great article and thanks!

Great article!!!
However, it is almost impossible to stop animal cruelty, as long as there is profit from it. People will do anything for money. There are even people who murder their spouses for insurance!

Tis a cruel cruel world...

Let's all go veg!!!

--
Shrug and say
...::~*~:: w H a T e V e R ::~*~::...

Thanks for your article. There are so many issues concerning animals and how we humans cause them suffering. I am also trying to play my part in making life better for animals.

I think that this is an important time in social progress, similar to the struggle to end child labour during the early industrial revolution -also, similar to the struggle to end slavery. During both of these periods, 'decent' society tolerated these injustices because they said that the economy would collapse without this cheap labour. And, yet we see that economies have survived without these cruel practices - though both of these still exist in other parts of the world.

Human Greed seems to be at the root of many of these cruel things.

Your article asked the question: "are we totally Godless." I don't want to be argumentative, but think it is fair to point out, that sometimes people who publicly profess belief in God, have not been friends to animals in any way. I know many people who work tirelessly to help animals who are atheists. I also know of many people who support businesses that harm animals who profess to believe in God.

I believe in God myself, but often find that this general belief does not guarantee compassion for animals. In fact, in my community, there is an ongoing struggle with a zoo owner that has held captive animals for display in very small and barren cages for years. Yet, she has used Bible passages to justify her 'right' to house animals in ways that cause them distress.

International attention has focused on this zoo, called Lickety Split Ranch and Zoo, because of a kangaroo, named Tyson who was forced to live in a small pen with only a tin shed for shelter. Please use a search engine to research 'Tyson the Kangaroo' and you will find a lot to read.

This zoo owner recently appeared in court over a license violation regarding keeping native wild animals without a license - and during the court appearance she stated that 'God gave her dominion over the animals.' Note, that she has been frequently encouraged by reputable groups to improve the conditions that she forces the animals to live in.

That Bible passage is used to justify all kinds of abuse of animals. But, many of us believe that if we do believe in God, then we have an even greater duty to care for the creatures that have sensitive needs and feelings that also share our earth. I have every respect for my many atheist friends who show great compassion for animals and work so hard to help them - just as I know many people of faith who also work to help animals.

I'm so glad you are speaking up for animals. All people who want a better world for animals will need to work together irregardless of their spiritual position. Animals need all the help they can get.

Here are some questions. What is it about us humans, that allows us to be so blind to the suffering of animals?

What will it take to change us?

I am totally against animal cruelty, I've often thought of what it would be like if they started testing on sickly people, buuut, then I wonder if that would even be right. Animals deserve as much freedom as anyone in this world does, nobody can say their god... The world is supposed to be equal, what ever happened to the times where we had no war, and nothing bad ever happened to animals besides working on farm lands day and night?
This subject should go world wide, but people are to determined with war, and selecting our next president, they can't see animals out there are dieing...I don't care if I'm to young to be getting so worked up about something so important, but I want to help the animals, cause I've been living with them for 13 years, and thats my whole life...I understand if people say "Well how do you know what they feel" and whenever someone asks me that question I give them my honest opinion "Cause their just like us!"

Amen to that. That versein my mind means that God has given us the animals, but we are to treat them right, not abuse them and treat them as if they're worthless.

--
My life is in a sketchbook, take the sketchbook from me and I wither and die.98% of the teenage population does or has tried smoking pot, if you are one of the 2% that doesn't copy and past this in your singature.

what is it about humans? only the fact that we are human. it's in our nature to be corrupt, and to exploit others around us for our own benefit. look at communism, and the many examples of totalitarian leadership around the world. Animal cruelty is no different- it's just who we are. get used to it.

--
No I Will Not Stop Eating Your Soup