A Few Thoughts for the Holiday Season and a Prayer for Animals

[Guest guest]

I listened to Benedict's sermon last night.  Whether one is Catholic, Jew,

Muslim or even believes in God is immaterial because his sermon was moving as he

spoke the absolute truth, which is as rare as the most exquisite pearl.  In

summary, Benedict said that something else is almost always going to seem easier

or more important than doing the right thing. 

 

As such and in the spirit of the season, I was personally reminded of these

bibical quotes.

 

" ... Let your light shine before people in such a way that they will see your

good works... " and ... " Blessed is he who has regard for the weak. "

 

Whether one is motivated by religious belief or personal morality is

immaterial.  From what ever source these adages arise, they are grounded in

truth.  Some even believe that it is in our genetic construction to embrace and

act upon these tenants and when we do not, we act against ourselves and

civilization itself.

 

Like most of us, I think about my belief system around the holidays.  I usually

write something for myself and for others, who may care to read it, because it

is the tradition of the season to attune our hearts to the suffering of others

and to be more generous in meeting the needs of the weak.

 

My holiday season prayer is in the coming year (starting today) that when those

who are sympathetic to animals have the choice to sleep late, go to the movies,

gather for fun with friends/family (when one frequently does so already) OR

attend an animal-related event, that they elect to attend and support the animal

event.  The animals have so few of us to speak for them in their suffering that

even one of us is sorely missed.

 

Too often we hear, " I can't come to the animal welfare/rights

demonstration/rally or vegetarian lunch/event, because I am (fill in the

blank). "    

 

Something else will always seem more important or more desirable than standing

up for animals (the weakest among us) if we let it.  And, I don't think that

it's too far of a reach to say that this is one of the major reasons why the

animals are still being persecuted, tortured and killed. Would the Soviet

Gulags, the German concentration camps, the enforced starvation of the 19th

century Irish, or the genocide in Cambodia have been allowed to occur if people

en masse had stood up against these atrocities?  Evil, never good, is aided by

silence and inaction.

 

Also, to those who feel it is a waste of time to continue with an animal cause

that does not bring immediate results, such as Jenny the elephant's situation,

this is THE major reason the animal abusers win time after time.   

 

The sin of omission is just as culpuble as the sin of commission.

 

I pray that each one of us (myself included) will look into our hearts for the

truth and make speaking for animals part of daily life.  Five minutes of our

time each day could ease the lifelong suffering of a dog, cat, cow, pig or

chicken.

 

Please to resolve to frequent only vegetarian restaurants where no animal flesh

is served. Veggie Garden vegan restaurant struggles to stay open when so many

meat-serving restaurants flourish, because it is just a little bit easier for us

to go to establishments that purvey in cruelty. Please take thirty minutes to

attend Vegetarian Network of Dallas' lunch at Veggie Garden on Sunday, 12/27

from 11:25 AM to 12:45 PM and if you are able, contribute to a vegetarian food

drive for the poor. A single can of peas is welcome.

 

And, to those in animal advocacy leadership positions, we influence best when we

live by example. I pray that leaders commit to take no part in AR/AW politics;

remove hubris from their hearts and souls; and judge not nor speak ill of other

honest animal advocates.  Please do what you can; the best that you can, and

encourage others to do the same.

 

For the good of the animals.

 

Thank you for your consideration of these thoughts. I welcome those who wish to

share their own thoughts to post on one or both of my two (listed

with my signature).

 

Margaret Morin

Founder, Concerned Citizens for Jenny and Vegetarian Network of Dallas Animal

Advocacy Group