessed them and said, "Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master. Rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
And rule over them we have. But is it as God intended? When God said to rule over them did He, the epitome of LOVE and all it defines, mean to torture and to kill these very animals that he also created, in the worst ways we can think of?
We look at people that abuse dogs, those that kick or beat them, as inhumane. We are indignant and self-righteous. We want to protect them and send those that treated them badly to jail.
But dogs are our pets. So I would assume that because we choose not to eat them, that makes them more important than any other animal?
What would we say to someone that would want to hang a dog by his hind legs and shock him with an electric poker? What would we do if we saw someone kick a sick dog that was already on the ground and drag him around while laughing? I'm sure none of us would just stand there. We'd probably think it is completely appropriate to give that jackass a taste of his own medicine and beat him with a stick.
Would it be ok to put a dog in a room full of other dogs and stuff it so full of them that they can't even move to go to the bathroom? Is it ok for them go the bathroom where they are standing and let them wallow in it? Should it be allowed that if a dog is sick, that we euthanize that dog and then grind him up and feed him to the rest? GROSS. Ok - just kidding! Let's mix the ground up dog then with hard dog food to make it right and no one will know the difference. That makes perfect sense.
All these suggestions are ridiculous of course. We would never do that to a dog. Dogs are man's best friend. Huh.I bet they thank their lucky stars for that. Otherwise, they'd wind up on someones plate with a bottle of A1 and a side of french fries.
With great power, comes great responsibility.
What have we done with our power? Have we been responsible? Have I?
Not always. Not by any stretch of the imagination will I stand on my preacher box and claim I've never done these things. I am guilty. I admit it. I'll shout it out. Guilty! The great thing, the blessed mercy, is that I don't have to remain that way.
Food has been on my mind a lot lately. What I eat, why I eat, where what I eat comes from, what i feed my family, what limits I set for myself and for them.
Being a veggie is not convenient. It is not for the undisciplined. It is not inexpensive and it is not for anyone that cares one bit what anyone else thinks of them. I am amused by the comments that I receive, "wow- you're still doing the whole "veggie thing" huh?" or even better, "there's only a little bit of meat in it - you can pick it out can't you?" Um, NO. If you mixed a Bloody Mary, would you hand it to the alcoholic and ask that he filter the vodka? Duh.That would be a stupid.
The more that I learn, the greater need i feel to speak out. How can I keep quiet, and really, why should I?
Now, I know that not every animal is treated badly. There are some good ranchers out there and you know what? Props to you rancher man for having a moral standard. I'd like to believe these ranchers are the majority. I'd also like to believe if I wear a baggy sweatshirt no one will notice my muffin top. Wouldn't we all love it if that were true? The sweatshirt industry would be right up there with 5 inch heels and push up bras in sexy status. Victoria's Secret will have some stiff competition - Hanes and Fruit of the Loom. Bow-chicka-wa-wa....
What I have I done to be more responsible? I have chosen to not eat meat. Do i think that is the choice everyone should make? Not necessarily. I have a friend that informed me a few days ago that she is buying half a cow. I was kind of shocked at first.
Where was she going to put it?!
And how can you only buy half a cow???
But my friend is a very morally responsible girl and she loves all creatures. (Except roaches. But who can fault her for that? Every time i crush one I think to myself, why God? Seriously - when I get to heaven, I'm asking Jesus what the purpose for that little sucker was). Anyway - half a cow. I was fascinated to learn that you can literally buy meat on the Internet from a rancher that feeds their animals only grass, no additives, on a ranch where it roams free, and it is killed, but done so humanely. (and yes, I do think this is possible. I couldn't do it but props to the moral rancher man that can). Hmmm. Not my personal choice but the point is that there are many ways to be morally responsible and she has chosen one that suits her and her family. Cool.
Although I haven't seen the website myself, I'm sure she has done her homework. She is quite tenacious and informed about these sorts of things. And if for some reason this website is bogus, the poor bastard that put it up better run for his life before she catches him.
We have been given a responsibility and great power. There are many ways to use this power for the good. Convenience and laziness are not the answer. Think about it. What can you do? You may be surprised at all the different options.
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