Jan 13, 2011

In the Crosshairs of Gun Violence & Slaughter of the Innocent

Is it really that hard
to make
the connection?
There is a sacred spark in all life...

“We need never look for universal peace on this earth until men stop killing animals for food. The lust for blood has permeated the race thought and the destruction of life will continue to repeat its psychology, the world round, until men willingly observe the law in all phases of life, ‘Thou shalt not kill.’”
Charles Fillmore, “The Vegetarian,” May 1920


The human cycle of violence will not stop until we stop the underlying violence, the remorseless violence we commit against animals for food.  The lesson is plain: when we harden ourselves to the suffering we inflict on animals in our own interest, and justify it by proclaiming our superiority or specialness, it is but a short and unavoidable step to justifying and inflicting the same kind of suffering on other humans in our own interest while likewise proclaiming our supremacy or specialness. 
Will Tuttle
Author of The World Peace Diet

There will never be any peace in the world as long as we eat animals. 
Isaac Bashevis Singer
Nobel Prize Winner in Literature 1978

To advocate the rights of animals is far more than a plead for compassion or justice towards the victims of ill usage; but for the sake of mankind itself, our true civilization, our race-progress, our humanity.
Henry Salt
Artist, traveller, diplomat, and Egyptologist 1780–1827

As long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other.  Indeed, he who sows the seeds of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.
Pythagoras
Greek philosopher 570 - 490 BCE


Please for the sake of our own species... For the want of a nonviolent world - Go Vegan

5 comments:

Krissa said...

It's almost disheartening to see that some humans have been advocating that our species stop at least slaughtering animals since over 2000 years ago (the Pythagoras quote). Things have only gotten worse for the rest of the animals on this planet since then. It is truly time for an awakening. It's up to those of us who understand the truth and care about our fellow beings to never give up and always do what we can to speak out for them, relieve suffering where we can and at the very least not participate in it. Our fellow beings - they matter, they are real and they deserve so much better than what they get on this Earth.

veganelder said...

Walt Kelly writing as Pogo Possom in 1971 pointed out the dismaying truth: "We have met the enemy, and he is us."

Bea Elliott said...

I agree Krissa - It does seem long, long overdue. I can only think that everything had to (and still has to) align correctly. We needed to technically progress to a point where the use of animals could be substituted. For the most part we're evolving to be that civilized. Don't need an oxen to pull a plow, or a horse to ride to the store on... Don't need animals to amuse us - We have a huge world of other "more fun" things to entertain ourselves with... Don't need to wear their skins or hides - All that is sooo passe'! Our medical and scientific advancements make animal experimentation seem like ancient, archaic blood-letting practices... And finally - we certainly don't need to eat them - Too many other nutritious and delicious options.

There now! After my long lists of very do-able solutions - It IS finally time to set the animals free! If only it were this easy...
But hang on Krissa - I can see the day is bound to come! It's only a matter of when...

veganelder - I thought of that many times when I first became aware... A dozen times a day I'd relive what I had recently done, said, worn or eaten. And I reminded myself in the mirror that I was the (once) the bad guy. Heartbreaking upon the initial discovery... But afterwards, when one can fess up and change accordingly - It really is quite cathartic. Now, if only the world could see this too...

So I'm Thinking Of Going Vegan said...

I don't understand why it's so hard (for some) to make the connection, but then I've never understood this obsession in the States (sorry if I'm making a generalization) with this whole right to bear arms. Who in their right mind would even want to own a gun? But in the United States there are on average 88.8 guns per every 100 residents. Insane if you ask me.

Bea Elliott said...

SITOGV - I imagine that statistic of 88.8 guns per 100 residents doesn't even include the "illegal" ones. Those are impossible to document.

Most say it is for protection... If one digs a bit they'll find that many gun owners are "protecting" themselves from potential Government infringements. Meanwhile the courts have all but shut down free speech via the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. Our priorities are so mixed up. :(

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!