Why Are Churches so ineffective and nonchalant concerning Animal cruelty?
For but one example: in Church going, ‘Bible belt’ parts of
America, statistics reveal that around 95% of hens eggs produced
there. still come via the battery system! But then why turn to
America? Here in Wales - at our own Parish Church! - a Roast Hog
evening is being organised by Girl Guides so as to raise money for
church funds! Well, surely the reason is given by our Blessed Lord
Himself{ “These prefer the praises of man to that of the praise of
God!” Yes indeed, and in order to achieve this I well remember how
potential candidates for becoming the possible next Bishop of Aberdeen
behaved when it came to their time of voting.
Indeed, rather
than suggest one particular fellow cleric – if not themselves! - they
looked around to find out how the members of the laity voted first of
all.. The fact was that they only had eyes and ears for what the laity
mostly expressed; and then they used all their individual charm to
assure the laity gathered that - should any of them be chosen for such
an exalted post - then they would ‘rubber stamp’ and ‘kowtow’ to what
each majority opinion appeared to express.. Yes, indeed, rather than
‘in true eastern style’ lead the flock, they as shepherds would simply
follow the flock from behind!
On one memorable occasion, at a
somewhat similar gathering, when the work of the Holy Spirit was being
discussed, I used the opportunity to affirm that there could be no
blessing by the Holy Spirit while ever we left the animals outside of
our concern and care. Indeed, hardly had I had chance to sit down
after such a statement when a roar of laughter followed the words of a
critic after me: “What on earth has The Holy Spirit got in common with
animals?”
Indeed, for a few moments I was jaded and ridiculed
until the visiting speaker for the seminar silenced them. “This
gentleman has brought up a very sane and sober question!” he added.
Well, I only know that it’s a long, long time ago when this occurred.
But then I do remember , so very clearly, that after this learned
professor in theology had commended me, how my previous critics turned
and said to me “So sorry brother, you obviously have something worthy
of much consideration!” Yes, the fact was that they completely lacked
the courage to ‘speak out’ unless they had the backing of others, or
of a well-respected individual professor.
Well, regrettably,
the majority of clergy I have come across are of the above
disposition. And, as a consequence, due to using diplomacy to the
point where it becomes deviously disgusting, they are often able to
climb the ecclesiastical ladder.
But then, on reaching the
ecclesiastical ‘top’, they cannot change their feebleness of
character. Their mould has by then hardened!
Consequently, we
have so very many prelates in the Anglican church who are moré of a
spiritual hindrance than a help. “Can the leopard change its spots?”
asked Jesus and the answer is an obvious no!” And, indeed, it is for
this reason that few indeed are the exceptions where a prelate in the
Church Of the Anglican Communion reveals himself in a prophetic style
comparable to a past Archbishop Cranmer, a Ridley, a Latimer or a
German Martin Luther.
Sadly, those at the top of our
Denominational leadership are no more than a reflection of a whole lot
of spineless, feeble and - dare I say it? – cowardly compromising ‘wet
lettuces’. Indeed, we are all very much the victims of our own past
repetitive styles; and each time we respond in the same, or a similar
way, towards injustices, then the deeper the groove gets in our neural
paths; and the harder it then becomes to get out of such deep seated
neural ruts.
Yes, and don’t I know it only too well within my
own life? Indeed, I most certainly do! One is reminded of the words of
St Paul: “The good that I would like to do I do not; And the evil that
I would not: that I find myself doing!” Yes, and though we can claim
the victory through Christ who can strengthen us, few of us are
prepared to break away from those neural paths in bedded through past
repetition as well as by flippant transitory ‘rewards’ within the
psyche.
Go on to Not Prophets, But More
Aptly Termed ‘Puppy Dogs!’
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