Honoring ALL life

I know that some people think animals are just animals -- to be used, eaten, "managed" (a la the wolves in the western US), and farmed for profit.  I think they are life forms too close to us to be treated in these ways.  If we're going to eat them at least we ought to be humane to them before we do.  And we ought to kill them in ways that are not savage and pain-inflicting.

So I rejoiced when I read that the annual baby seal slaughter in Canada only resulted in the "harvest" of 7% of the total number of seals sanctioned to be killed by the Canadian government.  The demand for baby seal skins has been reduced, mainly because of the videos that have been taken and shown around the world -- videos of how those skins are "harvested."

The same thing is happening in other areas -- factory farming, fur production, commercial fishing.  We are seeing the results of our clamor for cheap eggs, meat and milk, and "luxuries" like fur coats.  When we actually see what happens, we lose our appetites for such things. 

Why?  Because human beings are innately good.  They do not want to cause pain and suffering to other life.  It is part of our makeup to honor life.  Some part of us knows we share it with every other living thing.   As we evolve, I believe we will find ways to act humanely in our food production and ultimately reach a balance of living on earth that honors every life, every animal, every plant.  We will be more joyful, less guilt-ridden, and more physically healthy as a result. 

And that will be a world that works for everyone, because as we evolve we also come to understand that our fellow humans, as well as animals and plants, are one with us -- all of them!  We come to know that it is okay for others to have opinions and beliefs that are different than ours.  We come to see that all these different faces, opinions, beliefs, and ways of acting are part of the Divine Panoply -- God manifesting itself in every shape and form and way of life. 

So I praise every step that is taken in that direction.  I am grateful that the seal hunt in Canada is coming to its natural end, forever.  I am grateful that we are now seeing the results of factory farming showing up in antibiotic-resistant meat in the store coolers and egg recalls because of salmonella.  What we do to them, we do to ourselves.  As we learn to be more compassionate we also are more compassionate toward ourselves.  As we learn to be more compassionate with ourselves, we are more compassionate with our fellow human beings.  We grow more loving and peaceful.  And when we do that, the whole world changes!

Blessings and joy,
Rev. CC Coltrain