A series of commentaries by Mary T. Hoffman about: humans and animals and the cruelty inflicted upon them; prayer and grace, and the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives; and the problems that plague our lives in this corrupted world.
God has given humans responsibility for the care (“dominion”) of animals. Humans have betrayed that trust.
Betrayal: Every time humans slaughter for any reason or encourage the slaughter by using the products of slaughter. Included in “products of slaughter” are dairy products (milk and cheese), because milk is produced as food for babies. In the case of dairy cows, these male babies are veal calves who suffer horribly, not to mention the trauma of the mother who has been artificially inseminated and has had her baby taken away. And by the time the dairy cow has reached only 25% of her natural life span, she is sent to slaughter. My definition of “slaughter” includes the taking of any life for any reason, other than compassionate euthanasia.
We humans are so brainwashed by our “culture” that we blindly accept atrocities suffered by billions of our fellow creatures round the clock on this blood-soaked earth.
I find it interesting that after two thousand years since Christ’s physical presence on the earth and all the “Christians” populating parts of the earth, we still cling to the primitive lusts we should long ago have cast off. Eating, drinking, wearing the products of fellow creatures is proof of the fall and degradation of humankind.
(Genesis 1, 2 and 3)
In Genesis1: 29 and 30, God presents clear instructions for our eating habits:
29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant
yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which
has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you;
30 and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every
thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant
for food”; and it was so.
and concludes with Genesis 1:31:
31 And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Because of this fall and degradation, even truly “born again” human is forced to live in an environment where death of creatures is a daily occurrence. This does not excuse us from doing the very best that we possibly can to limit all destruction of life.
Sooner or later those who truly care to live closer to God’s original intent are verbally attacked by the unregenerate who mock with well-worn remarks they imagine are “oh so clever.” You know, the ones about the “suffering” of plants and the bacteria on your teeth, etc.
But take heart; the prophets of old and anyone who ever tried to truly live according to a higher standard has been mocked or worse.
Isaiah 59:15:
Yes truth is lacking;
And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey.
The world is full of cowards who prey on the weak and innocent. It takes courage to live a truly godly life.
Go on to: Blocking the Holy Spirit
Return to: Heartbreak: Ramblings From a Compassionate Heart
Watercolor Painting by Mary T. Hoffman